By Lila Brown | California Black Media

As the world turns its eyes to Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games this week, four official delegations appointed by President Biden are representing the United States at opening and closing ceremonies.

Several prominent California officials and public figures are among the delegates.

On July 26, Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, led a delegation to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

Among presidential delegates to that event were California’s Democratic Senior Sen. Alex Padilla; Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass; Casey Wasserman, Chairperson, LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games; and Brian Boitano, three-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist in figure skating. Boitano is from Sunnyvale in Santa Clara County.

“We must continue our urgent work ensuring that Angelenos benefit from the preparation for the Games, as well as in the decades following,” said Mayor Bass. “Together, we will showcase Los Angeles – not just the popular tourist destinations, but each of our beautiful neighborhoods and communities. Together, we will leverage the Games to help local small businesses, create local jobs and create lasting environmental and transportation improvements throughout Los Angeles.”

The other two non-California appointees on that delegation were U.S. U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del) and Dawn Staley, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Head Women’s Coach, University of South Carolina.

“Mr. Douglas Emhoff, Second Gentleman of the United States, will lead the delegation to the Closing of the Olympic Games,” read a White House Press release dated July 22 announcing the delegations.

Emhoff was a Los Angeles entertainment attorney before moving to Washington when his wife became Vice President of the United States.

Californians appointed to delegation to the Closing Ceremony, which will take place Aug. 11, are Junior Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.); U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA-42); Denise Bauer, a former Los Angeles TV anchor who currently serves as United States Ambassador to Paris; and  Chaunté Lowe, a member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, four-time Olympian and Olympic bronze medalist, Track and Field. Lowe is from Riverside.

The only non-Californian appointed to the Closing Ceremony delegation is two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup Champion in Women’s Soccer, Brianna Scurry.

“The Honorable Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, will lead the delegation to the Closing of the Paralympic Games,” read the White House press release. The Closing Ceremony will take place on September 8, 2024.”

Becerra is a Sacramento native and former California Attorney General.

According to the White House, members of each Paralympic Presidential Delegations will be announced at a later date.

Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth will lead the delegation to the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games on Aug. 28.

Dear Vice President Kamala Harris:

From Charlotta Bass to Rosa Parks to Shirley Chisolm, Black Women have never been afraid of a righteous fight. All three of these women have stood in the gap for Black Americans and in the process changed history. Today is no different. Our very own, California born and raised, Vice President Kamala Harris has taken the baton to be the first woman to be elected as President of the United States of America in the 2024 election.

As California Black women, we commit our unwavering support for your historic candidacy. Your leadership, vision, and commitment to justice and equity resonate across the golden state and beyond.
As the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first South Asian woman to hold the office of Vice President, you have not only broken historical barriers. You have also served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless individuals who see themselves reflected in your journey.

Madame Vice President, your steadfast dedication to addressing systemic inequities, championing comprehensive healthcare, and advocating for criminal justice reflect the values we need in a leader right now.

Throughout your tenure as Vice President, you have been relentless in your efforts to advance policies that directly impact our communities. From your advocacy for maternal health and reproductive rights to your focus on economic empowerment and voting rights protection, you have consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by Black Women, Black Families and the Black Community, resulting in creating meaningful change.

Our endorsement is not merely inspired by your accomplishments, but it is also an acknowledgment of the potential we see in your continued leadership. We believe that your presidency will usher in an era of progress, unity, and opportunity for all Americans, with a special emphasis on those who have been historically marginalized.

In supporting your campaign, the California Black Women’s Collective PAC, made up of Black Women throughout the state, pledges to mobilize our network, engage our communities, and amplify your vision for a more just and equitable nation, Madame Vice President.

We are confident that your leadership will inspire a new generation of activists, leaders, and changemakers who will carry forward the torch of progress.

The signatures below demonstrate the solidarity of a community within California that is committed to putting the work in to take this historic campaign over the finish line.

Join us and be a part of the change we need now.

See the list of signatories.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Three days after U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro posthumously exonerated the remaining 256 African American Port Chicago defendants who were court-martialed for mutiny in 1944, he visited the historical site to participate in the 80th-year commemoration of the worst homefront disaster in the U.S. history.

Del Toro said the occasion at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine Memorial on the Suisun Bay, 35 miles north of San Francisco in Contra Costa County, was two-fold. According to him,  the 90-minute ceremony was organized to honor all who died in the blasts and officially announce the absolving of Black men who were unjustly court-martialed for refusing to load bombs on naval cargo ships during World War II due to safety concerns.

“This event marks a turning point in our nation’s history, a moment when we confront the ghosts of the past and embrace the promise of more justice,” Del Toro said. “For eight decades, the story of Port Chicago has been a stark reminder of a grave injustice. We as a nation will never be able to express our full gratitude to all deceased and their families for their dedication, service, and sacrifice.”

On July 20, a diverse group of 500 people were shuttled from the Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) to the Port Chicago Naval Magazine Memorial where two deadly explosions occurred on the night of July 17, 1944.

The ceremony was hosted in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial, and the U.S. Army’s 834th Transportation Battalion.

The event also marked the 30th year the site was erected as a memorial. Along with Del Toro, dignitaries and elected officials in attendance were U.S. Congressmen John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Thurgood Marshall Jr., whose father, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, sought justice for the Port Chicago 50, the Black men who were wrongfully convicted in the fall of 1944 of insubordination during World War II.

Kelli English, the NPS’s service-wide Program Manager for Cooperating Associations and Partnerships, said tears from colleagues were flowing the day they heard about the exoneration of the men. English is part of the NPS crew that conducts tours of the National Memorial and shares the history of the tragedy.

“They never should have been court-martialed in some cases and convicted of other cases, but it does provide some closures for the families and descendants of those men,” English told California Black Media. “It’s so important to us. It’s the only amount of justice delivered years after the fact.”

The blasts resulted in the death of 320 sailors, 202 of them Black American sailors who were loading nearly 5,000 tons of munitions from a train into the naval cargo ships. About 400 more people were injured and the cargo train and both ships – SS Quinault Victory and SS EA Bryan – were destroyed.

The explosion shook the San Francisco Bay and could be felt as far away as Nevada. The blasts damaged many surrounding structures and buildings in the nearby town of Port Chicago. In the mid-1960s, the United States government bought 5,000 acres of land in the Port Chicago area and the town ceased to exist by 1969.

The White officers in command were given hardship leaves while the surviving Black sailors were ordered to clear debris from the blasts and painfully retrieve the appendages of their fellow servicemen. The treatment of the Black sailors exemplified the racial policies manifested by the Navy. After threats of disciplinary action, 208 of the Sailors resumed work but it did not stop the Navy from convicting the men at a summary court-martial for rebellion. Over the years, two sailors had the charges expunged from their records, which left 256 convicted Black men.

Fifty of the Black sailors stood their ground and in September 1944 were found liable for mutiny, a serious offense that tarnished their military record. The 50 sailors were represented by Thurgood Marshall, who was the chief counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the disaster and racism in the Navy led to President Harry Truman desegregating all four branches of the military.

Ten years later, Marshall was able to win the monumental Brown v. Board of Education case that ruled separate but equal public schools were unconstitutional.

“It’s deeply moving to me that his work and the work of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund caught the attention of the sailors, and the family involved in Port Chicago,” Marshall Jr. said of his father who later became a US Supreme Court Justice. “They contacted them for guidance, and he was able to come out here to California to do what he did so well.”

Carol Cherry traveled from Chicago to attend the 80th ceremony. Her father Cyril Oscar Sheppard Jr. is now officially one of the 50 former mutineers. Cherry was presented with the ceremonial U.S. flag by the English.

Rev. Diana McDaniel, President of the Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial was one the guest speakers. Her uncle Irvine Lowery was one of the surviving Black sailors who was ordered to collect the remains of the deceased after the explosion. McDaniel told CBM that Lowery was injured in the blast when he was in the barracks but was not aware of it.Other speakers at the event included English, NPS Superintendent K. Lynn Berry, Supervisory Park Ranger, Hilary Grabowska, and Lt. Col. Lauren Cabral, MOTCO Commander of the 834th Transportation Battalion

“I ask that all of you amplify the message so that we can get to many family members that we have not been able to reach to let them know what has occurred,” Del Toro told reporters.

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

At a rally held in front of City Hall on July 22 in San Francisco — where Kamala Harris served as D.A. from 2004 to 2001 before becoming Attorney General of the state — Bay Area elected officials, advocates and other stakeholders gathered to show support for one their own.

“Right now. she needs us more than ever,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed told a cheering crowd of well-wishers.

“We as Democrats, we don’t have time to waste,” Breed leaned in. “We don’t have time to mess around and figure things out. Kamala Harris is the person.”

The event was held one day after President Joe Biden announced his decision to drop out of the 2024 race for President and endorse Harris.

In various cities across California and around the country, Black women are coming together and echoing a similar level of passion to Breed’s as they express their full-hearted support of Harris’ run for the White House.

California State Controller Malia Cohen — a former San Francisco official herself – described the diverse makeup of the Democrats attending the San Francisco rally and called on them to commit to Harris’s winning Donald Trump in November.

“One thing we have on this stage is the united understanding about what we need to do, which is get Harris elected,” Cohen told the crowd.

On July 22, the California Black Women’s Collective PAC (CBWCPAC) wrote an open letter to Vice President Kamala Harris signed by more than 1300 Black women from around California.

“As the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first South Asian woman to hold the office of Vice President, you have not only broken historical barriers. You have also served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless individuals who see themselves reflected in your journey,” the CBWCPAC letter read.

“Madame Vice President, your steadfast dedication to addressing systemic inequities, championing comprehensive healthcare, and advocating for criminal justice reflect the values we need in a leader right now,” it went on.

On June 22, Kellie Todd Griffin, Convener of CBWCPAC, organized a call with over 10,000 Black women from across California. Another 9,932 registered for the call but could not log on because of capacity limits.

“We stand at a crossroads in our nation’s history, where the path we choose will shape the destiny of future generations,” said Todd Griffin.

Vice President Kamala Harris has the vision, the courage, and the unwavering commitment to lead us towards a more equitable and just society that is inclusive of all voices and issues we face today.”

Todd Griffin added that California Black Women are rallying behind Harris “united in our shared vision for a brighter, more inclusive future.”

We know that our greatest strength is the way in which we use our collective power to transform the nation into the perfect union it proclaims to be. Vice President Harris is not just a candidate for the President of the United States; she is a catalyst for the change that is needed now,” Todd Griffin stated.

The night before, an estimated 90,000 Black women and their allies – about 44,000 of them on Zoom and tens of thousands more on other digital platforms – rallied to show their support for Harris.

The historic Zoom call, on which more than $1 million was raised for Harris’s campaign in three hours, was organized by #WinWithBlackWoman, a political advocacy organization that boasts of a diverse network of Black women.

Among the women on the call were U.S. Reps Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30) and Joyce Beatty (D-OH-3); former Democratic National Convention Chair Donna Brazile; the Rev. Berniece King, daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr; D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser; and Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore.

“President Biden’s endorsement of Vice President as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States is a pivotal moment for our country,” said Jotaka Eaddy, founder of #WinWithBlackWomen.

“As we gathered, we expressed our gratitude for the extraordinary work President Biden has done, while we affirmed our individual commitment to stand united in unwavering support of Vice President Kamala Harris as the leader our nation needs.”

Eaddy says she is ready to confront the challenges ahead.

“The Journey to proclaim our democracy and advance our shared values begins now with unwavering determination and unified vision,” Eaddy continued. “Unity among not only Black women, but all Americans is not just vital to the state of our democracy but necessary to propel our nation forward.”

On July 21, California Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed support for Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination at the Party’s convention this August.

Newsom posted on the social media platform X, praising Harris for being, “Tough. Fearless. Tenacious,” through her political career.

“With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President, @KamalaHarris,” Newsom wrote.

Although some Democrats showed interest in an open convention that allows a competitive race between multiple candidates, most delegates have openly expressed support for Harris. Gov. Newsom defended his decision to back Harris and clarified that he has no intention of running for president at the DNC in Chicago. Despite being selected as one of President Joe Biden’s surrogates during the campaign trail, Newsom has shown unwavering support to both Biden and Harris.

California U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA-10) said that Biden’s endorsement “slammed the door” for other Democrats hoping to bid for a presidential candidacy.

“I think we’ve got a terrific opportunity with Harris,” he said.

Sign up To be an Election Volunteer With CBWCPAC.

Support CBWCPAC: Make an online contribution.

By Bo Tefu, Joe W. Bowers Jr. And Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media  

California’s personal income increased by 8.2% in the first quarter of 2024 due to higher wages, salaries, and property income, stated the July report released by the state Department of Finance last week.

The report indicated that California’s real gross domestic product grew by 1.2% in the first quarter of this year. In the past two years, national inflation rates decreased by 6.1%, slowing down inflation to 3% in June 2024.

However, the report showed that the national unemployment rate gradually increased by 4.1%, a total of 162,000 individuals are without formal jobs. However, California’s unemployment rate remained at 5.2% in June this year. The state’s labor force increased by 7,200 people and civilian household employment grew by 17,500 jobs. A majority of the jobs created by the state were driven by trade, transportation, and utilities. Other sectors such as government, private education, health services, and hospitality and leisure added jobs in the past year. However, the manufacturing sector experienced the largest job loss, losing nearly 3,000 jobs in June. Other sectors that suffered great job losses included construction followed by mining and logging.

The state permitted a total of 106,000 housing units in May, a 5.1% increase from last year. The median sale of a single-family home now costs approximately $900,720 in June 2024.

California’s Preliminary General Fund agency cash receipts were $361 million, a little above the forecast for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

“June is an important month for personal and corporate income tax receipts because it contains the due date for second quarter estimated payments,” the report stated.

According to the financial report, personal income tax cash receipts were $145 million in June, remaining slightly above the forecast for the current fiscal year. Annual withholdings, a percentage of an employee’s earnings paid directly to government-mandated collections, decreased by 9.9 %.

The report highlighted that single-month readings are often misleading and inaccurate due to calendar changes that affect the timing of payments and stock-based compensation.

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: [Jeremiah 11:3-14;22-23]. “Tell them that this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Cursed is the one who does not obey the terms of this covenant— the terms I commanded your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the iron-smelting furnace.” I said, “Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God. I warned them again and again, saying, “Obey me.” But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts, returning to the sins of their ancestors, who refused to listen to my words. So, I brought on them all the curses of the covenant. Pestilences, diseases, defeat by the enemy, affliction, disaster upon disaster leaving no survivors. The Point of No Return! So, I admonish you to obey me and do everything I command you or you will be punished as the people of the old if you don’t repent of your disobedience or evil ways [Leviticus 26:14; 1 Chronicles 21:14].

God is clear. He wants us to follow his commands. Paul writes: “All these things happened to them as examples—as object lessons to us to warn us against doing the same things; they were written down so that we could read about them and learn from them in these last days as the world nears its end” [1 Corinthians 10:11]. Because not only will disobedience be dealt with, but the Bible tells us that all the disobedience will finally be cast into hell fire where you will spend eternity if you don’t repent. [Matthew 13:41].

As Joseph Addison Alexander said in his poem, [Hidden Line] “There is a time, we know not when, a point we know not where, that marks the destiny of men to glory or despair. There is a line by us unseen, that crosses every path, the hidden boundary between God’s patience and his wrath. To pass that limit is to die, to die as if by stealth; It does not quench the beaming eye or pale the glow of health. The conscience may be still at ease, the spirits light and gay; That which is pleasing still may please, and care be thrust away. But on that forehead God has set indelibly a mark, unseen by man, for man as yet is blind and in the dark. And yet the doomed man’s path below may bloom as Eden bloomed; He did not, does not, will not know, or feel that he is doomed. He knows, he feels that all is well, and every fear is calmed; He lives, he dies, he wakes in hell, not only doomed, but damned.”

The Point of No Return!

By Bo Tefu, Joe W. Bowers Jr. And Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media  

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) hosted a press conference on July 26 at the Proud Bird Event Center Tuskegee Room near LAX to rally behind Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.

The event brought together election officials, community leaders, faith-based organizations, and notable figures from South Bay Los Angeles County cities.

“This is a pivotal moment in our nation’s history,” Waters declared. “I urge everyone to get involved and help us bring about the change we want to see by supporting a leader who truly represents our values. Kamala Harris is from California, and we need to stand behind her.”

Key supporters spoke at the event:

The Rev. Robert Shaw II and Rev. Ann Champion Shaw from First AME Church Los Angeles (FAME) offered an invocation, praying for Harris’s protection and success.

Antonio Villaraigosa, former Los Angeles Mayor, highlighted the importance of unity. “We need to stand up for women’s reproductive freedoms, immigration reform, and sensible gun control,” he said. “Kamala Harris can bring these changes.”

Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) praised women’s leadership. “If you want something done, ask a woman to do it. Kamala Harris will get it done as our next President of the United States.”

Former State Senator Rod Wright emphasized the stakes. “If you read the platform of Donald Trump, some of y’all might have to learn how to pick cotton again. You might have to learn how to tap dance. We’re talking about the future of your existence in this country. Kamala will be the president. What she will do is protect the future of your children.”

Yvonne Wheeler, president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, emphasized labor support. “We got to get our children registered to vote. They will move us ahead.”

Sweet Alice Harris, a longtime community activist, added her passionate support. “We got to be ready to work hard and make sure Kamala Harris gets to the White House. It’s time for a change, and she’s the one to make it happen.”

The rally showcased California’s unified effort to ensure a strong voter turnout for Kamala Harris, emphasizing the crucial role of voter participation in shaping the nation’s future.

Vice President Kamala Harris: One Voice, One Fight: The Race to the White House

By Angela M. Coggs

This writer was one of the 44K Black Woman on a historical, meeting of the minds that had only one goal and one plan. To ensure current Vice President Kamala Harris obtains a NEW office in the White House. The vast of most of well-known people on the Zoom was remarkable however since everyone was there on their time and not in their official capacity and all attendees were asked not to share who was on the call and not to screenshot and share it on social media. While on the call, attendees were updated throughout the meeting about the number of attendees, money raised for the Harris campaign, and the fact that the Zoom call had gone viral within minutes.

On July 21, 2024, a significant virtual event organized by the Win With Black Women coalition took place. This Zoom meeting gathered an impressive 44,000 African American women and successfully raised $1.3 million in support of Kamala Harris’s campaign efforts. This initiative highlights the substantial mobilization and fundraising capabilities of African American women in political advocacy and their commitment to supporting influential leaders like Kamala Harris.

Win With Black Women is a collective of influential Black women from various sectors, including business, politics, and entertainment, and everyday people dedicated to empowering Black women and amplifying their voices in socio-political spheres.

(https://www.winwithblackwomen.org/) [oai_citation:2,25 Black Women Who Are Changing the World -](https://www.blackenterprise.com/image-gallery-black-women-changing-the-world/).

On July 22, 2024, a notable Zoom meeting was held with 44,000 African American men, organized by the Win With Black Women organization. The event successfully raised $1.5 million in support of Vice President Kamala Harris. The significant turnout and substantial funds raised highlight the strong support Harris enjoys within the African American community. This fundraiser reflects the ongoing efforts to mobilize and unify Black voters ahead of the upcoming elections.

The Black community is a significant voting bloc in U.S. presidential elections, and its influence on the 2024 election will likely be substantial for several reasons:

1. **Democratic Support**: Historically, Black voters have largely supported the Democratic Party. Mobilizing and securing this support is crucial for any Democratic candidate. High turnout among Black voters has been pivotal in recent elections, including the 2020 presidential election and the 2022 midterms.
2. **Swing States**: In key swing states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, the Black vote can be decisive. High Black voter turnout in these states can sway the results in favor of one candidate.
3. **Policy Impact**: Candidates often shape their platforms to address issues important to the Black community, such as criminal justice reform, economic equality, healthcare, and voting rights. The responsiveness of candidates to these concerns can influence voter turnout and preference.
4. **Influential Leaders**: Black political leaders and activists play a crucial role in mobilizing voters, endorsing candidates, and influencing public opinion within the community.
5. **Young Voters**: The younger generation of Black voters is increasingly active and vocal about social justice issues, and their engagement can impact the overall political landscape and voter turnout.

Overall, the engagement and turnout of Black voters will be a key factor in determining the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. She is ready and I’m with her. #onevoiceonefight #winwithblackwomen

San Bernardino has a rich history of early Black pioneering that can be traced back before the county’s official founding in 1853. Perhaps you’ve heard the names Charles Rowan, Lizzy
Flake, Grief Embers, Toby Embers, and Martha Embers. Much less is known about Hannah
(who went by several different surnames, including as Embers and Smiley) than her famous
companion, Biddy Mason. Both Hannah and Biddy were brought to San Bernardino by Mormon slaveholders in 1851. They lived on Jumuba ranch and worked throughout the colony as skilled midwives until they won their freedom in 1856 in Los Angeles. Hannah returned to San Bernardino to live out the rest of her days. Her daughter, Martha, married Israel Beal, who was a prominent Black pioneer in Redlands.

In collaboration with the National Underground Railroad Network for Freedom, the Santa
Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and Hannah’s descendants, we are asking the
greater San Bernardino and Redlands area for help. If you have any information or insights into the history of Hannah, Jumuba Ranch, or early Black San Bernardino, please feel free to
contact us. With your help, we aim to preserve, celebrate and uplift the often overlooked history of Black pioneering in the Inland Empire.

What we are seeking: on Jumuba Ranch and Hannah

• Oral histories
• Family archives
• Newspaper clippings
• Maps
• Sketches
•  Diaries

Contacts
Angela Wilkinson (angela.ingham.wilkinson@gmail.com): direct descendent of Hannah and
Israel Beal

Dr. Kevin Waite (kevin.a.waite@durham.ac.uk): associate professor of history and project
director

Christella Maldonado (christella_maldonado@partner.nps.gov): PhD student and research
specialist in Jumuba Ranch and early San Bernardino

It’s Wash Day, and Zara is not excited about wearing her hair in the same styles Mama usually creates. But once Mama takes Zara on a cultural journey, helping her understand the significance of each hairstyle and how to wear each style with pride, Wash Day will never be the same. For Black women, Wash Day isn’t just a routine — it’s a ritual. From the products we choose to the spaces we create the time we spend caring for our hair connects us to ourselves, our culture, and the people we want to be.

Zara’s Wash Day is by author Zenda Walker, a best-selling, award-winning author, licensed cosmetologist, and marketing executive. She is passionate about beauty education and helping people to discover the magic of textured hair. “Creating a story of joy and celebration was my way of shifting the energy and changing the narrative for Black and Brown children. I wanted to celebrate us and uplift us with our heritage, by way of our ‘hairitage,'” says author Zenda Walker.

With a foreword by Academy award-winning actor and New York Times best-selling Lupita Nyong’o, Zara’s Wash Day is an empowering picture book celebrating traditional Black hairstyles! The book was an instant hit and sold out at the Essence Fest July 2024.

Zara’s Wash Day was illustrated by Princess Karibo, a self-taught illustrator from Nigeria. “I had an amazing experience illustrating ‘Zara’s Wash Day.’ Bringing the story to life through art was a privilege, and I enjoyed every moment of depicting the diverse and beautiful aspects of black hair. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the rich textures and styles of black hair in a visually engaging way” says Princess Karibo.

Know Your Hairitage: Zara’s Wash Day is a semi-biographical story about how the hair texture and cultural styles of people of African descent are linked to a colorful and layered ancestral story. This new and expanded edition of the Writer’s Digest award winner includes a tutorial on creating Fulani-inspired Afro Puffs, and an expanded glossary of terms.

“Every picture of a smiling child that is sent to me, is healing, and encouraging because the message of love, protection, empowerment and knowledge is being received exactly how it was intended.” Zenda says.

“Zara’s Wash Day” is the first book in the Know Your Hairitage Series. Zenda continues the series with in the Fall with “Zion’s Crown“, which tells the story of two young Black boys learning to be proud of their textured hair and will be released on September 10, 2024.

“Know Your Hairitage: Zara’s Wash Day” is sold at https://knowyourhairitage.com/zaras-wash-day-book, and Target.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR

Zenda Walker is a best-selling, award-winning author, licensed cosmetologist, and marketing executive. She is passionate about beauty education and helping people to discover the magic of textured hair. Originally from the Bronx, New York, Zenda enjoys traveling, spontaneous dance parties, exploring and developing beauty trends and chocolate desserts. She is co-founder of Bounce Mobile Fitness Club, LLC.—a fitness business specializing in rebounding workouts. Zenda resides in New York with her daughter, Zara.

Princess Karibo is a self-taught illustrator from Nigeria, West Africa. She enjoys working on traditional art by day and digital art projects by night.