WSSN Stories

In response to President Biden announcing key members of his economic team, including appointing Joelle Gamble as deputy director of the National Economic Council, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies issued the following statement:

“We commend President Biden for selecting Joelle Gamble to be a senior member of his economic team. Joelle is an outstanding economic policy leader who will work to ensure the needs of all Americans are represented in our nation’s economic recovery,” said Joint Center President Spencer Overton. “This appointment is also an important step forward for the Biden Administration in improving Black representation in senior economic policy roles. The Joint Center looks forward to continuing to work with the Biden Administration on this important issue.”

Joelle Gamble currently serves as chief economist of the U.S. Department of Labor. Prior to this role, she was special assistant to the president for Economic Policy for the National Economic Council and served as an economic policy advisor role on the presidential transition. Before joining the administration, she served as a principal at Omidyar Network. She was senior advisor to the president and CEO of the Roosevelt Institute and national director of the Roosevelt Institute’s network for emerging leaders in public policy. Gamble is a graduate of UCLA and Princeton University.

By Paul Cobb | California Black Media

As the publisher of the Oakland Post, I am disappointed with recent mainstream media coverage and editorials trying to make tabloid news out of the appointment of Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) to be chair of the California Assembly Budget Subcommittee #5 on Public Safety.

Bonta a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus, was recently appointed chair by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, and some reporters and newspaper editors around California have baselessly made the case that the assignment is a conflict of interest because she is married to Attorney General Rob Bonta and her committee oversees funding for the state Department of Justice.

As journalists, we have a responsibility to report on conflicts of interest and hold public officials accountable for any improprieties. If, along the way, Bonta engages in activities that betray the voters’ trust, reporters covering her office have every right to investigate and expose those actions. However, it is equally important to exercise caution and avoid making unfounded accusations that could damage the reputation of public officials.

Speaker Rendon has stated that the Legislature’s budget process is designed with checks and balances to ensure that the best possible budget is passed. According to him, no elected official can ever personally or financially benefit from the budget process. The legislature does not set salaries or benefits for state constitutional officers such as Rob Bonta.

Bonta’s appointment to chair is recognition that she has the skills and experience necessary to fulfill her role effectively and impartially.

Rendon has expressed confidence that she will be independent in her legislative judgment.

The work of Budget Subcommittee #5 consists of hearing, reviewing, and making recommendations to the full Budget Committee concerning the Governor’s budget proposals for the courts, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Department of Justice, the Military Department, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, and other public safety departments.

Instead of fabricating baseless claims of conflicts of interest where there are none, responsible news reporters should be covering real news events occurring around the state. There are countless issues that require our investigation, from the ongoing homelessness crisis to the urgent need for criminal justice reform.

The press should be covering the important work that Bonta is doing to promote public safety and reduce recidivism in her district, where sadly gun violence currently disproportionately ravages communities of color. These are her constituents’ legislative priorities, and Bonta has a strong track record of fighting for their needs.

There is real news occurring around the priorities Attorney General Bonta set for his office that merits press coverage. Among his priorities are combating hate crimes and protecting civil rights, advancing criminal justice reform, protecting consumers, defending California’s environment, and enhancing public safety. These are important issues that deserve our attention, and it is disappointing to see them being overshadowed by baseless allegations of conflict of interest.

Mia Bonta has made it clear that the suggestion of a conflict of interest shows a lack of understanding about the legislative budgeting process.

The Assembly budget process starts with the Governor’s proposed budget bill, introduced by the full Budget Committee chair as required by the Constitution. There are five Assembly budget subcommittees that recommend amendments to the budget bill as the principal focus of their agendas.

The Governor’s chief fiscal advisor, the Department of Finance leads budget matters for the executive branch. Finance and departmental officials, as well as staff of the Legislative Analyst’s Office advocates and members of the public, appear at public hearings to answer questions.

Budget subcommittees focus on specific issues in their agendas, such as how much more or less funding a division of a department needs to perform a specific function.

The state’s budget is finalized by negotiations on thousands of budget items led by the Governor, the Senate Pro Tem, and the Assembly Speaker (a.k.a. the “Big Three”), on behalf of their branches of government. The staff of the Governor, the Senate, and the Assembly carry out these negotiations at the three leaders’ direction.

The Department of Justice – as a separate constitutional office – is not directly involved in those concluding negotiations. The executive branch in those talks is represented by the Governor.

Mia Bonta is an outstanding Assemblymember and public servant who has proven that she is committed to representing her constituents with integrity.

Proving her integrity, Bonta has announced, “I will recuse myself from Budget Subcommittee 5 matters directly pertaining to the Department of Justice including budget change proposals, proposed trailer bills, and legislative proposals that pertain to the DOJ to ensure that the body may focus on the important work before us.”

Rob Bonta, who held the same Assembly seat before being appointed Attorney General by Gov. Newsom and winning election to the office last November, also serves his office with integrity.

The media focus should be on covering both of their efforts to promote public safety and make California a better place for all citizens.

I urge all reporters and editors to uphold the principles of responsible journalism and prioritize the truth and accuracy of their reporting over sensationalism and clickbait. The public deserves better than to be misled by unfounded innuendo.

The Black press has a responsibility to step up and do its part to foster a more informed and engaged public and not allow mainstream media and newspapers to marginalize Black leaders without pushing back especially when their reporting shows ignorance and fails to uphold the principles of responsible journalism.

About Paul Cobb

Paul Cobb is the Publisher of the Oakland Post Newspaper in Alameda County, which is part of the Post News Group. He is known as a West Oakland community organizer who once led the Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal and served as a mayoral appointee on the Oakland Board of Education.

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA12), the highest ranking African American woman serving in the U.S. Congress, announced on Feb. 21, that she will enter the race to replace U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein — the 89-year-old, California’s senior U.S. Senator who has announced that she would not seek another term.

“No one is rolling out the welcome mat – especially for someone like me. I am the girl they didn’t allow in, who couldn’t drink from the water fountain, who had an abortion in a back alley when they all were illegal,” Lee said in a video she released announcing her senatorial bid. “I escaped a violent marriage, became a single mom, a homeless mom, a mom who couldn’t afford childcare and brought her kids to class with her.”

“By the grace of God, I didn’t let that stop me,” Lee said over a soundtrack of loudening applause. “And even though there are no African American women in the U.S. Senate, we won’t let that stop us either. Because when you stand on the side of justice, you don’t quit when they give you a seat at the table. You bring a folding chair for everyone, and they’re here to stay.

A week earlier, Lee, a 12-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives who is known for her progressive politics, filed the required paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to be a candidate in the 2024 race.

“It has been an immense honor to serve alongside Senator Dianne Feinstein, the longest-serving woman senator in our nation’s history,” Lee said in a statement after Feinstein’s announcement. “For over two decades, we’ve worked closely together to represent the best interests of our great state of California; create an economy that works for all; and advance justice and equity.”

“The progress we’ve made in the fight for equity can be seen in the Senator’s tenure itself: when she was elected in ’92, there were just two women senators. Today, there are 25,” Lee continued her homage to Feinstein.

If Lee wins she will be the only Black woman serving in the U.S. Senate. Just two Black women, Vice President Kamala Harris and former Illinois Senator Carol Moseley Braun, have served in the upper house of the United States Congress in the body’s 230-year history.

“As one of the most liberal states in the nation, we must continue to send an independent voice who will be diverse in their perspective and positions,” said Kellie Todd-Griffin, founding convener of the California Black Women’s Collective, a statewide organization whose membership includes women representing various professional backgrounds.

“That is Congressmember Barbara Lee. She speaks for all of us,” added Griffin.

In 2020, after Kamala Harris became Vice President, Black women advocates across California called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to appoint a Black woman to replace her. They made the case that there would be no other Black woman in the Senate after Harris left, and that Black women are the most loyal, most powerful, and  most consistent voting bloc in the Democratic Party.

Instead, Newsom appointed Sen. Alex Padilla, the first Latino from California to serve in the U.S. Senate. Although Black political advocates and Black leaders in the California Democratic Party eventually embraced Padilla’s nomination, many felt Newsom’s decision to not appoint a Black woman to replace Harris was a slap in the face.

“That is a terrible loss for America. That is our seat,” said Amelia Ashley Ward, publisher of the San Francisco Sun-Reporter, after Padilla was nominated. “It was won by an African American woman, and she had hundreds of thousands of African American women working hard with her, holding her up, standing behind her to win that seat. Not to mention millions of other Californians. Kamala was the second Black woman in history to serve in the United States Senate and she is currently the only Black woman in the United States Senate. She is the face and the voice of Black women from all across this country and we will lose that when she’s gone.”

Lee, 76, will be competing for Feinstein’s Senate seat against two other Democratic members of California’s delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives: Katie Porter (D-CA-47), 49, and Adam Schiff (D-CA-30), 62.

Both Porter and Schiff, like Lee, have progressive voting records. Both Democratic competitors have already amassed tens of millions of dollars, respectively, in campaign donations. Their early fundraising places them in a stronger position than Lee to win the 2024 Democratic primary which will be held about a year from now.

In the U.S. House, Lee serves as co-chair of the Policy and Steering Committee. She is also a member of the Appropriations and Budget committees. She is former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and chair emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Lee has also been hailed by her Democratic colleagues as the only member of Congress who had the courage to vote against the use of force in Iraq after the September 11 attacks.

As a young activist, Lee was a volunteer for the 1973 Oakland mayoral campaign of Black founder co-founder Bobby Seale.

Griffin says for Black women particularly, and for African Americans in general, it is important to have representation in the United States Senate.

“Congressmember Lee has been a progressive leader whose record demonstrates she will fight to solve the issues that impact our community. She has effectively served California by advancing meaningful policy while standing up for the things that matter to everyday citizens,” said Griffin.

By Lou K Coleman-Yeboah

As the celebration of “Black History Month” narrows to an end, let us remember as a chosen people of God, the things of God. Let us remember what He has done, how He has rescued us, how He has provided for us, and the way He has saved us. For the stones shall be a memorial forever. [Exodus 13:3–6; 24:4; Deuteronomy 27:1–8; Joshua 22:9–12; 24:24–28; 1 Samuel 7:12]. So let us keep telling the stories so that we will never lose our own sense of awe and wonder of what God has done for us. Because “Black Lives” have always mattered to God. For it is not by power nor by might but by the spirit of God—the wisdom, authority, power, and presence of the Lord—that freedom, equality, and justice will come.

So, remember, no matter how dark our dark places have been, or how fierce the battle is today, know that all things work together for the good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. [Romans 8:28]. “I brought you out,” is His reminder to us. He doesn’t want us to forget where we came from. He wants us to be able to look back and testify to His faithfulness, His goodness, and His loving kindness toward us. So as the celebration of “Black History Month” narrows to an end, let us praise Him for being a God of restoration, transformation, recovery, and hope! Because we are, as a chosen people of God, a living testimony to the true statement that “God is able.” [Ephesians 3:20]. For when we look at our life from where we came from to where we are today, we should be proclaiming aloud “look where God has brought us from.” For it is His grace and mercy that has carried us through.

So, when your sons and daughters ask you in the future, ‘What is the meaning of the decrees, statutes, and ordinances, which the Lord our God has commanded you?’ Tell them, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand. Before our eyes the Lord inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh and all his household, but He brought us from there in order to lead us in and give us the land that He swore to our fathers. Stones of Remembrance!

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be Glory throughout all generations, Forever and ever! Amen.” [Ephesians 3:20-21].

BERLIN— Yale Entertainment has landed the rights to hot horror comedy package BREITENBUSH from Regina Hall and director Jim Strouse. Hall (GIRLS TRIP, SCARY MOVIE Franchise, “Black Monday”) will star and produce, with her producing partner Tom Heller, through their Rh Negative Entertainment, alongside Jordan Yale Levine and Jordan Beckerman of Yale Entertainment. Strouse (THE INCREDIBLE JESSICA JAMES, PEOPLE PLACES THINGS) is directing from his original screenplay.

After her husband vanishes on a camping trip in which everyone ingests a powerful hallucinogen and summons an angry prehistoric creature, aspiring district attorney Kate (Hall) and her friends must return to the site of the ill-fated trip to face the forces that lead to his disappearance.

Great Escape, Yale’s sales division led by Nick Donnermeyer, is introducing the project to buyers at this week’s EFM.

“We’re thrilled to be announcing our latest Yale Entertainment project. Jim and Regina are at the top of the list of people who we’ve wanted to collaborators with, and this script is so unique and fun – we’re so excited to get this into production.” Said Jordan Yale Levine and Jordan Beckerman.

Hall had a very busy 2022. She produced and starred in HONK FOR JESUS, SAVE YOUR SOUL, which sold for $8.5M to Focus Features and Jordan Peele’s MonkeyPaw out of Sundance. She was also at last year’s Sundance as star and executive producer of Amazon Studio’s horror pic MASTER, starred alongside Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg in Netflix’s ME TIME, and returned to the highly successful BEST MAN franchise for Peacock’s limited series THE BEST MAN: THE FINAL CHAPTERS. Hall’s previous credits include GIRLS TRIP, THINK LIKE A MAN, and the SCARY MOVIE series, which generated more than $800 Million at the worldwide box office. Hall is repped by APA and The Lede Company.

Strouse is one of very few filmmakers to have each of his first six features premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Those films include Lionsgate’s THE WINNING SEASON starring Sam Rockwell and Emma Roberts, Netflix’s THE INCREDIBLE JESSICA JAMES starring Jessica Williams, LaKeith Stanfield and Chris O’Dowd, and PEOPLE PLACES THINGS, in which he directed Hall opposite Jemaine Clement. Strouse is currently in post-production on Sony/ScreenGems’ LOVE AGAIN starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sam Heughan, featuring new music from Celine Dion who is playing herself, which is set for a wide theatrical release this May. Strouse is repped by APA.

Yale Entertainment is repped by APA and Lon Haber & Co.

By Tonja Myles

Use Black History Month to educate Black people about the challenges facing their community, where fentanyl overdoses and suicides have increased faster than any other time in U.S. history, says a former White House representative and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline spokeswoman.

“The history of African Americans and mental health is complicated,” says Tonja Myles, executive director of Set Free Indeed. “Many have faced systemic oppression, prejudice and discrimination, which has created a spike in mental health challenges such as higher risks of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder,” she says.

The increase in suicide rates and fentanyl deaths among the community compounds the problem and emphasizes the need for culturally appropriate mental health services and resources, adds Myles, a suicide attempt, substance abuse and sexual abuse survivor who worked with President George W. Bush’s administration on substance abuse.
Historically when communities of color are in crisis, they won’t ask for help due to sigma and fear. Myles is working on a different outcome with new resources such as the 988 hotline. She has also released a video that describes her own battle with these issues plus stories from survivors who have real-life experience with mental health or substance abuse issues and want to give others hope.

“When I was in the throes of thinking about killing myself, I thought that the pain would die with me,” she says. “I needed help to know that it doesn’t — it only transfers to every family member and friend I have. I’m glad I am alive to share my story, and I hope these new resources will be a life saver,” she says.

Link to 988:

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988

About Tonja Myles

988 spokeswoman Tonja Myles (www.TonjaMyles.com) is the co-founder and executive director of the faith-based outpatient center Set Free Indeed and the community support program Set Free Indeed Ministry. She was recognized by President George W. Bush for her work during his 2003 State of the Union, and she served for six years as the public face of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and its work on substance abuse treatment. Her Congressional testimonies have been used to assist those suffering from mental health and additional crises. She is a survivor of suicide, substance abuse, childhood and adult sexual abuse and PTSD. She has moved thousands of people to sobriety and a healthy, self-sustainable lifestyle with her work. She has won more than a dozen awards for her service including the Johns Hopkins Substance Abuse Innovators Award 2005 and the Daily Point of Light award 2004. She serves on multiple boards and health advisory councils including the Louisiana Behavioral Health Advisory Council and the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health Crisis System Implementation Plan Council. She is an ordained minister, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, author, community activist and Army National Guard veteran.

By Lou K Coleman-Yeboah

Talking ‘bout Celebrating Black History! Come on Celebrate Jesus Celebrate!  Because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The same Jesus who heard the songs of the slaves and the chants of the civil rights marchers will hear the prayers of those who now cry out for justice throughout our country.

Come on, “Celebrate Jesus Celebrate,” because as we remember the days of old and consider the years of many generations, we are reminded that what God has done in previous generations to deliver His people from darkness and bring them into the light, he will do the same for us. [Deuteronomy 32].  All we need to do is take the Word of God as our ancestors did and put it to song again, because we as a people, can still have hope; the same hope the slaves found effective and fruitful; because we serve a God that drowned Pharaoh’s army. We serve a God who gives light in the midst of darkness. We serve a God who leads us in the path of righteousness for His Name sake. We serve a God who is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before His glory with exceeding great joy.

I want you to know that God has given us the “light” of Israel and the light of Christ to guide us out of the current darkness we face. So let us take the Word of God and put it to song again. God gave the slaves a song when essentially, that’s all they had when faced with the brutal realities of slavery, and the seemingly, insurmountable, impossibility of freedom and deliverance; they sang, a sermon in a song. They sang about the mysteries and majesty of Christ in the midst of a miserable, demeaning, and maniacal situation. They sang: “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep.” They later added another line, “Tell Martha not to moan.” Why? “Because Pharaoh’s army got drowned in the Red Sea. They sang the songs of Zion [Israel] in a foreign land. They sang the “Samson” story in “Witness for my Lord.” They sang the drama and the deliverance in “Daniel in the Lion’s Den,” “Hebrew Children in the Fiery Furnace,” and “David and Goliath.” They sang, “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel.” They sang the victory when they sang: “Walk in Jerusalem Just Like John.” They sang “Joshua Fought the Battle At Jericho.” They sang “We are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder.” They sang “Twelve Gates to the City.” They sang about the “New Jerusalem.” They sang a sermon in a song.  And just as God gave Moses a song when He delivered His people from Pharaoh’s army [Exodus 15:1], and just like He gave Miriam and the women a dance [Exodus 15:20], He has given us a song to sing – “We’ve Come this far by Faith, Leaning on the Lord. Trusting in His Holy Word. He’s never failed us yet. [We’ve Come This Far By Faith -by Albert A. Goodson].

Come on Celebrate Jesus Celebrate – Black History Month 2023!

Disneyland Resort announced that for a limited time beginning February 15 at Hollywood Land in Disney California Adventure Park, guests will have the opportunity to encounter Moon Girl from the newest Disney series “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,” which debuted on February 10 on Disney Channel and February 15 on Disney+.

Moon Girl arrives at Disneyland Resort as a part of Celebrate Soulfully, a combination of food, entertainment and experiences that highlight and celebrate Black stories. The series follows the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur, whom she accidentally brings into present-day New York City. The duo works together to protect Lunella’s Lower East Side neighborhood from danger.

Shaneen Bonner is a Two-Time Grammy Considered, Award-Winning, Billboard Charting Music Artist and Record Label Executive who built a successful career in the music industry for over 10 years, first as a music artist and later as a record label executive. Her love for music came from the church and developed by multi-cultural experiences. Her soulful music is filled with positive lyrics and life-changing messages that captivated her listeners’ hearts.

Shaneen is an active member of Christian Songwriters and Musicians International, Women Songwriters Hall of Fame, and many others. She has been featured in several newspapers and magazines. She uses her activism to help the homeless community, empower teenage mothers by connecting them to a supportive community of other teen mothers & adult mentors, and women effected by domestic violence.

Shaneen is also an author who has written her first book called “Bleeding Within a Journey to Finding Healing.” The book helps people deal with inner issues that have been caused by trauma. The book helps a person to identify the issues caused by pain, disappointment, hurt that has occurred in their life.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaneen Bonner.

Tell us about you.

I’m an Award-Winning, Billboard Charting Music Artist, Author, and Record Label Executive with a successful career in the music industry for over 10 years, first as a music artist and later as a record label executive. I took on the role of executive to create financial freedom. Growing up I was always musically inclined. At the age of 8, I listened to Minnie Riperton sing the song “Back Down Memory Lane.” During junior high and high school, I auditioned for several talent shows as well as singing in church choirs. This all inspired me to create and write for my first album “God Loves You.” I grew up listening to all genres of music from Michael Jackson to Michael Bolton. My love for music came from the church and was developed by multi-cultural experiences.

What is your dream and how will accomplishing your dream benefit you and others?

My dream is to become a multi-passionate entrepreneur. It will benefit others by helping them collapse time around them pursuing their dreams.

Who or what inspired you to pursue this dream? 

My three daughters inspired me to pursue my dreams by taking risks.

What challenges have you encountered while pursuing your dream? 

I had to overcome five obstacles to achieve my dream.

1. Comfort Zone. If you want to be an entrepreneur, you must learn to step out of your comfort zone and embrace change.
2. Learn to overcome comparing yourself to others.
3. Tackle the fear of failure. We are all afraid of something.
4. Overcome perfectionism.
5. Overcome procrastination.

Who or what inspired you to keep pushing regardless of the challenges you’ve encountered? 

My family and my faith in God inspired me to keep pushing forward regardless of any challenge.

Please provide final thoughts/advice for others by finishing this sentence… dream.

Dream Big, invest often, and believe in yourself.

Who can benefit from Decree Records services?

Decree Records services is for Gospel and Inspirational artists who want to take their music to the next. The record label offers artist development, music consulting, and music submission services.

PASADENA, CA—Assemblymember Chris Holden is seeking nominations for his annual 41^st Assembly District’s Woman of the Year and Women of Distinction celebration.

“For over 30 years, in recognition of Women’s History Month, the Legislature has honored the achievements of women throughout California during the annual Woman of the Year celebration,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “It is your chance to acknowledge the superwoman in your life and in our community.”

Nominees must live, volunteer, or work in the 41st Assembly District, which stretches from La Cañada Flintridge and Pasadena in the West to Upland in the East and includes the communities of Altadena, Bradbury, Claremont, La Verne, Monrovia, Rancho Cucamonga, San Dimas, Sierra Madre, and Wrightwood.

Deadline for Nominations: February 24, 2022, at 5:00 pm

Nomination forms are available here: https://a41.asmdc.org/woman-year-nominations