Happily Divorced And After

REDLANDS, CA — The San Bernardino County Museum Association announces its seventh annual Bucky Ball taking place on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. The in-person gala will feature a special viewing of Homecoming: Works by Cara Romero. The Association is the fundraising, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands and its branches, including the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley. The fundraising event supports the Museum’s mission of developing appreciation and sparking curiosity in regional cultural arts, history, and natural and earth sciences through exhibits and educational programming.

This year, the lively event will be held in the outdoor courtyard of the San Bernardino County Museum where guests will be able to reconnect and engage in conversations celebrating the Museum’s service to county families and support for increasing the number of youth pursuing art and science education and careers. As in the past, the event will include a social and silent auction of unique items including jewelry, excursions, and more.

The 2022 Bucky Ball will also honor three regional partners with the Good Egg Award: The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; Curt Hagman, Chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors; and Beaver Medical Group. These awardees have been exceptional partners of the Association by supporting its efforts to assist the Museum in increasing their impact in our region.

As the largest cultural and natural history center in the region, the San Bernardino County Museum plays a vital role in our children’s education. Named in honor of the science innovation of Buckminster Fuller, an engineer, poet, and environmentalist, the Association’s Bucky Ball event highlights the mission of the museum, as well as the museum’s iconic architectural dome, inspired by Fuller’s geodesic domes, and visible from Interstate 10 since 1974.

“This is our most important event of the year. The funding the Association raises extends the resources available to the Museum and ensures they are able to meet the educational needs of our region,” shared Zack Tucker, the Association’s Executive Director.

Museum Director, Melissa Russo, said, “We are deeply grateful to benefit from the fundraising efforts of the San Bernardino County Museum Association. This long-standing partnership is a key part of the Museum’s ability to develop excellent exhibits and programming. I look forward to a successful 2022 Bucky Ball and thank all the donors that appreciate the meaningful service the Museum provides the community.”

Tickets for the evening are on sale now and can be purchased online. Tickets are $150 per person, $125 for members. A non-member table for eight can be purchased for $1,200 or $1,000 for members. Guests who are unable to attend are encouraged to consider donating or becoming a sponsor. Sponsorship opportunities include a $10,000 Titanium Sponsor, $5,000 Platinum Sponsor, $2,500 Gold Sponsor, $1,000 Silver Sponsor, and $500 Copper Sponsor. For more information on donating or sponsoring, visit www.thesbcma.org, or call (909) 798-8626.

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional, cultural, and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the County, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.

Established in 1952, the San Bernardino County Museum Association solicits, manages, and distributes funds, engages in programs, and advocates for the benefit of the San Bernardino County Museum and its mission. The SBCM Association achieves its mission by conducting fund development efforts on behalf of the Museum, including individual, corporate, and foundation contributions. Further, the Association partners with the Museum to assist with developing deeper visitor engagement, enhancing stewardship and utilization of its collection, refreshing its facilities, diversifying sources of revenue, and building its organizational capacity.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The Museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcounty.gov/museum. The Museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.

CDPH partnered with WhatsApp to launch Spanish- and English-language chatbots that will provide accurate information on COVID-19 and vaccines

SACRAMENTO, CA—- The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today unveiled new Spanish- and English-language WhatsApp chatbot tools to offer reliable information about COVID-19 to Californians, especially those in the Latino community. Thanks to a partnership with Meta, California is the first state in the country to launch a tool of this kind.

When using this service, Spanish- and English-speakers will receive up-to-date information about the safety of vaccines, how to book vaccination appointments, and how to obtain digital records of vaccinations.

This new tool is a critical facet of how the state continues moving forward via the SMARTER Plan, which prioritizes communicating with Californians and combating misinformation.

This new tool reinforces CDPH’s commitment to ensuring access to vaccines through a data-driven and equity-centered approach. The tool also builds on other strategies to combat misinformation and disinformation, including the deployment of a robust network of trusted community messengers focused on proactively reaching Californians to ensure they are vaccinated and boosted. WhatsApp is a popular communication channel among Hispanics, both in California and abroad.

The chatbot is free to all and can be accessed by scanning a QR code (below) or texting “hola” to 833-422-1090. Once the chatbot is active, a menu of options appears onscreen, allowing users to select the COVID-19 information most pertinent to them. This includes local vaccination sites, transportation options for getting to the site, and other frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Our mission to keep California safe from the threat of COVID-19 is not over, and we must continue to keep our communities informed on how we can continue moving toward the new normal we all long for,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón. “That is why we are meeting even more Californians where they are, and spend time every day, by presenting reliable, accurate information on a trusted platform and in the language they speak.”

California has been able to move towards this new normal by informing its residents about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 72 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered statewide: 6 million doses have been administered to the most vulnerable communities, with about 59.2% of Latinos in California fully vaccinated (finished their primary series).

“Since the start of the pandemic, WhatsApp has been a powerful tool for more than 150 health organizations around the world to share lifesaving information and tackle misinformation. We’re thrilled to add the state of California, as the first state in the U.S., to this effort as well, and in doing so will be offering even more tools to get Californians accurate and authoritative news, information, resources, and tips to stay healthy during COVID-19,” said Mona Pasquil Rogers, head of Meta State Policy in California. “Partnerships like this one are one of the many ways Meta is helping to fight Spanish-language misinformation.”

For additional information, visit MyTurn.ca.gov, the state’s vaccination website, where Californians can check their eligibility, register, and receive notifications to schedule an appointment.

People without internet access can call the COVID-19 hotline at 1-833-422-4255 (833-4CA-4ALL), which has support in multiple languages. All personal data provided is confidential and protected.

Information about the state’s COVID-19 initiatives can be found at covid19.ca.gov/es/.

By Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media

Last week, people around the world celebrated Earth Week with commemorations and activities leading up to Earth Day, on Friday, April 22.

Activists and advocates in California marked the annual event by highlighting the urgency of climate change and why, more than ever, communities of color need to be engaged and informed.

“We’re already in a climate disaster,” said Simeon Gant, the African American Executive Director of Green Technical Education and Employment, an organization dedicated to getting young Black people more involved in environmental justice.”

“We’ve got fire disasters every year, more than we’ve ever had,” said Gant. “People are dying, whole cities are being burned down in California and other places.”

The state’s ongoing drought, now in its third year, is another major environmental concern.

“Here in California, we are already seeing the effects of the climate crisis in the form of drought, record heat waves, and wildfires that have devastated entire communities,” said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-13).

“As the United Nations and scientists around the world have made clear, we can still preserve a livable climate for future generations. But that window is closing fast,” Lee continued. “This year, we also must recognize that we are running out of time to save the planet for our children and grandchildren.”

Gant agrees with Lee.

“In the Central Valley, we’re having problems with water. Not just the fact that we’re in a drought but the little bit of water that even comes out of Central Valley is often contaminated,” Gant pointed out — before he invoked Flint, Michigan and the water crisis that city experienced from 2014 to 2019.

Gant says water contaminated by drilling for fossil fuels in California is preventable.

On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced that the state will be contributing $22.5 million to mediating the effects of the drought.

“With the climate crisis threatening communities across the West, we must double down on our work to build water resilience in our communities for the long haul,” said Newsom. “All of us must do our part to tackle the intensifying drought conditions felt across the state. We’re investing critical resources to battle the drought’s impacts on our communities and ecosystems and finding innovative solutions to deal with these new realities.”

At the national level, Gina McCarthy, White House National Climate Advisor, told California Black Media that the Biden administration is committed to addressing issues of clean drinking water.

“The bipartisan infrastructure law is going to be a way of investing in climate change and it’s also going to be a way of investing in the communities that have been left behind,” said McCarthy. “That means getting the lead out of the paint in homes, that means getting the lead out of our drinking water systems, that means investing in communities that don’t have safe portable drinking water.”

But water is not the only environmental issue facing Californians, says Gant.

“In Los Angeles, they have oil pumps right in the hood,” Gant said. “It’s bad for the environment and bad for the air that we’re breathing.”

There are 5,000 known, active oil or gas pumps in Los Angeles County.

According to Gant, the oil industry’s impact on the environment is also being felt in the Bay Area.

“In the Bay Area, in the Richmond area, where we have a whole community sitting next to an oil refinery that often has problems whether it’s catching fire or pollution and fumes that go from the oil refinery into the Richmond area,” said Gant.

Gant also pointed to illegal dumping and freeways running through Black neighborhoods in California as causes for concern.

According to McCarthy, the White House is committed to tackling environmental equity “to ensure that the communities left behind end up being the focus of investments moving forward.”

McCarthy says equity is a part of President Biden’s “Justice40” initiative. The program commits 40% of the benefits from energy and climate investments to communities disproportionately affected by climate change.

So far, McCarthy says, that effort has been worthwhile.

“We have done everything we can, through guidance, through direction to states and local communities,” said McCarthy.

However, Gant feels more needs to be done to ensure the investments being made impact the people they are intended to help.

“They take that federal money, and they send it down to the local government and then they leave it up to local government to send it to the community-based organizations that are closer to the community,” said Gant. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t get from the local government to the community-based organizations in an effective way.”

But, according to McCarthy, that is not solely the responsibility of the executive branch of the US federal government.

“We’re also going to not give up on calling on Congress because we need them to act,” said McCarthy. “We need American families, particularly those in our environmental justice communities, to once again know that the government is working for them.”

As far as solutions go, Gant says education and awareness are central to environmental justice in Black communities.

The governor’s office said that the state will be spending $8.25 million to increase water conservation outreach and education.

Gant says weatherization of California homes in low-income communities would be beneficial, as well as investing in renewable energy and zero emission vehicles.

“If we increase the use of renewable energy, not only are there jobs but we’d be reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses that we’re putting into the atmosphere,” he explained.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— – The City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department along with the Arts and Historical Preservation Commission are looking for San Bernardino-based artists or artist teams for a collection of digital designs for outdoor murals for the new Fitness Court at Blair Park. The selected artist or artists will receive an award of $5,000 courtesy of the National Fitness Campaign.

The ideal artwork will enhance the park, represent San Bernardino’s vibrant arts culture, and promote awareness of the city’s social, cultural, and historical composition. The artwork must be appropriate for all ages and engage with the growing, diverse population in the City of San Bernardino.

A selection panel of arts professionals, City staff, City Commissioners, and community representatives will review and score the applications and make recommendations to select 8 artists/teams. These selections will be required to present their art proposal to the Arts and Historical Preservation Commission on May 16th. The selection panel will review and evaluate the design proposals based on criteria including, but not limited to: Artistic merit, artist availability, and if the artist/team is San Bernardino-based.

The deadline for to apply is Friday, May 6, 2022 at 11:59 pm by submitting an email application to Parks Director Lydie Gutfeld at Gutfeld_ly@sbcity.org.

The Fitness Court at Blair Park will be a 32’ x 35’ outdoor bodyweight circuit training system that supports 28 simultaneous users on 30 separate pieces of equipment. The 7 movement, 7-minute system, provides a full-body workout to people of all ability levels. The integrated system includes a sports floor to simulate the indoor gym exercise and the steel bodyweight training wall provides users with many exercise combinations.

MUSCOY, CA.— On Friday, April 22, 2022, Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. presented a $15,000 donation check to Vermont Elementary School in San Bernardino to go towards the building of a brand-new playground for the students. Vermont Elementary School falls under the maps of unincorporated areas in the Fifth District and donations like this one help assist the school serve their student’s recreational needs.

“Vermont Elementary holds a special place in my heart. I know how important playgrounds are for the growth of our young students. The agility, endurance, and creativity skills that are built up in our lives starts right here on the playground. Vermont Elementary serves a lot of underserved students in our district and the redevelopment of this playground will make a difference in the perspective their students have on attending school. These children are our future, and it is our duty to protect and support them in any way we possibly can.”-Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.

By Lou Yeboah

Because the “Final Antichrist” is about to announce himself! The world stage has already been prepared. They have everything already planned so that in the midst of the chaos, the crisis that the world is now experiencing, the Antichrist may appear as peacemaker and savior of humanity. Do not be deceived! He is already among us; He is waiting in the wings. Be alert and be vigilant! You will recognize his appearance when he makes his world declaration “My children, I bring you, my Peace.”

“And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” [Revelation 13:1-4]. He will be strong-willed and reckless in his determination to have his way. He will boast non-stop about himself [ Daniel 7:8]. He will be “given a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies” [Revelation 13:5]. He will show contempt for human traditions and will, and he will speak great words against the Most High and shall wear out the saints of the Most High and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time [Daniel 7:25; 11:36]. He will be possessed by Satan, just as Judas was [Luke 22:3]. His power will be mighty, “but not by his own power” [Daniel 8:24]. His coming will be “in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders” [2 Thessalonians 2:9]. He will be a “worker of deceit. [Psalm 52:2]. His speech will be “smoother than butter” but his heart will be filled with war. [Psalms 55:21]. He will be “a man of bloodshed and deceit.” [Psalms 5:6]. He will confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week, he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” [Daniel 9:27].

Be Alert! Be Vigilant! For the Antichrist energized by Satan [Daniel 8:24] will seem to have all the answers to the world’s problems. He will take over the European Union through skillful intrigue [Daniel 8:23] and will establish his headquarters in Rome [Revelation 17:3,9,18]. “The Final Antichrist” who will be proud, arrogant, lawless, evil, powerful, a blasphemer, a slanderer, a destroyer, a deceiver, an impostor, a truth-hater, a liar, a persecutor, a murderer, a devilish man, a Satanist, is waiting in the wings. Keep your eyes wide open because he, the “Final Antichrist” will be a key instrument, a critical player in the time before Christ’s return.

God will allow him to make himself known only after the Warning… Urgent call from Jesus the Good Shepherd to His Flock. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, the coming Antichrist, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.

“He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Don’t you remember that when I was with you, I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. [2 Thessalonians 2:3-11].

Might you be awake. Might you be alert. [Romans 13:11].

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

For Tony Thurmond, California’s African American State Superintendent of Public Instruction, American public education will never be the same after experiencing what it has over the last two years.

“The pandemic really did put a spotlight on places where there were big holes and gaps and inequities,” Thurmond told California Black Media (CBM). “In a nation with the wealth we have, that there should be a digital divide, I think that’s just a big example of the kinds of inequities that have existed.”

But Thurmond is hopeful. Working with lawmakers in both the California Senate and Assembly, he is sponsoring and supporting a range of focused legislation that, if approved, would increase access to education opportunities and improve learning for Black, Hispanic and other children who were most affected by the pandemic. Many of the children Thurmond’s programs target are underperforming on the state’s standardized tests.

As a former Assemblymember representing the 15th District in Alameda County from 2014 to 2018, Thurmond is familiar with the sausage making that goes into creating policy. He is leveraging knowledge of that process, he says, to transform public education.

He told CBM, “Our number one bill is Senate Bill (SB) 1229.” The bill authored by Sen. Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) offers incentives to recruit 10,000 professionals to help support the growing mental health needs of students. SB 1229 provides $25,000 grants to aspiring mental health clinicians who commit to serving a minimum of two years as a mental health professional either in a school district or youth-serving community organization in high need areas.

Approximately eight million Californians, most of them from communities of color, live in areas with a shortage of behavioral health professionals.

“There’s no question that our students need all kinds of support for academic recovery, but our students and families need to really heal from the trauma that is this pandemic.” Thurmond said. “We’ve seen a spike in suicide for Black students; we’ve seen an increase in hospitalizations for young people.”

Addressing childhood literacy and biliteracy, is another of Thurmond’s priorities. Last year, he announced his vision that by 2026 all California students will be literate by third grade. He pulled together a Statewide Literacy Task Force of experts and community partners to design a strategy for reaching that goal. Also, to support the initiative, Thurmond pledged to secure one million book donations for students in need and he exceeded his goal with more than five million free online books downloaded.

Thurmond is sponsoring three bills focused on literacy expansion working with two legislators: Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) and Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda).

The first is Senate Bill (SB) 952 (Limón), written to help existing schools convert to dual-language immersion programs. The second, Assembly Bill (AB) 2498 (Bonta), would expand Freedom School programs — evidence-based Afrocentric literacy programs that have been shown to help students improve their reading by one to two grade levels in as little as six weeks. The third is AB 2465 (Bonta), which would expand literacy programs to fund home visits.

According to Limon, “Dual language schools have demonstrated cognitive, social, cultural, economic and educational benefits for students. They are effective in closing the achievement gap and test results show that most dual language schools outperform other demographically similar schools.”

Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), who is a member of the Statewide Literacy Task Force, says, “AB 2465 was inspired by recommendations from the state superintendent’s Task Force to improve reading by third grade.”

There are several other game-changing education bills Thurmond is sponsoring. Among them are SB 830, which Sen. Anthony J. Portantino (D-Thousand Oaks) introduced. The legislation calls for funding schools based on school district enrollment instead of attendance. It would also finance efforts to address chronic absenteeism and truancy.

Then there’s AB1614, legislation introduced by Assemblymembers Al Muratsuchi (D-Rolling Hills Estates) and Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach), who serves as chair of the Assembly Education Committee. That bill would increase the school funding base to provide greater flexibility to all school districts throughout the state.

According to Thurmond, “SB 830 gives districts predictability on how they receive funding and gives them important resources to address what has been one of our most perplexing challenges: dealing with chronic absenteeism in ways we have not yet seen before. It will put students and schools on a better path to further close opportunity and education gaps.”

Thurmond has thrown his support behind AB 2806, legislation that would help reduce suspensions of preschool children. This bill was introduced by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park). He is a sponsor of AB 2088 introduced by Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D- Elk Grove) that would provide paid internships to students within their Career Technical Education courses or pathways. Another bill Thurmond feels will help work through the challenges ahead is, AB 2794 that would fund the School De-escalation Specialist Pilot Program under the administration of the California Department of Education (CDE) to provide one-time grants to local educational agencies for the creation or expansion of non-police school safety programs. The bill was introduced by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson).

Thurmond notes there appears to be no opposition to any of the bills he is supporting.

“I think the biggest challenge is that these bills have a cost, and they ask for money,” Thurmond told CBM. “I happen to think that while all of them are important if you invest in mental health, if you invest in programs like literacy, and dual language programs, these programs will have a high return of investment for California schools.”

With the funds included by Gov. Gavin Newsom in the state budget and passed by the Legislature, Thurmond’s’ Department of Education is implementing a Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Planning & Implementation Grant program. The initiative will expand prekindergarten for every four-year-old. The budget is covering a program serving two meals free of charge (breakfast and lunch) during each school day to students in grades K–12. Also budgeted is $3 Billion to establish community schools across the state that offer additional services to students and families.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Time for Change Foundation (TFCF) invites you to join them for a night of celebration, philanthropy, and entertainment as they commemorate their 20th anniversary with a star-studded virtual awards gala on April 28th at 6 p.m.

TFCF is excited to announce that actress Jennifer Hudson will be receiving the foundation’s Humanitarian Award this year. Additionally, Taraji P Henson will attend the 20th anniversary event to help commemorate the nonprofit’s milestones over the last two decades.

“We are excited to be honoring the princess of soul, Miss Jennifer Hudson for making a difference in so many lives,” said, Kim Carter, Founder/Ambassador of Time for Change Foundation.

Other honorees include Susan Burton of A New Way of Life Reentry Project with the Harriet Tubman Legacy Award, Patty Favela with the Ramos Family Spirit of Compassion Award, Vickie Lobo of Knock Knock Angels with the Nancy Varner Angel Award.

Time for Change Foundation assists homeless women and children in achieving self-sufficiency by providing housing and necessary supportive services. To date, the organization has reunited 311 children in foster care with their mothers and have helped more than 2,600 homeless women reach self-sufficiency.

TFCF lifts women out of poverty by leading them into economic prosperity through entrepreneurship opportunities that promote generational wealth.

Time for Change Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Awards Gala will be held virtually on April 28th, 2022, at 6 p.m. To register for the gala call Time for Change Foundation at 909-886-2994, visit our registration page at https://conta.cc/3ISrG4d.

To make a donation, visit www.TimeForChangeFoundation.org or text LOVETFCF to 243725.

By Lue Dowdy, LUE Productions

It’s ya girl Lue Dowdy and I’m calling all my wine lovers! I always enjoy a good glass of wine, especially when I have had a rough a day. This week, I’d like to highlight two beautiful inspiring Queens with their own wine business. SHEWines was created by two momprenuers who love sippin’ wine, traveling, and supporting one another.

Tabitha Cole and Jennifer Oglesby decided to follow their passion and vision in creating a wine brand that would not only taste great but build empowerment for other women as well. The ladies plan on doing this by creating safe places where women can share their experiences in business and in life.

Tabitha Cole states, “Good or bad because there is a lesson in it all, and it may help empower someone else who could be going through the same situation. We want to motivate and create an overall support system to empower other women across the world”.

Creating two exclusive wines these ladies are ready to show the world what their made of. Their first is a Vintage 2019′ Merlot and the second is a 2020 hibiscus Rosé. Take a moment to follow their journey via Instagram @she.wines.

For more details on how to support these amazing Queens please visit the website at she-wines.com.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Last week, Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton, California’s only Black D.A., joined the state’s Attorney General Rob Bonta and Acting Richmond Police Chief Louie Tirona to announce that they have identified the man who killed 28-year-old Meekiah Wadley in 1999.
During an emotional news conference a representative of the three agencies said Jerry Lee Henderson murdered the Contra Costa Community College student inside her Richmond home.

Tirona, said Henderson died 11 days after the killing. He was identified through DNA left at the scene.

“I know it’s been a long 22 years since this heinous crime was committed, and justice doesn’t always come swiftly,” said Becton. “Today’s announcement is a major testament to the determination of our law enforcement partners, forensic scientists, and investigators who continued to work on this case for over 20 years and who never gave up the search for the truth.”

Investigators solved the murder using California’s familial DNA search program.

Becton, who is on the ballot for the June 7 primary election, joins former Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley and Sacramento County District Attorney Ann Marie Schubert as California D.A.s who have used this technique.

Becton, 70, was in the fourth year of a 22-year run as a Contra Costa Superior Court judge at the time of Wadley’s death.

On Sept. 17, 2017, the county’s Board of Supervisors appointed her Contra Costa’s 25th district attorney, the first African American female to hold the position. In June 2018, the graduate of San Francisco State University and Golden Gate University School of Law was elected to a full term.

Becton said her priority is keeping the streets of Contra Costa County safe from dangerous and violent criminals. She says she is committed to safeguarding communities from crimes that threaten health, well-being, and livelihood, and protecting seniors from financial abuse. She is also committed to providing positive outcomes for youth.

The legal eagle from Oakland wants to serve Contra Costa’s 1.1 million residents for four more years. To “effect change” and ensure a “fair” judicial system, she told California Black Media (CBM).

“What I’ve come to realize, though what seems like a short time some days, we’ve gotten a lot done. But the truth is that there’s so much more work to do,” Becton told CBM.
‘This truly is, in terms of building sustainable change that is going to last, is a blueprint. It’s just not something that is going to happen in a short haul. I am running for reelection to continue the important work that we have started.”

Becton removed juvenile justice fees that severely affected low-income families of color, created the Reimagine Youth Justice Task Force to discover alternative solutions to juvenile justice, and established “Clean Slate Day” to allow former offenders opportunities to clear their criminal records.

In addition, Becton set up the first Human Trafficking Unit to fight the exploits of the sex trade, addressed racial disparities, advanced youth justice by establishing the county’s first diversion program, and held law enforcement and public officials accountable.

In April 2021, Becton announced felony voluntary manslaughter and felony assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and unreasonable force charges against Danville police officer and deputy Andrew Hall in the shooting of Laudemer Arboleda in 2018.

Becton said the cop killed Arboleda, who was reportedly driving six miles per hour, “without lawful excuse of justification.” Becton nailed a conviction in that case.

In October 2021, Hall, who is White, was convicted by a jury of assault with a firearm and sentenced to six years in prison on March 4.

Six weeks before Hall was charged for killing Arboleda, shooting him 10 times, he fatally shot a Black unhoused and mentally ill man. The killing of Tyrell Wilson by Hall is still under investigation.

“Deputy Hall’s actions were not only a crime, but they tarnished the badge, and they harmed the reputation of all the good, hard-working police officers that work for our community,” Becton said in a statement.

Months after a jury convicted a former Minnesota police officer of killing George Floyd. It was the first time a Contra Costa cop was charged and convicted in a police-involved shooting.

Becton gets flak for easing the court’s burden by not prosecuting every low-level, non-violent crime, including offenders arrested with small amounts of drugs that come across her desk in an effort to reduce the “footprint” of mass incarceration.

“It’s quite interesting now that I have a historic conviction of an officer in Contra Costa County. But I would say, all and all, that we have mutual respect. I have 25 law enforcement agencies in 19 cities that I work with,” Becton told CBM. “It’s a loud opposition from the Sheriff who may not like the fact that one of his got convicted. But I am not deterred by that. It won’t stop me from being collaborative with these agencies when it is important to bring their voices to the table.”

As District Attorney Becton leads a prosecutorial office of approximately 200 lawyers, investigators, and staff.

Becton was raised in East Oakland by her self-employed beautician mother and her airplane mechanic father. Her journey to be an attorney, judge, and elected official was inspired by a civil rights movement she was able to personally witness in the late 1950s and 1960s.

“My commitment is to keep our community safe but also make this a fair system for everyone. That’s my priority,” Becton said. “I’ve made it a point that not only our traditional justice partners are at the table but people in the community are at the table as well. They (all) help us in problem-solving.”