By Petty Officer 1st Class Patricia Rodriguez, Navy Office of Community Outreach

NORFOLK, VA – Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian Franz, a native of Barstow, California, serves aboard the Navy’s newest warship operating out of Norfolk, Virginia. USS Fort Lauderdale, an amphibious transport dock ship, was commissioned July 30 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“If there is one thing that history has shown us from the days of antiquity it is that the stakes of the competition for control of the seas are high and for our part, USS Fort Lauderdale stands ready to deliver on any day, and at any time,” said Capt. James Quaresimo, the ship’s commanding officer. “And those that may wish to challenge us – they should pause. For we are equipped with America’s unstoppable secret weapon that our enemies will never be able to duplicate and that is the fierce, dedicated, and unstoppable, men and women of the United States Navy and Marine Corps!”

Franz joined the Navy nine years ago. Today, Franz serves as an aviation boatswain’s mate.

“I joined to get out and explore the world,” said Franz. “I also like the ocean and wanted to be close to it throughout my career.”

Growing up in Barstow, Franz attended Barstow High School and graduated in 2008. Today, Franz relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Barstow to succeed in the military.

“My hometown taught me the importance of being responsible as an individual for my own actions,” said Franz.These lessons have helped Franz while serving aboard USS Fort Lauderdale.

Amphibious transport dock ships are warships used to transport and land Marines, their equipment, and supplies by embarked Landing Craft Air Cushion or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft. These ships support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions and serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious operations.

Serving in the Navy means Franz is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy provides maritime peace for all countries,” said Franz. We’re the first line of defense for the United States and our allies.”

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize the importance of accelerating America’s advantage at sea.

“Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “The U.S. Navy—forward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power—deters conflict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans. As the United States responds to the security environment through integrated deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy forward and campaign with a ready, capable, combat-credible fleet.”

Franz and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“I’m really proud of being named Junior Sailor of the Year in 2020,” said Franz. “I was up against 20 other sailors in the region. The ship had an awards ceremony for me. It made me proud and lifted me up to be recognized. It gave me a morale boost that I really needed. It greatly impacted me.”

As Franz and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving means a lot to me because my uncle and grandfather both served, so it’s a family tradition that I’m proud to carry on,” added Franz.

By Lou Yeboah

Brings God’s punishment. Attracts God’s wrath. Damns you in hell. In all your getting, get an understanding. God has promised in [Leviticus 26:14-20] that disobedience will always be punished. The Scripture is so abundantly clear, I do not need to add commentary beyond what the Scripture plainly teaches: For Jesus said in [Isaiah 66:24], “Then they will go forth and look on the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm will not die and their fire will not be quenched; And they will be an abhorrence to all mankind. Repercussions of disobedience to God!

Listen, disobedience to God’s has always come with consequences. Since the inception of this world, God has always punished disobedience. Repent before it is too late! Understand that God’s purpose for warning man is to motivate him to repent and come back to Him [Luke 15; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 8; Revelation 9]. What are you waiting for? The Book of Revelation, which we are living in now, is God’s final warning to the sinner to repent before His wrath and judgment come upon this wicked world.

I implore you to PLEASE repent of your sins, seek the forgiveness of God, and surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ right now! If what Revelation says is true [and it is], why would you want to delay or deny what is obviously upon us? Do not make that foolish and eternally deadly decision. Repercussions of disobedience to God always have consequences. Heed God’s Warning!

Remember Christ through Noah preached God’s Word to the people living in Noah’s day warning them of certain judgment through the impending flood [Genesis 6:13; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:18-20]. They did not repent and heed God’s warning and perished in the flood. Only eight souls heeded God’s “ample warning” and were saved [Genesis 7:7; 1 Peter 3:20].

Note the example given of disobedient Israel in [Numbers 14:29-30; Hebrews 3:5-19]. The disobedient did not “enter into his rest” because they didn’t repent and heed God’s warning through the testimony of Moses.

God warned Israel through Jeremiah and Ezekiel of their impending captivity by the Babylonians [Jeremiah 6:10; Ezekiel 3:10-11,17] because of their idolatrous worship [Jeremiah 11:10; Ezekiel 6] but they did not repent and heed God’s “ample warning” [Jeremiah 6:19; Ezekiel 14:6-10].

Heed the warnings and repent! If you do not, you will face the consequences of your disobedience sooner or later. Repent! Repent! Repent!

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a budget trailer bill approving $5 Million in funding to the California State University at Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) to house the California Black Women’s Think Tank.

The California Black Women’s Collective (CBWC) Empowerment Institute will be a founding partner in the development of the policy research institution.

The legislation, Assembly Bill (AB) 179, authored by Assemblymember Phillip Ting (D-San Francisco), paves the way for establishing a policy institute that will focus on improving structures and practices that impact the lives of Black women and girls across the state.

“The California Black Women’s Collective has diligently worked hard over the last year to make the California Black Women’s Think Tank, the first of its kind in the nation, happen,” Kellie Todd Griffin, speaking for CBWC, told California Black Media.

CBWC in partnership with Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), is a coalition of more than 1,500 Black Women leaders throughout California.

The coalition utilizes Black women’s expertise and collaboration skills in political, community, and social justice activism to amplify their voices, knowledge, and issues throughout the state.

On June 20, Newsom signed a $308 billion state budget that helps address rising costs for Californians, tackles the state’s most pressing needs, builds reserves, and invests in the state’s future.

AB 179, the Budget Act of 2022, implements funding for key priorities established by the California Black Legislative Caucus (CLBC) for this legislative session, including CBWC’s Think Tank.

“We are thankful to the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) that included it as a priority-budget ask and CSUDH for partnering with us on it,” Todd Griffin said.

The CBWC’s goal for the Think Tank is for it to be “relevant and accessible” in providing an “independent, academic, research entity that provides a “rigorous analysis approach to policy,” CBWC explained in a written overview.

The state and CLBC are in support of addressing the need to expand work that drives systematic change, brought forth by CBWC. The Think Tank is an effort to serve as a research institution and resource for lawmakers, elected officials, business leaders, and advocating organizations willing to impact sustainable and scalable change.

“There are approximately 1.1 million Black females in California. However, there are 75% of Black households headed by single Black mothers and 80% of Black households have Black women breadwinners. There are economic, educational, health, and electoral barriers confronting Black women every day. In California, 23% of Black women live in poverty, according to the Women’s Well-Being Index from the California Budget and Policy Center,” CBWC stated.

According to the Status of Black Women report from the Women’s Policy Research (WPR) and information provided by CBWC, the median income for Black women in California is $43,000 a year- compared to $52,000 for White women and $69,000 for White men. The report by WPR also shared that the average cost of childcare for an infant makes up 28% of a Black woman’s average income in the state.

CBWC’s Think Tank intends to approach its work in a data-driven, strategic, and collaborative manner. Based on current information concerning Black women and girls in the state, the collective specifically aims to provide actionable policy solutions, remove persistent barriers that this group of women faces on a daily basis, and achieve racial and gender equity.

The CBWC Empowerment Institute falls in line with these initiatives to help Black women, Todd Griffin asserts.

“The magnitude of this funding allocation will be transformative as we continue the work to improve the quality of life of Black women and girls throughout California,” Todd Griffin said.

By Sunita Sohrabji

As the U.S. faces predicted surges this fall of Covid-19 infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced its approval of both the Pfizer and Moderna updated boosters.

Designed to combat more infectious and lethal subvariants of the Omicron variant, the updated boosters contain a combination of the original formulation and an additional formulating targeting the BA.5 subvariant, now the dominant version of the virus.

Public health experts predict that the updated boosters will also protect against the emerging BA.4 and BA.2.75 subvariants, which have been detected in other countries and are gaining ground in the US.

Speaking at a Sept. 7 news briefing jointly organized by Ethnic Media Services, California Black Media, and the California Department of Public Health, four doctors who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic hailed the new updated boosters.

Speakers included: Dr. Gil Chávez, Deputy Director in the Center for Infectious Diseases at the California Department of Public Health; Dr. Maggie Park, County Public Health Officer, San Joaquin County Public Health Services; Dr. Oliver Brooks, Chief Medical Officer, Watts Healthcare; and Dr. Eva Smith, Medical Director, K’ima:w Medical Center in rural Hoopa, California.

California has already received 600,000 doses of the new updated booster. Anyone over the age of 12, who has completed the primary two-dose regimen is eligible to receive an updated booster. Those who have received a booster two months prior are also eligible to get the new updated booster. Shots will not be prioritized, as there is adequate supply for all who want them.

“The updated boosters are pulling double duty by increasing immunity against the original coronavirus strains while also protecting against the newer Omicron variants,” said Chavez.

“These vaccines have literally saved millions of lives, helped protect us against the worst outcomes of the virus, and frankly, helped us move on as a community and as a state,” he said.

“I have personally been the beneficiary of the Covid vaccine,” Chavez added, noting that despite being vaccinated and boosted, he nonetheless had an encounter with Covid.

“Thanks to the vaccine, I was able to have a mild illness and recover quickly without any long-lasting effects. My children, my grandchildren, all are vaccinated and boosted. They all have had mild cases of COVID. We are very grateful to this vaccine for really allowing us to continue to be a family and stay healthy,” said Chavez.

The doctor also noted that those who have had Covid should still get an updated booster, as the degree of protection from an infection wanes rapidly over time.

Park countered the myth of the pandemic “being over.”

“This virus is not going away just because we want it to. It is evolving. It is actually becoming more highly transmissible and getting smarter about evading our immunity, whether that’s natural immunity from prior infection or immunity from vaccination. So we have to try to stay a step ahead of it,” she said.

More than 72 percent of California’s population has received the primary series of vaccinations. But less than 59 percent have been boosted. Park noted that in San Joaquin County, less than 49 percent of those who are eligible have received a booster.

Park also countered another myth. “We’re still hearing that shots don’t work. People saying, ‘My friend is fully vaccinated and boosted, but she still got Covid.’”

“And to that I say ‘yes, but is she still alive?’ And yes, of course she is. We never promised that the vaccinations would mean you wouldn’t get Covid. We just said that it would reduce the severity of your disease and your chances for requiring hospitalization,” she said.

Brooks addressed vaccine hesitancy with what he called a “three Cs” approach: vaccine confidence, vaccine complacency, and vaccine convenience. His patients have expressed their hesitancy, saying: “It came out too soon, too fast. Don’t trust the government, don’t trust the pharmaceutical agencies, don’t trust public health care.”

But the doctor noted that the mRNA technology on which the vaccine is based was developed 11 years ago and has been used to treat illnesses prior to Covid.

He addressed convenience, noting that booster shots are available at pharmacies without an appointment, and are free, even for those who lack health insurance. Vaccine complacency, said Brooks, has become the prevailing factor: people see those who are vaccinated and boosted but still getting symptomatic Covid.

The doctor said he was especially concerned about long Covid: people who are unvaccinated are more likely to have symptoms even six months after an initial infection.
“We have a vaccine that is a biotechnological miracle. There’s a miracle in front of you that’s averted 16 million deaths and it’s safe,” said Brooks.

Smith, who runs a clinic on the Hoopa Valley Reservation in Humboldt County, noted that when the vaccine first became available, she was surprised to see elders lining up to get it.
“They wanted it. They didn’t want to die. They were watching on TV what had happened in other native communities with really horrible, horrible death rates,” she said.

Younger and middle-aged people were more resistant to getting vaccinated. So, despite the enthusiasm of elders, the Hoopa community has gone through several Covid spikes.

“We are a small tribal clinic trying to deal with a lot of acute and chronic disease issues. But we’re dealing with complacency. We’re dealing with people being tired, tired of having a shot, tired, honestly, of the inconvenience of ‘I’m going to be sore for a couple of days.’”

“I’m regularly saying I’d rather have mild flu-like symptoms for a day or two then to be sick.

I want to live,” said Smith, noting that she has extended family on both coasts and wants to be able to take care of her children and grandchildren.

“And so I’m going to do whatever it takes, whether it’s getting a flu vaccine or getting a couple of different Covid vaccines,” she said.

The Labor Day Weekend event featured Africa’s finest cultural representations with music artists, visual art, fashion designers, performances and more.

LOS ANGELES, CA—- Labor Day Weekend brings a variety of events to cap off the summer – and renowned Afrobeats DJ Peter Lentini, Founder and Creative Director of the 13th Annual Ankara Fashion & Music Festival Los Angeles (AFLA), made it a memorable holiday weekend for Los Angeles. Every year, Lentini expects hundreds of people to come through the festival to experience the art, fashion designers, performances, and music artists that are some of Africa’s finest cultural representations. This year’s event exceeded expectations with more attendee’s than the previous year.

Lentini, who was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, is a self-made American success story. For the last 15 years, he has been delivering an eclectic mix of entertainment with event production and concerts around the world featuring African artists. Lentini created the Ankara Fashion & Music Festival Los Angeles to build a social landscape for African cultural pride in the U.S. and foster entrepreneurship by providing greater visibility of African artists from multiple industries. AFLA is the largest African cultural event in the United States. This year’s event was hosted by popular Nigerian actor and comedian Seyi Brown.

“All of our staff, volunteers, sponsors, entertainers – everyone that attended AFLA, made this year’s event an incredible success,” said Lentini. “We surpassed our attendance goals and smashed the previous record. It shows we have made our mark in Los Angeles as a culturally-rich festival that celebrates Africa’s contributions to art, fashion and music.”

The three-day festival kicked off September 2 and ended September 4. Opening night featured a headline performance by Wande Coal at Catch One. Other artists who performed at Catch One included King Abu, DJ Zuko, Chimdi. E Major, Otito, Tomi Trive, and MJTheDJ.

The second day featured an African Marketplace pop-up of vendors, and an Afrobeats Day Party at The Fountain LA. Closing night at Exchange LA featured a red carpet, a runway fashion show with live African music followed by a live performance by Nigerian Singer Yemi Alade.

Closing night included dignitaries, celebrities, musicians and actors who were invited to support and enjoy the fabulous styles on the runway as well as walk the red carpet. Those in attendance included: Chief Oladiran Alabi, Honorable Mame Mbaye (Senegal Consulate), Nyakim Gathwech (Supermodel “Queen of the Dark”), Petri Hawkins Byrd (American court show bailiff and TV Personality), Bayo Akinfemi (CBS “Bob Hearts Abishola”), Isaac C. Singleton Jr. (“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”), Nola Ade (Singer), Tyrone DuBose (American Radio Personality), Jaida-Iman Benjamin (HBO’s “Insecure”), and many others.

This year’s event was well supported by several sponsors, which included Lentini, AIDS Health Foundation (AHF), Umu Igbo Unite, AfroBeat Los Angeles, Zena Fashions, Toms One for One, AfroBrunch Los Angeles, Royal Dynamite, Andrea Williams of MUD cosmetic, Mrs. May Odiakosa of Star Beer USA, Chike Nweke of Life & Times Magazine Group, #StandAgainstHate, Celestina of Benz Life Collection, and entrepreneur Mrs. Lara Okunubi.
For more information about Peter Lentini and Ankara Festival, visit www.ankarafestival.org.

Stay connected with Ankara Festival at:
Instagram: @AnkaraFestivals
Twitter: @AnkaraFestivals
Facebook: @AnkaraFestivals

By Lue Dowdy | LUE Productions

Join the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce-Inland Cities East along with Youth Build Inland Empire for the 3rd Annual MLK Day Parade and Extravaganza scheduled to take place on Monday, January 16, 2023.

The theme is, “Living the Dream”. It takes a community to build a community! The parade will be held on the Westside of San Bernardino in the 6th Ward overseen by Councilwoman Kimberly Calvin. The parade route will be announced soon. The day will be entertaining, educational, and fun. There will be vendors, entertainment, music, networking, food, a car & bike show, an art walk, and of course a parade.

The committee is actively seeking committee members for specific roles the day of the event.

For questions on how you can participate, please text Lue Dowdy Committee chair at 909-567-1000 or email lue@blackchamberofcommerce.org or Dee Goings Co-chair Dee@blackchamberofcommece.org. To register to participate, visit https://form.jotform.com/212984991808169.

The committee is currently looking for the following: sponsors, food vendors, merchandise vendors, informational vendors, volunteers, classic cars/bikes, floats, entertainment, school bands, step teams, and drill teams! Please visit www.blackchamberofcommerce.org for more details.

By Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media    

For the first time in history, a Black woman, Sedalia Sanders, was honored by the League of California Cities Past Presidents Council with its 2022 Past Presidents Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sanders has had a lifetime of firsts, pushing boundaries in local politics. As a past president of the California League of Cities, elected in 1995, she was given the President’s Council’s highest honor at the opening of the organization’s three-day conference last Wednesday, at the Long Beach Convention Center.

On stage were some of the past winners — but no African Americans. Cheryl Viegas Walker, also a past president of the league, presented the award.

“Today we recognize a true champion of local government,” Viegas Walker said, voice wavering. “One of my dearest friends and mentors who has been not only a champion of local government but a champion of quality-of-life issues, making our cities better places to live, to work to raise our families.”

Sanders delivered her acceptance speech with a combination of wit and humor. Thanking the audience for coming, she asked those who did not come to see her to “refrain from saying so.” Her speech recalled events of the last 80 years of her life and how they contributed to making her “part of the greatest generation.”

Sanders described her accomplishments as those of a “small town gal” from a “rural community” acknowledging the difficult job of governing, particularly with the recent pandemic. She emphasized the importance of a diverse, fair representation in government.

“So those who look like me, meaning of the same gender, those who may look like me, meaning the same ethnicity, and those who may look like me, because you’re my age or more,” said Sanders, “know that if you live long enough, work hard enough, all things can be accomplished.”

In a moment of reflection backstage, Sanders recalled how her political career began. The mayor of El Centro wanted her on the Board of Trustees of El Centro Community Hospital in 1982 but he warned her that she would need to be appointed to the position.

“This is 20 years after Martin Luther King, Jr. marched on Washington,” said Sanders. “He was killed in ‘63 and people were still worried about whether we (African Americans) have the knowledge, understanding or know-how and education to do this.”

But she persisted. Sanders said she won them over with her willingness to work hard and her tenacity. She went on to win, and defend a seat as a city councilwoman, and later mayor, of El Centro, in Southern California from 1984 to 1999.

Leaders that were inspirational to Sanders at the time included former Los Angeles mayor, Tom Bradley. She remembers meeting him and being asked how she was able to do it. She answered. “it wasn’t easy,” to which Bradley responded, “tell me about it.”

Bradley was the first African American to win the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sanders has achieved a long list of accomplishments and received several awards over 30 years in California politics. She has been mayor of El Centro, the president of the League of California Cities, a two-year member of the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities, a member of the Taskforce on Rural Competitiveness appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson, and the Vice-Chair of the Rural Development Council.

Hard work and faith were what Sanders says got her through some of the most contentious parts of her political career. Now in her eighties, she is not done yet. She has been reappointed by Gov. Newsom to the Executive Committee of the California Commission on Aging Commission, where she has been serving since 2016.

For Sanders, the message is clear— no one should be told they are not as good as someone else. Everyone should be able to participate in the governing process.

“What I’m hopeful for is that the presentation I made today in my acceptance speech will inspire someone so that they can see that they can do this.”

LOS ANGELES, CA—- From an inspirational keynote by acclaimed television personality and Founder, State of Menopause Stacy London to a “queening ceremony” performed by personal transformational vision coach Barbara Biziou, WisePause Wellness LIVE provided a full day of presentations, panel discussions, therapeutics and most importantly, solutions from top physicians, functional medical practitioners, and experts for women on the topics of hormones through menopause.  Over 25 speakers covered a myriad of issues women 35-65+ face ranging from incontinence, belly fat and sleep, to sex, brain fog and nutrition during the daylong event held at the Skirball Cultural Center on September 10, 2022.

“WisePause Wellness is about empowering women with knowledge and information,” says WisePause Founder, Denise Pines.  “The message that we convey to women is that they are not alone, and they don’t have to suffer in silence because there are answers out there.  WisePause brings together experts to discuss virtually every menopausal symptom that women experience, so for the attendees it is like having their own personal appointment with a medical team to not only get crucial information, but also to see how they can thrive during this period of their lives.”

In addition to presentations from the stage, attendees were treated to Table Talks during lunch, where they could sit down one-on-one with experts to ask their own questions on topics such as hair loss, sex, mindfulness, stress, weight loss, facial rejuvenation, CBD and more.

Over 30 exhibitors showcased their latest health, beauty, medical and nutraceutical products and services designed for women 40+ and at the event.  Many of the exhibitors also presented their products in a 2-minute pitch during the WisePause Lifestyle Showcase segments, to provide more information on advances in women’s health and wellness.

At the end of the day, after a relaxing sound bath, attendees feasted on Mediterranean-inspired food at the “Afterparty” and were treated to massages, acupuncture, skin and eyebrow consultations and sampled products at the Best Self Wellness Experience.

Concludes Pines, “The feedback I’ve gotten on WisePause Wellness has been amazing.  I kept hearing the words ‘powerful,’ ‘transformational,’ and ‘I had no idea that what I was experiencing was due to hormones and menopause’ throughout the day.  That is the environment I wanted to create—a safe space for women to talk about what they are going through, get answers and most importantly, a place where community is cultivated and developed through shared experiences.”

Sponsors of WisePause Wellness include Toyota, Tea Botanics and Equelle. Partners included New Beauty magazine, State of Menopause, MoxieLash, Gennev, GoodPharma, Potency NO. 710 and podcast Hot Flashes & Cool topics.

Stacy London, Founder, State of Menopause on Loving Your Age – photo credit Joan Fuller

Panelists (l-r) Master Your Hormones panel Dr. Leita Harris, Dr. Michael Krychman, Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz and moderator/WisePause Founder Denise Pines – photo credit Joan Fuller

Ramos worked to secure $5 million in current state budget

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) today presented a symbolic check of $5 million to BLU Educational Services/ Foundation to expand the organization’s College Exodus Project aimed at helping at-risk students attend and graduate from college. He presented the check to Chief Executive Officer Dina Walker as well as BLU students.

Ramos worked to help secure the funding in the 2022-23 state budget. The lawmaker said, “BLU has worked steadfastly to help at-risk youth receive the opportunities and assistance they need to earn a college degree and the skills they need for career success. I was proud to work with BLU and my colleagues to get this funding into the state budget. It benefits the students directly, but it is also helping our region build a skilled workforce with close community ties. We need the students’ talent and energy if we want thriving communities in our future.”

BLU has worked with local communities since 1996 to help students with limited resources and opportunities receive the assistance and opportunities to complete high school and further their educations while also helping them find internships and develop leadership and workforce skills. The mission of BLU’s College Exodus Project is to help students get their undergraduate or graduate degrees from accredited colleges and universities. BLU’s goal is that those in the project will contribute to the Inland Empire economy through entrepreneurship, employment, and/or volunteer service. BLU provides comprehensive college information, assistance, and support to help students with admissions, financial aid, retention, and graduation from public and private institutions throughout the country.

Dina Walker, BLU’s president and chief executive officer, said, “BLU’s College Exodus Project is a bold step in the diversion arena, placing a priority on education, collaboration, and the young person as a whole. This work is a commitment to the hopes and dreams of our youth and families, and a healthy productive community. This project will be one of the most impactful projects in this region!”

Kaylie White, a freshman at San Bernardino Valley College, participated in Blu’s College Exodus Project and was a graduate of the Entrepreneur High School class of 2022. “My experience with BLU has always been amazing. The advising staff are very resourceful and caring. They go above and beyond to make sure you’re getting the best of the best,” White stated.

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media

The COVID-19 virus was discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. To date, over 90 million cases have been recorded and more than 1 million Americans have died from the disease. After more than two years, COVID-19 doesn’t look like it’s going away.

President Joe Biden’s positive test last month for the disease illustrates that COVID-19’s transmissibility is an ongoing and persistent problem.

Biden, who was treated with the antiviral drug Paxlovid, isolated himself for 5 days and returned to work after testing negative. Then, a few days later, he tested positive again and went back into isolation until he tested negative about a week ago.

Because the President is vaccinated, he suffered mild symptoms. However, the rebound positivity he’s experienced shows more needs to be done to eliminate coronavirus.

While vaccines and past infections have enabled the U.S. population to develop what is described as substantial COVID-19 immunity and those who get sick have a number of effective treatments options, cases of people being infected with new mutations of COVID-19 continue to be reported.

Dr. Ben Neuman, professor of Biology and chief virologist of the Global Health Research Complex, Texas A&M University, has studied the coronavirus and found that it’s constantly changing. That is a major reason people continue to be infected with the disease, he says.

During a recent Ethnic Media Services COVID-19 panel discussion with other medical scientists and researchers, Neuman said that people vaccinated against previous variations of the virus are not fully protected against the new variations. According to him, immunity to the current versions of the virus depends on how recently someone had been vaccinated.

“We are still vaccinating against the 2019 virus, and it is now late 2022. We have a problem……This is a virus that will continue changing,” he said.

Infections caused by Omicron sub variants have been reported to be not as dangerous as ones caused by earlier coronavirus strains, but they appear to be more transmissible.

If Neuman’s predictions are correct, by the time a vaccine is developed to fight the BA.5 subvariant, which is currently responsible for 85.5 % of infections in the US, there will already be a new subvariant spreading the disease.

Neuman added that it is still important to protect yourself with masks and by washing your hands. While he has been vaccinated, he recently tested positive for the coronavirus while after being on an airline and failing to adhere to proper masking protocol.

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine at the University of California San Francisco, who specializes in treating infectious diseases, stressed the importance of continuing to follow preventative measures when he spoke during the panel discussion.

Chin-Hong pointed out that one problem with implementing a mask mandate is political will. He cited the example of Los Angeles County, which recently considered reintroducing a mask mandate because of rising infection numbers, but cancelled implementation when cases declined. Had the mandate been
imposed, the County sheriff said they would not enforce it which would have been problematic.

Unfortunately, the mask issue has become a political problem and few politicians want to take it on and risk the wrath of voters.

Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville discussed how prevalent the disease is and how strict adherence to preventative measures does not assure protection against mutations of the coronavirus.

Schaffner and his wife tested positive despite being fully vaccinated and were treated with Paxlovid and, unlike Biden, they did not experience a rebound occurrence of the virus.

Chin-Hong said the pandemic will eventually end. But that will only happen when we create the conditions where there are no new host bodies to develop variations of the coronavirus.

Currently, about 400 people are dying every day from COVID-19. That averages out to more than 100,000 deaths every year.

“Right now, we have too many deaths,” he said. “We shouldn’t accept that.”

Chin-Hong also predicted that in the future we might see an annual COVID-19 shot to ward off the disease.

Schaffner agreed and said that we should learn to manage the disease with vaccinations, medications and preventive measures.

“COVID will be with us for the foreseeable future,” he said.