Happily Divorced And After

LOS ANGELES, CA — Covered California kicked off its 2024 open-enrollment period at the iconic Los Angeles State Historic Park and Roundhouse Bridge, a public space that serves some of the most vulnerable communities in the state, with roots that connect back to the early history of the city and region.

California Black Women’s Health Project Chief Executive Officer Sonya Young Aadam was among those who joined Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman to launch open enrollment and highlight how record financial assistance are bridging the gap between uninsured Californians and access to affordable, name brand health insurance coverage.

The event marked the start of the 11th year of Covered California offering affordable, name brand health care coverage and financial assistance to Californians under the Affordable Care Act. Open enrollment, which began Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2024, is the time of year when Californians can sign up for health insurance or make changes to their existing plans.

“There has never been more financial assistance available to help Californians pay for health care coverage than there will be in 2024,” said Jessica Altman. “We want every uninsured Californian to know that affordable and quality health care coverage is available and within closer reach than ever before.

Bridging the Gap

The theme for this year’s campaign, “Bridging the Gap,” emphasizes the role Covered California plays in connecting uninsured Californians with affordable, high-quality health insurance. Covered California is also currently serving as a bridge for those who are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal.

With the end of the federal continuous coverage requirement in March, Medi-Cal began its year-long renewal and redetermination process for more than 15 million members in April. To help those deemed no longer eligible Medi-Cal coverage, Covered California launched its auto-enrollment program to eliminate gaps in health care coverage and help ensure a seamless transition from Medi-Cal to a health insurance plan offered by Covered California.

Bridging the Gap in Health Disparities 

This year’s theme also reflects Covered California’s commitment to bridging the gap in health disparities. Enrolling consumers in health insurance is critically important, and advancing health equity to ensure that California’s diverse populations have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive is also paramount. Covered California’s new Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Monica Soni, brings passion and enthusiasm to her role of advancing health equity.

“Our guiding mission is to ensure that once you open the door to having insurance, you also cross the threshold into receiving accessible care,” Dr. Soni said. “Coverage is critical, but coverage doesn’t equate to access. We want everyone with coverage to have a meaningful relationship with a primary care provider and receive lifesaving and life-sustaining, free preventive care. The road to wellness for you and your family begins there.”

Community Outreach

During this year’s open-enrollment, Covered California is partnering with organizations throughout the state to bring health resources to the community. In Los Angeles, this Saturday, Nov. 11, Covered California will participate in the African American Men’s Wellness Walk at Rancho Cienega Recreation Center, where in addition to health screenings, two informational sessions with Dr. Soni will be presented at 9 and 10:15 am. The sessions will discuss healthcare, open enrollment and Medi-Cal, and be moderated by KJLH Radio on-air personality Adai Lamar.

Signing Up for Coverage Is Easy

Consumers can learn more about their options by visiting CoveredCA.com, where they can easily find out if they qualify for financial help and see the coverage options in their area.

All they need to do is enter their household income, ZIP code, household size and the number of people who need coverage and their ages into the calculator on Covered California’s homepage.

In addition to visiting CoveredCA.com, those interested in learning more about their coverage options can also:

• Get free and confidential assistance over the phone, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller.
• Have a certified enroller call them and help them for free.
• Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.

 About Covered California

Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, high-quality insurance from top insurance companies. Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program.

Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the Legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.

By Lou K Coleman

God wanted his people to enjoy the bounty of the Promised Land. But He didn’t make them accept it. Even though choosing His way is the best way. The choice was theirs. [Deuteronomy 30:15-16]. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish hearts was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. Wherefore God gave them up. [Proverbs 29:1; Romans 1:21-24; Ezekiel 18:23, 30-32; 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9]. Looks Like Another Love TKO!

I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored My advice and rejected the correction I offered. So, I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you— when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you. When you cry for help, I will not answer. Though you will anxiously search for Me, you will not find me. For you hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. You rejected my advice. Therefore, you must eat the bitter fruit of living your own way. Looks Like Another Love TKO!

If you are reading this, I beg you don’t be another Esau. Esau wept bitterly that he could not repent [Hebrews 12:17]. The Hell he was entering into he found to be miserable, and he wanted out. The rich man, begged Father Abraham to send Lazarus to his brother’s house so that they would not come to the miserable, place he was in. What is it going to take? What wakeup call do you need? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?” [Ezekiel 33:11]. Because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, ““As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I will cut you off completely. I will not look on you with pity or spare you.” The restraints are off. [Ezekiel 5:11; Matthew 15:14; Romans 2:5].

I think I Better Let It Go… Looks Like Another Love TKO!

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Philosopher, civil rights activist, college professor, author, and former political prisoner Angela Davis put a lens on the deep-rooted damage domestic violence sows in the Black community, pulling from research she conducted for her 1999 book, “Blues Legacies and Black Feminism.”

The book examines the careers of influential Black women blues singers Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, Bessie Smith, Ida Cox, Rosa Henderson, and Billie Holiday in historical, social, and political contexts.

“I noticed that many of them sang about violence,” Davis said. “They sang about what was happening in their relationships.”

On Ocober. 30, Davis shared her perspective on domestic violence as part of a conversation that addressed the disproportionate impacts Domestic Violence has on Black women and families. The event, hosted by Blue Shield of California Foundation (BSCF) and the California Black Freedom Fund (CBFF), was held in Sacramento.

CBFF is a five-year, $100 million initiative focused on Black power-building and ensuring movement-based organizations have the sustained investments they need to challenge systemic and institutional racism.

Davis joined representatives of other organizations to discuss policies needed to end intimate partner violence. The gathering, mostly journalists, was a recording session at the offices of the news publication CalMatters and part of BSCF’s podcast series for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Participants included Karen Earl, CEO of the Jenesse Center; Trina Greene, founder and Executive Director of Parenting for Liberation; Kelli Dillon, from the City of Oakland Department of Violence Prevention; and Eric Morrison-Smith, Executive Director of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color.

Debbie Chang, President and CEO of BSCF, and BFF Executive Director Marc Philpart facilitated the activities, while journalist Bonnie Boswell moderated the roundtable discussions among Earl, Green, Dillon, and Morrison-Smith.

“We really needed to have this session focus on the disproportionate impact of domestic violence especially on California’s Black community,” Chang told California Black Media. “We’re shining a light on it and bringing attention to it. We can’t be silent about it. What we want are solutions.”

Davis, who will turn 80 on Jan. 26, is best known as a champion became of prison reform, women’s rights, racial equality, and the inequality of capitalism. An advocate for the LGBTQ community, Davis was once an active member of the Communist Party USA and the Black Panther Party for Self Defense.

Today, she is the Distinguished Professor Emerita of the History of Consciousness at the University of California at Santa Cruz. She first became aware of domestic violence as a “political issue” in the 1970s, she said. Davis stated that intimate violence not only affects women but men, children, and families.

“We’re talking about a form of violence that has been in most human societies for hundreds of years. We also learned how to hide it, and then, somehow, it’s represented as just the problem of the survivor,” Davis said. “It’s always been considered a women’s issue.”

Davis pointed out that she wanted everyone to understand that domestic violence didn’t emerge during the feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

“We periodized that movement as happening in the ’60s when women, largely White, began (speaking out against violence against women),” Davis said. “I wanted us to have a sense of how long it often takes for these ideas to make a difference.”

With support from BSCF, Social Action Partners (SoACT) developed a mixed-methods study of perceptions and attitudes surrounding domestic violence in California’s Black/African American community.

The report, 2017 Black Leaders Survey on Domestic Violence, provides the BSCF domestic violence advocates and community

stakeholders’ insights on how Black communities in California perceive the challenges they face in combating domestic violence.

According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual

Violence Survey, 34%, or one in three California women report experiencing domestic violence at some point in their lifetimes. The BSCF report states that 42.5% of Black women report experiencing intimate partner violence, compared to 39.3% of White women and 30.2% of Hispanic women.

On March 8, the Los Angeles City Council received an Equity Analysis on the Violence and Crime that Black women and girls experience from the Civil, Human Rights, and Equity Department (LA Civil Rights).

Overall, violent crime rates have decreased in Los Angeles over a 10-year period but the number of Black women experiencing violence has increased. Black women comprise approximately 4.3% of Los Angeles’ population but they often make up approximately 25% to 33% of victims of violence, the report stated.

The San Francisco Family Violence Council’s 2020 report also revealed racial disparities among domestic violence survivors. It states that 28% of dependent adult abuse victims were Black; and more than half of domestic violence victims were Black or Latino.

For Philpart, the drive to prevent domestic violence is personal. His grandmother was killed by her husband in 1965 after she divorced him and remarried.

“It’s important for us to have this conversation about the Black community because we often don’t talk about domestic violence,” Philpart said. “As the panelist said, we keep DV as something that is unspoken of or is part of our family history that’s never unearthed.

Philpart’s family tragedy highlights another statistic. According to the Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness, 75% of homicides related to domestic violence occur after intimate partners’ separation.

“We are gathered here today discussing an issue that first became a part of discourse over 50 years ago. As a matter of fact, this is the most widespread, pandemic form of violence in the world,” Davis said.

By Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media

Last week, the Pasadena community lost a towering symbol of leadership and courage, Joe C. Hopkins. A lawyer, activist, publisher, husband and father, Hopkins passed away on Oct. 31 after decades of dedicated service to the community.

Hopkins was a prominent presence in “Dena,” the local nickname for the Pasadena/Altadena area. A resident for over 40 years, Hopkins, and his wife Ruthie, are deeply embedded in their local community, establishing meaningful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds. Their influence extended beyond Pasadena, inspiring and shaping California’s Black political and social circles in numerous ways.

Hopkins was born in Altus, Oklahoma. He relocated to California in 1967, settling in Altadena in 1969. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Glendale University College of Law and in 1982 he began his legal practice which he later moved to Pasadena in 1986.

Hopkins was a man of conviction who fearlessly defended what he believed in. It was his strength of character and clarity of perspective that made him an effective leader.

Hopkins once held the position of president of the West Coast Black Publishers Association and was the president emeritus of the San Gabriel Valley Black Business Association. He founded the Pasadena/Altadena Black Lawyers Association and headed the Pasadena Black Expo from 1990-1992. He started the Pasadena/Altadena Journal, the first and only Black publication in “the Valley,” a region located north of Los Angeles that spans several other San Fernando Valley cities, including Burbank, Studio City, Glendale and Sherman Oaks.

Hopkins’ accomplishments have been acknowledged numerous times: He received the Appreciation for Outstanding Contributions in Business from the Altadena NAACP Branch in 1990, the Citizen of the Year Award from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in 1992 and served as the Community Grand Marshall of the Pasadena Black History Parade in 2000. In 2006, he was awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Adam B. Schiff (D-CA-30). Additionally, he has been honored with numerous special recognitions from various city, state and national organizations.

In 2018, Hopkins and his wife were honored as civil rights pioneers and “Unsung Heroes” by the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC). The award was presented by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena).

In a statement following Hopkins’ passing, Holden said, “My life and the lives of many other people are forever changed by the impact of Joe Hopkins and his wife Ruthie. I will miss Joe’s fearless leadership and unrelenting dedication to community.”

Hopkins’ personal achievements were substantial, and their enduring impact makes his loss deeply felt by the greater Pasadena community.

Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) recalls being inspired by Hopkins’ writing in his book, “I will not Apologize,” a collection of his opinion pieces many consider to be the core of his beliefs.

After reading his book Portantino had to meet the man behind the “no nonsense” words. Hopkins was not easily impressed and quizzed Portantino about whether he read his book. They bonded over that conversation and their mutual desire to create a bridge between higher education in California and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Together, they encouraged leaders and educators from UCLA to establish the Summer Institute for Emerging Managers and Leaders in 2012. The program’s purpose is to “increase the diversity of graduate students enrolled in the UC business schools.

The program continues to diversify leadership in California graduate schools.

“We connected on a friendship level and continued to talk policy and as the world changed, we kept talking to each other,” said Portantino. “The community has lost a special person, a great dad and a tremendous leader.”

Condolences have been extended to the family from the mayor of Pasadena, Victor Gordo, and other community leaders offering comfort during their time of bereavement.

Hopkins’ son, Yusef Olaitan-Hopkins, remembers his father as more than a political leader, entrepreneur or civil rights leader. He cherishes intimate memories of his father as a caring parent, selflessly dedicated to his family and community. According to Olaitan-Hopkins, the family is overwhelmed by the community’s expression of sympathy.

Hopkins, according to his son, was always ready to defend others with his knowledge of the law, leadership or his presence.

“One of the things my dad used to say was ‘find a good fight and get into it’,” said Yusef. “He was going to do this on his own terms.”

Hopkins’ legacy extends beyond the publications, books, and organizations he started and led. It endures through the loving family he leaves behind, including his granddaughter Ife Olaitan, a social worker, therapist and the mother of his only great-grandchild. For Olaitan it was a privilege to grow up knowing her grandfather and having him get to know his great-granddaughter. She recalls how her grandparents inspired her to follow her own path and do “what’s right,” something she is passing down to her child.

“He was always on the side of fighting for what was right and what was just,” said Olaitan. “He was a man with a stance, and he loved a good fight.”

Hopkins is survived by his wife Ruthie, three sons: Yusef, Omar, and Jamal, as well as seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Messages of condolence to the Hopkins family can be sent to pasadenajournalweb@gmail.com.

WASHINGTON—-Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, one of the country’s largest women’s service organizations, is delighted to announce the induction of Angel McCoughtry as Honorary Members into its Alpha Omega Chapter. This accomplished woman has demonstrated outstanding commitment to civic engagement and the advancement of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.’s principles, Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood.

The induction ceremony took place on Saturday, November 4, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia.International First Vice President for Membership, Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq., shared, “I am honored to lead Zeta’s membership function and continue our tradition of recruiting influential and prominent women that will advance, elevate, and bring awareness to the initiatives of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.”

Dr. Stacie NC Grant, International President and CEO, enthusiastically stated, “The members of Zeta are proud to carry out the legacy of the five trailblazing women that dared to be different and established the number one service organization.  Today, we honor their vision by inducting a woman of excellence whose groundbreaking career and impressive commitment to service is aligned with Zeta’s principles and work.”

Angel McCoughtry is a professional basketball player with the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. She was selected first overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2009 WNBA draft. Ms. McCoughtry has garnered numerous awards and recognition for her athletic skills.  She is the first WNBA athlete to host a basketball camp in Ghana. She is the owner of McCoughtry’s, an ice cream shop and food truck.Ms. McCoughtry will align her talents and passion to mentor our Zeta youth auxiliary groups.

“It’s an honor and privilege to be part of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. I’m honored to be part of this sisterhood to grow, build, and create better communities.” — Angel McCoughtry

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University and has since grown to become one of the most prestigious and impactful organizations worldwide. With a mission to foster its ideals and principles, Zeta Phi Beta is committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals and communities.

Honorary Members could work closely with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in advancing its philanthropic initiatives and promoting social welfare. Their influence and expertise will undoubtedly enhance the organization’s ability to positively impact the communities it serves.

For more information about Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and its latest Honorary Members, please visit www.zphib1920.org.

Assemblymember Dr. Corey A. Jackson Presents $1 Million for the IE Black Equity Fund CEO of The California Endowment, Dr. Bob Ross, Receives Lifetime Commitment to IE Award

RIVERSIDE, CA— The Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) and the Black Equity Initiative of the Inland Empire (BEI-IE) announced that the IE Black Equity Fund raised more than $6 million since launching in 2020 at a celebration event in Riverside. The event, held on November 3, 2023, marked a significant milestone for the Fund and its mission to support nonprofit organizations and initiatives that are led by – and serve – the Black community in the Inland Empire. Attendees included nonprofits, philanthropists, funders, and local officials committed to fostering Black community empowerment in the region.

In a stirring message before 200 guests, Assemblymember Dr. Corey A. Jackson announced the allocation of $1 million to the Fund, bringing the total to $6 million to help close persistent equity gaps in education, health, employment, and housing for the region’s Black community.

“I’m thrilled to witness the outpouring of support and enthusiasm for the IE Black Equity Fund,” said Pastor Sam Casey, BEI-IE Co-Founder, and Executive Director at Congregations Organized for Prophetic Change, (C.O.P.E.) “Remarkably, we exceeded our original $5 million goal. The $6 million we’ve raised is a testament to the community’s support of providing critical resources that strengthen the capacity of our organizations. As we celebrate this important milestone, we also know that we must remain vigilant on our journey towards progress.

Dr. Bob Ross, President and CEO of The California Endowment (TCE), was also the program’s guest speaker, who encouraged each guest to honor the past sacrifices of others and give back. Under Dr. Ross’s leadership, TCE was the first organization to invest $1 million into the Fund. Leaders from IECF and BEI-IE also presented Dr. Ross with a “Lifetime Commitment to the IE” award.

Grantmaking

The Fund’s impact has been felt in the region. It recently granted $1.027 million to 71 organizations and fiscally-sponsored projects in its second round of grantmaking. Since its inception, the Fund has made grants totaling $1.7 million to promote racial equity in the region.

New Research

To better understand the issues affecting the Inland Empire’s Black community which comprises 7.3% of the region’s population, and identify where funding might carry the most impact, the IE Black Equity Fund partnered with Mapping Black California to publish the “Black Equity Fund Report.”

Building a Culture of Philanthropy

The Fund has raised $6 million thanks to investments from the California Endowment, the Weingart Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, Assemblymember Dr. Corey A. Jackson, and support from dozens of corporate and institutional donors. The Fund has also been strengthened by numerous individual donations.

“This is a terrific milestone for the Inland Empire and our Black-led nonprofits,” said Brie Griset Smith, Sr. VP of Charitable Giving at IECF. “We are so appreciative of those who gave generously to support the Black Equity Fund at IECF, and to BEI-IE who created this inspiring opportunity to benefit our region.”

In partnership with IE Funders Alliance and IECF, the Fund was created by The Black Equity Initiative – Inland Empire (BEI-IE), a coalition of nonprofit leaders whose work is focused on ending systemic racism and building political and economic power for the Black community in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

For more information about the IE Black Equity Fund and its mission, visit iegives.org/ieblackequityfund. For more information about BEI-IE, visit blackequityie.org

MORENO VALLEY, CA— Val Verde Unified School District Police Officer Zuriah McKnight filed suit against Val Verde Unified School District (VVUSD) and VVUSD Police Department, alleging among other things, Racial Discrimination, Failure to Prevent Harassment and Discrimination, and Retaliation, after Mr. McKnight opposed racial harassment and discrimination.

Mr. McKnight joined the VVUSD Police in 2019 and has received many positive accolades. In September 2022, Mr. McKnight was highlighted for his dedication to students and positive attitude in an article titled “Perris school resource officer shakes up rally with viral dance moves: ‘It was absolutely nuts’.”

Unfortunately, upon beginning his employment, Mr. McKnight immediately noticed that Black officers were treated disparately compared to white officers. Mr. McKnight was subjected to racial comments, including being asked by the Chief of Police if he was just going to “eat fried chicken.” Discriminatory racial comments were commonly made. In one instance, after being informed of an African American dinner at a school site, an employee remarked “why don’t they have an all-white people dinner?” Due to his race, Mr. McKnight received unfounded discipline that white officers did not and was told that he would not be sent to additional trainings like other officers.

Mr. McKnight also spoke up about the disparate treatment of female officers by VVUSD. When a female officer was injured in the field, the Chief of Police commented “if she was at home like she should have been, she wouldn’t have been shot.” Female officers were also denied ballistic vests, creating serious safety concerns.

Mr. McKnight and other officers were forced to work “on-call” for 7-day periods, meaning that they be required respond to any call at any hour of the day or night. Officers were also forced to candidate for VVUSD candidates and were told if they did not pass out flyers, “we know who will have a job and who won’t.”

Mr. McKnight continuously spoke up concerning these events and suffered from retaliation by VVUSD. Due to the hostile environment, Mr. McKnight was forced to take medical leave for his own health. While on leave, Mr. McKnight was subjected to false investigations to which he was not informed of, in violation of the Peace Officer Bill of Rights, and threatened by his supervisors and Chief of Police.

Mr. McKnight seeks economic and compensatory damages in his complaint filed in Riverside County Superior Court.

The publication features diverse patient stories and 300+ resources for care and survivorship

NATIONWIDE — Jasmine Dionne Souers, President and CEO of The Missing Pink Breast Cancer Alliance and a breast cancer survivor herself, is proud to announce the launch of More Life Magazine. The publication features a collection of stories, resources, and innovative ideas that relate to the experiences of people of color affected by breast cancer.

The website and magazine feature personal stories to address cultural access barriers, connect people to more than 300 existing resources and support services, and promote policies and practices demonstrating success in eliminating barriers and disparities.

With the support of Genentech and Built to Rock Events, The Missing Pink partnered with 12 dynamic breast cancer organizations to showcase the impact of their respective services in the lives of people of color, reflecting back the possibility of hope, help, and healing for patients and amplifying insights behind barrier-breaking efforts.

“The disparities facing minorities affected by breast cancer are so great, they’re not something one organization is going to solve alone,” said Jasmine. “More Life Magazine brings together hundreds of resources in one place, it exists in various formats, and makes it easier for patients and the people who care for them like caregivers, social workers, providers, etc. to find help that may or may not exist in their backyard.”

The inaugural issue of More Life Magazine predominantly features experiences that relate to Black and Latino people affected by breast cancer and unlike many minority breast cancer efforts, it includes the experiences of and resources for men and people who identify as LGBTQ+.

“I remember how isolating it was to navigate breast cancer as a 26-year-old Black woman in 2016,” said Jasmine. “In our first issue, I wanted to make sure we held space for as many

unique perspectives from our diverse communities as possible because where there is light, there is hope. Everyone deserves to see a reflection of themselves in the face of people who are surviving and thriving after breast cancer and know what help is available to them.”

More Life Magazine tackles various subjects, including experiences with clinical trials, parenting with cancer, fertility preservation, the impact of delayed diagnoses on families and more. As the cover story, Jasmine’s personal journey as a young survivor, advocate and co-survivor to her grandmother living with metastatic breast cancer lays the foundation for the vulnerable, authentic, and informational storytelling found throughout the publication.

“Speaking from experience, I know the challenges people are facing to overcome this disease are very real and I don’t think we should shy away from that, but the work happening to help people overcome many of these challenges is just as real,” said Jasmine. “I want to make help and hope more tangible for people who feel like it’s out of reach for them or the community they serve.”

More Life Magazine is available online, in print, and in PDF. Additional stories and resources will be added to the site. Promo items for offices and outreach events are also available online.

To learn more, visit TheMoreLifeMag.com

About
The Missing Pink Breast Cancer Alliance works collaboratively to create community resources that improve the lives of people of color affected by breast cancer. We harness the power of innovation through collaboration and education to eliminate barriers to quality healthcare and improve quality of life. To learn more, visit themissingpink.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) recently launched a new program to assist part-time and returning students to stay in college and reach their academic goals.

Launched this fall, SBVC’s Dedicated Engagement to Empower Part-Timers (D.E.E.P.) is designed to ensure that first-year or re-entry students who are enrolled full-time at SBVC have the resources necessary to be successful. Services and benefits provided include counseling, financial assistance, priority registration B, free textbooks and a specially designed orientation.

By removing barriers, these students are more likely to fully integrate into the SBVC community, stay enrolled in classes, graduate and transfer to a four-year college.

“The program’s focus on serving the part-time student body came about after examining the specialized counseling programs available for that population at SBVC,” said Ayanna Spivey, D.E.E.P.’s student services coordinator. “The results showed a student enrolled in fewer than 12 units, which determines a student’s part-time or full-time status, limited a student’s ability to apply to several programs on campus. This information directed the decision to offer a program that allowed students to receive specialized services and benefits that meet the student’s life circumstances.”

To be eligible for the program, students must complete orientation, placement and submit a FAFSA (and DREAM Act application, if applicable). With dozens already signed up, D.E.E.P. expects about 100 Wolverines will join the program during its first year.

Click here to learn more about the D.E.E.P program

A Turkish company whose floating power ships switched off the electricity supply to two of Africa’s poorest cities in recent months says it is in talks with six more countries to expand across the continent. But critics argue it only provides a short term solution to chronic underinvestment.

Karpowership, which operates floating power plants, supplies electricity to eight African countries including Ghana, Senegal, Mozambique, and Côte d’Ivoire. The company has in recent months cut off electricity in Freetown and Bissau, the capitals of Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau, after authorities failed to pay bills reportedly totalling $40 million and $15 million respectively.

The company’s chief commercial officer, Zeynep Harezi, told Semafor Africa the company is in talks with a number of African countries as part of its expansion plans. “We are in constant communication with Tanzania, Kenya, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, [and] Liberia,” Harezi said. She added that the company expects to begin operating in South Africa in the second half of next year after winning a tender to generate 1,200 megawatts — about 2% of the country’s energy supply. Only “‘ticking the box’ activities” remain before completing the process to operate in South Africa, said Harezi.