Happily Divorced And After

Sonya Massey Shot in the Face and Murdered by White Deputy Sean Grayson

On July 23, 2024, CBS News reported that bodycam video of the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey was released by Illinois State Police Monday afternoon, showing a chaotic scene after a sheriff’s deputy shot Massey in the face during a tense moment over a pot of water in her home. On July 23rd, Mother Jones Reported, “She needed a helping hand,” attorney Ben Crump said at a press conference on Monday. “She didn’t need a bullet to the face.” On July 6, Massey reportedly called the authorities about a potential prowler around her Springfield home. Officer Grayson and another deputy arrived on the scene.

The Art of the Cover-Up:

On July 23, 2024, The Guardian reported that police audio obtained by the Guardian features someone on the scene the night of Massey’s killing – presumably a deputy – saying Massey’s wound was “self-inflicted.” A dispatcher asks to confirm, and the person on the scene repeats, “Self-inflicted.” The recording is in line with what the family says was misleading information given by police when Massey was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. This incident reminds Black people in America that we can be unjustly murdered by those who are supposed to serve and protect us. It also serves as a stark reminder of the historical challenges and barriers Black women face in the United States and how unsafe it can be when calling law enforcement for help.

“As the Democratic National Convention approaches in Springfield, Illinois, we urge lawmakers from both parties to embrace robust police accountability measures. Ending Qualified Immunity and implementing other necessary policies are crucial steps to ensure the safety of Black Americans from unjust actions by law enforcement, such as the tragic incident involving Sonya Massey. During this critical time, we stand in solidarity with the community in Springfield, including the family of Sonya Massey and activists nationwide. We must remain united in advocating for justice and Systemic change. Together, let us work towards a future where all Black individuals are treated with dignity and equal protection under the law.”

Tour Has Hosted Thousands of Educators on Immersive Tours Retracting the Steps of Freedom Seekers from Kentucky to Canada

RIVERSIDE, CA— The third and final “Footsteps to Freedom Underground Railroad Study Tour” of summer 2024 will take place from Tuesday, July 23, to Tuesday, July 30. Founded by Black Voice Foundation Inc., and now produced by Footsteps to Freedom LLC, the eight-day trip provides a unique Underground Railroad study tour experience. Led by experienced conductors and subject matter experts, the tour has hosted thousands of educators on immersive tours retracing the steps of freedom seekers spanning two countries, four states, and over three thousand miles from Kentucky to Canada.

Tour stop highlights include Rankin House, John Parker House, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Oberlin College Archives, Charles Wright Museum for African American History, North Buxton Historical Site, Walls Family Farm, Women’s Rights Museum, Harriet Tubman homesite, and Frederick Douglass NorthStar Newspaper site.

Founded by Cheryl Brown, retired California Assemblymember and Black Voice News Publisher Emeritus, the tour celebrates its 27th anniversary this year. Brown’s children, Paulette Brown-Hinds, PhD, Founder of Voice Media Ventures and Publisher of the Black Voice News, and Hardy Brown II, Chairman Emeritus Black Voice Foundation, and Managing Principal, Footsteps to Freedom, serve as the tour’s lead executives. “Our mother started the Footsteps to Freedom tour to provide an immersive, educational experience that brings to life the rich history of the Underground Railroad, one of our country’s greatest freedom movements,” Brown-Hinds and Brown share in a joint statement. “She believed that understanding the struggles and triumphs of those who sought freedom is crucial to appreciating our collective history and fostering a more inclusive society. Today, the tour remains as relevant as ever, reminding us of the importance of resilience, courage, and the ongoing fight for equality and justice.”

The tour is a transformative learning opportunity built on a foundation of historical empathy that expedites professional and personal growth. “We believe through historical empathy, participants can connect more deeply with the past, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the experiences of others,” Brown-Hinds and Brown add. “This approach not only enriches our historical knowledge but also helps to build a more compassionate and empathetic society.”

Conductors include lead historian and retired history professor Dr. Daniel E. Walker and Kenneth Morris, co-founder and president of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives. “Participating in the Footsteps to Freedom Underground Railroad Study Tour for 19 years has been a profound honor,” Morris says. “As a direct descendant of Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington, I’ve had the privilege of inspiring and empowering thousands of educators over the years with the remarkable stories of my great ancestors and the brave freedom seekers whose resilience and courage we study and honor.”

The tour partners include the Black Voice Foundation, Mapping Black California, Black Voice News, Howard University, The Jerry Gore Collection, and various school districts in California.

The City of San Bernardino has announced that Kenneth Chapa has joined its leadership team as the new Economic Development Director. Chapa’s first day on the job was on July 15.

“Ken Chapa has a distinguished background in economic development and tourism,” said Acting City Manager Rochelle Clayton. “We are thrilled to have him aboard and look forward to him hitting the ground running.”

Chapa has over 20 years of experience in economic development and tourism at both the municipal and state levels in Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan. Most recently, he spent the last four years as the Director of Economic Development and Tourism in Avondale, Arizona, where he oversaw the creation and implementation of the Phoenix suburb’s first Economic Development Strategic Plan since 2008, and its first ever Tourism Plan.
“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the City of San Bernardino team,” said Chapa. “I look forward to working with our residents, business community, and city leadership to grow our economy and showcase San Bernardino as a premier location to do business.”

Prior to his time in Avondale, Chapa spent nearly four years as the Economic Development Officer in Henderson, Nevada, and worked for Detroit, Michigan; Mesa, Arizona, the Arizona Commerce Authority, and the Arizona Department of Commerce.

“Everywhere Ken’s has experienced significant growth in commercial development, residential development, and tourism,” added Clayton. “He knows the recipe for success
and is bringing it to San Bernardino.”

San Bernardino’s Economic Development Department was recently separated from the Community Development Department into its own unit. The Department includes both the Economic Development and the Real Estate Service Divisions.

Chapa holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Western Governor’s University.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

The National Park Service (NPS) is set to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Port Chicago explosion, a tragic event that claimed the lives of 202 Black sailors. The incident occurred on July 17, 1944, in Contra Costa County, when 4,606 tons of ammunition being loaded unto two U.S. Navy cargo ships detonated, instantly killing 320 men on site and injuring another 390 workers.

On July 20th, the National Park Service (NPS) in collaboration with Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial band, the U.S. Army’s 834th Transportation Battalion, will host the commemoration at the Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) in Concord.

According to organizers, the event provides an opportunity for friends, family, journalists, and others interested in the history of the disaster to honor the memory of the victims and shed light on the largest mutiny trial in U.S. naval history.

The Rev. Amos C. Brown, President of the San Francisco Branch of the NAACP, and the Pastor of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco, says he continues to seek justice for the men who died in the blast and survivors who later were accused of rebellion.

“It was nothing but another instance of forces in America being perpetrators of hate, harm, and hardship of Black folks,” Brown said of tragedy and the injustice that followed. These Black men who died in that blowup several miles from San Francisco should never be forgotten.”

Jake Sloan, an Oakland resident with extensive knowledge of San Francisco Bay shipyards that attracted many African American men from the South seeking employment during the World War II, attended the 75th commemoration of Port Chicago at MOTCO.

Sloan, the author of “Standing Tall: Willie Long vs. U.S. Government at Mare Island Naval Shipyard,” said standing on the grounds where the explosion occurred was a surreal feeling.

“It was quite an event. It was exciting in a way and sad in another way,” Sloan told California Black Media (CBM) of his experience at the monument site. “I actually walked through the site in addition to attending the ceremony. If you’re an African American, and if you know the story, you can almost feel it.”

Located 35 miles northeast of San Francisco, the Port Chicago pier was built in 1942 and expanded within two years to accommodate space for the loading of naval cargo ships.

According to the Naval History and Heritage Command (NNHC), around 10:18 p.m., a “seismic shock wave” that started at Port Chicago shook the entire San Francisco Bay and “was felt as far away as Boulder City, Nevada. The explosion was so powerful that it decimated both ships, sent debris flying for miles over the Suisun Bay, and left a large crater in place of the pier.

Brown also said the African American sailors were unfairly blamed for the explosion, which was later determined to have been an accident likely caused by unsafe working conditions and lack of proper training.

What ensued after the explosion highlighted the racial disparities in the Navy’s policies at the time.

“In the aftermath, surviving sailors were ordered to resume the same dangerous tasks without any changes to safety protocols,” NPS described on its webpage dedicated to Port Chicago Naval Magazine, which was converted into a National Memorial Park. “On Aug. 9, 1944, 258 African American sailors refused to work, leading to 50 being charged with mutiny.”

The men were dishonorably discharged for refusing to follow a racially motivated order to clear debris from the area and retrieve sailors’ appendages, many of them who were the survivors’ friends and fellow servicemembers. White officers were given hardship and time off following the accident.

U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10) have been working to seek justice for victims and their families.

“The Port Chicago 50 were ordered to their deaths in the summer of 1944, nearly four years before President Truman signed the executive order formally banning racial segregation in the American military,” Garamendi said in 2023. “Now, almost eight decades later and even after President Clinton’s 1999 pardon for Freddie Meeks, the families of the Port Chicago 50 convicted for mutinying against an order that should never have been given are still waiting for justice.”

The court hearings and trials were conducted at Treasure Island Naval Base in San Francisco and Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo.

In an Aug. 24, 1980 interview for the University of California-Berkeley’s Port Chicago Oral History Project, Meeks said it was reported that the explosion was a “sabotage” mission. He countered that argument, saying that some of the bombs were handled “lackadaisically” by the soldiers. Many of the bombs had to be rolled on and off the ships, causing them to bump against each other if the sailors on the other end didn’t adequately retrieve them, Meeks said from his perspective.

On Feb. 23, 2023, Garamendi, DeSaulnier and U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), presented a House Resolution recognizing the victims of the Port Chicago explosion and the clearing the court martial charges against the African American sailors.

“These 50 courageous sailors have suffered the impact of racial discrimination throughout their service in World War II, and their names have been tainted for 73 years,” Lee said in a February 2023 statement. “In today’s political climate, we must come together against discrimination and inequality. It is imperative that we rectify this wrongdoing and bring justice to those sailors who made great sacrifices for our nation.”

By Dr. Ron Daniels

I sincerely believe Joe Biden is a decent, caring human being who has been an outstanding President. However, I am also convinced that it is time to express our gratitude to Biden for his exemplary service and respectfully ask him to step aside. It’s time to rally around Vice-President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic Party and this nation to victory over Donald Trump and the MAGA Movement.

With the race between Biden and Trump essentially deadlocked for months (which is scary) with large numbers of American voters expressing consistent concern over the age of both candidates, Biden’s political advisors and strategists made a bold decision to “shake-up” the race by calling for the earliest presidential debate in the history of presidential debates. Their gambit was that Biden would put the “age” issue to rest by winning the debate as he did against Trump in the first debate in the 2020 campaign.

It was a bold move that backfired badly. Within the first few minutes of the debate the optics of Biden’s appearance and slurred, mumbling speech confirmed the worst fears of vast numbers of voters that he was too old to serve another term as President. Though an “old” candidate himself, whose incoherent utterings at rally’s have not been sufficiently highlighted in the media, Trump proceeded to vigorously pummel Biden with a line of outrageous lies that were not challenged by the Moderators or more importantly, not countered consistently and effectively by a tired, weary looking and all too often incoherent President: a disturbing scene that led political commentator Dr. Julianne Malveaux to describe as a debate between the “Mumbler-in Chief and Liar-in-Chief.”

Trump was pathetic, but Biden was a disaster, not only because he looked old, but his performance also revealed some serious slippage in his cognitive capacities which solidified the perception in the minds of large numbers of voters that he should not be re-elected President. No matter what Biden’s supporters may think, “perception is reality.” Therefore, the path forward out of this painful predicament must be based on that reality!

Democrats are not only in danger of losing the White House, but there is also a legitimate concern that if Biden hangs on, the negative impact on down ballot races for the Senate and House of Representatives could be devastating. Under these dire circumstances, it’s time for bold, decisive action. I believe Biden must be persuaded to graciously and enthusiastically step aside and pass the torch to the person he selected to be the first Black Woman Vice-President of the United States, Kamala Harris.

Biden deserves praise for the extraordinary accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration in the face of one of the most severe crises in the history of the nation, the global COVID-19 Pandemic which precipitated an economic collapse with “Great Depression” levels of unemployment, business and home foreclosures, homelessness, hunger and poverty. Lest we forget, it was Joe Biden who outlined a bold agenda to “Build Back Better” and skillfully navigated a rigid, seemingly unshakable partisan divide to successfully pass the most impressive and impactful series of social and economic legislation bills since Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ).

And, because of an inexplicable reluctance to tell the story or ineffective messaging, it is easy to forget the fact that Joe Biden not only selected a Black woman to be his running mate, he selected the first Black woman to the Supreme Court and proceeded to advance a “Lift Every Voice” Black Agenda which translated into issuing an Executive Order on Equity; vigorously supported the George Floyd criminal justice reform act and John Lewis Voting Rights Act; massive increases in funding for Pell Grants and Historically Black Colleges and Universities; billions of dollars in the Department of Transportation to rebuild Black communities decimated by urban renewal and more recently by gentrification; and 5 billion to address gun violence in Black communities based on the Live-Free Model that only failed to be enacted due to reductions in the size of the bill demanded by conservative Democrats as a concession for their vote to ensure passage. Biden has yet to enact the HR-40 Commission by Executive Order but has signaled support for a “study bill.”

You can make the case that Joe Biden has the most significant civil rights record since John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LBJ. Plaudits are in order for Biden’s extraordinary record of accomplishments, but all that he has achieved is definitively endangered by the prospect of victory by Trump and MAGAISM. Democracy is in danger and Black America is in danger if the Democrats fail to win the White House. And, that prospect looms large in face of the troubling revelations about a decent human being and exemplary public servant that the nation and the world witnessed during the debacle of July 27th and its aftermath.

We respect, appreciate and admire you President Biden, but the perilous historical moment we face demands that we rally around Vice-President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic Party joined by independents, disaffected Republicans and people of conscious and good will to a resounding victory over Trump and MAGAISM!

President Biden, I predict that an enthusiastic statement from you announcing that you are passing the baton to Vice-President Kamala Harris will be an electrifying moment; a historical moment that will break the current stalemate in the campaign for president. Kamala Harris is an extraordinary leader who will brilliantly present and defend the milestone legislative record of the Biden-Harris administration and articulate the urgency and vision for “finishing the job” in this moment of grave threat to democracy.

As a Black woman with Caribbean and Asian South Pacific Island roots, I predict that Black women, women of color and women of all backgrounds will rise-up and rally around Kamala Harris as she leads the charge to protect women’s reproductive rights and fulfills Biden’s pledge to pass federal legislation restoring the rights enshrined in Roe v. Wade.

Polls have consistently indicated “lukewarm” support among Black voters as the most reliable base of the Democratic Party. Well, that’s about to change. The Black base will be fired-up as Kamala Harris clearly and articulately shares the substantial record of accomplishments on racial justice issues by the Biden-Harris administration, and continues to fight for the Floyd and Lewis Acts and openly embraces HR-40 (polls commissioned by the organization Reparations United indicate that pledging to enact the HR-40 Commission by Executive Order will motivate unlikely voters, especially younger Black voters, to come off the sidelines and engage).

As the esteemed, legendary, elder statesman Rev. Jesse L. Jackson might say, rallying around Kamala Harris will “Keep Hope Alive,” that victory over the retrograde, reactionary forces of Trump and MAGAISM is not only possible but certain. So let us not equivocate or hesitate; we need an urgent and immediate groundswell positively urging and encouraging President Joe Biden to endorse his loyal, dedicated running mate, Vice-President Kamala Harris as his replacement as the Democratic Party’s candidate for President of the United States. That historic announcement will mark the beginning not of a Blue Wave, but a tsunami, a massive wave of Rainbow voters marching on ballot boxes to defeat Trump and MAGAISM and rescue democracy; a momentous victory that will pave the way to resume the essential complex task of creating a “more perfect union.”

Dr. Ron Daniels is President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century, Founder of the Haiti Support Project and Distinguished Lecturer Emeritus, York College City University of New York. His articles and essays appear on the IBW website www.ibw21.org. His weekly radio show Vantage Point can be heard Mondays 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST, USA on WBAI, 99.5 FM, Pacifica in New York, streaming live via www.ibw21.org. To send a message, arrange media interviews or speaking engagements, Dr. Daniels can be reached via email at info@ibw21.org

LOS ANGELES, CA–– Award-winning journalist and best-selling author Christal Jordan Jennings announced today that she has accepted the role of Editor-in-Chief of the Los Angeles-based culture and hospitality magazine, Lenox & Parker. Jennings recently resigned after 10 years as a contributing Writer/Host and Director for rolling out magazine. “This was a bittersweet decision,” Jordan admits. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with rolling out and have much respect for publisher Munson Steed. I believe it is so important that we as a community own and share our stories from a firsthand perspective. This opportunity gives me a chance to be a co-owner of a powerful platform which makes all the difference for me at this point in my career. Lenox & Parker is a Black-owned publication and allows me as a writer to celebrate our cultural legacies in a much different way. I feel blessed to have been a part of rolling out’s voice over the last decade and I’m beyond excited to help create and shape and own the voice of Lenox & Parker.”

Jennings lists several highs during her time with rolling out, including last year’s viral moment with Jada Pinkett Smith and the opportunity to highlight Ava Duvernay’s ‘Origin’. “I’ve had numerous career highlights with rolling out, including the interview last year with Jada Pinkett-Smith that went viral, and several others. My most memorable would probably be my interviews with the legendary Cicely Tyson, and living legends Jenifer Lewis and Phylicia Rashad. I have no regrets, only excitement surrounding my next chapter,” Jennings shares.

“One of the things I was most proud of was cover stories that felt like an ode to the ones I grew up savoring as a young girl eagerly opening a copy of Essence in my mailbox. Lenox & Parker gives me the opportunity to create beautiful cover stories that feel like the ones that motivated me to become a writer.”

Lenox & Parker’s mission includes the five tenents, food & tavel, humanity, culture, lifestyle & music. Publisher Victor Flavius says he created the platform to ensure Black history continues to be celebrated in real time. He says adding Jordan was a move in the right direction for the platform. “We are happy to welcome our newest Editor-in-Chief, Christal Jordan Jennings. With her impressive background as an author and publicist, Christal brings a wealth of experience and creativity to our team. We are excited to see her vision and leadership shape the future of our magazine, inspiring our readers and setting new standards of excellence in every edition. Here’s to an exciting new chapter under her exceptional leadership,” Flavius says.

Jordan’s experience and commitment to integrity are reasons he was convinced she was the right candidate for the magazine. “We’re not chasing pop culture, we’re celebrating Black culture in its entirety,” he explains. “Our headlines and features don’t mimic what is seen on gossip blogs. Lenox & Parker was birthed from a time when Black culture was more than a salacious piece of celebrity gossip. We believe our readers want and deserve to see unapologetic Black excellence.”

Flavius says Jennings is a needed addition to the magazine’s future success. “Christal has a love for Black literature and our community as a whole. She has freelanced for us over the last few years and with us moving into a more competitive space, we are happy to have her bring her expertise and passion Lenox & Parker. We believe her authenticity and passion for highlighting Black culture is the voice we need for Editor-in-Chief,” Flavius says.

Jennings officially steps into her new role on Monday, July 22nd. “I’ve been able to work with some great publicists, agencies, specifically entertainment multicultural departments over the last ten years. I look forward to continuing to work with the people I’ve built these relationships with to continue sharing our stories. I believe this role will allow me to share, celebrate, educate and inform at a higher level. The goal is to carve out a place in today’s Black media space that resonates with a Black Renaissance, titled, Lenox & Parker,” Jordan shares.

Her first order of business is creating a new cover integration for the magazine. “Our cover strategy is innovative and includes AI as we are including storytelling along with celebrating talent in a more comprehensive way. Our current hospitality partner allows us to access guests for Hilton hotels across the country,” Jennings explains.

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media

A study on disparities revealed that Black people in California experiencing unstable housing are more likely to struggle with mental health at a higher rate, stated a report by the Center for Health Policy Research (CHPR) at the University of California Los Angeles.

The report details problems associated with housing insecurity and related mental health challenges, stating that 45% of people with unstable housing experienced psychological distress including depression and anxiety.

However, only 22% of adults with housing issues used mental health care to help manage the stress. People of color experienced the highest rates of housing insecurity, the majority of whom reported that they often worry about paying their rents or mortgages.

A total of 5.2 million people described their housing situation as unstable. Consequently, 26% of Black Californians reported that they faced housing insecurity, 44% higher than the national average. The study attributed this crisis to decades of redlining, a system of discrimination that denied people financial services including mortgages and insurance loans based on race and ethnicity.

Sean Tan, a co-author of the study and senior public administration analyst for the research center said that the state’s housing crisis has become a public health concern.

“Our study reinforces what research has demonstrated for years: Access to affordable housing affects a person’s health,” said Tan, regarding the state’s housing crisis. “It also spotlights the critical need for more affordable housing in California.”

The lack of affordable housing across the state has disproportionately impacted Black people. In California, approximately 43% of Black adults reported that they often worry about being able to pay their rent or mortgage.

Joelle Wolstein, a CHPR research scientist and co-author of the study, said housing insecurity has a ripple effect that goes beyond finances and worsens existing disparities.

“Housing is the largest regular expense for the vast majority of people, so it follows that people who typically have lower wages and fewer assets would have more unstable housing and worry more about paying their bills,” said Wolstein.

The CHPR study provided various recommendations for California lawmakers, including investments in creating and preserving affordable housing, connecting mental health services with housing resources, and enacting inclusive housing assistance policies.

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

You know [Luke 16:19-31] tells a parable about a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in hades [Hell], being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

And he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame. But Abraham said, “Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.”

And he said, “Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” But Abraham said, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them. And he said, “No, Father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” [Luke 16:19 – 31]. Living in Eternity with regrets.

The rich fool made plans he thought would give him security for the rest of his life. He planned for whatever could possibly occur, but according to [Luke 12:20], he did not plan for what was certainly going to happen. Ponder the brevity of life from the Book of Psalms and remember how short your time is. [Psalm 39:5; Psalm 78:39; Psalm 89:47; Psalm 90:10; Psalm 102:3; Psalm 144:4]. For as David said in [1 Samuel 20:3], “Truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between you and death.” And to not be 100 percent ready for something that is100 percent certain is 100 percent foolish. The rich man’s experiences set before us some terrifying realizations. Hell is real! A place of conscious anguish and a place of profound regret. Don’t ignore Hell’s reality! Seek Salvation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is imminent. [Matthew 24:44].

By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach

GREAT LAKES, Ill. – Sailors are some of the most highly trained people on the planet, and this training begins at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, otherwise known as boot camp. Every enlisted sailor starts their Navy journey at boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL), Illinois.

Chief Petty Officer Laurence George Cerezo, a native of San Bernardino, California, is currently stationed at NSGL as an instructor with Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).

Cerezo, a 1994 graduate of Juan C. Laya San Manuel Pangasinan High School in the Philippines, joined the Navy over 18 years ago.

“I joined the Navy to provide better opportunities for my family’s future with the benefits of military life in both honor and pride,” said Cerezo. “After all, being the fifth generation of my family to join the military, it is significant for me to continue the legacy.”

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in the Philippines.

“The town in the Philippines where I grew up, has taught me the priceless quality of being selfless,” said Cerezo. “Living my childhood in poverty caused me to have the mindset of putting others first, which drives me every day to care. It’s about staying patient, being considerate, being an advocate for myself and striving to help bring out the best in people.”

During the 10 weeks at RTC Great Lakes, sailors learn five warfighting competencies – firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watchstanding, and small arms marksmanship.

NSGL is the Navy’s largest training installation and the home of the Navy’s only boot camp. Located on over 1,600 acres overlooking Lake Michigan, the installation includes 1,153 buildings with 39 on the National Register of Historic Places. NSGL supports more than 50 tenant commands and elements as well as more than 20,000 sailors, Marines, soldiers, and DoD civilians who live and work on the installation.

Two commands at NETC are Surface Warfare Engineering School Command Great Lakes (SWESC GL) and Surface Combat Systems Training Command Great Lakes (SCSTC GL). Every surface Navy engineer, quartermaster, boatswain’s mate and deck seaman attends SWESC GL for technical training. These sailors leave SWESC GL as surface warriors, ready to perform aboard ships operating around the globe. Instructors at SCSTC GL provide a culture of excellence and warrior toughness by building a surface warrior mindset to complement the technical and tactical skillsets.

“The thing I enjoy most about training and mentoring sailors is the challenge of seeing people from different backgrounds with aspects of life and unique individual skills, communicating efficiently to bring their ability to a real-world scenario, such as on deployments or when assigned missions,” said Cerezo. “It’s heartwarming and rewarding in itself to see that I’ve had an impact on students during the weeks we share honing more and more knowledge. I enjoy supporting the command’s mission of Excellence, Ownership and Sustainability (E.O.S.), because my part in bringing capable warfighters, and the next generation of leaders and sailors with bright futures to the fleet, brings feelings of pride to me and my career.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Cerezo serves a Navy that operates forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving in the Navy means being a part of the larger mission to keep peace among the vast seas warships that come and go for trade, whether it be myself physically serving on a ship or sending others with the knowledge I have given them,” said Cerezo. “It also means the strength of camaraderie between sailors from diverse backgrounds.”

Cerezo is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I will always thank God for giving me the patience to experience life as a Navy sailor,” added Cerezo. “I especially want to thank my wife, Pernita Dabalos Cerezo. She has sacrificed many opportunities, special occasions and her career just to support mine. I would never have served for as long as I have without her being by my side and raising our children, Larence Prinz Cerezo and Larene Precious Cerezo. She has spent all her time raising them and they’ve become my pride and joy. Lastly, I would like to thank my friends and relatives who have supported me throughout my Navy career.”

By Chris ‘Baba C’ Chatmon

As we embrace the warmth of summer, I want to take a moment to reflect on the significant milestones we’ve celebrated recently. This season, we honored the remarkable figures in our lives on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, recognizing the invaluable support and love our elders provide. I was humbled when friend, mentor and venerable elder, Ron Walker, took note of my musings about A.I., or what I refer to as Ancestral Intelligence, in a letter related to his endeavor, A Legacy of Leading. Ron is an extraordinary man and leader whose thinking I encourage you to discover here.

Continuing in our own legacy building, we held Crowning Ceremonies in both San Francisco and Seattle.  These celebrations remind us of the strength and dedication within our community, especially as we conclude another school year.  As we are half way through our second year in our West Oakland space, KOO Labs Design Center and Production House and June 7th Street Thrives hosted an inaugural community cleanup with neighborhood businesses.   The love that we focused on during our annual Spring Symposium in April is what we aim to foster at our local hub serving and preserving the community in this way.

Spring Symposium is also when we shared voices from the community with the new edition release of Griots of Oakland which features interviews of another 80 local Black youth in the acclaimed book series.  A screening of the powerful documentary,  Black Boys, hosted by Wu Yee Children’s Services at UC Hastings followed the book launch in June. I have been a part of these important events for the past year which provide a deeper understanding of lived experience of our young Kings.

Summer offers a unique opportunity for reflection, planning, and growth. As students, teachers, and administrators, it is a time to practice being lifelong learners.  We ended the school year with an unprecedented achievement: establishing a Black Educators’ Coalition to dismantle barriers hindering high-quality educators of color from becoming credentialed classroom teachers.  The Fellowship Initiative (TFI) offered its rising juniors a growth opportunity as well when TFI Oakland and TFI Los Angeles joined forces in a tour of eight universities across Northern California.

Finally, I’ll be heading to a university myself at the end of July when I travel to Louisiana for Xavier’s Magnificent Male Weekend designed to empower and inspire Black male students who are rising juniors in high school, providing a platform for growth and connection, much like our own TFI program.

As we look ahead, let’s carry the spirit of continuous learning and growth into the upcoming year. Together, we can build a brighter future for our community, one that thrives on curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to excellence.

Wishing you a summer filled with joy, discovery, and rejuvenation.