Happily Divorced And After

Bailey surprises two aspiring teen filmmakers, including Madison Henderson of L.A., with an invitation to be the star’s personal guests at Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” live-action movie world premiere.

Grammy-nominated singer Halle Bailey, who will play the lead role of Ariel in the upcoming live-action remake of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” left two aspiring teen filmmakers speechless when she surprised them Friday during Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort with a personal invitation to join her on the red carpet at the movie’s world premiere in Hollywood.

Dylan Jones of Atlanta and Madison Henderson of Los Angeles were in the middle of a movie production training session Friday morning during Disney Dreamers Academy when Bailey, the program’s celebrity ambassador, made a surprise appearance and delivered the personal invitation to come to Hollywood. For the students it was a truly magical dream come true moment.

The movie’s world premiere takes place just before the film officially hits theaters nationwide on May 26.

Bailey is one of several celebrities taking part in the program that runs through Sunday. Music producer Questlove, R&B singing sensation H.E.R., and other TV and movie stars are serving as mentors and speakers.

This is the 16th year of Disney Dreamers Academy, a four-day, transformational, mentoring program designed to broaden career awareness and create opportunities for 100 Black high school students and teens from underrepresented communities across America each year.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) is one of just two hospitals in San Bernardino County that makes minimally invasive cancer surgery available and accessible to its patient population.

Amir A. Rahnemai Azar, M.D. has been the head of the hepatopancreatobiliary and oncology surgery at ARMC’s Cancer Care Center for more than two years. He comes to ARMC with extensive experience in surgery. After earning his Doctor of Medicine degree in Iran, he completed his general surgery residency at New York’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx Hospital, his multi-organ transplant residency at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, and his complex surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Wisconsin Health University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. In addition to being board-certified in all three disciplines, he received advanced training in minimally invasive liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal oncology surgery at the Asan Medical Center in Seoul, South Korea.­­­

“After all this training and experience, I always had a dream of giving back to the community,” stated Dr. Azar. “When I visited Arrowhead, I felt that our population in the Inland Empire is in urgent need of having an advanced cancer surgery program.”

This advanced cancer surgery program was spearheaded by Dr. Azar in collaboration with ARMC’s Hospital Director, William Gilbert, and the Department of Surgery Chairman, Dev GnanaDev, M.D. San Bernardino County is the nation’s largest county by area, and the team at ARMC found it vital to give its large, diverse patient population immediate access to the highest standard of cancer care and surgery, which includes the Whipple procedure.

Also referred to as pancreaticoduodenectomy, the Whipple procedure is an advanced surgery that targets the most complex area in the abdominal cavity and removes multiple organs that may be impacted by abdominal cancer—including the pancreas, duodenum, stomach, and lymph nodes in the area.

While patients with abdominal cancer have the option of chemotherapy, ischemic therapy, or radiation therapy, surgical resection such as the Whipple procedure is the only curative option. However, due to the surgery’s complexity, it is not offered in many major cancer surgery centers. The procedure requires multidisciplinary teams—that include oncology, gastroenterology service, and radiation oncology—to bring together highly specialized knowledge to prepare the patient for surgery and provide optimal outcomes. As a result, many patients struggle to find cancer surgery centers that can perform the surgery.

Dr. Azar and the other members of ARMC’s Cancer Care Center have a vital message for the members of their community. “We would really like to let our population know that if they have disease, if they have cancer in this area, it’s not the end,” said Dr. Azar. “There is hope, and at Arrowhead, we are able to perform this surgery to the highest standard.”

Dr. Azar stated, “Here at Arrowhead, in view of our population, it is important in our efforts to resolve the disparity in care in such a diverse area.”

ARMC is committed to combating the financial barriers that can prevent patients from seeking treatment. ARMC accepts both Medicare and Medi-Cal coverage and has numerous financial assistance programs in place to help their patients receive the care they need.

Dr. Azar concludes, “The future belongs to minimally invasive surgery. And here at Arrowhead, we are on the front line of providing minimally invasive surgery for liver and pancreas cancers.”

By Lou K Coleman-Yeboah

“I am about to do a shocking thing… I am going to carry out all my threats … I have warned continually that judgment is coming [1 Samuel 3:11-14] but they have squandered the opportunities, I have given them to repent. How long will the simple ones love their simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? [Proverbs 1:22]. Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.” [Jeremiah 5:21] the time of trouble, which is to increase until the end, is very near at hand. You have no time to lose. The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecies of the eleventh of Daniel have almost reached their final fulfillment. The time of trouble—trouble such as was not since there was a nation [Daniel 12:1]—is right upon you, and you are like the sleeping virgins. Awake from your slumber because soon great trouble will arise among the nations— [fire, flood, earthquake, war, and bloodshed]. Heed the warning before it’s too late!

Remember the word came to Noah, “Come thou and all thy house into the ark”; The message came to Lot, “Get up,” he said. “Get out of this place, for the LORD is about to destroy the city!” [Genesis 7:1; 19:14]. So now we are given warning of Christ’s second coming and of the destruction to fall upon the world. Run, run to Jesus NOW, for those who heed the warning will be saved. God’s judgment on the earth is a fact. Don’t ignore the warning. The flood is the past example of God’s judgment. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed when God rained fire and brimstone on them. God ordered Israel to destroy the Canaanites because of their sin. Israel itself was judged by the Babylonian captivity. Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70 because of rejecting the Messiah. There are many more examples in the Bible. But no other judgment in history was as widespread and severe as that of the flood. As such, the flood stands as the past example, bar none, of the fact of God’s judgment on the whole earth, and just as He judged the whole earth with the flood, so He will judge the whole earth in the end times, and none will escape. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Heed the warning NOW for God’s grace is seen in not closing the door until the last possible moment. Understand God’s future judgment will be historical, universal, and will come suddenly. He who testifies to these things say, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” [Revelation 22:20]. So don’t wait until it is too late. You must take the means of escape God has provided NOW.

The people watched Noah working for 120 years. They watched the animals streaming in from all parts of the globe. They watched Noah and his family board the ark. The door was still open for any to come aboard. Nobody did. They watched as the Lord shut the door [Genesis 7:16]. The rain started. It was too late.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

The El Camino Community College District, California State University Dominguez Hills, and the aerospace industry have lost a great leader and advocate with the passing of Kenneth Brown on March 23, 2023.

Brown was a pioneer in his fields, and his work as an educator, scientist, engineer, and trustee impacted countless lives.

Born and raised in Carson, CA, Brown attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he earned his B.S. in Computer Science and B.S. in Physics. He later went on to earn his M.S. in Applied Physics from Clark Atlanta University.

“As a Morehouse alum, Ken upheld the tradition of striving to make a positive difference in the world, especially for the Black community. He had a keen analytical mind and he eagerly engaged in discussions in a variety of subjects, including politics and social issues that challenged you to think critically,” said Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Rupert Byrdsong, a friend and college classmate.

Brown’s career in aerospace spanned over three decades. He worked for over 20 years at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, where, as a System Engineering Analyst for the Mars Science Laboratory, he worked on some of the most groundbreaking missions in the history of space exploration.

He was last employed as Operations Manager for Northrop Grumman Missions Systems Engineering & Sciences (E&S) Maritime Land Sensors and Systems/Field Engineering, at Space Park, Redondo Beach. where he was the lead for a major new enhancement to the program, driving technical integration to meet performance and functional requirements.

In recognition of his contributions, Brown received the Black Engineer of the Year Modern Day Technology Leader Award in 2019.

Brown’s passion for teaching led him to serve as an adjunct professor of Physics at Cal State University Dominguez Hills. For more than 20 years he taught undergraduate physics, physical science, and math courses. Because of his exceptional ability to connect with his students, his dedication to teaching, and his caring nature, he had a reputation for being a devoted and well-admired instructor.

For the California Department of Education, Brown served as a Content Review Panel expert and helped author “Next Generation Science Standards,” which is being used in K-12 classrooms in over 40 states.

In addition to his work in aerospace and as an education practitioner, Brown was President of the Governing Board of Trustees at El Camino Community College in Torrance. He had been a Board member since 2010.

“He never stopped advocating for students’ needs to ensure they found success in higher education, their chosen career fields, and in their personal lives. He inspired us to become extraordinary,” Brenda Thames, Ph.D., El Camino College Superintendent/President reflected on her connection with Brown. “He led as an unapologetic advocate for equity and the expansion of educational opportunities for all students. The legacy of his work will impact millions of students for decades to come.”

Vice President of the Board of Trustees Trisha Murakawa told The Union, El Camino College’s student paper, that she and Brown “‘were making good trouble, to truly help’ with education and equity at the statewide level and at El Camino.”

“Brown was a champion for students in everything he did …. and his legacy and commitment will empower generations of leaders to come,” Daisy Gonzales, the interim chancellor of California’s community college system, said in a statement.

Brown was elected to the California Community College Trustees Board in 2016, and in 2020 was elected to serve as President of the CCCT Board. He served as President of CCCT’s Board Financial Aid Implementation Committee as well as the Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Initiative Change Leadership Committee.

“I don’t think he had “no” in his vocabulary,” said Pam Haynes, President Emerita, California Community College Trustees Board and Los Rios Community College District Trustee. “He was unwavering in his steadfast advocacy for students of color, especially Black and Brown students within our community college system.”

On a national level, Brown served on the Association of Community College Trustees Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.

Brown also served on the Da Vinci Schools Board of Trustees from 2019-20 in the Wiseburn Unified School District, El Segundo and on the Da Vinci Schools Fund Board.

A true renaissance man, Brown’s accomplishments extended beyond his professional life. He was an accomplished athlete, twice named All-American in Track & Field at Morehouse College and he played in the NCAA Div. II Basketball Final Four. He qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials and Pan AM Games in the high jump.

Brown, 54, lived in Inglewood with his wife of 25 years, Dr. Karla Harness Brown, a teacher, counselor, and child welfare and attendance advisor for 30 years at the Inglewood Unified School District. He is survived by two sons, Kenneth II, a Morehouse graduate who is now attending UCLA and Kaleb, a freshman at Howard University. He is also survived by his mother, Dr. Martha Brown, a retired professor of music and his mother-in-law, Gloria Armstrong, a retired Inglewood city employee. His father Keith Brown (deceased) was a Probation Officer.

From the outpouring of condolence messages and personalized tributes Brown’s family is receiving from the Inglewood community and beyond, it is certain that he will be deeply missed by his family, colleagues, and the countless students whose lives he touched through his work in education.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra is extremely proud to present pianist Nadia Shpachenko in concert with principal members of the orchestra on April 15 at 7:30 p.m. the Sturges Center for the Fine Arts. This performance is part of the Symphony’s Chamber Series curated – and at this event also performed in – by Music Director and Conductor Anthony Parnther.

Maestro Parnther, who has previously collaborated on several projects with Ms. Shpachenko, explained, “I was deeply honored when acclaimed, Grammy®-winning pianist Nadia Shpachenko asked me to conduct the premiere performance and lead the recording sessions for Invasion composed by Pulitzer-prize winner Lewis Spratlan. Spratlan wrote this jarring work for a chamber ensemble of piano, percussion, saxophone, horn, trombone, and mandolin in response to Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. Working alongside Nadia and Lewis to bring Invasion to life was a life-affirming and moving experience.”

Lewis Spratlan passed away on February 9th of this year, just over a month ago, at age 82, shortly after recording a dedication video to the San Bernardino Symphony in anticipation of our performance of the work. Shared Maestro Parnther, “Nadia, the SBSO, and I will dedicate our performance of Invasion to this revered and dedicated composer.”

In addition to Mr. Spratlan’s work, Ms. Shpachenko will perform a variety of music from Beethoven, to Joplin, and including a new work by Los Angeles-based composer Dana Kaufman.

Meet Ms. Shpachenko

Grammy® Award-winning Ukrainian-American pianist Nadia Shpachenko enjoys bringing into the world things that are outside the box—powerful pieces that often possess unusual sonic qualities or instrumentation. Described as a “gifted and versatile pianist” (San Francisco Chronicle), “one of today’s foremost promoters of contemporary music” (Textura Magazine), and “a great friend and champion of new music” (Fanfare Magazine), she was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Described as “The outstanding contemporary-music disc of the year” (Fanfare Magazine), her new Reference Recordings album “Invasion: Music and Art for Ukraine” was released on September 23, 2022, with 100% of proceeds being donated to Ukraine humanitarian aid charities.

Ms. Shpachenko has performed recitals at Concertgebouw, Carnegie Hall, Disney Hall, on the Piano Spheres and Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Green Umbrella and Chamber Music Series, and with numerous orchestras in Europe and the Americas. She premiered more than 100 works by Armando Bayolo, Elliott Carter, Christopher Cerrone, Paul Chihara, George Crumb, Ian Dicke, Daniel Felsenfeld, Tom Flaherty, Annie Gosfield, Yuri Ishchenko, Vera Ivanova, Dana Kaufman, Leon Kirchner, Amy Beth Kirsten, Hannah Lash, James Matheson, Missy Mazzoli, Harold Meltzer, David Sanford, Isaac Schankler, Alexander Shchetynsky, Adam Schoenberg, Lewis Spratlan, Evan Ware, Gernot Wolfgang, Iannis Xenakis, Peter Yates, Pamela Z, Jack Van Zandt, and many others.

Described as “superb… evocative… pure magic” (I Care If You Listen), her 2019 Reference Recordings CD “The Poetry of Places” features premieres of solo and collaborative works (performed with LA Phil pianist Joanne Pearce Martin and LAPQ percussionists Nick Terry and Cory Hills) inspired by diverse buildings. “The Poetry of Places” album won the 62nd Best Classical Compendium GRAMMY® Award. “Sure to remain a mainstay of the contemporary discography for posterity” (New Classic LA), Her 2018 Reference Recordings CD “Quotations and Homages” features premieres of solo and collaborative works for 6 pianists (performed with Ray-Kallay Duo, HOCKET and Genevieve Feiwen Lee) inspired by a variety of earlier composers and pieces. Her Reference Recordings CD “Woman at the New Piano: American Music of 2013” was nominated for 58th GRAMMY Awards® in three categories. She is also featured on José Serebrier’s 2021 Reference Recordings album “Last Tango Before Sunrise,” Wouter Kellerman’s 2021 South African Music Award winning album “We’ve Known All Times,” Isaac Schankler’s 2019 Aerocade Music album “Because Patterns,” Gernot Wolfgang’s 2019 Albany Records album “Vienna and the West,” and Genevieve Vincent’s 2018 Mano Walker EP “Petit Rêve.”

Ticket Availability and Performance Location

Single tickets for this and all SBSO concerts are available online at www.sanbernardinosymphony.org or by calling the box office at (909) 381-5388. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Single tickets prices range from $20 – $100 with students and active military always just $15. Money-saving season tickets are also currently available.

The Sturges Center for the Fine Arts is located at 780 N E St, San Bernardino. Free, lighted parking is available at the venue. Doors open for this concert at 6 p.m. Tickets are also sold at the venue on concert night; however, their availability cannot be guaranteed.

SB 673 would increase awareness, response and resources

SACRAMENTO – Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) has introduced SB 673 to create an “Ebony Alert” notification system to address the often ignored or lack of attention given to Black children and young Black women that are missing in California.

According to the Black and Missing Foundation, 38% of people reported missing in the U.S. are Black, which is double the U.S. Black population which is about 14%. Black children are disproportionately classified as “runaways” in comparison to their white counterparts who are classified as “missing” and, therefore, many Black children do not receive the Amber Alert.

Black women and girls are at increased risk of being harmed and trafficked. A recent report on human trafficking incidents across the country also found that 40% of sex trafficking victims were identified as Black women.

SB 673 would authorize a law enforcement agency to request that an Ebony Alert be activated if that agency determines that it would be an effective tool in the investigation of a missing Black youth or young Black women between the ages of 12 – 25 years. SB 673 would encourage news organizations including television, cable, online, radio and social media outlets to cooperate with disseminating the information contained in an Ebony Alert.

“The Ebony Alert would ensure that resources and attention are given so we can bring home missing Black women and Black children in the same way we would search for any missing child and missing person,” said Bradford.

“When someone who is missing is incorrectly listed as a runaway, they basically vanish a second time. They vanish from the police detectives’ workload. They vanish from the headlines. In many ways, no one even knows they are missing. How can we find someone and bring them home safely when no one is really looking for them,” said Bradford.

The Ebony Alert legislation is sponsored by the NAACP California Hawaii State Conference.

“Black women and girls are at increased risk of harm and make up a disproportionate percentage of all missing people. The NAACP California Hawaii State Conference considers missing Black women and girls an epidemic and necessary for its own safety alert.” said Rick Callender, NAACP California Hawaii State Conference President. “SB 673 will create the Ebony Alert, providing law enforcement with additional tools and resources to help locate missing Black youth and adults through cooperation with the community and the CHP.”

Senator Bradford is Vice Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications, and represents the Los Angeles County communities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor City, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, San Pedro, Torrance, Watts, Willowbrook, and Wilmington.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Hundreds of students throughout San Bernardino County showcased their incredible talents at several visual and performing arts events.

San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) is proud to support arts education programs that cultivate and encourage students’ passions and talents.

“These students are some of our county’s most exceptional young musicians and artists,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “With the dedication and talents of our partners, educators and guest conductors, these incredible opportunities are possible.”

Hundreds of elementary, middle, and high school students performed at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel during the Basin Honor Bands and Honor Orchestras events held in February.

Over two hundred students from K-12 schools in the high desert region took the stage at Barstow Community College’s Performing Arts Center for the High Desert Honor Bands event.

Since 1986, SBCSS has collaborated with the San Bernardino County Music Educators Association to host these concerts for students involved in music education programs throughout the county.

Performances extended into new territory for SBCSS with the introduction of the Poetry Out Loud competitions thanks to a partnership with Arts Connection, whose goal is to elevate arts and culture in San Bernardino County.

Several high school students from different regions in the county competed for a spot in the state championship. Faith Bakhos, a student from Big Bear High School, placed first in this year’s county finals. She then represented San Bernardino County in the California State Finals, where she competed against 49 poets from across the state and placed in the top ten.

Through collaboration with the Riverside, Inyo, Mono, and San Bernardino California Arts Project (RIMS CAP), which also supports Kern County, and the Arts Council for San Bernardino County, SBCSS created and supported The San Bernardino County Arts Education Network.

This initiative promotes quality arts education and events throughout the county, including The Young Artists’ Gallery.

The annual competition saw close to 400 works of art submitted by student artists, with nearly 150 entries selected for a month-long exhibition at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB).

The event provided students an opportunity to showcase their photography, ceramic sculptures, paintings and video productions for public viewing.

A culminating arts showcase sponsored by SBCSS will take place on April 4, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the California Theatre. The Performing Arts Showcase will feature student musicians, vocalists, thespians and dancers from across San Bernardino County. Admission to attend is free.

SBCSS is grateful not only for the arts partners, teachers, parents and volunteers who help support and encourage students’ exploration of arts education, but also the voters who supported Proposition 28, which will help to expand music and arts education for every student in San Bernardino County and the state of California.

For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow us @SBCountySchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube #transforminglives.

LOS ANGELES, CA— Octavia Carey (Inglewood) and Madison Henderson (Los Angeles) were among 100 students honored today in a moving culminating ceremony for Disney Dreamers Academy, a four-day, transformational mentoring program at Walt Disney World, for which they were selected from thousands of nationwide applicants.

Grammy-nominated singer Halle Bailey, who will play the lead role of Ariel in the upcoming live-action remake of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” served as the program’s ambassador and event speaker. Bailey surprised Henderson with an invitation to join her on the red carpet at the upcoming world premiere of Disney’s “Little Mermaid” in Hollywood.

Grammy-award winning artist, H.E.R., surprised Carey during a music learning session and gifted her an autographed guitar.

By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

Black women in the Golden State trail behind their counterparts from other ethnic groups in median wealth and a lower percentage of them have obtained higher education degrees. Black mothers and their babies have mortality rates that surpass women from other racial and ethnic backgrounds.

California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute (CBWCEI) President and CEO Kellie Todd Griffin said the state of Black women in California is troubling.

“There is so much work to do,” she explained. “There is a gap with Black women. Without immediate interventions from a policy and practice transformation standpoint, we’re not going to be able to change the trajectory.”

Griffin’s remarks came a day after the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary’s University released its 12th annual “The Report on the Status of Women and Girls in California” on March 22.

The 40-page report, with the tagline “Advancing Equity: Leading With Meaning and Purpose,” is the Los Angeles university’s assessment of the state of women in California based on a number of social and economic indicators.

It is “what women need in order to attain agency for themselves, add meaning to their lives, and contribute fully to their families, communities, and businesses,” wrote Mount Saint Mary’s University President Ann McElaney-Johnson in the document’s opening pages.

The report highlights issues affecting women and girls in California post-COVID-19 pandemic. The trends documented pertain to women’s education, economic security, health, household labor, and wage and wealth divisions.

The paper’s authors and staff at Mount Saint Mary’s Center for the Advancement of Women are advocates who push for changes in legislation to help women and girls in the state.

Robin L. Owens, Interim Director, Center for the Advancement of Women and Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Mount Saint Mary’s University, said all of study’s findings need to be addressed.

“My personal opinion, wealth impacts everything, so that is the one that struck me the most,” she emphasized. “The differences in the wealth gap between men and women, but also between African American women and other races. That was striking.”

The wealth gap among women is vast, according to the study. For every $100 owned by a White woman, Latinas own $10, and Black women own $9. Twenty-four percent of households led by single Black women and 25% of Latina households are more likely to live in poverty than single White (14%) and single Asian (15%) women households.
In corporate leadership, 5% of the women in management positions and CEO chairs are African American. In comparison, 46% of women in management positions are White and 86% of women CEOs are White.

Black women hold 4% of the bachelor’s degrees obtained by California women, while White women have 47%. Among women holding graduate and professional degrees, 52% are White women, whereas African American women make up only 5%.

There is a connection, Griffin stated, between Black women’s trailing in education and wealth figures.

“We’re the smallest population amongst the groups that were assessed, however we shouldn’t be 4% of the bachelor’s degree holders,” she noted. “It’s disheartening. How do you get into corporate leadership if a majority of good paying jobs require a degree? We can’t get in the door to be able to accelerate up.”

Black women are more than four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes then White women, and Black babies are more than twice as likely to die within one year than White babies.

The maternal death rates African American women and their babies have are still comparable to numbers from decades ago despite funds and efforts put into improving that rate for all women, Griffin said.

“That is not an improvement,” she deemed.

CBWCEI is focused on using the numbers from the report and other statistics they have gathered to shine a light on the challenges Black women in the state have and to uplift their voices.

The group advocated for and received state funds to create the California Black Women’s Think Tank at Cal State Dominguez Hills, which focuses solely on Black women and girls through research and leadership development. The nonprofit organization is also conducting other African American women-geared initiatives.

“We are focused on Black women, Black girls, Black joy, Black advancement,” Griffin stated. “We understand if we invest in Black women, then we invest in Black communities. We are investing in Black California.”

Owens hopes readers of the report take actions like the CBWCEI.

“I hope people read the report and really give some thoughtful consideration to how they can add to the advancement of women in general and African American women in particular,” she said. “Even if it is in a small way. Sometimes we tend to think we have to fix the whole problem. If we could just find out in our own corner of the world, how we could make a small increase in helping African American women and women in general that would make a difference.”

By Antonio Ray Harvey and Manny Otiko | California Black Media

The San Francisco Branch of the NAACP is engaged in a public information blitz to clarify a press release it sent out urging the San Francisco city government to reject a proposal to pay each qualifying Black city resident a one-time lump sum reparation payment of $5 million.

The Rev. Amos Brown, a member of the San Francisco reparations board, pastor of Third Baptist Church, and the president of the San Francisco NAACP, released a March 14 statement before the recommendations were presented to the supervisors rejecting the $5 million payout.

Reparations should focus on investments and opportunities” in five areas: education, employment, housing, healthcare, and a culture center for San Francisco’s Black residents, the prepared statement reads.

“We strongly believe that creating and funding programs that can improve the lives of those who have been impacted by racism and discrimination is the best path forward toward equality and justice,” Brown stated. Brown is the vice-chairperson of the California Reparation Task Force, which is proposing recommendations for two million Black residents in California.

The NAACP’s press release was met with immediate backlash by supporters in the movement for reparations across the country who have, for decades now, invested time, energy and money in bringing the issue to national attention. In 2020, California became the first state to set up a task force to investigate the state’s involvement in slavery, state-sanctioned atrocities against African Americans and all other forms of discrimination and discriminatory policy that excluded Black Californians from state benefits or protections or that prevented them from gaining social or economic power.

In several public appearances, Brown clarified that he is not against the idea of a cash payout but only wants the recommendation to be a reasonable compromise – one, he says, that does not give the city’s Black residents “false hope.”

“We don’t want to get set up for another study or for them to put this up on a shelf to collect dust,” said Brown in an interview with Roland Martin. We must have action. We believe in cash-plus – not either or.”

Eric McDowell, chairperson of the African American Reparations Advisory Committee (AARAC) — a task force set up by San Francisco city government — said that recommendations presented to the Board of Supervisors is an “appraisal” and he is “hopeful” that the city will deliver much needed compensation for Black community.
McDowell made the statements in an interview with San Francisco’s KRON 4 News on March 24. AARAC presented recommendations on March 14 to address the harms and struggles Black Americans have endured since they began migrating west after the Civil War.

“What the city will decide to do is fully in the hands of the supervisors, mayor’s office, and full leadership of the city,” McDowell said in the six-minute segment. “We’re hopeful as a committee that they will take up the charge and do what they believe both is right to do and have the capacity to do.”

The recommendations, McDowell said, are only in “draft” form at this stage. They cover economic empowerment, education, generational wealth building, and public policies for the benefit of Black San Franciscans. McDowell referred to the recommendation as an estimation of value.

“Our task (AARAC) was to do the appraisal and it’s the city’s task to determine, based upon recommendations, what they decide to adopt,” McDowell said.

“Once again, that conversation is yet to come: the determination of how it will get financed and made possible,” McDowell continued, talking about reparations payments to San Franciscans who are Black American descendants of enslaved people.

The 14-person reparations committee advises the Board of Supervisors, Mayor London Breed, the Human Rights Commission, and the public on the development of a San Francisco Reparations Plan. The plan features ways that San Francisco’s policies have harmed Black lives.

Paying qualifying Black residents individual payments of $5 million, the elimination of personal debt and tax liabilities of African American households and securing annual incomes at a minimum $97,000 for 250 years are part of the package the committee is proposing.

San Francisco’s Black population consists of 6% of the city’s total number of residents and they make up 38% of the city’s homeless population.
The AARAC has documented decades of policies and laws that systematically affected Black Americans in San Francisco, limiting their access to productive employment property, education and the ability to build generational wealth.

A decision by the Board of Supervisors on the amount of compensation owed to Black residents or the form it will take is not expected until June. Meanwhile, the city is mulling over the fact that providing financial compensation will push it deeper into the red, a point that has been made by some city officials that many who oppose reparations for Black Americans have latched onto and referenced in their arguments.

“I wish we had this kind of money in San Francisco’s general fund, but if we want to maintain the services that exist today, we do not,” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen in a San Francisco Chronicle interview.

San Francisco is currently facing a deficit of more than $720 million over the next 24 months. Supervisor Dean Preston told the San Francisco Chronicle that reparations are warranted but not financially feasible for the city.