Welcome to WSSNEWS Online

By Lou Coleman

Standing at the edge of a vast ocean. The waves crash against the shore, each one unique, each one a testament to the power and majesty of the Creator. The ocean is vast, its depths unknown, its breadth immeasurable. It is both beautiful and terrifying, a source of life and a force of nature.

Well, our lives are like this ocean. Each day, we stand at the edge of the unknown, faced with choices that shape the course of our lives. Each choice is like a wave, unique and powerful, capable of carrying us closer to our destination or pulling us further away.

The question before you, then, is this: Will you choose to ride the waves of God’s will, allowing Him to guide you and direct you? Or will you choose to fight against the current, to go your own way and chart your own course?

Think long and hard. This is not a decision to be made lightly. It’s not a decision to be made once and then forgotten. It’s a decision that needs to be made daily, hourly, even moment by moment. It’s a decision that will shape your life, your relationship, your future. It is the most important decision you will ever make in your life because it will determine how you will live your life; how you will die; and where you will spend eternity.

You know French theologian and poet Alain de Lille said, “All roads lead to Rome.” Well, all roads may lead to Rome, but not to Heaven. Jesus tells us there are two roads, two ways. There is God’s way, the narrow road which has only one lane and leads to life, Heaven above, and then there is the broad road, which has many roads which leads to destruction, Hell below. Jesus makes it clear that you must choose which road you are going to travel.

God has given you the choice! Life or death, blessings or cursing’s. [Deuteronomy 30]. What’s it gonna be?

Adam and Eve Chose Death, [Genesis 30].

Annanias and Saphirra Chose Death, [Acts 5].

The Rich Man Chose Death, [Luke 16] … BUT

Lazarus Chose Life. Abraham Chose Life. Paul Chose Life, Peter Chose Life, Nathaniel Chose life! Which way will you chose?

Remember, there are two prospects: “Life” or “Death.” There are two paths: The “broad road” that leads to Hell, and the “narrow road” that leads to Heaven. Which will it be? Choose consciously and intentionally. Eternity has but two ways. Eternity with God in Heaven or eternity with the Devil in Hell. Today is a matter of decision making.

Consider your response in light of your life, which road will you choose? Where will you end up when you leave this world? Where’s your road taking you? Will it be Heaven or will it be Hell? Will it be the narrow road of walking with God or the broad road of anything goes?

Jesus says, “I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved.” [John 10:9]. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. [Proverbs 14:12; Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 13:24].

God in all ages has shown man the way of salvation, [John.3:16–17] but man has always chosen for himself his own choice of way. [Genesis 3:1-6].

Imagine If You Will!

Dr. Calvin Mackie, Founder and CEO of STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action, has been named the recipient of Tulane University’s Outstanding Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The honor was presented at the Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Awards Gala, held at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans. The award recognizes individuals whose entrepreneurial efforts have made a significant and lasting impact on their communities.

Dr. Mackie was honored for his trailblazing work in transforming STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and creating pathways for students in underserved communities. His contributions have been instrumental in bridging the diversity gap in STEM fields and providing young students with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.

Along with Dr. Mackie, restaurateurs Emily and Alon Shaya were also celebrated at the event as Entrepreneurs of the Year for their innovative contributions to the restaurant industry. The gala, an annual event presented by Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business, celebrated the transformative power of entrepreneurship in New Orleans and beyond.

A Vision to Change Lives

Dr. Mackie, alongside his wife Tracy Mackie, a registered pharmacist, founded STEM NOLA in 2013 with the goal of inspiring young students to pursue STEM careers. Since its inception, STEM NOLA has expanded nationally through STEM Global Action, reaching over 200,000 students across the United States. The organization’s hands-on STEM programs help students develop critical skills, gain confidence, and ignite a passion for learning. In 2024 alone, STEM NOLA engaged 40,961 students in 14 states and 36 cities, offering programs such as STEM Fests, STEM Saturdays, Tech Camps, and the STEM Fellows program.

“We want to make STEM part of every child’s life,” Dr. Mackie said. “Our dream is a future where a million kids engage in STEM every Saturday, after school, and every weekend. These kids will grow up believing they can change the world and become the next generation of innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs.”

Why Dr. Mackie’s Work Matters

Dr. Mackie’s efforts directly address the lack of diversity in STEM fields, especially among underrepresented groups. Through STEM NOLA, students are exposed to high-demand fields such as technology, healthcare, and engineering—industries that offer high-paying, high-growth opportunities. By equipping students with the skills needed to succeed in these fields, STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action helps build a robust pipeline of talent to meet future workforce needs.

Impressive Growth and Impact

• Over 200,000 students engaged since 2013
• 40,961 students engaged in 2024 across 14 states and 36 cities
• STEM NOLA | Global Action provides free and low-cost STEM programs to thousands of families
• Large-scale hands-on programs like STEM Fests and STEM Saturdays bring together students for engaging STEM activities
• Volunteer STEM mentors, including college students and STEM professionals, amplify the organization’s outreach and impact

Breaking Barriers and Building Futures

Dr. Mackie’s leadership is breaking down barriers and creating inclusive programs that are culturally relevant for students of all backgrounds. By introducing STEM to children as young as four, STEM NOLA ensures that STEM education becomes an integral part of their lives. This early exposure lays a strong foundation for future academic and career success.

VIDEO Introduction of Dr. Calvin Mackie 2025 Social Entrepreneur of The Year

Dr. Mackie’s programs challenge the status quo by providing opportunities for those historically underrepresented in STEM fields. His work is empowering students to pursue careers in these high-demand sectors, while transforming the landscape of STEM education.

Looking to the Future

Dr. Mackie envisions a future where millions of students engage in STEM activities every weekend, equipped with the tools to shape their futures and transform the world. Beyond teaching technical skills, his work is about empowering students to dream big and become the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.

With chronic absenteeism and low performance among students nationwide, a growing number of educators are reshaping the school day — and what it means to be a successful graduate.

By Selen Ozturk

A growing number of educators are reshaping the school day — and what it means to be a successful graduate.

In the face of chronic absenteeism and low performance among students nationwide, these initiatives include a restructuring of yearly credit hours, or Carnegie units — developed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 1906 — to include career goal-based learning, work experience internships and early college classes.

“One of the positive things that came out of the pandemic is that everybody wanted to get back to school … then we saw chronic absenteeism rates reach record levels,” said Louis Freedberg, former editor of EdSource and current executive producer of education reform podcast Sparking Equity, at a Friday, April 4 American Community Media briefing.

“This reinforced that our current learning opportunities are not sufficient for young people to get up every morning and want to go to school,” he added.

In the 2021-22 school year, 29.7% of U.S. students — nearly 14.7 million — were chronically absent, compared with 16% in 2019, before the pandemic; in 2022-2023, 27.9% were chronically absent.

The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the “nation’s report card”, also saw that for the first time, a third of eighth grade students scored below “basic” in reading levels, being 5 points lower on average compared to 2019; math scores were 8 points lower compared to 2019.

“Keeping kids engaged in school presents a crisis for all forms of education,” said Freedberg. “The notion that we should shoehorn learning into these six-hour daily bites doesn’t work for all kids.”

“Many other skills may be more important for how students succeed in the workplace and in life after they graduate, like critical thinking, being able to work collaboratively or independently, being able to stick with a task,” he continued, adding that many states are now “figuring out how to measure these durable skills.”

In Indiana, Nevada, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, the same Carnegie Foundation that had developed credit hours nearly 120 years ago is now working with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to create pilot projects testing students’ skills.

Last October, for instance, North Carolina was awarded nearly $4 million from the U.S. Department of Education to pilot a Skills for the Future assessment project.

North Carolina, alongside at least 16 other states, are also outlining these skill goals in “graduate portraits” that are influencing education policies across the country’s school districts.

“This is something that’s definitely picking up steam across the country,” said Freedberg: “What do we want our graduates to leave school with? Not just whether you got A’s or B’s, but broader descriptions of a variety of skills” including networking abilities, communication, cultural competence, civic engagement and conflict navigation.

“When modern public schools were started, Carnegie developed credit units to fuel the workforce. But in order for people to be really good workers, they need to be well-rounded,” said Shalonda Gregory, principal of Metwest High in Oakland, California — a non-traditional school which has implemented this skills-based models through Big Picture Learning (BPL).

BPL, a network of over 140 schools nationwide and over 100 more worldwide, encourages students to learn skills for the careers they want through field internships and mentorships up to two days a week — Tuesdays and Thursdays at Metwest — alongside core curriculum classes the rest of the school week.

Every student entering ninth grade at Metwest creates an Individual Learning Plan with actionable goals not only for “careers or education beyond high school, but also for who the person is that you want to be, how you want to show up in this world,” Gregory explained.

“If a student is really interested in wanting to become an architect, even in

standard classes like English, math and science, for instance, we try to find ways to engage them by connecting the content to that interest … while also helping them find internships with architect firms,” she continued, “so they’re not just graduating with their diploma but career-ready life skills, and some of our students have graduated with their associate’s degree as well.”

One current graduating senior, Johnny, “is really passionate about skateboarding. He’s been interning at a skateboard shop, and in prior years, at auto shops, doing collision repairs and regular fixes,” Gregory explained. “Because of those opportunities he’s going to work at the skateboard shop in May, and work on cars as a side hustle to fuel his future.”

Although Metwest is only 23 years old, its work-based educational approach — also known as Linked Learning — have already spurred similar initiatives across the Oakland Unified School District, including internship programs, pre-college support and a year-long graduate capstone program.

“High school is not the end game,” said Anne Stanton, president of the Linked Learning Alliance (LLA). “In the very recent past, we had a very bifurcated ’50s model where students were sorted into vocational or college tracks … but young people at this period in their lives, as their brains are continuing to develop, can contribute in so many ways, and in our country, we think a lot less of what a 16-year-old can do than we should.”

In California alone, the San Francisco-based LLA is implementing work-based learning initiatives in 80 school districts and 250 schools serving 330,000 youth statewide thanks to $500 million that the state legislature invested in Golden State Pathways, a college and career readiness program.

Across its total 977 school districts, California has approximately 5,496,271 students.

“We’d like to get 600,000 young people in California having these experiences,” said Stanton. “But for young people to apply their academic learning in the real world requires a deeper engagement in that social contract by the employers providing these opportunities.”

“Even school district superintendents often turn over every two years,” she continued. “It’s about who owns this vision of engaging youth. If it’s owned by students, families, communities, employers, you can’t break it down, no matter who the leadership is.

“The core of our work to support young people in the real world requires that it’s never just one teacher or one part of their lives doing it,” she added.

MORENO VALLEY, CA— The Coalition for Black Health and Wellness announces an African American Tea for the Soul. In this supportive environment, Black women can explore essential practices of self-care, mental health, wellness, and healing. The Tea is Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at CrossWord Church, 21401 Box Springs Road, Moreno Valley, CA. Doors will open at 2:30 PM, and dinner will be served at 3:15 PM.

Sharron Lewis, the Behavioral Health Committee chair, said, “The highlight of the afternoon will be renowned guest speaker Jewel Diamond Taylor, affectionately known as ‘The Self-Esteem Dr.’ Jewel has been a leading motivational speaker since 1984, empowering millions with her holistic approach to faith, culture, psychology, emotional well-being, and personal success.”

As the author of bestselling titles such as Success Gems and ShiFt Happens, Jewel utilizes humor and storytelling to encourage resilience and inner peace among her audience. In addition to receiving an honorary doctorate in divinity in 2019, she also garnered an Emmy Award in 2021 for her work on a documentary about race relations in Norway.

This event is sponsored by the Coalition for Black Health and Wellness, Behavioral Health Committee, Riverside Community Health Foundation, and Dameron Communications in collaboration with CrossWord Church.

Empower You Edutainment provides entertainment for the event. Upon arrival, participants will be welcomed by African drumming. The entertainment also includes spoken word performances, a live band, storytelling, participatory dancing, a theatrical presentation, and dancers.

“Join us for an inspiring afternoon of growth, connection, and empowerment as we support the mental and emotional well-being of Black women in our community.  You don’t want to miss Jewel Diamond Taylor, who brings her transformative message from stages across the globe, sharing strategies for overcoming self-doubt and building confidence,” said Lewis.

Space is limited for this sponsored opportunity, so we encourage everyone to save their spot at https://bit.ly/tea4thesoul25?r=qr.

The Coalition for Black Health and Wellness Behavioral Health Committee members are Sharron Lewis, Chair; Phyllis Clark, Dr. Carolyn Murray, and Shor Denny.

For more information or to become a vendor, text Sharron Lewis at 213-359-8639.  For more information on Jewel Diamond Taylor, go to https://jeweldiamondtaylor.com/

INLAND EMPIRE, CA— College acceptance and financial aid letters are arriving soon, and high school seniors and college students have a major opportunity to ease their higher education costs through the CalKIDS program. CalKIDS is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships for higher education. This statewide initiative, administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, provides eligible California public school students with CalKIDS Scholarships worth up to $1,500—helping them take the next step toward college or career training by easing financial barriers to higher education.

In Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, more than $332 million in CalKIDS Scholarships has been made available to public school students over the last three years, providing critical financial support for their higher education. A CalKIDS Scholarship does not require students to submit essays, meet a minimum GPA, or provide recommendation letters. Claiming a scholarship is simple and takes just minutes at CalKIDS.org.

“CalKIDS is an incredible resource for Inland Empire families,” said State Treasurer Fiona Ma, chair of the ScholarShare Investment Board. “Claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship is the easiest step students can take on their path to higher education, and we want every eligible student to claim their scholarship account and take full advantage of this opportunity.”

Eligible students can use their CalKIDS Scholarship Accounts for tuition and fees, books and supplies, and computer equipment. Since 2022, approximately $1 billion in CalKIDS Scholarships have been made available to more than 2 million of California’s public high school students.

For students like Samantha from Moreno Valley College, the CalKIDS Scholarship was a game-changer. “I felt very fortunate and less stressed … it was a huge help. I used the money for books and testing materials for school.”

For Johanny from California State University, San Bernardino, the CalKIDS Scholarship provided some much-needed financial relief. “I had to work 2 jobs to pay for parking and books… I felt so relieved that I could finally pay for bills at university.”

To get the word out about this amazing program in Inland Empire and ensure students and families are aware of and claim their CalKIDS Accounts, the ScholarShare Investment Board has worked diligently to establish strong partnerships with high schools, school districts, community-based organizations, and financial aid directors at community colleges and universities. Partnerships with organizations like Growing Inland Achievement, UC Riverside Early Academic Outreach Program, and more play a vital role in spreading awareness and helping students access the funds available to them.

Claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship is quick and easy. Families simply need the student’s Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), a ten-digit number which can be obtained by contacting their school directly. Once they have the SSID, parents or students can visit CalKIDS.org to check eligibility and claim a scholarship account in just minutes.

The funds can be used at accredited colleges, universities, trade schools, and career programs across the country. Once enrolled in a higher education program, students can log into their CalKIDS Account to request a distribution directly to their school to cover qualifying educational expenses.

“Studies show that students with just $500 or less set aside for college are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate,” said Cassandra DiBenedetto, Executive Director. “CalKIDS Accounts are more than financial assistance—they’re an investment in students’ futures, and we want to give every one of these students a reason to believe in their path to higher education.”

With roughly 7 out of 10 public school students in the Inland Empire eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship and key college decisions and financial aid deadlines approaching, now is the time for students and families to check their eligibility and claim their scholarship account.

For more information on eligibility, scholarship amounts, and how to claim a CalKIDS Scholarship Account, visit CalKIDS.org.

YUCAIPA, CA— A 10-year-old girl from San Bernardino, Calif., is set to make Crafton Hills College history this May when she becomes the youngest Roadrunner ever to graduate from the Yucaipa-based community college.

Alisa Perales, who will have just turned 11 at the time of the ceremony, will cross the stage with not one but two associate degrees—one in multiple sciences and another in mathematics—joining hundreds of Roadrunners who will become Crafton alumni. Her final GPA will be “close” to a 4.0.

Remarkably, Alisa could have earned two additional degrees in computer science and physics had she stayed one more semester.

“When I first started at Crafton (at the age of 8), I was a little bit nervous…because this was my first time going to a public school,” said Alisa, “but then I met some really nice people, and that was super helpful.”

Alisa’s love for learning began early. By her first birthday, she had already moved beyond basic ABCs and 123s. Guided by her father, Rafael Perales, she has been focused on expanding her knowledge ever since.

With her father leading the way, Alisa never stopped absorbing information, constantly working to improve her skills.

“I credit my dad for pushing me to do well in school and try my best to work hard,” she said.

“She has been a little different her whole life, but I have always taught her that there’s nothing out there that you’re not capable of understanding,” Rafael added.

Alisa began attending Crafton in spring of 2023. Before becoming a Roadrunner, she considered applying to California State University, San Bernardino, but a counselor encouraged her to explore community college first due to her homeschooling background.

Crafton offered the support she needed to thrive, and she quickly found her place.

Alisa’s father became an honorary Roadrunner, accompanying her early semesters and patiently waiting outside her classes. Eventually, she began attending classes independently and flourishing on her own.

“Before she started at Crafton, I explained that she was going to be around many older kids, and she didn’t seem intimidated by that. She seemed to fit right in,” said Rafael. “So, I just followed my daughter’s lead. I did not make her adhere to a rigorous schedule I had set out for her. I responded to what she was interested in and helped feed that interest and fueled that fire, and her interest in school remained strong.”

At age 8, Alisa took a political science course and used what she learned to file a lawsuit in federal court against both the state and federal governments. Her case challenged the constitutionality of the 26th Amendment and Article II, Section 2 of the California Constitution, arguing that if she had achieved the same education as 18-year-olds, she should also be allowed to vote.

Although the case was unsuccessful, and she was unable to afford an appeal to the 9th Circuit, Alisa hopes another young prodigy will one day pick up the cause.

Alisa has big plans after college. She hopes to work in the artificial intelligence tech industry, either by joining an established company or building a startup with her dad.

No matter what Alisa’s future holds, it promises to be bright.

“Crafton wants everyone to succeed, but you have to work hard to get what you want,” Alisa said. “Do not ever have any doubts over what you want to do in life. Just go out there and give it a shot.”

RIVERSIDE, CA— April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and take action to protect children from abuse and neglect. In recognition of this, the County of Riverside, Family Service Association (FSA), and the HOPE Collaborative united on April 1st to raise awareness about child abuse prevention during a moving flag-raising ceremony held at the Riverside County Administration Center.

Now in its third year, the ceremony honored the lives of children lost to abuse, neglect, and violence. It also aimed to educate the community on recognizing signs of abuse and highlighted the collaborative efforts of various organizations dedicated to protecting children. Among those in attendance were representatives from local nonprofits, including the SAFE Family Justice Center, Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, Boys and Girls Club, NORA,  Childhelp, and many others who provide direct services to children and families in crisis.

More than 100 community members gathered to pay their respects to victims and demonstrate their collective commitment to creating a safer environment for children.  Prominent figures including First District Supervisor Jose Medina, Second District Supervisor Karen Spiegel, and Sheriff Chad Bianco delivered powerful speeches emphasizing the importance of community involvement and child protection. County Executive Officer, Jeff Van Wagenen, emceed the event.

Katie Gilbertson, Regional Manager at the Division of Victim Services at the Riverside County’s District Attorney’s Office, stated “This month isn’t just about awareness. It’s about recognizing the quiet, often invisible suffering of children, and renewing our commitment to protect them.” With over 16 years of experience in child abuse prevention, Gilbertson serves as a Board Member for the HOPE Collaborative and has participated in forensic interviews, medical exams, court proceedings, and victim impact statements. She emphasized, “The work that we do in addressing child abuse is never easy. We are often exposed to some of the most evil acts that our community has to offer. Child abuse is one of the most insidious crimes that we can confront…and it often comes at the hands at the someone that a child deeply loved – a parent, a relative, or friend.”

Bridgette Hernandez, Assistant Director at the Department of Social Services Children’s Services, shared, “Our work is always centered on ensuring that children and families have the resources they need to thrive. Each year, we receive over 62,000 calls of abuse or neglect to our child abuse hotline and conduct roughly 22,000 investigations. However, our work goes beyond investigating allegations of abuse and neglect. Through our partnerships, we also focus on prevention by providing families with resources and supports to create safe environments and reduce life stressors.

Sheriff Chad Bianco added, “We are incredibly proud of our partners – whether they are nonprofit organizations or county agencies. When we encounter children in harm’s way, we know that they are placed in the capable hands of those who will protect and care for them.”

Investing in early childhood programs, expanding family resource services, strengthening behavioral health services, and improving interdepartmental coordination are key priorities in the County’s strategy to support families. Supervisor Jose Medina highlighted these efforts, stating, “When families have access to the right support and know where to go for help, they are better able to care for and protect their children. In District 1, we are seeing this take shape with the opening of the Franklin Residential Care Facility and Behavioral Health Clinic in Riverside and the Wellness Village in Mead Valley – a campus integrating housing, healthcare, and support services.”

As a founding member of the Board’s Committee on Systems Improvement for the Protection of Vulnerable Children and Adults, Supervisor Karen Spiegel emphasized, “I’ve often said it takes a village. We must work together to achieve the best outcomes for our children. Keeping them safe is a collective responsibility that requires the involvement of schools, businesses, law enforcement, government agencies, faith-based organizations, and, most importantly, parents themselves.”

The event highlighted the importance of collaboration in safeguarding children. In Riverside County, Family Service Association (FSA) serves as the designated Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) known as the HOPE Collaborative. The HOPE Collaborative fosters ongoing engagement through monthly meetings across the county, bringing together professionals, parents, and volunteers from diverse backgrounds.

Stephanie Soto, Community Services Director, shared, “FSA strives to prevent child abuse, help families thrive, and build stronger communities. We partner with dozens of organizations to address the root causes of child maltreatment, such as poverty, lack of access to resources, and mental health issues. Through educational programs, awareness campaigns, and community outreach, we empower parents and caregivers with the knowledge and skills they need to raise healthy and happy children.”

The successful flag-raising ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility to protect children. The event concluded on an uplifting note with a special performance by second-grade students from Jackson Elementary School in the City of Riverside, who sang It’s Gonna Be a Good Day, leaving attendees inspired and hopeful for the future.

The HOPE Collaborative encourages community members to attend future events and get involved. For more information, contact the HOPE Collaborative by calling 951-369-8036 or by visiting its website at www.hopecollaborative.org.

If you suspect that a child is experiencing abuse or neglect, report it by calling the confidential 24-hour, 7-day-a-week hotline at 1-800-442-4918. Your voice can make the difference for one child.

About the County of Riverside:

The County of Riverside has approximately 40 departments serving more than 2.4 million residents. Services ranging from public safety, health and human services, public works and community services, as well as budget and finance. The county serves approximately 1 million residents a year through its human services departments to ensure residents have critical resources and support.

About Family Service Association:

For over 70 years, Family Service Association has addressed poverty, hunger, and health, from infancy to older adults, in families and under-served communities. Through early education, trauma-informed mental health services, obtainable senior housing, support for home-bound individuals, safe senior/community centers, and nutritious meals for older adults, FSA’s team members serve over 21,000 community members each year. FSA also lead’s the County’s Child Abuse Prevention Council, The HOPE Collaborative.

About HOPE Collaborative:

Facilitated by Family Service Association, The HOPE Collaborative serves as Riverside County’s Child Abuse Prevention Council. With a focus on interagency collaboration, community awareness, education, policy advocacy, and mandatory reporter training, the HOPE collaborative works closely with law enforcement, school districts, non-profits, medical providers, mental health professionals, faith-based groups, community advocates, and the department of public and social services towards the prevention of child abuse and neglect in Riverside County.

By Ben Jealous

In the Trump era, economic policy often comes with more bluster than strategy. His latest round of tariffs is no exception. Slapped on a broad swath of imported goods without rhyme, reason, or regard for the people who will bear the brunt of the cost – American families and workers – these tariffs are a political stunt masquerading as industrial policy.

Let’s be clear: tariffs can be a tool for economic transformation. But they must be wielded with precision, guided by vision, and paired with bold investments. What Trump is doing is none of that.

His scattershot approach will disturb the ongoing US manufacturing renaissance and raise prices on everything from cars to appliances, hitting working families hardest. The administration’s recently announced 25% tariff on all cars and auto parts not made entirely in the United States could drive up the cost of an average new car by thousands of dollars. And for what? There are no clear signals to industry, no long-term plans for job creation, no environmental guardrails – just chaos and chestthumping.

We’ve seen this movie before. During Trump’s first term, similar tariffs on steel and aluminum were supposed to help revive American manufacturing. And they could have, had he invested in clean, safe, high-tech production and the American supply chain. Instead, Trump opted for pain and scarcity. Less availability of metals had a negative downstream impact on the industries that relied on them. Prices on goods made with metals went up. And American metals makers didn’t have a reason to invest in advanced manufacturing.

American manufacturing actually has been revived since then, but it was the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act and other initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that were responsible. The previous administration’s trade policy was also smarter, with narrowly focused tariff increases specifically targeted to China and on sectors critical to the clean energy transition – solar panels, electric vehicles, EV batteries, semiconductors, and yes, steel and aluminum. Ideally, tariffs should be paired with investments in domestic manufacturing, particularly in facilities that are clean, unionized, and ready to meet the climate challenge. And tariffs should send a clear message to competitors that there will be consequences for polluting, relying on forced labor, and other harmful practices.

This is not just about economics; it is about justice. Low-income and working-class communities have borne the brunt of dirty industry and offshored jobs. Reindustrializing America has to be different this time. We need a clean, equitable economy built with and for working families.

And here’s the good news: it is possible. I have seen it. From my time crisscrossing the country opposing NAFTA 30 years ago to my current work with the Sierra Club, I have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with labor leaders, environmental advocates, and frontline communities. We agree more often than not. We want trade policies that lift wages, protect the planet, and rebuild domestic industries – not that rig the game for polluters and drive up prices on already-struggling consumers.

One step in the right direction is for trade agreements and tariffs to address pollution and include carbon border adjustment mechanisms – fees based on the pollution in imported goods exceeding US levels. If your steel pollutes rivers in Mexico or your solar panels are made with coal power in China, you should not get a free pass in the US market. These mechanisms level the playing field, give American manufacturers a reason to go green and become cleaner, and improve conditions for workers and manufacturing communities overseas.

We also need to update agreements like the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement to include rapid-response mechanisms not just for labor abuses, but for environmental violations too. If a country undercuts us by trashing its air and water, we should be able to act quickly.

Trump’s tariffs don’t do any of that. They are about headlines, not outcomes. And we do not have time for empty gestures. The climate crisis is here. American workers are tired of being played. And families across this country cannot afford higher prices with no payoff.

We need a real plan. One that brings together labor and environmentalists, manufacturers and frontline communities. One that builds a new industrial vision—not just for profit, but for people and planet.

The path is clear. What we need now is the courage to walk it.

Ben Jealous is the Executive Director of the Sierra Club and a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

SACRAMENTO—A key policy committee today approved a measure in the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization to make California Native American Day a paid holiday – celebrated annually on the fourth Friday of September – for state employees. Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) introduced the bill, AB 989, which made it out of committee on a 20-0 vote. It will next go to the Committee on Public Employment and Retirement.

Ramos, a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe, is the first California Native American lawmaker elected in the state’s almost 175-year history. He has been laboring to enact a California Native American Day since 1998. The Assembly committee analysis of AB 989, provides the following background:

Native American Day began in California in 1939, when Governor Culbert Olson dedicated October 1st as “Indian Day.” In 1968, Governor Ronald Reagan signed a resolution calling for a holiday called American Indian Day, to be held the Fourth Friday in September. In 1998, the California legislature passed, and the Governor signed AB 1953 (Baca) which changed the name of American Indian Day to Native American Day, and authorized public schools to provide instruction on the contributions of Native Americans. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., in 2011 wrote a Governor’s Proclamation highlighting this momentous and important day. Since 2014, with the passage of AB 1973 (R. Hernández), Chapter 537, Statutes of 2014, California has recognized the fourth Friday in September as “Native American Day” as an official state holiday, albeit a holiday that does not directly provide for paid time off for any state employee.

Ramos said, “I was a San Manuel council member when I started working toward this goal with then-Assemblymember Joe Baca Sr. “This is one more step forward in recognizing and building knowledge about the history, culture and contributions of California’s Native Americans.”

In 2021, he successfully authored AB 855 that created a paid judicial holiday. The legislation did not include other state personnel because they are governed by a different statutory code section. Ramos noted, “California Native American history is California history, and the current unpaid holiday designation is an inadequate acknowledgment of the state’s First People and their millennia-long presence, saga and stewardship of the lands now known as California.”

Supporters include Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe of California, California Consortium for Urban Indian Health, Chalon Indian Nation of California, Elk Valley Rancheria, California as well as Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel, Indigenous Justice, Mongo Band of Mission Indians and Native Development Network.

Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Assemblymember Isaac Bryan join BLMLA and Wilson’s family to announce federal and state bills aimed at preventing neglect and lack of accountability in police custody deaths.

LOS ANGELES, CA – On Friday, March 28, Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove stood alongside the family of Wakiesha Wilson and Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles (BLMLA) outside the LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center to mark the ninth anniversary of Wilson’s death. The gathering also served as the platform to announce two new legislative measures aimed at ending systemic neglect and lack of accountability when individuals are harmed or killed while in police custody or behind bars.

Wakiesha Wilson, a 36-year-old Black woman, died in an LAPD jail cell on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016. She was found hanging in her cell and was pronounced dead at a hospital approximately an hour later. The LAPD ruled her death a suicide, but her family and community activists have long challenged that account, pointing to inconsistencies, procedural failures, and a lack of transparency.

The most glaring breakdown occurred when Wilson’s mother, Lisa Hines, attempted to locate her daughter after she failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing on March 29, 2016. Despite repeated attempts to gather information, it was not until March 30 — nearly 76 hours after Wilson’s death — that an LAPD supervisor directed Hines to call the coroner’s office.

“The person on the other end of the line answered, ‘coroner’s office.’ I was at work. I fell out. Anybody — you call a number, they say coroner’s office. You know what’s at the coroner’s office. A lifeless body. And that was my baby,” Hines recounted through tears. “They didn’t have the courtesy to tell me she wasn’t here no more. They had stolen her from me.”

BLMLA co-founder Melina Abdullah expressed outrage over the incident, highlighting the emotional torment Hines endured. “Nobody should ever have to search for their loved one. No one should ever have to hear a voice on the other end of the line say ‘coroner’s office,'” she said. “When we say Black Lives Matter, we mean that we are reclaiming and demanding our full humanity. So for nine years, we’ve been fighting in the name of Wakiesha Wilson.”

In response to these tragic circumstances, Congressmember Kamlager-Dove announced the reintroduction of the Family Notification Act (HR. 10367), a federal bill aimed at ensuring law enforcement agencies immediately notify families when a loved one is killed, injured, or transferred within the federal prison system.

“As we fight for Wakiesha, in the memory of Waukesha and so many others who have fallen victim to a justice system that is not about justice,” Kamlager-Dove said.  “I am grateful that this is a bipartisan bill. I want to give thanks to Melina Abdullah with Black Lives Matter, and Assemblymember Isaac Bryan at the state level for also joining in this effort. 24 hours is not a lot of time. It is a reasonable amount of time to inform a family member so that folks know where their families are and they can work to make sure that they are treated with dignity.”

At the state level, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan is carrying a companion bill known as Wakiesha’s Law, aimed at addressing similar notification failures within California’s state and local prisons and jails.

Civil rights attorney Carl Douglas, who represented Wilson’s family in a wrongful death lawsuit resulting in a $300,000 settlement in 2020, recalled his first encounter with Hines. “I remember almost nine years ago when Lisa Hines and her sister Sheila came to my office seeking help. These were not just two women in need. These were two warriors dedicated to a cause,” Douglas said. “I am inspired by the dedication that these women have shown, showing up every Tuesday for years — literally — in the name of their loved one. I am heartened that we have courageous politicians like Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Isaac Bryan who are willing to take reasonable steps so that jail and prison authorities can do the very minimum notifying family members within 24 members of a loved one’s death.”

Wilson’s death led to internal LAPD reviews of how staff handles mental health crises, notifies families of deaths, and coordinates with coroner’s officials. However, activists maintain that systemic change is still desperately needed.

The proposed legislation is the latest effort in a nearly decade-long fight for accountability and transparency in cases of in-custody deaths. Advocates argue that it is past time for the law to prioritize basic human dignity over bureaucratic oversight.

Both the Family Notification Act and Wakiesha’s Law aim to ensure that no family endures the same deafening silence and institutional disregard that has defined Wakiesha Wilson’s case.