WSSN Stories

By Lue Dowdy

Reggie Webb is a man that wears many hats in this entertainment industry. He’s an emcee, ghost writer, media personality, and an author. 

Born and raised in Baltimore City, the edginess and grit of his hometown influenced his style of rap and entrepreneurial attitude. A few years ago, he released a project called, “A Mic & A Dream”. This project gained a lot of traction and caught the attention of music executive, Kevin Black. This led to Reggie signing a recording contract with a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Unfortunately, nothing materialized from this deal because Reggie had to step away from his contractual obligations to attend to the health of his daughter. His daughter has sickle cell anemia and her crisis became so intense she was hospitalized for months at a time. 

Recently, Reggie stepped back into the industry and, his buzzed resurfaced when he created a movement called, “Red Cup Nights”. This movement consist of feel good party music, merchandise for men and women, and a signature red cup backpack. He’s also co-owner of Hip Hop on Phonics, a company that creates educational Hip Hop songs and books that teach children a variety of things from different aspects of speech, math, and valuable everyday life lessons. 

In today’s industry you must be multi-faceted to stay ahead of the curve and Reggie Webb has his hands in many pots cooking up great content for the masses to enjoy. Make sure you check this talented artist out on all social media platforms. With my RED CUP in hand and waiving it in the air like I just don’t care, I’ll catch you all next week. L’s!

Washington, DC—Following the news that Tishaura Jones, former St. Louis City treasurer and a member of People For’s Young Elected Officials Network, has been elected as next mayor of St. Louis, Missouri, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous released the following statement:

“The news that Tishaura Jones was elected mayor of St. Louis makes this a great and historic day for the city and the nation. With this victory, Jones becomes the first Black woman mayor in the history of the city. As a member of our Young Elected Officials Network for nearly a decade, dating back to her time in the Missouri House of Representatives and as the first woman treasurer of St. Louis, we know firsthand the work she has done and the progress she can make for the people of St. Louis. Jones is exactly the type of leader America needs—bold, compassionate, progressive and ready to lead. We look forward to seeing the advances she makes during her tenure as mayor, especially on issues related to racial justice and criminal justice reform, two issues she has long advocated for. We are so proud to call Jones a member of our People For family and wish her the best.”

By Lou Yeboah

Don’t you fall for Satan lies! The Devil is a liar! Telling you that you can wait to get save. Telling you that you can serve God tomorrow. Satan is “a liar and the father of all liars! [John 8:44].  He is deceptive, cunning, crafty, and sneaky. [Genesis 3:1-6].” Don’t you fall for Satan lies! Don’t you do it! “Be sober-minded; be watchful, because your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”[1 Peter 5:8]. Satan’s default mode is deception [2 Corinthians 11:14]. He pretends to have our best interest in mind, but in reality, he comes to seek, kill, and destroy. [John 10:10].  “Oh, I say and I say it again, Ya been had! Ya been took! Ya been hoodwink! Bamboozled! Led astray! Run amok!” [Malcolm X 1992]. Stop believing the Devil lies. The bounty he collects is eternal damnation. Don’t you do it! Don’t you fall for Satan lies. The Devil is a liar!

Biblical descriptions of him include everything from an angel of light to a ravenous beast. Anyone is a welcome challenge to him, from Adam to Jesus himself. Nobody is too good or powerful for his advances. He can provoke, tempt, enter into, transform himself, and vex. He is a cunning trap-setter, and his prey is man. He loves to manipulate and control, and his most dreaded weapon is death. Don’t you do it! Don’t you fall for Satan lies! You must learn to recognize the devil’s lies, reject those lies and replace them with the Truth of God’s Word. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” [John 8:32]. Satan has been seducing for years and the results have always been the same. He seduced Adam and Eve and the result was the fall of mankind [Genesis 3: 1-6]. He seduced King David and the result was the death of his son and the division of his kingdom [2 Samuel 11-12]. He seduced Judas Iscariot and the result was the betrayal of Jesus and Judas committing suicide [John 13:21-30; Matthew 27:3-5]. He seduced Ananias and Sapphira and the result was that they dropped dead [Acts 5:1-11]. He tried to seduce Jesus and the result was the destruction of the Devil himself. Jesus forever proved that Satan could be defeated and that man did not have to bow down to his seduction. Stop cuddling with the devil, and submit yourself, to God.  Because, sooner or later, sin’s consequences will catch up with you. [Luke 8:17; 12:2-3; Numbers 32:23].  Realize that you have an enemy and his number one weapon against you is a lie. Stop believing the Devil lies and REPENT NOW! If you don’t, how shall you escape? [Hebrews 2:3].

Jesus says in [Revelation 3:3] remember then, what you were taught and what you heard, obey it and turn from your sins. If you do not… I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not even know the time when I will come.” Unless you repent, you too will perish. [Luke 13:3]. “Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” [Isaiah 1:18]. My Spirit shall not always strive with man.” [Genesis 6:3].

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Realize that we are still living in a time where Grace and Mercy is being extended. Run to His Mercy while there is still time. [Psalms 2:8]. “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near” [Isaiah 55:6]. God has conveyed that He is finished with our disobedience and hard hearts. Enough is Enough! And He is ready to judge and punish His people for their rebellious spirit and actions.

I want you to know that God gave Ezekiel three specific prophecies regarding how the people will be punished—one-third will die by plagues or famine; one-third will fall by the sword; one-third will be scatted to every wind. Ezekiel was told to denounce idolatry and tell the people of upcoming famines and diseases. He was obedient although up against calloused people who had no interest in hearing the word of God or prophecies of disaster even though he reminded them that God will leave a remnant of His people. The people could not believe God would punish or hurt them. The people of Judah were so involved in their own pursuits they ignored the prophecies which instructed them to repent. Ezekiel message went in one ear and out the other. Because of it, God’s patience was all used up and the penalty for their disobedience was coming NO MATTER WHAT. He was ready to unleash his anger and judge them for their conduct. [Ezekiel 5:10].  God was not going to spare the people or look at them with pity. God was going to withdraw from them. He was not going to have any more pity on them. [Isaiah 1:11;Ezekiel 23:35; Daniel 5:1-31]. Don’t take the Grace of God in vain. Repent and live. Because I tell you the Devil is a liar!

To you who are believing Satan lies and delaying the time of repentance. To those of you who have backslidden, and those of you who are opposing the gospel, I want you to know that, “The Word of the Lord is against you.” For thus saith the Lord, “I will destroy you, and none will be left.” [Zephaniah 2:5]. There it stands, bearing testimony against you, who, in due time, unless you become partakers of the grace of the Lord, shall be overwhelmed, and destroyed without remedy.

As the Bible record, one day, the Son is going to look over at His Father and say, “Let me have them Father.” The Father will grant the request of His Son. Judgment will be unleashed on the Earth. Sin will be dealt with. [Deuteronomy 32:41; Isaiah 47:3; Ezekiel 25:17; and Micah 5:15]. Stop believing the Devil lies! Repent and live! [James 4:13-15].

Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” [Acts 24:25]. So far as the Bible records and early history go, Felix never called for Paul. Felix is suffering the torments of Hell, not because he wanted to go there, but because he waited for “a convenient season.” Don’t you do it. The times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent. [Acts 17:30].

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By Lue Dowdy

What up I.E., and everybody! I’m a firm believer that without music the world would be blah! Allow me to introduce a good friend of mine, the talented Merrion Morey. I’ve had the honor of working with Mr. Morey in the past on a community music project. I love his work ethic and commitment to his craft.

Music has been part of Mr. Morey’s DNA ever since he learned how to sing in church. He enjoys writing music, composing songs, and to some degree, collaborating with other artists. Having the pleasure of meeting some of the industries poignant artists and composers throughout the years, he has made a well know presence in the music industry. Mr. Morey has shared the stage with notables such as: Stanley Clarke, Jeffrey Osborne, and he has also sung for The Delfonics Review.

Giving back to the community is very important to Mr. Morey. He has a passion for youth. Utilizing his musical gift, he was able to contribute to a youth boxing program by creating an album in which a portion of the proceeds was used to help provide equipment for their gym.

He continues to write and compose songs as an outward expression of his inner thoughts. Mr. Morey’s music can be accessed through all music stream outlets as well as social media. He’s also available for booking! So, the next time you need a smooth R&B singer please think about Merrion Morey. Until next week ya’ll, L’s!

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media

Health care specialists, including several medical doctors, are keeping their eyes on coronavirus variants that some fear could lead to new strains of COVID-19 that could possibly undermine global efforts to vaccinate people and stem the global crisis.

According to the Centers of Disease Control, the B117 variant (first detected in the UK), the most threatening because of its prevalence, is the cause of 20 % of new infections in the United states – and 30 % of new infections in Florida.

Dr. Nirav Shah, senior scholar at Stanford University’s School of Medicine and chief medical officer of Sharecare, a health data services firm, says there are currently four different variants of COVID-19. He said the virus is adapting because “of evolution and natural selection.”

“The more virus particles there are, the more chances that a single virus particle may be a little different than the rest of them,” said Shah. “One or more virus particles is all you need to have a slight change. Maybe these spike protein changes – just a little – and it can attach to cells better than all the other particles.”

Shah said the virus is adapting as it encounters new hosts. But scientists are in a race to get everyone inoculated before the level of the disease in a community gets too high.

The B117 strain, he says, is 50 more % infectious than the original strain of the coronavirus and it could lead to up to a 60 % to 70 % higher rate of deaths, according to a paper published in the journal Nature.

Shah said some of the COVID-19 virus variants could reinfect people who have contracted the disease before. The good news, he says, is that the B117 is susceptible to existing vaccine therapies, although other variants like 1351 (first detected in South Africa) and P1 (first detected in Brazil), could reduce the effectiveness of the COVID shots in patients.

Fortunately, to date, scientists studying COVID-19 have not identified any variants that have been designated “Variants of High Consequence.” Those in that category “cause more disease and more hospitalizations, and they have been shown to defeat medical countermeasures, like vaccines, anti-viral drugs and mono-clonal antibodies,” says Shah.

Shah was speaking at recent news briefing on COVID-19 Virus variants organized by Ethnic Media Services. Other panelists on the Zoom teleconference were: Dr. Daniel Turner-Lloveras, a member of the Latino Coalition Against COVID-19; Dr. Dali Fan, a UC Davis Health Science clinical professor and Dr. Kim Rhoads, an African American physician and Associate Professor, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, at UC San Francisco’s School of Medicine.

Although the average citizen may be surprised at how COVID-19 is changing, Fan, said the virus’ adaption and mutation are much like other diseases.

He also presented some statistics from the Center for Disease Control about the coronavirus vaccines and their development. He said the vaccines were tested before they were released to the public.

“All three vaccines are very effective against symptomatic COVID-19,” said Fan. He said there are differences in the content of the vaccines and how they are stored. Fan said the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires one dose, is easier to transport and is perfect for pop-up clinics and rural areas.

“It may be a better option for people who want to get fully vaccinated quickly,” he said.

Turner-Lloveras said that one of the issues overlooked during the coronavirus pandemic is the impact of the digital divide. Black and Latino communities often lag in vaccination rates because they don’t have access to high-speed Internet to discover information and arrange for their vaccination appointments.

“Internet access is a civil rights issue, at this stage,” said Turner-Lloveras. “All of the resources that are provided to people are online.”

He also said more than 20 million seniors don’t have broadband access. “This is a group that needs to be vaccinated, but they don’t have access to the Internet,” he said.

He’s trying to solve this problem with a group called the Digital Companeros, who meet with senior citizens and help them walk through online registration and information. The organization also has a WhatsApp group to target people who access the Internet through their cell phones.

According to Rhoads, some of these reports about Black hesitancy and under-vaccination may not be accurate. She talked about her experiences serving a predominantly African American population in San Francisco through Umoja Health, a coalition of community health organizations that joined their efforts to increase COVID-19 awareness, testing and vaccinations in Black communities in the Bay Area.

The organization held a mass testing event in the Sunnydale and Bayview Hunters Point neighborhoods in San Francisco where they screened about 400 people, taking a community-based approach she calls “service in the name of public health.” No one came back positive for the coronavirus at a time when there was a 2 % positivity rate in all of San Francisco. She said the people, who were tested by community members, were also eager to get the vaccines. However, she attributes their willingness and openness with their confidence in Umoja Health.

“The community developed rapid trust in us. I was very surprised by this and they called out to us when one community member tested positive,” she said. “We saw neighbors going to door to door, knocking telling people to come out and get tested.

“What we recognized from that mass-testing site was that it was not going to work for the African American community,” said Rhoads. “But something more intimate would.”

Rhoads said when African Americans know and trust the health care workers, there is more participation. Because of the organization’s successful testing effort, Alameda County has now entrusted it to provide vaccines in Oakland and areas across Alameda County with African American populations.

“It is based on a pop-up model. We mobilize with local folks who go door-to-door, hand-to-hand, face-to-face, peer-to-peer, asking questions about COVID. As we moved into the vaccination phase, the Alameda Public Health Department recognized that as a major asset. They knew we could reach people, they couldn’t.”

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

A year ago, K-12 education was closed across California as part of an effort to mitigate the spread of the COVID -19 virus.

At that time, it was assumed that children could be a primary driver of the virus like they are Influenza A. It took a few months, but health officials determined that COVID -19 is not a pediatric driven pandemic.

Young kids can get the virus, but they are not significant transmitters. Most experience mild or no symptoms and while some might have to be hospitalized, death is rare for children. Children under 15 have a lower risk of dying from COVID-19 than dying from the flu or suicide. A side effect of the virus is a serious and rare illness called multisystem inflammatory syndrome or MIS-C, which can be fatal or cause lasting heart damage.

In states where schools have restarted in person classes, data show levels of transmission of the virus is much lower than in the surrounding community when strict safety protocols developed by public health officials have been adopted. The safety protocols include universal masking, basic hand hygiene, classroom ventilation, maintaining increased physical distance, and contact tracing.

While guidelines for the safe opening of schools have been available for months from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the 58 California county health departments, according to federal data California has lagged other states in offering in-person instruction to students. 18 % of California schools offer in-person learning compared to all schools in Florida and 62 % in Connecticut. Schools in California have not been able to open while their county was in the most restrictive purple tier indicating high case rates of COVID-19.

Many school districts including Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified have recently announced plans to make in-person instruction available to students who want it. President Biden has been pushing for all K-8 schools to open by May 1 which is the 100th day of his administration. As part of the push to safely reopen schools the Biden administration is allocating about $125 Billion for K-12 education as part of the American Rescue Plan.

In an effort to salvage what’s left of this academic year and prepare for the 2021-22 school year, the Legislature passed Assembly Bill (AB) 86 and Governor Newsom signed it, offering a $2 Billion COVID-19 safety fund for school districts in the red tier to share if they manage to offer in-person instruction for grades K-6 and at least one middle or high school grade by April 1. For those that can’t, they will lose 1 percent of the incentive every day they are not open through mid-May.

Newsom said when he signed AB 86, “There is nothing more foundational to an equitable society than getting our kids safely back into classrooms. Our kids are missing too may rites of passage – field trips, proms, and graduations.”

Students and parents are anxious for schools to safely open for in-person instruction. The term “learning loss” has become synonymous with distance learning which was only intended to be used by school districts for a short period of time. For many students, the year that they have been shut up at home has not only taken a toll on their academic progress but affected their mental health and society may be reckoning with the fallout for many years to come.

In general, Black and Latino children have struggled more academically than their Asian and White peers. Keeping up with schoolwork has been complicated by not having access to technology and reliable internet. Concentrating on studies has been more difficult when they live in communities that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

For many families remote learning created a childcare crisis, forcing some parents to leave their jobs. Many parents became frustrated with balancing jobs and supervising their children’s lessons.

The power to restart in-class instruction is vested in local school boards. It’s their responsibility to develop a plan for the safe opening of their schools relying on direction from the governor and Legislature and following safety protocols provided by the CDC and state and local public health directives.

The willingness of parents to send their kids back to the classroom varies based on their experience dealing with Covid-19 which is related to race, ethnicity and income. White and wealthier families that are frustrated with remote learning and as a group has been least affected by the virus are demanding resumption of in person instruction. They trust that their school district can safely reopen.

Black and Latino parents while wanting their children to return to school have experienced the inequitable impact of Covid-19 and are concerned about exposing their children to the virus in a school setting and bringing it home. While these parents understand their children are not faring well academically and mentally with distance learning they are not willing to risk their safety.

Contributing to the unease that Black and Latino parents have about school reopening classrooms has been their children’s teachers expressing their hesitancy to returning to school without all teachers and staff having the opportunity to be vaccinated. Studies show that transmission in schools appears to be primarily from teacher to teacher, then from teacher to student, but almost never from student to teacher. So vaccinating teachers is important to everyone’s school safety.

While the stance that the teachers took may have delayed in-school learning, Newsom decided that 10 % of vaccines a week would be reserved for teachers and other school staff. Although AB 86 and CDC guidelines have not included vaccinating teachers in the strategy for safe school reopening, school districts have included it as part of their teacher union agreements. In addition, regular testing of students and staff is another strategy being adopted by school districts to detect virus on campus before it can spread.

While zero risk of COVID-19 infection is not possible, results from hundreds of school districts opened across the county and the world show virtually no communal spread of the virus, if safety

protocols are followed. By listening to the concerns expressed by teachers, school districts have made in-person instruction safer for students and given parents more confidence to send their kids back to school.

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About the Author

Joe W. Bowers Jr. is an advocate for education opportunities for all and the education writer for CBM. He is a former corporate engineer and business executive and is a graduate of Stanford University.

By UnitedHealthcare of California

As more individuals across the U.S. become eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, there is still widespread confusion about how to secure and prepare for an appointment. With eligibility requirements and sign-up processes differing by state and county, it can be difficult to keep track of current information.

Below are answers to common questions related to COVID-19 vaccines and access, as well as tips and tools for ensuring a smooth vaccination process.

What proactive steps can individuals take to access vaccines?

COVID-19 vaccine availability changes quickly. If you’re eligible to get the vaccine, you’re encouraged to take early steps to secure an appointment or get your name on a local vaccination list.

Here are a few ways to stay on top of the latest news and vaccine availability:

• Stay informed on the latest vaccine information from the CDC
• Visit state or local health department websites to see when it’s your turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine and find information on vaccination providers
• Sign up for e-alerts from your state to get regular updates
• Keep up with their local news for information on where vaccines may be available in their area
• Ask your doctor or local pharmacy about vaccine availability
  • Be mindful of scams and remember that you should not pay to be put on a vaccination list

Once eligible, how can individuals go about finding available vaccine appointments?

UnitedHealthcare has developed an online COVID-19 vaccine resource locator tool, available in English and Spanish for free to the general public. This tool aggregates available public information directly from state and country public health websites, and from the retail pharmacies currently distributing COVID-19 vaccines.

• The site includes all states and territories through a zip-code level search and is updated twice daily.
• It aggregates local and state health department links, as well as external links to retail pharmacies with local scheduling capabilities. Future content will likely include health systems and federally qualified health centers.

What do you need to bring to your vaccine appointment?

• You should be prepared to show your photo ID, such as a driver’s license, to show proof of age. You might also need proof of residency. Your health department website or vaccination provider may also have a list of required documents. 
• Medicare plan members:
  • You will need your red, white and blue Medicare card because Medicare is paying for the member’s vaccine in 2021. If you don’t have your Medicare card, you can find it by logging into your Social Security account. More information on your Medicare card can be found on the CMS site.
  • If you receive the vaccine at a regular provider visit, you will also need your health insurance member ID card.  

• For people with non-Medicare health plans, you will need to show your health insurance member ID card.

Remember to wear your face mask and physically distance at your appointment. Additional information on preparing for a vaccination appointment can be found on the CDC website.

When should you plan on getting a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?

People will need to get both doses within 3-4 weeks to get the protection indicated by the manufacturer. You should make sure both of the doses received are from the same manufacturer and that the second dose is as close to the recommended timing as possible. Follow the vaccination instructions from the manufacturer:

• Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine: Requires 2 doses, given 3 weeks apart
• Moderna COVID-19 vaccine: Requires 2 doses, given 1 month apart
• Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine: Requires no second dose

The easiest course of action is to schedule both doses at the same time to meet these time frames and get protection from COVID-19. The vaccination provider should assist you with scheduling the second dose when you receive your first dose. You can also sign up for free text messaging through the CDC’s VaxText to a get a reminder about your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.