Happily Divorced And After

NEW YORK, NY— EBONY Magazine will return to print for a Fall issue that is slated to hit newsstands on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.  In partnership with entertainment company Mass Appeal, the limited-edition print issue celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop with five unique cover stories highlighting Hip Hop legends: 50 Cent, Lil’ Kim, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross, and Swizz Beatz.  To punctuate Hip Hop’s interdisciplinary reach, both brands have collaborated to create and house original Hip Hop 50 content. In sponsorship with Google Pixel, EBONY.com serves as a digital hub for always-on multimedia content exploring the legacy of Hip Hop across art, music, activism, fashion, business, and more.  Readers can access the content online and the print issue will be available nationwide and in select international markets.

“For the past 50 years Hip Hop has been a cornerstone in our community and an undeniable world force,” says EBONY EVP of Brand and Marketing Ashlee Glenn. “We hand-picked our Fall cover stars because they represent the excellence of the genre.  Their style and business acumen are as influential to our culture as their musical prowess, and we could not miss this opportunity to give our loyal readers what they have long been asking for – a physical copy of our legendary print magazine.”

EBONY Magazine has been a leader in media because of the brand’s history of producing buzz-worthy news stories, provocative covers, and highlighting the best of Black culture.  EBONY’s coveted Fall issue will showcase the far-reaching impact of Hip Hop with features penned by leading journalists that have played an integral role in chronicling its evolution, including trailblazer Emil Wilbekin, award-winning writer Kevin Powell, and historian Elliott Wilson. Shot on various locations in New York, Los Angeles and Miami, the commemorative edition features covers by legendary photographers Keith Major and Shamaal Bloodman.

“EBONY Magazine has been a pioneer publication documenting Black life in America since its inception. EBONY has photographed and profiled some of the most iconic figures in Hip Hop, those who have influenced culture and shaped society. It is a pleasure to partner with EBONY to continue documenting the moments that made history and those which undoubtedly will,” adds Mass Appeal SVP of Partnerships & Content Acquisition Jenya Meggs.

Of particular excitement is Mass Appeal’s “Hip Hop 50 List,” to be featured on EBONY.com. The curated feature will celebrate the artists, creators, and industry trailblazers who have made an indelible mark in Hip Hop and beyond.

Garrison is the first Black woman to serve as a full committee staff director in at least five years

WASHINGTON—- The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies applauds Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, for promoting Eyang Garrison to the role of majority staff director.

Garrison is the first Black full committee staff director since the Oct. 2021 departure of David Strickland, who served as staff director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. There are a total of 37 full committee staff director positions in the Senate.

Prior to the new role, Garrison served on the committee as deputy staff director since March. She also served as chief of staff to former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jewel Bronaugh and deputy chief of staff and legislative director to then-Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-OH). She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma.

“It’s exciting to see Ms. Garrison take on such an important role in the Senate, especially considering that she will be the first Black woman to serve as a Senate full committee staff director in at least five years,” said Joint Center Interim President and Vice President, Policy Jessica Fulton.

“With a proven track record that includes leadership roles in the U.S. Department of Agriculture and in Congress, Ms. Garrison brings in-depth knowledge and policy expertise during a pivotal moment in U.S. agricultural policy, which affects our communities through food, farms, and nutrition. We commend Senator Debbie Stabenow for her commitment to promoting top staff diversity and for recognizing Ms. Garrison’s invaluable expertise, leading to her well-deserved appointment. We hope other senators follow her lead and recruit talented people of color for top staff positions, ensuring that congressional top staff reflects the diversity of America.”

ATLANTA, GA—- Awakened Lounge, a visionary production company, is thrilled to announce its latest cinematic masterpiece, “Jubilee Amor”. This enchanting romantic comedy is set to captivate audiences and leave an everlasting impression with its heartfelt storytelling and relatable characters.

Written and directed by the talented Naomi K. Bonman, “Jubilee Amor” takes us on a journey of love, self-discovery, and overcoming obstacles. Set in the vibrant City of Atlanta, the film follows the story of a former playboy and a strong independent woman navigating jealousy, tragedy, and the quest for true love. It’s a beautifully crafted narrative that explores the complexities of relationships while delivering moments of laughter and inspiration.

Under the visionary leadership of Awakened Lounge, the production team for “Jubilee Amor” includes Lillie Mae Jones as the Casting Director and Producer, Quinton Cammick as the Assistant Director, Marie France Louis as the Associate Producer and Gaffer, and Blaire Hastings as the Production Assistant, among other talented individuals who have poured their hearts and souls into making this film a reality.

“Jubilee Amor” is more than just a film; it’s a movement. Awakened Lounge is committed to empowering emerging artists and promoting diverse storytelling. The storylines and characters in “Jubilee Amor” reflect the richness of Atlanta’s black filmmakers and actors, bringing their unique perspectives to the forefront.

However, creating a high-quality film like “Jubilee Amor” requires not only passion and creativity but also financial resources. Awakened Lounge invites individuals who share their vision and believe in the power of independent filmmaking to contribute to the success of the project. By donating to support the production of “Jubilee Amor,” you can play a pivotal role in bringing this enchanting story to life.

To make a donation and support the film, please visit theawakenedlounge.com/jubilee-amor. Every donation, regardless of the amount, will make a significant difference in realizing the artistic vision of “Jubilee Amor.” As a token of appreciation, the names of generous donors will be prominently featured in the film’s credits.

Awakened Lounge is a company passionate about curating luxury and holistic travel experiences for creatives of color. To learn more about the company and its mission, please visit their About Us page at theawakenedlounge.com/about-us.

Join Awakened Lounge on this cinematic journey of love, laughter, and self-discovery. By supporting “Jubilee Amor,” you are not only contributing to the growth of independent filmmaking but also uplifting underrepresented voices and celebrating the magic of storytelling.

BLOOMINGTON, CA—- In a collaborative effort, Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. announced a series of significant enhancements to Kessler Park as part of its ongoing Revitalization Project. Among the upgrades is the much-anticipated addition of WiFi connectivity.

“We are making impactful strides in our park – from the enhanced snack bar to support our local little league families, to the new WiFi connection ensuring every Bloomington resident has access to the internet,” Baca, Jr. shared. “It’s a step towards creating a more connected community.”

When funds from the American Rescue Plan Act became available, Baca, Jr. strongly advocated for utilizing these resources to integrate WiFi across county parks. “This development is a milestone Bloomington can truly take pride in,” he added.

Tony Carrasco, Vice President of the Bloomington Little League, echoed the sentiment during his speech, “I want to thank the support and effort that is put into this community. I’ve been here coaching for 10 years, and as a dad and as a coach, I’m really excited to see the changes that are going on in this community and the commitment that Joe Baca, Jr. and the county have made to this park.”

By Spring 2024, residents and visitors will be welcomed into a refreshed park setting. This includes a 1,383-square-foot layout, decorative shade improvements, modern restrooms, a refurbished snack bar, and state-of-the-art, vandalism-resistant exterior lighting.

“We’re all working hand-in-hand to create a space where Bloomington can come together and connect,” Baca, Jr. mentioned. “I’m thankful for the county teams, partners, and especially the community members for their input and dedication.”

Operated by the Bloomington Recreation and Park District, Kessler Park exemplifies San Bernardino County’s dedication to community pride and well-being.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, organized a virtual roundtable discussion titled “Education to End Hate: Countering Antisemitism” that brought together about 350 attendees, including elected officials and faith leaders, according to the Department of Education (CDE). The aim of the discussion, which was held Aug. 23, was to address the role of education in combating the recent increase in antisemitism.

Steve Zimmer, Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction, moderated the discussion and cited statistics on the increase of antisemitism and hate crimes in California.

Antisemitism and other hate crimes have surged in California, rising by more than 20% last year. The main targets were Black, LGBTQ+, and Jewish people. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported that antisemitic hate crimes had increased by over 40% between 2021 and 2022, especially in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Kern counties.

Thurmond is involved in initiatives related to Holocaust and genocide education, and he aims to utilize education to reduce acts of hate. He is co-chair of the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education along with Dr. Anita Friedman, Executive Director of Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties, Sen. Henry Stern (D-Calabasas), and Attorney General Rob Bonta. He has also partnered with the National Equity Project to help implement the $20 million Antibias Education Grant Program to empower educators and students in addressing hate, bigotry, and racism.

“I have pledged that the CDE will intervene whenever we learn about an antisemitic act or other forms of hate at a California public school. We will work side-by-side with school and district leaders to ensure that teachers have the resources and partnerships needed to address both the immediate crisis and the long-term educational implications. My priority is to empower educators and students to confront the hate, bigotry, and racism rising against several communities in the state and nation,” said Thurmond.

Thurmond initiated the “Education to End Hate” series to tackle hate and racism through education. The next event in the series is scheduled to take place on Sept. 12, 2023.

Several members of the Jewish Legislative Caucus, Senators Stern, Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), and Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) and Assemblymembers Laura Friedman (D-Burbank) and Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), gave opening remarks for the roundtable.

The caucus members thanked Thurmond for his leadership and partnership and emphasized the importance of educating students about the history and impact of antisemitism and other forms of bigotry. They also urged schools to adopt the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum, which includes a unit on Jewish American studies, to foster understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and identities.

“It is no secret if you are Jewish or if you have Jewish friends or interact with Jewish students or folks in the community, the tremendous levels of anxiety that our community is feeling at this moment [is} really unprecedented for my lifetime,” caucus co-chair Gabriel said.

Following the remarks from the Jewish legislators, a panel of Jewish community leaders presented different perspectives on the issue of antisemitism. On the panel were Rabbi Meyer May, Executive Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museums of Tolerance; Dr. Friedman; and Sarah Levin, Executive Director of Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa (JIMENA).

The panel members discussed the rich history and multifaceted elements of Jewish identity, the rise in antisemitism across the political spectrum, the intersectionality of antisemitism with other forms of oppression, and the specific ways that education can play a role in countering antisemitism throughout the state. They also identified important resources that teachers can use to address antisemitism and all forms of hate.

Rabbi May said that being Jewish means caring for the community and treating others with dignity: “Judaism for me is an all-encompassing experience. … I have an equal responsibility every day to treat my fellow persons with human dignity. That should be the core value for every human being: that we treat others with human dignity and understand that everyone has the same basic needs, that they want to support their families, have joy, and pride in their families and perpetuate their culture.”

Friedman said that antisemitism affects not only Jews but American society, more broadly. She warned that it is a sign of something wrong that needs to be fixed.

“It’s a signal, like the canary in the coal mine, that something is not right and needs to be fixed,” Friedman said.

The state’s ethnic studies curriculum, which faced strong backlash when it was first released in 2019, was a recurring topic during the discussion.

Wiener said the first draft of the state’s ethnic studies curriculum, had “despicable” and “straight-up antisemitic” language. He said Jewish groups lobbied to change the final version, but some districts are being pressed to use the old draft, which is illegal. He also said some authors responsible for antisemitic language in the curriculum are shopping their services as “liberated ethnic studies”.

In response to Wiener’s concern, Thurmond said he had sent many letters to districts reminding them of the legal limits of ethnic studies, which should not be antisemitic or use any unapproved version of the curriculum. He also urged anyone who witnessed antisemitism in schools to contact his office.

“We’d like to get that phone call,” Thurmond said.

A full recording of the webinar can be viewed on the CDE Facebook page.

“This article was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.”

BLOOMINGTON, CA—- “I am pleased to present Colton Joint Unified School District a check for $500,000,” Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. stated. The funding from the County of San Bernardino will be used to put up safety netting at Bloomington High School’s Baseball Field. This netting will help keep baseballs from accidentally landing in neighbors’ yards.

“We have the opportunity to improve facilities for the district, ensuring not just enhanced sports amenities but also resolving the longstanding challenges faced by our residents,” remarked Supervisor Baca, Jr. “I strongly believe in investing in our kids and our community. It’s about ensuring their safety and amplifying the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship.”

In response to this generous contribution, the BHS Bruins baseball team took to Instagram, expressing their gratitude: “Thank you Supervisor Baca for your generosity and continued support of our program. We appreciate you so much for prioritizing the safety of our athletes.”

This significant investment aligns with Supervisor Baca, Jr.’s commitment to enhance community recreational resources while ensuring a safe environment for athletes and the Bloomington community.

By Mark Hedin, Lila Brown and Edward Henderson | California Black Media

A Riverside County family is grieving — and a local community is stunned — after a 12-year-old boy suffered a fatal medical emergency during an excessive heat wave last week in Lake Elsinore.

On August 29, Yahushua Robinson, a student at Lake Canyon Middle School, allegedly did not “dress out” appropriately for gym class and was consequently punished by running laps in his street clothes. His aunt told NBC4 Los Angeles that he was denied a water break by his Physical Education teacher. His classmates reported that Robinson repeatedly complained of difficulty breathing before collapsing and becoming unresponsive.

Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Robinson was pronounced dead at Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta.

The coroner’s report attributed Robinson’s death to cardiac arrest.

On the day of the incident, temperatures reached a high of 106° F. The California Department of Education advises schools throughout the state to assess whether outdoor activities, such as physical education and sports, should continue under such conditions. However, it is still being investigated whether the proper protocol was followed. At 11a.m., Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the school.

“Our hearts are with the family, friends, and our school community,” said Lake Canyon Middle School Principal Gil Rodriquez.

The family has since started a GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral costs and other related expenses for the child they affectionally called “YaYa.”

Around the state, there is a growing concern among Black Californians about how extreme heat could affect elderly family members, impact skin care, and exacerbate other health concerns. Authorities have warned that sweltering temperatures will now be a part of life in the Golden State.

Worldwide, July was the hottest month on record, and the California Governor’s office reports that 2023 is “shaping up” to be the hottest year on record.

During an Aug. 29 press briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services (EMS) and California’s Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications, speakers discussed what’s changed and what we can do to adapt to this new reality.

“These are not your grandmothers’ heat waves,” said Braden Kay, Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program manager for California’s Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.

“We have a critical need to support behavior change and mind-shift for a lot of people who feel their bodies should just be able to handle the heat, but are not,” Kay continued. “Not just today, not just this summer, not just next summer, but for decades to come.”

According to Kay, “Extreme heat is a climate risk that all 58 counties in California will face,” noting that 90-degree weather now sometimes occurs as early as March and as late as November.

Sara Gardner, a massage therapist in San Diego, said skin care is extremely important during heat waves and everyone should wear sunscreen to protect their skin from dangerous sun rays.

“When it’s hot and dry out, I’ve have found exfoliating and moisturizer to be a must every day. I like to use ice each morning directly on my skin to help close my pores which helps me make sure I don’t let out as much sweat and buildup throughout the day. I also like to lock in my moisture with a cream, typically something with Vitamin C.

Experts who participated in the EMS news briefing said Black Californians, Indigenous communities and other people of color are the most affected by health disparities worsened by extreme heat and are at a higher risk of heat-related deaths.

“As doctors, perhaps one of the most useful things we can do is educate the public,” said Sharon Okonkwo-Holmes, a doctor of family medicine at Kaiser Permanente Southern California.

“Older adults in general don’t feel as thirsty, but I’m telling them, ‘Stay on top of your hydration. Add lime, lemon, cucumber, whatever’s necessary to make you have an incentive for drinking.’”

To combat the extreme heat, California is making historic investments in climate action and public awareness. The state has launched a website at heatreadyca.com.

“It is an “all-of-state-government approach” to the challenge, Kay said. The site offers a new grant program to support awareness campaigns and add trees and shade infrastructure.

Last week, the Governor’s Office of Emergency of Emergency Services (CalOES) released a number of online toolkits (in 12 languages) to inform state residents about extreme heat and natural disasters.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include feeling fatigued and tired, said Okonkwo-Holmes. Swelling in the lower extremities and high blood pressure are other signs.

“We really need our bodies to stay cool, 96-99 degrees. If we’re not listening to those warning systems, we can get seizures and death,” Okonkwo-Holmes added.

By Joe W. Bowsers Jr., and Edward Henderson  | California Black Media

On August 31, the Senate Public Safety Committee voted to pass Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 7, the Right to Safety Act, legislation that could impact federal gun laws.

“This is not a symbolic gesture,” said Assemblymember Reggie Jones- Sawyer (D-Los Angeles). “This is a push to have a real national conversation on the issue of gun violence in America and do something about these near-daily horrific acts.”

According to the resolution’s language, “The measure would apply to the United States Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the Constitution of the United States for the purpose of proposing a constitutional amendment relating to firearms, as specified.

Jones-Sawyer says if SJR is approved by the Legislature, it will give California and other states a chance to fight back against an “activist Supreme Court.”

“Poll after poll shows a majority of Americans want action taken to have gun safety laws in place,” Jones-Sawyer said. “A Right to Safety Amendment to the U.S. Constitution will do exactly that without impeding on the Second Amendment.”

By Joe W. Bowsers Jr., and Edward Henderson  | California Black Media

On August 31, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to improve access to higher paying and more fulfilling careers for students and workers.

The executive order launches the development of a new Master Plan on Career Education designed to prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow, including jobs that don’t require college degrees. Additionally, the executive order directs the state to take further steps to reduce other barriers to state employment.

“All families, students, and workers deserve the freedom to succeed: to build real-life skills and pursue careers — including those that don’t require college degrees,” said Newsom. “California is leveraging billions of dollars in investments to prepare students and workers for good-paying, long-lasting, and fulfilling careers.”

The Master Plan on Career Education aims to create career pathways; prioritize hands-on learning and real-life skills; and advance universal access and affordability for all Californians through streamlined collaboration and partnership between government and the private sector.

The executive order also builds on California’s effort to improve the state’s hiring process. Recognizing that many state jobs do not require four-year college degrees for success in a position, the Governor’s executive order directs the California Human Resources Department (CalHR) to evaluate whether a college degree is needed for a particular position wherever its classification is reviewed. CalHR is currently engaged in outreach efforts to help more Californians access state employment.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— High School Juniors and Seniors in the Fifth District are encouraged to apply for the first-ever Fifth District Youth Advisory Council. This is a great opportunity to gain firsthand experience in county government.

The Youth Advisory Council is an exciting new initiative that aims to engage young people in the workings of county government. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the decision-making process, participate in discussions on important community issues, and gain valuable leadership experience.

To apply click here.