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By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

Because I have stretched out my hand and no one heeded, I will laugh at your calamity; I will mock you when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind.  [Proverbs 1:20-25].

Understand the significance of the passage; after a certain point of perverse refusal has been past, God will NO LONGER plead and strive with you. [Genesis 6:3]. He will NO LONGER intervene between a man and the consequences of his folly. When God has had enough, it’s a moment of divine reckoning. This is a solemn warning – a call to turn from our own ways and respond to God’s gracious invitation. Don’t wait until it’s too late.  If you love your life, you should listen because God’s judgment on this Earth is a fact, and we must take the means of escape He provides. His words speak of consequences unseen, urging us to take them seriously. We must not dismiss His cautions for His power to fulfill warnings remains unchanged. [Colossians 3:6].

The people, both young and old, were ensnared by sin, their hearts hardened. They ignored the warning. So, God warns them that He would bring on them a major judgment—His wrath, their Day of the Lord, a day of “darkness, and not light” [Amos 5:12-20].

By Assemblymember Tina McKinnor | Special to California Black Media Partners

Organized retail theft is a significant issue that impacts both consumers and businesses. While it is crucial to address theft and protect businesses from losses, we should also be mindful of safeguarding individuals’ constitutional rights, particularly the right to due process.

AB 1990 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, also known as the STOP Act, raises concerns about the balance between addressing theft effectively and ensuring civil liberties are upheld. This bill allows law enforcement officers to make warrantless arrests for shoplifting offenses not witnessed by the officer, if there is reasonable cause to believe the individual committed the crime. This bill has a dangerous potential for overreach and infringes on civil liberties, particularly the right to due process.

While the stated intention behind the STOP Act is to combat organized retail theft and protect businesses, there are valid concerns that this bill is an overreach and that existing law works, if properly enforced by our partners in law enforcement. A petty theft involving property stolen valued at $950 or less may be charged as a felony or misdemeanor (called a wobbler) if the offender has the following prior convictions:  1) at least on prior petty or theft-related conviction for which a term of imprisonment was served, and 2) a prior conviction for a serious or violent offense, for any registerable sex offense, or for embezzlement from a dependent adult or anyone over the age of 65.  A misdemeanor can result in a sentence of up to one year in jail, whereas a felon can mean incarceration for 16 months, two years or three years.  Let’s look at shoplifting in California.  It occurs when a suspect enters a store, while that establishment is open, intending to steal property worth less than $950.  The crime is considered a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in the county jail.

Granting officers the authority to arrest individuals based on reasonable cause, without witnessing the crime firsthand, can lead to negative consequences and possible violations of individual rights. Probable cause is the legal standard by which police authorities have reason to obtain a warrant for the arrest of a suspected criminal and for the courts to issue a search warrant. A grand jury uses the probable cause standard to determine whether to issue a criminal indictment.  The principle behind the probable cause standard is to limit the power of authorities to conduct unlawful search and seizure of a person or its property, and to promote formal, forensic procedures for gathering lawful evidence for the prosecution of the arrested criminal.  Reasonable cause does not require any of this due process and only requires that an officer reasonably believes that a crime has been committed. It is essential to find a middle ground that effectively addresses organized retail theft without compromising the fundamental rights of individuals.

California’s current laws, including the use of witness statements and surveillance evidence are sufficient for addressing suspected shoplifting and organized retail theft. California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently prosecuted Michelle Mack, a suspected organized smash and grab ringleader who paid twelve women to travel around California and commit over $8 million in retail theft at 21 different stores. AG Bonta used California’s current laws to have the suspect arrested and brought to justice.

The State of California is also making significant investments to address retail theft. Just this past year California invested an additional $267 million to combat organized retail theft. It has been less than a year and our law enforcement partners should have the opportunity to address this recent spike in retail theft crime.

Los Angeles County recently applied for and received a grant for the State of California for $15.6 million dollars to address retail theft enforcement.  LA District Attorney George Gascon also recently formed an organized retail task force that partners with LA County Sheriff’s Department, Glendale, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Torrance and Santa Monica Police Departments to integrate their response to retail theft across the region. These collaborative efforts, such as those seen in initiatives like the organized retail task force in LA County, demonstrate the importance of a united approach to tackling theft while maintaining a balance between enforcement and civil liberties.

As we move forward, it is essential for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, businesses and communities to work together in finding solutions that effectively address organized retail theft without encroaching on individual rights. Ongoing evaluation and a commitment to thoughtful consideration will be crucial in navigating this challenge and fostering a safe and prosperous environment for all. Balancing the scales of justice to protect businesses while upholding civil liberties demands a comprehensive and conscientious approach from all stakeholders involved.

I am confident we can find that balance.

About the Author

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) represents the 61^st District in Los Angeles County, which includes parts of the South Bay, Inglewood, Hawthorne and Lawndale.

Dedication, self-discovery, and a passion for learning are the hallmarks of Jamira Hunter’s remarkable journey. Her introduction to the world of STEM began in seventh grade when she first encountered STEM NOLA. This New Orleans program shaped her career path and influenced her approach to making a meaningful contribution to society.

Guided by her mother’s wisdom, Jamira and her brother, Jamal, embarked on a journey of exploration, immersing themselves in the hands-on STEM activities at STEM NOLA that would play a pivotal role in defining Jamiri’s desire to achieve academically and her ultimate decision to pursue nursing.  They grew up and attended school in Baton Rouge, but their parents drove them nearly 100 miles to participate in STEM Saturdays in New Orleans.

“As a parent and educator, I am grateful my husband and I took advantage of the opportunity that allowed my children to participate in STEM NOLA from a young age,” says Mironda Hunter.

Further, she credits STEM NOLA for increasing their awareness of STEM skills. “It peaked their wonderment of research and “what ifs.” They discovered new interests and strengths and expanded their outlook on STEM careers and opportunities. They were placed in direct contact with STEM professionals who looked like them and made the missions and outcomes realities together. Jamira and Jamal are STEM majors at this time.”

A particularly memorable project for Jamira involved building and powering a model car. This hands-on experience ignited Jamira’s passion for learning by doing, laying the foundation for her love of applied sciences. “I learned how to build things with my hands, and it made me realize I like being hands-on with things; I should learn when touching,” she reflects.

This newfound appreciation for hands-on learning significantly influenced Jamira’s educational and career trajectory, steering her towards nursing—a field where science meets compassionate care. For Jamira, nursing is not just about diagnosis and treatment; it’s about holistic patient care and making a tangible impact on people’s lives.

As Jamira, now 21, progressed through high school, STEM NOLA helped solidify her interest in nursing, ultimately leading her to enroll at Southern University and A&M College. Reflecting on her journey, she notes, “STEM NOLA helped me realize I like learning about life and science from a life perspective. It helped me determine that I like learning about the human body and caring for people.”

Jamira’s story symbolizes the broader impact of STEM NOLA in helping young minds identify their passions. Central to her success is the mentorship provided by Dr. Calvin Mackie, the founder of STEM Global Action and its affiliate, STEM NOLA.

“I love him. He’s funny, and he is real. He’s a real role model,” says Jamira. “You know how some people put on a front; he’s real hands-on and nurturing. He’s caring, ensuring everybody’s okay and you have what you need. He’s real sweet.”

Dr. Mackie expresses his commitment to empowering young minds through STEM. “STEM education is not just about teaching,” he says, “it’s also about fostering a mindset of curiosity, resilience, and a passion for making a positive impact on the world and our communities.”

In pursuing a nursing career, Jamira finds fulfillment in the clinical experiences provided by her academic journey. These experiences serve a purpose similar to internships, equipping her with practical skills while ensuring a smooth transition into the professional realm. Jamira emphasized the significance of these clinical experiences, saying, “Because really with nursing, after every clinical [experience], you’re certified with more skills.”

Beyond academics, Jamira values the cultural environment of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) like Southern University and A&M College. The sense of community and shared aspirations create an environment where she feels comfortable learning, asking questions, and striving for success.

“As a Black woman, being surrounded by professors and peers who look like me is empowering. It makes me more comfortable to learn and ask questions,” she says, adding that her appreciation for HBCUs includes homecoming, football games, and community.

Jamira remains focused on her goal of becoming a nurse. Her aspirations extend beyond personal success; she aims to leverage her knowledge to educate her family and community about preventive healthcare, especially within the African American community.

“We have a lot of people in our family with high blood pressure and mental disorders. Nursing educated me to help educate my family and others on how to prevent getting these sicknesses,” she says.

Jamira’s advice to aspiring STEM enthusiasts is poignant: “If you’re interested in anything science-wise, you should go to STEM NOLA because there aren’t a lot of activities that allow you to get your hands actively engaged and get a feel for what you want to do in life. Sometimes, people wait too late until they already started college, still figuring it out. But if you start going to places like these, you can start narrowing down to target your career path instead of wasting time or waiting.”

Jamira Hunter, who recently started her third semester of clinical studies at Southern University School of Nursing, is blazing a new path and showing her community what’s possible with STEM education. Her story underscores the potential within every young mind eager to explore the wonders of STEM.

ABOUT STEM GLOBAL ACTION

In 2013, Dr. Calvin Mackie founded STEM NOLA, a New Orleans non-profit committed to expanding STEM education, particularly in communities of color. His goal is to make STEM education available in ALL communities. In July 2021, Dr. Mackie launched STEM Global Action, a campaign and network of affiliates that pursue STEM education for children, parents, and communities. His initiatives have impacted more than 125,000 students, 20,000 families, and 5,150 schools across the U.S. and in five countries. Dr. Mackie holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Morehouse College, as well as a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech. An archive of the Let’s Talk STEM with Dr. Calvin Mackie podcast is HERE.

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

Don’t you know that My warnings are meant for your good? [2 Timothy 3:16]. Circumcise your hearts and avoid the calamity that awaits you. [Jeremiah Chapter 4]. For My Spirit shall not always strive with man. [Genesis 6:3]. Hear instructions and be wise, and do not refuse it. Flee for your life! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away. [Genesis 19:17]. Understand that I am not slow in keeping My promises, as some understand slowness. I am patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish. [2 Peter 3:9]. Return O backsliding children, says the Lord.

Don’t be one of the multitudes of people who will lift up their eyes from Hell, crying out as they remember the “random” incidences where the Holy Spirit tried to reach them. Don’t be like the Pharisees. Jesus in His great love sent the Pharisees men like the Apostle Paul to give warnings. God always gives us a warning or even multiple warnings before His judgment falls upon us. If you just look at our world today, there are many signs and warnings that God has and continues to give to us. These warnings are not meant for our destruction, but they are meant as a way to give us an opportunity before destruction comes. Understand the urgency of the times that we are living in.  The violence in the Middle East and even violence within our own nation is an outward manifestation of the warnings that God sends to us. Abnormal conditions within our world. Even weather patterns that are catastrophic serve as a warning.

Remember, God warned Noah that a global flood would cover the entire earth due to humanity’s wickedness. If Noah had ignored this warning, he and his family would have perished along with everyone else. But by heeding God’s warning, Noah ensured the survival of his family and the continuation of humanity. His faith saved them from the floodwaters. Noah’s faith demonstrated obedience, trust, and action. He believed in what he could not yet see and acted accordingly. In contrast, those who disregarded the warning faced condemnation. Their refusal to repent and heed God’s message led to their demise. My Stubborn, Heedless, Inattentive Children heed my warning. The Time is Near!

Although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Therefore, Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure. [Isaiah 5:15]. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might. [2 Thessalonians 1:9].

By Charlene Muhammad | California Black Media

On the night of March 10, 2024, Ramadan began for some two billion believers across the Muslim world. The Islamic Holy Month is a time of spiritual renewal for all participants, including many who do not identify as Muslim. Each year, an increasing number of individuals beyond the Muslim world embark on the journey of fasting during this sacred time.

In California, where an estimated half a million Muslims live, accounting for about 1.3% of the state’s population, the faithful are gathering daily for prayers at the 246 mosques located across the Golden State.

This month of Ramadan benefits every human being, regardless of their belief, said Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad of the Nation of Islam during his March 24 address livestreamed from Mosque Maryam in Chicago.

“Did you know that fasting and prayer can help us hear God more clearly?  Did you know that the principle and practice of prayer and fasting can help us make better choices,” Muhammad added.

On Tuesday, April 9, the holy month of fasting will come to an end.

Prayer, fasting and reflecting on Allah (God) gives one the power of discernment, he said.  In addition, they strengthen faith and build self-discipline, which brings one closer to their Creator, he detailed. The name Ramadan, said Muhammad, comes from the ninth month of the Lunar calendar and it means “intense heat.”

According to Islamic history, this is the month in which the Holy Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah Be Upon Him) by the angel Jibril, and every year, during Ramadan, each day, 1/30th of the Holy Book is recited or read by those observing the fast.

Ramadan spans 30 days of fasting, study, recommitment, and heightened awareness of Allah (God). In Arabic, this is known as Taqwa, the state of being conscious and cognizant of God. But what is Ramadan, how does one observe Ramadan, and lastly, how did it come to be observed by over 25% of the world’s population?

“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard against evil,” it reads in Chapter 2, verse 183. “So, whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein,” continues the Holy Qur’an.

“This is a beautiful month.  Thanking Allah for His many blessings, His mercy, His protection, His favor, and we should praise Allah every day,” Muhammad stated.

Acts of fasting were performed by Moses and his community, Jesus and his followers, prophets such as David, Elijah and many other figures in the Torah and the Gospel.

There is, however, a unique all-encompassing quality to fasting in Islam, especially during the time of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims restrain themselves from consuming food and water during the daylight hours. In addition, they are required to abstain from fighting, foul language, and sexual relations with their spouses during the daylight hours. For nearly 12-16 hours a day, from sunrise to sunset, Muslims are engaged in an exercise to gain greater self-control, adding strength to their righteous character.  Ramadan is observed not only through the abstaining of food and water, but through the daily readings of the Holy Qur’an, keeping up prayer, increased acts of kindness and charity especially in the way of feeding the poor.

Amina Lei, a Chinese American artist, and educator who has held forums to bring the Black, Brown, Red and Asian communities into a space to foster understanding and dialogue in Los Angeles, has been a Muslim since 2019.  “It’s really a time for spiritual cultivation, a really great practice to rise above our physical desires, for hunger, vanity as well, to really get into the word of God, to have some quiet time for yourself, and study,” she told California Black Media.

In addition, during Ramadan, she has found great benefit in cultivating communities, she said.  “This practice of rising above our physical limitations brings us to a higher level, a greater cause and to do that with your brothers and sisters in this time is really meaningful,” she added.

California Black Media also spoke to Grammy-nominated producer Kenneth “Trax” Coby, who said, “The first time I did it (Ramadan), I realized I was doing it wrong,” acknowledging that he wasn’t observing the strictest elements of the fast. “It was good, it builds a sort of discipline. I was new to it. You’re consistently working at something then after the 30 days, it’s a huge payout.”

“I’ve been observing the fast of Ramadan since I was 15-years-old, I’m 28 now,” said Na’il Ali Muhammad.  “It took me a few years to see it through and complete the entire 30 days. There’s great satisfaction when you complete it, much like when you climb a mountain and finally reach the top. For me, every fast allows me to reset my mind, body and cater to my soul. Ramadan offers a great chance to connect with God and get a grip on my negative habits and expel ideas that no longer serve me.”

Thus far, Muslims in various Nation of Islam mosques and study groups around the country have been preparing and distributing over 10,000 meals to communities as acts of service since the first week of Ramadan, according to Muhammad.  Girls Training and General Civilization Class) have been working together to ensure delicious, homemade food reaches those in need.

While Ramadan is a special time for individual improvement, the Holy Month also serves as a time for the strengthening of family and community bonds. In the evenings, as the fast concludes, families and friends gather for what is called Iftar –feasts that occur regularly throughout the month and mass assemblies of Muslims gathered for prayer.

For those curious about the benefits of Ramadan, consider tuning in to  “Ramadan: The Ummah Reflects,” a livestream that airs every morning and offers replays of each episode.

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

LOS ANGELES, CA—- When veteran entertainment industry publicist Makeda Smith began pole dancing as a fitness hobby, over 12 years ago, she had no idea it would morph into a life changing journey.  The 63-year-old grandmother, who has received international notoriety for her dance flow movement practice, Flying Over 50, has announced a brand expansion during Women’s History Month.  Makeda is releasing her first book, “Flying Over 50 at Any Age, A 30-Day Self Journal for Speeding Past Limitations” on April 5, National Self Care Day.  In addition, she has also launched an online wellness portal, The Makeda Method, offering healing breathwork sessions, deep stretch yoga classes, and dance flow movement lessons, all targeted for maturing seniors.

“Flying Over 50 at Any Age, A 30-Day Self Journal for Speeding Past Limitations” is an encouraging guide for navigating through life’s many holding patterns.  The author offers daily motivation and wisdom through introspection about her life while prompting the reader to write and reflect on their own journey.  By the end of the book, readers will hopefully find themselves renewed, invigorated, and ready to ‘Fly Over 50,’ soaring past societal and self-imposed speed limits.

“When I turned 50 over a decade ago, I was at one of the lowest points in my life.  The market had crashed, and I literally lost everything – but through it all, I found myself. I discovered that life doesn’t end at 50, but it does take on new responsibility.  Diving into fitness not only saved my life, but it also positioned me in the current pro-aging movement and garnered me the profound understanding that aging is one of the most powerful celebrations of living a long life,” expresses Makeda. “My book, ‘Flying Over 50 at Any Age’ and my new wellness portal, The Makeda Method, are my support systems for adults who are being challenged with the many effects of what we call ‘growing old.’   Aging is a natural process, but the secret is mastering practices for mitigating the daily stress that comes with it.”

The Makeda Method’ is a culmination of wellness offerings for everyone, all ages, but particularly for individuals struggling with the anxiety of aging.  As a certified breath and stretch coach, Makeda created the online portal to help others establish their own personal routines for health and wellness. Layered with the grace of her private coaching, breathwork is taught as a mindful tool for eliminating tension and unease, while deep stretch classes enhance flexibility and mobility in the body and work to calm the mind as well.

“Embracing senior citizenship can be overwhelming.  That’s where finding a coach comes into play.  A coach can guide you with the training and tools you need to initially get started and hold you accountable for your daily practice. Eventually it all becomes secondhand and then you are fine on your own.  I’m still a busy publicist with my own PR agency, but coaching has always been a passion point for me. Now with the release of my book and wellness portal, I’m hoping to further spread the news that growing older is a divine blessing when approached with attentive self-care!” explains Makeda.

Secure your copy of “Flying Over 50 at Any Age, A 30-Day Self Journal for Speeding Past Limitations” on Amazon.com and check out The Makeda Method at www.themakedamethod.com.

By Craig J. DeLuz | Special to California Black Media Partners

In the ongoing debates about book bans in American schools, there is one narrative that dominates the discussion: those who oppose certain materials in school libraries are merely “book banners,” seeking to censor and limit the free exchange of ideas.

However, a controversy last year that unfolded at a Miami public school reveals a more nuanced narrative.

Reports about the incident, which attracted international attention, suggested that the K-8 school banned Amanda Gorman’s celebrated poem that she recited at President Biden’s inauguration. In reality, the school in question opted to relocate Gorman’s masterful work from the elementary section of its library to the middle school division. This measure was not taken with the intent to censor the piece, but rather as a strategic choice to align the poem with the appropriate age group.

In a similar vein, the head of the United Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, wasted no time in voicing her outrage over the termination of a Texas educator who chose to read Anne Frank’s iconic memoir to her students. Taking to the popular social media platform X, Weingarten declared, “The blatant dismissal of a teacher for exposing her students to The Diary of Anne Frank speaks volumes on its own!”

However, it is essential to clarify that the book, “Anne Frank’s Diary,” is not the original work that has touched the hearts of millions. Instead, it’s an adaptation that emphasizes sexual passages. It was not, as many have claimed, a “censored” version of Anne Frank’s story, but one that deliberately highlights the most salacious and explicit elements. The educator tasked her eighth-grade pupils with reciting and debating a sexually suggestive excerpt from the adaptation, where Anne inquires if her friend would be willing to expose their breasts to one another and expresses a strong longing for a kiss. Unbeknownst to many, this incident, branded as a potentially oppressive, stemmed from concerned parents’ reaction to the educator’s focus on erotic themes within the beloved Anne Frank story.

Then there is Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, published in 1970; a tale chronicling the journey of a young Black girl grappling with feelings of inadequacy due to her lack of blue eyes. While critically acclaimed for its commentary on race and racial identity, this novel also delves into themes of pedophilia, rape, and even incest. It’s this content (not its racial commentary that led to frequent calls for censorship and its banning from classrooms in numerous school districts across the United States.

These examples highlight the deceptive tactics used by those who seek to paint concerned parents as intolerant and hateful.

However, the heart of these book bans lies in the moral disconnect between the majority of Americans and the education establishment. While most Americans believe that sexually explicit material has no place in school libraries, the education establishment continues to champion the idea that it is necessary and even “inclusive” to expose children to explicit images and descriptions of sexual acts.

It is not about censorship or restricting the free exchange of ideas, as some suggest. Rather, it’s about safeguarding the innocence and well-being of our children. It is about standing up against the normalization of sexually explicit material in places where children should feel safe and protected. Ultimately, it is about upholding societal values and principles.

In the ongoing debates about book bans, we must not allow ourselves to be swayed by misleading narratives and manipulative language. Honest and open discussions are crucial to understanding what truly hangs in the balance of our society’s moral compass and the well-being of our children. Anything less would be a disservice to future generations.

About the Author

Craig J. DeLuz has almost 30 years in public policy and advocacy.  He is currently President of the Robla School District Board of Trustees where he has served for almost 20 years. You can follow him on X at @CraigDeLuz.

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

You best make up your mind and make it up fast. For this is what the Lord God says: ‘Disaster! Unprecedented disaster– is coming! [Ezekiel 7:5-7]. We are on a catastrophic path, one that will be so extreme that the world have never experienced anything like it before. [Matthew 24:21]. Think about that, unprecedented disaster. A day of wrath— a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness— [Zephaniah 1:15]. For the Lord has an indictment against the nations; he is entering into judgment with all flesh, and the wicked he will put to the sword. [Jeremiah 25: 31]. I Tell You, This Ain’t No Time to Be Wishy Washy.

Listen, it is one thing to be confused and need some guidance or direction. It’s another thing to know what needs to be done and go back and forth between options. The Bible clearly tells us that someday the world as we now know it will come to an end. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare” [2 Peter 3:10]. So, I ask you, how long will you falter between two opinions? Make your calling and election sure. [ 2 Peter 1:10]. For, This Ain’t No Time to Be Wishy Washy. Because the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you and surround you and hem you in on every side and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation. [Luke 19:43-44]

Come near, you nations, to hear; And heed, you people! For the indignation of the LORD is against all nations, and His fury against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to the slaughter.” Their slain shall be thrown out; Their stench shall rise from their corpses, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. For it is the day of the LORD’s vengeance, the year of recompense for the cause of Zion.

Destruction of the Nations – [Isaiah Chapter 34:1-4 8-10; Revelation 14:10-11 Revelation 16:14; Revelation19:3]

When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale; the sky vanished like a scroll that is rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the generals and the rich and the strong, and every one, slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand before it?” [Revelation 6:12-17].

Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. This Ain’t No Time to Be Wishy Washy!

By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media 

On March 12, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and the Legislative Women’s Caucus partnered to host a screening of the documentary “Respect My Crown: The Rise of African American Women in California Politics.”

The event, held at the Crest Theater in downtown Sacramento, was followed by a Q&A with the film’s director, Pamela Bright-Moon, and its producer, Alisa Covington.

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) was one of the organizers of the event co-created with the California Black Women’s Collective Institute.

“It was about celebrating and uplifting women for Women’s History Month,” said McKinnor, a member of CLBC. “(This film) itself is powerful and dynamic. It really takes you across California’s history and It takes you across Black women’s political history in Northern and Southern California.”

Respect My Crown” is a feature-length documentary film that explores the significant contributions of African American women in leadership in the areas of politics, labor, and community activism in the State of California.

McKinnor said the film starts with former California U.S. senator Kamala Harris becoming the first Black woman Vice President and ends with labor activist Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Ladera Heights), who sworn in as a California State Senator in 2022. Between those milestones, the film traces the rich history of Black women in California politics, including the election of Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, the first Black woman elected to the California Legislature in 1966.

A number of state legislators and elected officials attended the event, including California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who is featured in the documentary.

“We now have Black women politicians, district attorneys and state officials. The film also touches on local city council persons and mayors such as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and San Francisco Mayor London Breed. It shows Black women’s footprints on the political landscape of California,” said McKinnor.

By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media 

Two California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) members, Assemblymembers Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) and Mike Gipson (D-Carson) were among the speakers during a special ceremony organized by the California Women’s Caucus last week to celebrate Women’s History Month.

During the ceremony, lawmakers from different groups in the Legislature and the 50-member strong Women Caucus paid tribute to several remarkable women from California and across the United States and urged their colleagues to pass House Resolution (HR) 72, legislation that declared March as Women’s History Month.

“I rise on behalf of the members of the California Legislative Black Caucus and the incredible women of that Caucus in support of this resolution and thank our colleagues for bringing this very important piece of legislation before us today,” said Gipson during the event held on the floor of the State Assembly on March 11.

“Your groundbreaking career is unparalleled, and I am proud we represent San Diego County together,” Weber posted on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter.

Gipson paid tribute to the five women mwmvwea of the CLBC: Sen. Lola Smallwood Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymembers Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) and Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood).

The Assembly leadership honored Janette Robinson Flint, founder of Black Women for Wellness, at the ceremony. She was escorted to the floor by Mckinnor and Assemblymember Rebacca Bauer-Kahan (D-Walnut Creek).