Alpha Phi Alpha and Alpha Kappa Alpha 37th Oratorical Contest

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA— Approximately thirty scholars grades 1st through 12th presented speeches with confidence on “The power of truth; transformative learning experiences in Black History” to an audience of approximately 150 made up of family, friends, and members from the community on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Rancho Cucamonga High School at the 37th annual Oratorical Contest sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Mu Xi Lambda Chapter and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Nu Omega Chapter.

All participants received a certificate of recognition for their participation.

Contest winners below received cash prizes and trophies: 

Elementary School

1st Place (200.00): Xavier Buffong – Savant

2nd Place ($100.00): August Johnson – Perdew Elementary School

3rd Place ($75.00): Langston Buffong – Savant

Middle School

1st Place ($300.00): Lauren Stewart – Sierra Middle School

2nd Place ($200.00): Landon McClain – Santiago Middle School

3rd Place (100.00): Audrey Seraile – Vista Innovation and Design

High School

1st Place ($500.00): Alexis Chambers – Carter High School

2nd Place ($300.00: Isaiah Buffong – Ontario Christian High School

3rd Place (150.00): Rashad Martin – Los Osos High School

Congratulations to all scholars! Stay motivated! “The best is yet to come!”

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

To honor Women in Construction Week, Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles), a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 30 in the State Legislature on March 6. This resolution pays tribute to women and highlights their contributions to the building industry.

The measure designates March 2, 2025, to March 8, 2025, as Women in Construction Week in California. It passed 34-0 on the Senate floor.

“Women play an important role in building our communities, yet they remain vastly underrepresented in the construction industry,” Smallwood-Cuevas stated. “This resolution not only recognizes their incredible contributions but also the need to break barriers — like gender discrimination that continues to block women from pursuing construction careers.”

Authored by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro), another bill, Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 28, also recognized women in the construction industry.

The resolution advanced out of the Assembly Committee on Rules with a 10-0 vote.

The weeklong event coincides with the National Association of Women In Construction (NAWIC) celebration that started in 1998 and has grown and expanded every year since.

NAWIC began in 1953 by a group of women to help create a support network for other women in the industry. Women In Construction Week (WIC) raises awareness about the role women play in the male-dominated profession.

The same week in front of the State Capitol, Smallwood, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Assemblymember Josh Hoover (R-Folsom), and Assemblymember Maggie Krell (D-Sacramento), attended a brunch organized by a local chapter of NAWIC.

Two of the guest speakers were Dr. Giovanna Brasfield, CEO of Los Angeles-based Brasfield and Associates; and Jennifer Todd, who serves as President and Founder of LMS General Contractors.

Todd is the youngest Black woman to receive a California’s Contractors State License Board (A) General Engineering license. An advocate for women of different backgrounds, Todd she said she has been a woman in construction for the last 16 years despite going through some trying times.

A graduate of Arizona State University’s’ Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, in 2009 Todd created an apprenticeship training program, A Greener Tomorrow, designed toward the advancement of unemployed and underemployed people of color.

“I always say, ‘I love an industry that doesn’t love me back,’” Todd said. “Being young, female and minority, I am often in spaces where people don’t look like me, they don’t reflect my values, they don’t reflect my experiences, and I so persevere in spite of it all.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 11.2% of the construction workforce across the country are female. Overall, 87.3% of the female construction workers are White, 35.1% are Latinas, 2.1% are Asians, and 6.5% are Black women, the report reveals.

The National Association of Home Builders reported that as of 2022, the states with the largest number of women working in construction were Texas (137,000), California (135,000) and Florida (119,000). The three states alone represent 30% of all women employed in the industry.

Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) and the California Legislative Women’s Caucus supported Smallwood-Cuevas’ SCR 30 and requested that more energy be poured into bringing awareness to the severe gender gap in the construction field.

“We often talk about the importance of a workforce and workforce development, especially in support of good paying jobs here in the state of California,” Rubio said. “The construction trade are a proven path to a solid career. and we have an ongoing shortage and this is a time for us to do better breaking down the barriers to help the people get into this sector.”

Last week, the Los Angeles Black Workers Center (LABWC) reported that the Black community represents 9% of Los Angeles County’s population and 10% of all new construction apprentices. In 2009, the LABWC started as a project at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Labor Center.

The center’s mission is to expand access to quality jobs, reduce employment discrimination, and enhance companies that employ Black workers through action and unionization.

Black Californians make up only 4.9% of the construction workforce and Black representation on publicly funded projects in the county is much lower, hovering around 3%, the LABWC disclosed.

“Adopting equity provisions in Project Labor Agreements and Community Benefit Agreements are crucial to closing these gaps. Let’s continue to support policies that uplift the next generation of women in the trades,” Smallwood-Cuevas stated.

The California Department of Industrial Relations, and its Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) provided the second round of Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship (ERiCA) grant. It made $13 million available to improve access to training and employment opportunities for women, non-binary, and underserved populations to enter the building and construction trades.

The deadline to apply for the grant was March 12. The first round of the ERiCA grant awarded $25 million for the years 2023-2025. The applicants were from either the DAS Registered Apprenticeship or Pre-Apprenticeship program.

“When it comes to women in construction we’ve have made incredible strides. We see more and more women breaking barriers,” said Kounalakis, whose family owns a high-profile construction and development business. “I believe there is something fundamental in (women’s) psyche, core, you soul that makes you feel differently when you’re involved in building something tangible.

By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

Backed by data, a report released last month details the numerous hurdles Black women in the Golden State must overcome to effectively contribute and succeed in the workplace.

The “Invisible Labor, Visible Struggles: The Intersection of Race, Gender, and Workplace Equity for Black Women in California” report by the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute (CBWCEI), unveiled the findings of a December 2024 survey of 452 employed Black women across the Golden State. Three-fifths of the participants said they experienced racism or discrimination last year and 57% of the unfair treatment was related to incidents at work.

CBWCEI President and CEO Kellie Todd Griffin said Black women have been the backbone of communities, industries, and movements but are still overlooked, underpaid, and undervalued at work.

“The data is clear,” she explained. “Systemic racism and sexism are not just historical injustices. They are active forces shaping the workplace experiences of Black women today. This report is a call to action. it demands intentional polices, corporate accountability, and systemic changes.”

The 16-page study, conducted by the public opinion research and strategic consulting firm EVITARUS, showcases the lived workplace experiences of Black women, many who say they are stuck in the crosshairs of discrimination based on gender and race which hinders their work opportunities, advancements, and aspirations, according to the report’s authors, Todd Griffin and CBWCEI researcher Dr. Sharon Uche.

“We wanted to look at how Black women are experiencing the workplace where there are systematic barriers,” Todd Griffin told the media during a press conference co-hosted by Ethnic Media Services and California Black Media. “This report is focused on the invisible labor struggles of Black women throughout California.”

The aspects of the workplace most important to Black women, according to those surveyed, are salary or wage, benefits, and job security.

However, only 21% of the survey’s respondents felt they had strong chances for career advancement into the executive or senior leadership ranks in California’s job market; 49% felt passed over, excluded from, or marginalized at work; and 48% felt their accomplishments at work were undervalued. Thirty-eight percent said they had been thought of as the stereotypical “angry Black woman” at work, and 42% said workplace racism or discrimination effected their physical or mental health.

“These sentiments play a factor in contributing to a workplace that is unsafe and not equitable for Black women in California,” the report reads.

Most Black women said providing for their families and personal fulfillment motivated them to show up to work daily, while 38% said they were dissatisfied in their current job with salary, supervisors, and work environment being the top sources of their discontent.

When asked if they agree or disagree with a statement about their workplace 58% of Black women said they feel supported at work, while 52% said their contributions are acknowledged. Forty-nine percent said they felt empowered.

The report’s authors used this month’s report to reference another study which highlighted the increasing wage gap between the state’s Black women and White men. Uche said Black women are paid $54,000 annually on average — including Black single mothers, who averaged $50,000 — while White men earn an average of $90,000 each year.

“This is notable because more than half of Black families in California are led by single Black women,” said Uche, who added that the pay gap between Black women and White men isn’t forecasted to close until 2121.

Save A Girl, Save A World President and CEO Glenda Gill said the report shows systemic barriers still exist for Black women.

“This data highlights that we haven’t made much progress moving the needle,” she said. “Knowing that Black women are the fastest growing demographic of employees and entrepreneurs, and they make up 53% of the workforce — this is just really disturbing. The house is on fire. The house is one fire at all levels.”

Gill said policy changes need to happen.

“We can do better together,” she said.

The CBWCEI document submits a number of non-legislative and legislative proposals to create new opportunities for Black women in the workforce, enforce accountability, and expand protections.

One legislative recommendation is requiring annual pay audits disaggregated by race, gender, and job classification for companies with 50 or more employees, with penalties for wage disparities not addressed within two years. Another policy proposal is establishing a state-funded grant program to support Black women entrepreneurs, business owners, and cooperative enterprises, prioritizing industries where Black women face the greatest barriers.

The report suggests creating a state-run economic justice body to study long-term economic disparities Black women face and recommend policy actions on pay equity, employes discrimination, and wealth-building initiatives. Legislation that creates independent third-party review panels for race and gender discrimination claims, which would enhance enforcement mechanisms for workplace discriminate claims, was another submission.

The proposed polices are more than “symbolic gestures and performative DEI efforts,” the study reads. “Black women should not have to work twice as hard to get half as far — the time for bold, intersectional policies that center their economic security, workplace dignity, and leadership opportunities is long overdue.”

Griffin said the proposed solutions have accountability measures built in and they ensure Black women have economic security, jobs with fair wages, and can take care of their families.

“This data gives us the opportunity to make sure Black women in California experience what everyone else experiences in California,” she said. “I don’t know why we wouldn’t be able to achieve that.”

Griffin said California’s Black women are mothers, workers, and employers and to improve their workplace outlooks they must work with people from across the state.

“They still represent all of California,” she said of Black women. “If we improve it for Black women, we improve it for all women. We have to engage others were there is communality around the issues.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Church World Service today expressed its alarm over the Trump administration’s decision to categorically revoke the humanitarian parole status that granted over 530,000 Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (“CHNV”) nationals living in the United States protection from deportation and work authorization. The blanket revocations, which are set to go into effect on April 24, will place hundreds of thousands of people at risk of deportation to unsafe conditions, endanger and separate vulnerable families, and create chaos and uncertainty for communities. Today’s decision will also revoke work authorization for these groups, undermining their ability to be full participants in their communities, support local businesses and the economy, and provide for their families.

“Many Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezeulans joined our communities after fleeing brutal repression and violence imposed by gangs or authoritarian governments. .” said Danilo Zak, Director of Policy at Church World Service. “People impacted by today’s decision came here through a lawfully established program to seek protection through a legal pathway. They have helped local economies grow, they have paid taxes, they have embraced the spirit of their communities. This is nothing more than a betrayal of those who believed in the promise of America, and it undermines the future of all of us.”

Under today’s decision, on April 24 CHNV parolees will receive notices to appear in court and will lose their work authorization, unless they have applied for or received another immigration status, such as asylum, lawful permanent residence, or TPS.

Church World Service continues to call on the White House and Congress to reject policies that will separate families, deport those contributing to our communities, and instead return to the spirit of welcome—a proven national security bulwark—that has long-defined the United States.

For more information or to speak with Zak, contact media@cwsglobal.org.

By Craig J. DeLuz |  Special to California Black Media Partners

When California Democrats recently proclaimed their intention to “Make California Affordable Again,” it echoed a familiar refrain that has been heard time and again in the annals of political promises. However, a deeper examination reveals that this pledge may be more about optics than about sincere economic reform. Even more troubling is the historical context that shows a consistent pattern of policy failures rooted in overregulation and market manipulation — a pattern that risks repeating itself.

The notion of affordability in California has been stifled not by external factors but by the very policies enacted by the state’s leaders. Over the years, we have seen an alarming trend: excessive regulations that stifle job creation and create barriers to entry for housing development, driving up costs at every turn. These regulations have restricted the supply of jobs and housing. The idea that a few tweaks can remedy the situation overlooks the entrenched nature of the problem, which is a product of policies intended to protect certain interests rather than serve the broader population.

Consider the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), enacted in 1970, it aimed to safeguard the environment, yet its implementation has inadvertently morphed into a formidable barrier to affordable housing. Critics argue that it has been subverted by NIMBY factions, who wield the law as a bludgeon to obstruct new developments, particularly in affluent neighborhoods. For instance, a 495-unit housing project in San Francisco, which promised to include affordable options, languished in legal purgatory for years due to CEQA litigation and community pushback. Such protracted delays not only inflate development costs but also constrict the housing supply, exacerbating a crisis that leaves countless individuals and families priced out of the very urban centers they aspire to inhabit. The intended protections against environmental degradation have morphed into a tool of exclusion, revealing the paradox wherein efforts to protect the environment can simultaneously deepen the affordability crisis.

California’s requirement for developers of subsidized or public projects to pay “prevailing wages” serves as a prime example of well-intentioned policies leading to adverse outcomes. These wage mandates, which are frequently higher than market rates, inflate construction costs significantly — up to 40%, according to a 2020 study by the California Center for Jobs and the Economy. As a result, the very goal of creating affordable housing becomes increasingly elusive, with developers confronted by skyrocketing expenses that necessitate additional subsidies and, in many cases, project delays. This paradox highlights a broader truth: sometimes, policies that aim to protect workers can inadvertently hinder the very access to housing that those workers need.

Furthermore, financial giveaways, such as the recent proposal for housing subsidies, are not the panacea they are billed to be. While they may offer temporary relief to some, they do little to address the fundamental issues at play. Such measures have often resulted in inflationary effects that counteract any benefits. Essentially, the state rewards poor policy with more of the same, rather than confronting the underlying causes of the crisis.

Price controls also loom large in this discussion. California has flirted with the idea of implementing rent control measures that, while well-intentioned, have historically led to unintended consequences. Rather than stabilizing the market, price controls tend to deter investment in housing. Landlords, facing limitations on how much they can charge, often opt to sell, convert, or simply neglect their properties, further shrinking the available housing stock. 

The past actions of California Democrats have shown that tinkering around the edges — whether through subsidies, price controls, or draconian regulations — will not yield lasting solutions. The proposed reforms bear a striking resemblance to failed strategies of yore. For example, the $20/hr. fast food minimum wage. It was heralded as a savior for fast food workers, by guaranteeing them a “living wage”. In the end, even SEIU (one of the measures lead proponents) had to admit that the end result was lost jobs, fewer work hours and higher prices.

Until there is a genuine shift towards market-oriented solutions that empower rather than restrict, the promise to “Make California Affordable Again” will remain nothing more than a hollow slogan.

Deceptive slogans hide a reality that is too often ignored: that affordability is intrinsically tied to free market principles. Genuine affordability cannot be achieved through coercive policies; it must arise organically from an environment that encourages growth, competition, and innovation. The road ahead for California is fraught with challenges — but the initial step towards authenticity in addressing the affordability crisis is to acknowledge and rectify the mistakes of the past. Anything less will only serve to perpetuate the cycle of failure.

About the Author

Craig J. DeLuz has almost 30 years of experience in public policy and advocacy. He currently hosts a daily news and commentary show called “The RUNDOWN.” You can follow him on X at @CraigDeLuz.

By Sylvia Ghazarian

Every March, we celebrate Women’s History Month—a time to honor the trailblazers who fought for our rights and recognize how far we have come. But it is also a time to take stock of the battles we’re still fighting, and one of the most urgent is the fight for abortion care.

Abortion access isn’t just about healthcare; it’s about power, equality, and dignity. It’s about recognizing that pregnant people—should have the same autonomy, agency, and opportunities as anyone else. Yet, time and time again, legislation is used as a weapon to strip us of our rights, rendering us invisible in the eyes of those who hold power.

When abortion rights are restricted, the effects ripple far beyond the individual. The economic consequences are devastating. Studies have shown that being denied an abortion drastically increases the likelihood of a person living in poverty. The landmark Turnaway Study found that people who were unable to access an abortion were four times more likely to experience financial insecurity, struggle with housing instability, and be trapped in cycles of domestic violence.

This is not just a coincidence—it’s by design. Anti-abortion legislation is not about “life”; it’s about control. It’s about keeping people, especially women and those who can become pregnant, economically vulnerable and dependent. It’s about ensuring that the structures of power remain unchallenged, forcing people to carry pregnancies they cannot afford while denying them the resources to escape poverty.

The hypocrisy is staggering. Many of the same politicians who push for abortion bans are the ones gutting social safety nets—cutting funding for childcare, slashing paid family leave, refusing to raise the minimum wage, and the list goes on. They claim to care about “life” while making it impossible for parents to provide for their children. This is not pro-life; it is anti-equality.

The United States already has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, and the numbers are even more alarming for Black and Indigenous people, who die at three to four times the rate of their white counterparts during childbirth. When states restrict abortion access, they force more people into dangerous pregnancies, increasing these mortality rates even further.

The recent surge of abortion bans and restrictions has created a healthcare crisis. Patients experiencing pregnancy complications—such as miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies—are being turned away from hospitals or left to suffer until their lives are at imminent risk. Doctors fear prosecution for providing necessary care, and pregnant people are treated as legal liabilities rather than human beings.

In a system where half the population can be denied life-saving medical care, how can we claim to value equality?

Women’s History Month exists because, for centuries, women’s contributions were erased, dismissed, or outright stolen. Today, we see that same erasure in real-time when lawmakers craft policies that disregard the needs and realities of half the population.

Look at how abortion laws are written—by men who will never face the consequences of an unwanted pregnancy, let alone a dangerous one. Look at how reproductive healthcare is treated as an afterthought, even though it is central to economic stability, personal freedom, and public health.

Every time a law is passed that strips away abortion access, it is another message that we do not matter. That our health, our futures, our choices are secondary. That we are expected to sacrifice our bodies and our well-being to maintain a system that was never built for us in the first place.

This isn’t just an attack on reproductive rights; it’s an attack on gender equality itself.

Abortion access is not a fringe issue—it is fundamental to equality. If we want a world where women and pregnant people are not just tolerated but truly valued, we must fight for policies that recognize our full humanity.

That means protecting abortion access at every level—through legislation, through the courts, through elections and through supporting each other. It means funding organizations that help people get the care they need, regardless of where they live – organizations like WRRAP. It means holding politicians accountable and refusing to let them silence us.

Women’s History Month is a reminder that progress is not given—it is won. The right to vote, the right to work, the right to own property, the right to make decisions about our own bodies—none of these rights were freely handed to us. They were fought for, tooth and nail, by those who refused to be invisible.

Now, it is our turn. The battle for abortion justice is the battle for equality itself, and we cannot afford to lose.

Sylvia Ghazarian is Executive Director of the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP), a nonprofit abortion fund that provides urgently needed financial assistance on a national level to those seeking abortion or emergency contraception. She is an active Council member on the California Future of Abortion Council and past Chair of The Commission on the Status of Women.

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media   

A number of California groups, officials and individuals are taking proactive steps to educate immigrants subject to deportation about their legal rights as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids escalate.

One of them is Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), who represents a district encompassing Oakland, Alameda and Emeryville.

“Communities in Assembly District 18 and the entire nation are confronting direct attacks on our fundamental rights as citizens,” said Bonta in a press release. “ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids and presence in our neighborhoods are threatening our safety in the workplace, schools, and places of worship, breaking apart families and disrupting commerce — all while costly federal delays threaten funding for schools, healthcare, and countless other aspects of our lives.”

Bonta listed several immigrant rights resources in her newsletter.

• Know your rights: How to Communicate with ICE Agents. This is a series of videos explaining what to do if ICE officers show up at your door.

• A listing of state, national, and local resources in different languages such as Spanish and Haitian Creole.

• California Rapid Response Networks. This features a listing of hotline numbers that help immigrants.

• A link to the California Department of Justice’s website featuring resources and information for immigrants.

Ethnic Media Services (EMS) also recently hosted a press conference featuring experts who offered advice and tips on how immigrants can grapple with Trump administration immigration policies.

Amanda Alvarado-Ford, deputy directing attorney at the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, was one of the speakers at the news conference.

She said most of her clients are from Latin America, but she has also represented people from Asia and Africa.

Alvarado-Ford said in this climate of anti-immigration raids, it’s important to know that immigrants, whether undocumented or legal, have rights.

She said anybody in this country has the right to be protected from unlawful searches and the right to remain silent. She advised immigrants to exercise both rights.

“One important thing to know is that people in this country for more than two years have a right to a hearing. So, even if they are arrested, they still have to go through a procedure,” said Alvarado-Ford.

She also recommended that immigrants keep documents that prove they’ve been in this country on their cell phones. Also, it’s important to keep information to show that you are going through the immigration procedure such as applying for a visa.

Alvarado-Ford said immigrants must inspect documents if ICE officers show up at their doorstep.

A U.S. district judge must sign an immigration arrest warrant, she said. However, in many cases, they are signed by ICE officers. That doesn’t make it valid.

She recommended never letting ICE officers in the door and asking for them to either shove the documents under the door or show them on the screen door.

“You have the right to inspect the warrant,” said Alvarado-Ford.

She added that if you are arrested, you should demand to speak to an immigration attorney, even if you don’t have one. And mention that you fear being sent back to your country.

Alvardo-Ford advised immigrants to be calm when faced with this kind of situation.

 “Don’t open the door,” she said. “We have to breathe and remember our rights.”

Alvarado-Ford also said immigrants have specific laws they can use if they are faced with an ICE raid at work. ICE is allowed to enter public places at work, but not allowed to enter private areas, such as break rooms.

However, workplaces and homes are not the only place where the government can go after undocumented immigrants.

The Trump administration has also given ICE the green light to target undocumented immigrants in schools. There have been news reports of ICE agents raiding school buses and asking students for documentation.

And that’s where Viridiana Carrizales, comes in. Her organization, Immschools, advocates for undocumented students and parents of undocumented students.

Immigrant parents are aware of ICE’s new directive, said Carrizales, who also spoke at the EMS news conference. And that means many are now wary about sending their children to school.

“It has caused a lot of fear in immigrants,” she said.

According to Carrizales, more than 5 million children have undocumented parents or at least one undocumented parent. And now many of them are contemplating pulling them from school She added that its harmful to the entire community to have that many children removed from the education system.

Carrizales added there are laws that protect both students and parents. One of them is the 1982 Plyler Vs. Doe decision. This law establishes that all children within the United States have the right to an education, no matter their status. It also prevents schools from revealing information about a student’s or their parents’ immigration status.

Another law that protects immigrant students and families is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This law protects students’ educational records.

Because of FERPA, schools can’t release student information unless the family approves it.

During education seminars, Carrizales also tells families ICE agents can’t get this information unless they have a judicial warrant.

“We’re telling families about those laws,” she said.

Carrizales added that even in these tense, anti-immigrant times, it’s essential children of immigrant families get an education. She advises them to stay informed and attentive.

“Be alert, be aware, but bring your kids to school,” she said.

By Ty Jones

Many people take the stand that violence should never be used to combat violence, believing it only breeds more violence, and as some believe, corrupts the moral center of a liberation movement. However, history has endlessly chronicled that the ruling class only wakes up to how they exploit the working class when the threat of violence is on the table. Those who find this idea abhorrent, feel free to sit this one out. For those still with me, as the young folks say—L.F.G!

I would argue that the reaction to the death of the UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson was not joy but the release of years of rage at the policies and ruthless exploitation embedded in our for-profit healthcare system. And rather than just debating whether Luigi Mangione was right or wrong, part of the equation should be: Is his choice the only way?

This is where theatre comes in.

Specifically, I’m speaking to those in the “working class” realm of theatre—those without permanent spaces or endowments but with the ability to engage communities. Imagine if theatre could be a vehicle to challenge the exploitation of the American healthcare system without resorting to violence, yet still have an uncompromising impact on universal healthcare.

How? Young theatermakers, you need an audience. Healthcare in the U.S. affects everyone, across class and political lines. Reach out to your communities—local Facebook groups, neighbors, civic organizations—and ask them to share their healthcare horror stories. Record them. Write them down. Meet with them in person.

Gather 10-12 stories and find a venue to present them. If possible, have actors perform these stories. The people who share them will invite others, ensuring engagement is high. Start small, but be consistent—weekly if possible. Capture videos and photos to spread awareness.

Once momentum builds, invite local politicians. Research their campaign contributions—are they taking money from Big Pharma? If they aren’t, seeing their constituents’ stories may keep them that way. If they are, public accountability will pressure them to reconsider. Storytelling has the power to change minds, policies, and futures. If a politician continues to take Pharma dollars, let them know their constituents (the audience you’ve organically built) will rally to vote them out.

Some theatre practitioners have organized national performance movements, where artists across the country present work on the same day. Imagine a nationwide theatrical event dedicated to a singular conversation about universal healthcare—with thousands of contributors.

Theatre today is often focused on identity and hyper-individualism. However, those individuals all need healthcare too. This is a moment to shift attention outward and serve something bigger—something necessary.

Violence has a place in progress, though it often breeds more violence. History is filled with evidence of what happens when an unarmed minority faces an armed majority. Yet sometimes, when you bring a knife to a knife fight, people may actually lay down their arms in the interest of progress. The pen can be as mighty as the sword, if we dare to wield it for historic change.

Fate vs. free will. The human condition.

For thousands of years, theatre has sparked conversations on community maintenance. It serves as a mirror up to nature, reflecting our hopes, fears, and complexities – including rage. I am persuaded that we can lay down our arms and use language, storytelling, and collective action to spark substantive, lasting legislative change.

Remember, employ patience – it’s the type of marathon where a baton is passed on.  So—L.F.G!

Ty Jones is an OBIE Award and NAACP Award winner and the Producing Artistic Director of the Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH).

New Safety Measure Introduced in Response to recent Student Suicides.

SACRAMENTO, CA— Senator Eloise G?mez Reyes (D-Colton) in partnership with the City of Rancho Cucamonga has introduced legislation to ensure community safety on freeway overpasses in San Bernardino County.

Last year, the Rancho Cucamonga community was shaken by two subsequent suicides that occurred on the Haven Avenue overpass onto the 210 Freeway. Along with urging mental health awareness and prioritizing suicide prevention resources, the city has also been seeking opportunities to work with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to install infrastructure that will ensure similar situations do not occur in the future. SB 800, also known as Highway Emergency Life Protection (H.E.L.P.) The program requires Caltrans to establish a program to install suicide deterrents on 10 freeway overpasses in the County of San Bernardino. These deterrents would include signage, and a physical barrier designed to prevent a person from falling or jumping off the overpass. The program would prioritize deterrents for overpasses with the highest rates of documented suicides.

“Mental health awareness amongst our youth is of incredible importance, and it is just as critical that we have appropriate infrastructure that protects our residents”, said Senator Reyes. “SB 800 creates a program that will bring resources to San Bernardino County for this purpose for areas such as the Haven Avenue overpass. This combined with securing mental health resources will better support our community and its youth.”

“Ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of our community—especially our most vulnerable residents – remains a top priority for the City of Rancho Cucamonga. We are grateful for Senator Reyes’ leadership in advancing SB 800 and for her commitment to addressing this critical issue,” said Rancho Cucamonga Mayor L. Dennis Michael. “We look forward to collaborating with the state to implement meaningful solutions that will protect lives and strengthen mental health resources for our region.”

SB 800 was introduced earlier this year and will be heard by the Senate Transportation Committee.

SELMA, AL — The Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium (Southern Black Girls) proudly announces the appointment of Chanceé Lundy as its new Executive Director. A distinguished environmental engineer, entrepreneur, and social justice advocate, Lundy brings decades of leadership experience to an organization dedicated to empowering Black girls and women across the South.

Founded in 2017, Southern Black Girls channels resources to underfunded Black women-led organizations that empower Black girls and women in 13 Southern states. The consortium has awarded over $10.2 million to more than 220 Black girl and women-led organizations and empowered over 800 girls with microgrants totaling nearly $500,000 since its inception. Lundy’s appointment signals a bold step forward in expanding the organization’s influence, sustainability, and commitment to investing in Black girls and women.

“Chanceé embodies everything our organization stands for – vision, resilience, and a deep commitment to uplifting Black girls and women,” said LaTosha Brown, Visionary Founder. “When I first met Chanceé as a bright-eyed 14 year old, I glimpsed a spark that has since blazed into a powerful force for change. As a founder of Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium, I am profoundly confident she will elevate our vision to extraordinary heights. I’m blessed to call her my mentee, and now, with immense pride, my leader.” Lundy’s relationship with Brown began in 1995 when Brown was working with a youth activism and social justice organization in Selma, Alabama.

For Lundy, leading Southern Black Girls represents a full-circle moment in her journey. Growing up in Selma, Alabama, she directly benefited from the type of community organizations that Southern Black Girls now fund. “I am honored to lead an organization that is transforming the landscape for Black girls and women across the South,” said Lundy. “My own life trajectory was forever changed by community organizations that invested in me as a young Black girl in Selma. These programs gave me access to opportunities, mentorship, the confidence to pursue a career in engineering, and the social consciousness to understand systemic injustices and fight against systems of oppression.”

In 2024, Lundy was invited by the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia to engage with Colombian leaders, activists, youth, and women entrepreneurs to discuss shared challenges around climate change, equity, and economic empowerment. “Whether in the US South or South America, communities of color face similar systemic barriers that demand both grassroots action and institutional support,” Lundy reflected. She has consistently demonstrated her commitment to providing transformative experiences for Black girls and women in the South. She founded Destination Liberation to enhance cross-cultural connections and learning for Black girls through travel in the African Diaspora. She also co-designed Harvard University’s Power, Innovation, and Leadership program to boost Southern women leaders’ effectiveness and penned the anthology “It’s Just High School” to aid girls in navigating adolescence. These initiatives underscore her deep commitment to empowering Black girls and women.

Lundy also brings a wealth of business experience to her new role. She co-owned an engineering and planning firm, Nspiregreen, LLC, for over eleven years before selling it in 2020. She has served as the National Chair of the National Society of Black Engineers and as the National Co-Chair of Black Youth Vote. Her accomplishments have been recognized by Ebony Magazine, which named her one of the “30 Leaders of the Future,” and US Black Engineer, which included her among the “Top 100 Most Important Blacks in Technology” and  she has been recognized with a day in her hometown “Chanceé Lundy Day.”

Lundy holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Alabama A&M University and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Florida State University. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

For more information about the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium, visit www.southernblackgirls.org.

About Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium:

Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium (SBGWC) has been committed to channeling greater resources to underfunded Black women-led organizations across the South. Founded in 2017 by LaTosha Brown, Felecia Lucky, and Alice Eason Jenkins, the Consortium operates in  in 13 southern states, and employs a participatory grantmaking approach that centers Black girls’ voices and experiences while supporting racial justice, education, health and wellness, economic mobility, and leadership development.