WSSN Stories

The California Black Power Network has been actively involved in the movement to make reparations in California a reality. As we move forward in the next phase of this work, we care excited to announce a new alliance in collaboration with six former members of the California Reparations Task Force – Dr. Cheryl Grills, Lisa Holder, Dr. Jovan Scott Lewis, Assembly member Reggie Jones-Sawyer, Senator Steven Bradford, and Donald Tamaki.

Introducing the Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation, and Truth Equal Justice Society (ARRT). The Alliance’s mission is to educate the public about reparations; amplify the Task Force on Reparations’ report and its recommendations; achieve broad-based, multi-racial public support of reparations; and grow the base of multi-racial and multi-sector allies who support reparations in California.

For more information about this historic collaboration, visit Alliancefor.org.

 

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

As California and the federal government invests trillions of dollars in infrastructure projects, advocates say there’s a cost for not guaranteeing equitable racial and ethnic participation in contracting, as firms are hired to carry out the necessary work.

In California, many of the firms owned by Blacks and other minorities qualify as Historically Underutilized Businesses, a U.S. Small Business Administration certification that prioritizes companies in the procurement process.

“Inequity costs everybody,” said Ingrid Merriwether, a member of the Equity Infrastructure Project (EIP)Advisory Council and CEO of Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services (MWIS).

Merriwether told California Black Media (CBM), “Things cost more because you don’t have enough competition. In public contracting, they award business on the lowest responsive bidder,” she said.

“When you have fewer people competing, people are paying more. With tax dollars involved, we are all paying more.”

Merriwether and other advocates are working to ensure more Black-owned and other minority-owned firms gain from California’s upcoming taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects through government contracts.

In California, where more than 99% of all businesses are designated small businesses and 45% are minority-owned, advocates stress the importance of fair contracting according to the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA).

Merriwether played a key role in the creation and administration of the LA Regional Contractor Development and Bonding Program (CDABP).

MWIS has administered successful contractor development programs for the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Metro, County of Los Angeles, Alameda County, and the City and County of San Francisco – the latter for over 20 years. These programs have facilitated over $1 billion in bonding for small local contractors and have saved public sponsors over $22 million due to low bids from program participants.

In 2021, President Biden signed a $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, mandating a minimum of 10% of its funding for surface transportation projects go to ‘small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

In May, Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled proposals to streamline projects, declaring that the state will invest up to $180 billion towards clean infrastructure over the next decade. His office predicts this investment will generate 400,000 quality jobs while helping to achieve the state’s climate goals.

“The only way to achieve California’s world-leading climate goals is to build, build, build – faster,” said Newsom, speaking at the site of a future solar farm in Stanislaus County.

“This proposal is the most ambitious effort to cut red tape and streamline regulations in half a century,” the Governor continued. “It’s time to make the most out of taxpayer dollars and deliver results while creating hundreds of thousands of good jobs.”

Newsom says that California is funding statewide construction projects. Funding will come from previous state budgets and from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

On the local level, organizations are doing their part to increase equity when it comes to diverse firms landing infrastructure contracts. In Los Angeles, the CDABP is actively helping small, local and diverse contractors build their business capacities and access millions of dollars in contracts. The program helps fund surety bonds which can be expensive barriers for smaller firms fighting for contracts, and financing for firms whose cash flow is held up during the long wait for approval to pay workers after completing government jobs.

Critics of government preferences for minority-owned businesses claim that programs raise costs and invite fraud. In 2019, $300 million in federal contracts intended for minority-owned businesses went to business owners with false claims of Native American Heritage.

Another concern critics share is that smaller firms have a lower work completion rate. The industry ‘loss ratio’ or number of contractors who do not finish the job is 20% in the United States.

However, with a track record of having less than a 1% surety bond guarantee default rate for program-enrolled contractors, Merriwether envisions being able to facilitate access to contract funding once they’ve been successful in winning contracts with the program’s public agency sponsors.

“We’ve been able to demonstrate that these contractors are also competent. If you provide equitable resources, they can compete, they can be low bidders and they successfully complete their contracts compared to their peers,” she pointed out.  We’ve been very fortunate to demonstrate the true potential of these firms. What we want to do is amplify what we’ve been doing on a small scale to show folks that this is what we need to be doing on a national scale; using public funding as an appropriate source to change these dynamics and supply chain for small minority business. It’s the right thing to do.”

EIP was formed in April 2022 to leverage infrastructure spending to build wealth in underserved communities. It has persuaded several municipalities, including the California State Transpiration Agency to pledge more infrastructure funds to HUBs. On October 11, 2022, EIP and five other state-level departments of transportation signed an equity pledge in Washington, DC.

“Some may say that our work is about infrastructure or contracting, and indeed it is. Most importantly, however, our mission is about people,” said Co-Founders Phil Washington and John Porcari in a letter on EIP’s status. “It’s about creating careers in underserved communities. It’s about creating generational wealth and closing the racial wealth gap to break long-lasting cycles. It’s about people’s economic security and peace of mind.”

“The recommendations are the result of meeting with Californians from all walks of life—elected officials from around the state and heads of major transportation agencies but also community leaders and members,” said former Los Angles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in a press release. “Centering community and advancing equity is essential in this work, as is promoting environmental sustainability and expanding economic opportunity for all.

Learn more about the CDABP and find out how to apply for state government procurement in California.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Last week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office released data that established which demonstrated a connection between domestic violence and gun violence, and highlighted the risks women face in abusive relationships.

The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (CPEDV), reports that women being abused by male partners who own guns are five times more likely to be murdered by their abusive partners. From 2013 to 2022, women accounted for 83% of victims killed in domestic violence-related gun homicides by a current or former intimate partner.

“The data is clear. People who commit domestic violence and abuse, they simply should not have firearms,” Bonta said during a news conference on Nov. 6, at the office of WEAVE in Sacramento’s Midtown. WEAVE is the primary provider of crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Sacramento County.

The California Department of Justice “Domestic Violence Involving Firearms in California” report explores the effect of firearm-related domestic violence incidents involving firearms throughout California. It covers the state’s long-term progress in reducing domestic violence involving firearms, the significant increases since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the large differences among counties across the state, and the impacts on different populations based on victims’ reported sex, age, and race or ethnicity.

The report broadly defines “domestic violence” to include both family-related and intimate partner-related violence, which may occur in “public as well as private spaces.” The data indicates that the state’s efforts have helped significantly reduce the incidence of domestic violence, especially incidents involving firearms.

California’s population grew from 31,274,928 in 1993 to 39,437,610 in 2019, a 26% increase. Correspondingly, on a per capita basis, from 1993 to 2019, California law enforcement agencies reported a 53% reduction in domestic violence-related homicides and a 61% reduction in domestic violence-related gun homicides.

Researchers estimate that about 4.5 million women alive today have been threatened by an inmate partner with a gun and that nearly one million have been shot, shot at, or had a gun used against them by an inmate partner.

The report highlights that there are significant differences across California communities in rates of reported domestic violence involving firearms. Los Angeles County, for example, recorded 184,956 domestic violence calls between 2018 and 2022, with 2,908 calls involving firearms.

In addition, the counties of Alameda reported 27,482 calls (265 involving firearms), San Francisco had 16,509 (105), Sacramento reported 24,752 (247), Riverside 34,464 (212), and San Diego listed 88,497 calls (523 involving firearms) during the four-year span.

“Violence is not an accident. It is also not inevitable, and it can be prevented. Removing dangerous weapons from people who pose a danger to others is key to that goal,” Bonta stated. “This report gives an in-depth look at the ties between domestic violence and firearms, shining a light on the problem at hand, and illuminating the path to safety before us.”

Recognizing the dangerous connection between domestic violence and gun violence, California has adopted and invested in policies that enhance safety for survivors and the community, the report states.

Bonta launched the Department of Justice’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) in 2022 with the mission of supporting data-driven and impact-driven efforts to prevent gun violence and related traumas.

From 2013 to 2022, California law enforcement agencies reported 1,254-gun homicides where the suspected offenders were identified as a current or former intimate partner or family member of the victim, based on the OGVP’s analysis of victims’ race and ethnicity.

A majority (38%) of these domestic violence gun homicide victims in California were identified as non-Hispanic White, followed closely by Hispanic victims (33%). However, Black victims (13%) were disproportionately represented among adult female, male, and minor victims of domestic violence gun homicides. The Black population of California accounts for about 5.7% of the state’s population of nearly 40 million people.

“Survivors deserve to begin their pathway to healing with laws that promote their safety. We refuse to leave domestic violence survivors and communities behind — especially Black and Native women who disproportionately feel the impacts of gun violence,” stated Rocci Jackson, Gun Violence Restraining Order Community Analyst at the CPEDV.

Bonta held the news conference one day before the U.S. Supreme Court began hearing arguments in the U.S. v. Rahimi, a case involving a Second Amendment challenge to a federal law disarming individuals subject to certain Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs).

The report highlights California’s efforts to empower and protect survivors by providing a range of support services, offering crisis intervention and safety planning options, providing DVROs, and enforcing laws to protect against gun violence.

Bonta urges the SCOTUS to reverse a decision that would endanger domestic violence victims and allow firearms to remain in the hands of their abusers. The Fifth Circuit vacated the criminal conviction of a defendant who had possessed a firearm while subject to a DVRO, which a state court in Texas issued against him after finding he had assaulted his ex-girlfriend.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s decision in U.S. v. Rahimi would, Bonta expressed, invalidate a federal law that prohibits adjudicated domestic abusers subject to DVROs from possessing firearms.

On August 22, 2023, Bonta joined a coalition of 25 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the case, urging the Supreme Court to strike down the Fifth Court’s decision and reaffirming California’s commitment to preventing gun violence through protective orders such as DVROs.

“No one should ever fear becoming a victim of gun violence, let alone at the hands of an abusive partner or loved one.,” Bonta stated. “Violent perpetrators like Zackey Rahimi have demonstrated their risk to public safety and have no business possessing a firearm. Removing dangerous weapons from people who pose a danger to others is key to protecting both survivors and the broader community.”

By Lou Coleman

“Everybody talkin’ ’bout heaven ain’t goin’ there.” O my Lord!

[I Corinthians 6:9-11] says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” [Revelation 9:21; Revelation 21:27; Revelation 22:15; Galatians 5:19-21].

As in [Proverbs chapter 30 verse 12] it says, “There is a kind of generation who is pure in their own eyes, yet not washed from their filthiness,” “They have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.” [Romans 10:2]. I tell you, “Everybody talkin’ ‘bout heaven ain’t goin’ there.”

The Word of God is quite clear that many will be excluded from Heaven. [Matthew 7:13-14]. Jesus warned, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” [Matthew 7:21-23]. Your soul is being weighed in the balances. Mene, Mene,Tekel, Peres [Daniel 5:7]. Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity. [Matthew 7:21-23].

Everybody talkin’ ‘bout heaven ain’t goin’ there.” Oh my Lord!

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

In recognition of Veterans Day on November 12, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) urged military veterans to submit claims for burn pit exposure, which research has shown is linked to several illnesses, including some cancers.

“This Veterans Day, let us recognize the courageous servicemembers and their families who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our nation,” stated Lee, whose father was also a servicemember.

According to Lee, funds for treating veterans affected by ailments linked to burn pit exposure was made possible by the Honoring Our PACT Act, federal legislation President Biden signed into law in 2022.

“It delivered more than $2.46 billion dollars in PACT Act benefits to veterans,” the statement from Lee’s office read.

“Additionally, 1,103,860 total PACT Act-related claims have been submitted, more than 4.6 million veterans have received new toxic exposure screenings, and more than 426,000 new veterans have enrolled in VA health care,” Lee’s statement continued.

Lee is currently in the race for California U.S. Senator. According to a Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll conducted in October, at 9%, Lee is trailing three frontrunners: Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA-47) at 17%; Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA-30) at 16%; and Republican Steve Garvey, a former professional baseball player at 10%.

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

From all indications last week, San Diego City Councilmember and former California Reparations Task Force member Monica Montgomery-Steppe will be elected the county’s Fourth District Supervisor.

Early results in the special election for San Diego County Supervisor show that Montgomery-Steppe holds a commanding 22% margin over private investigator Amy Reichert as of Nov. 9.

District 4 has 700,000 residents.

Montgomery-Steppe, who has declared victory in the race, is a Democrat. She won the Aug. 15 primary with 41.7% of the vote while Reichert, a Republican, came in second with 28.8%. Montgomery-Steppe would be the first Black woman to serve on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors should those figures hold.

County District 4 covers parts of central San Diego, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Spring Valley.

“The Board of Supervisors serves over 3.2 million San Diegans – this is not a task I take lightly. As your Supervisor, I look forward to teaming up with you to tackle homelessness, promote holistic public safety, and invest in our County. Together, we can move the People’s Country forward,” Montgomery-Steppe said in a Nov. 7 statement.

LOS ANGELES, CA—- Charles Moore and Miesha Carter, an innovative African American couple from Los Angeles, California is revolutionizing real estate investment accessibility with the launch of their Affordable Real Estate Investment Course Series. As seasoned real estate professionals with years of experience, they have a passion for fostering financial growth and are excited to announce that enrollment is open for their transformative online course series.

This initiative is only open and available two times a year and it aims to impart unconventional yet successful real estate investment strategies that have been honed and perfected over the span of five years. With a commitment to making quality education accessible, this couple brings forth an opportunity that not only equips but also caters to the budget-conscious investor and levels the playing field.

Miesha shares her enthusiasm, stating, “We’re here to help our clients start up, invest up, and scale up.” This is why it is good to tap into a community of like-minded people to pursue real estate investment.

Venturing into the world of real estate investment often requires navigating uncharted waters. Considering this, the couple’s real estate investment courses are designed to offer guidance for people eager to explore innovative investment avenues.

A pivotal focus of this online course lies in aiding individuals to master the intricacies of land and real estate government auctions, as well as property liens. These aspects, often overlooked, hold immense potential for those who understand how to navigate them effectively. The course delves deep into the nuances, enabling participants to emerge with a comprehensive understanding.

The highly anticipated Real Estate Investment Class Series titled “Getting Ready for the Auction” stands as a testament to the couple’s commitment to education. This course is a total of 10 modules, 8 Primary modules, and 2 Bonus ones, this series will give the participants the tools and knowledge to understand the auction process.

The modules include:

November 6, January 8th 2024, March 4th 2024: Free Webinar

January 13, 2024: Series 1 – Understanding Tax Liens and Tax Deeds Property Auctions
January 27, 2024: Series 2 – How To Bid At The Property Auction
February 10th, 2024: Series 3 – Researching Tax Property
February 24th, 2024: Series 4 – Getting The Auction Rules
March 9th, 2024: Series 5 – Searching For Liens
March 23, 2024: Series 6 – Zoning
April 13th, 2024: Series 7 – Board of Health and Properties
April 27, 2024: Series 8 – Wiinning The Bid
May 11th, 2024: Bonus Session 2: What To Do With Properties
May 25th, 2024: Bonus Session 3: Creating Your Team

“We believe that everyone should have access to effective investment education,” says Miesha.

Her husband, Charles, comments, “Our courses are designed to empower individuals with the knowledge and strategies necessary to explore unconventional avenues in real estate.”

Enrollment for these courses is now open, offering a unique opportunity to learn directly from experts who have successfully implemented the very same strategies they teach. Participants gain access to a treasure trove of practical insights, industry secrets, and actionable tips that can pave the way to realizing their real estate aspirations.

Dr. Leonard Weather, Jr, RPh, MD, FAPCR a New Orleans and Shreveport, LA distinguished gynecologist was recently elected President of the Academy of Physicians in Clinical Research (APCR). Dr. Weather assumes the role of the first African American to hold this esteemed position in the organization’s history.

Dr. Weather’s extensive academic background includes a Pharmacy degree from Howard University and an MD from Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL. He further honed his expertise through comprehensive training, completing his internship, residency, and fellowship in gynecology and obstetrics at the renowned Johns Hopkins University Hospital.

Beyond his medical accomplishments, Dr. Weather is a multifaceted individual, embodying roles as a health educator, professor, ordained minister, artist, author, and photographer. His literary contributions include three inspirational poetry books, an infertility handbook, and his most recent publication, Endometriosis the Name of the Pain and How to Repress It, released in June 2023.

As an active gynecological clinical trials researcher, Dr. Weather has presented over 210 peer-reviewed presentations and papers, specializing in pelviscopic surgical treatment of infertility, endometriosis, pelvic pain, and uterine fibroids. Notably, he is credited with inventing the revolutionary surgical procedure known as Optical Dissection Pelviscopy, a groundbreaking advancement in laparoscopic surgery that aids in the prevention of organ injury.

Dr. Weather’s impact extends beyond the APCR, as he is the Past President of the National Medical Association, the Louisiana Medical Association, and the New Orleans Medical Association. He currently holds a position as a board member of the State of Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners and serves as the National President of Chi Delta Mu Medical Fraternity.

The APCR is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to advancing the fields of clinical practice, academic research, and pharmaceutical industry engagement in clinical research (clinical trials). Its mission encompasses the prevention and cure of diseases, as well as safeguarding the welfare of patients and study subjects through the acquisition, dissemination, and evaluation of knowledge concerning medicine and device development.

The APCR provides a vital platform for enhanced education, professional development, qualification, and certification for physicians participating in clinical research endeavors. It is the sole organization representing the physician research community within the American Medical Association (AMA), thus influencing national policies on numerous issues related to clinical research.

Dr. Weather brings a wealth of expertise, dedication, and vision to his role as President of the APCR. His historic election is a testament to his outstanding contributions to the medical field and his commitment to advancing clinical research.

Corynne L. Corbett to guide all editorial aspects of the health communications company

NEW YORK, NY– Black Health Matters (BHM) announced Corynne L. Corbett has been named editorial director for the nation’s leading provider of digital health and wellness solutions for African American consumers and patients. BHM’s various online and experiential events are dedicated to educating and empowering African Americans with information rooted in medical expertise and providing the tools necessary to optimize their health.

Ms. Corbett comes to BHM with more than twenty-five years of experience in communications, including roles as executive editor, strategist, editor-in-chief, and senior manager across various platforms and publications. Her past positions include Beauty Director of ESSENCE Communications, Executive Editor of Real Simple Magazine, Editor in Chief of Heart & Soul Magazine, and senior editorial and leadership positions with Mode and ELLE magazines.

“BHM is delighted to find the intellect that will connect us to the health and wellness interests of women of color. Corynne’s professional background illustrates her ability to influence and enlighten women of color at every life stage,” said Roslyn Young Daniels, founder and president of Black Health Matters. “We are excited to see how she’ll utilize her decades of editorial experience to engage with our audience to help improve health outcomes.”

Ms. Corbett will be responsible for guiding Black Health Matters’ editorial vision as the company moves into its second decade of raising awareness about chronic conditions and disease states that disproportionately affect African Americans. In her new role at BHM, she will lead in developing the editorial voice for all aspects of the company’s online and offline presence, managing and creating content, editorial planning, writing, and conducting interviews about medical topics and advances.

“I am excited about joining Black Health Matters because our work not only enlightens and empowers our audience but can also save their lives,” Ms. Corbett said.

Corynne L. Corbett holds a Master of Professional Studies in Technology Entrepreneurship from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Merchandising and Management from Pratt Institute.

 

By Lou K Coleman

God wanted his people to enjoy the bounty of the Promised Land. But He didn’t make them accept it. Even though choosing His way is the best way. The choice was theirs. [Deuteronomy 30:15-16]. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish hearts was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. Wherefore God gave them up. [Proverbs 29:1; Romans 1:21-24; Ezekiel 18:23, 30-32; 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9]. Looks Like Another Love TKO!

I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored My advice and rejected the correction I offered. So, I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you— when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you. When you cry for help, I will not answer. Though you will anxiously search for Me, you will not find me. For you hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. You rejected my advice. Therefore, you must eat the bitter fruit of living your own way. Looks Like Another Love TKO!

If you are reading this, I beg you don’t be another Esau. Esau wept bitterly that he could not repent [Hebrews 12:17]. The Hell he was entering into he found to be miserable, and he wanted out. The rich man, begged Father Abraham to send Lazarus to his brother’s house so that they would not come to the miserable, place he was in. What is it going to take? What wakeup call do you need? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?” [Ezekiel 33:11]. Because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, ““As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I will cut you off completely. I will not look on you with pity or spare you.” The restraints are off. [Ezekiel 5:11; Matthew 15:14; Romans 2:5].

I think I Better Let It Go… Looks Like Another Love TKO!