By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

On May 6, the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans held its 15th meeting and voted on its final report. The report must be submitted to the California legislature by the end of June.

During the meeting held at Mills College of Northeastern University in Oakland, the nine-member task force finalized its recommendations for compensating Black Californians for state laws, policies and practices that disproportionately and negatively affected African Americans. The final report which will be available to the public is expected to be about 1,000 pages long.

Task force chair and Los Angeles attorney Kamilah Moore closed out the one-day meeting by thanking “the community of eligibility for attending” the meeting and reflecting on the activities that occurred for nearly two years since the group first convened.

“I know it might have been tough in some spots but I just want to say:  stay encouraged. History is repeating itself,” Moore said. “When we think about what Callie House and Isaiah Dickerson went through, it was actually federal agencies U.S. Postal Office and U.S. DOJ (Department of Justice), the US Pension Office that worked to hinder the free people movement for pensions. So, just stay encouraged and know that justice will prevail at the end of the day.”

House and Dickerson were leaders in the National Ex-Slave Mutual Relief, Bounty and Pension Association, the first organization to push for reparations for slavery.

Among the recommendations made by the task force is for the state of California to issue a formal apology from the state of California. The implied admission of guilt should mitigate the harm historically inflicted on the Black community, task force members say.

The report will contain “a non-exhaustive list” that includes “barbarities carried out on behalf of the State by its representative officers, governing bodies, and the people.”

“The Legislature must apologize on behalf of the State of California and the People of California for the perpetration of gross human rights violations and genocide of Africans who were enslaved and their descendants through public apology, requests for forgiveness, censure of state perpetrators, and tributes to victims,” the report states. “But the Task Force does not recommend the Legislature issue an apology without taking other required steps recommended by the Task Force to conform to the international standards for satisfaction; such an apology would be hollow and ineffective.”

The draft states that the apology would address the “atrocities committed by California state actors who promoted, facilitated, enforced, and permitted” under the institution of chattel slavery.” The final draft includes evidence provided by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) of African Americans denied their fundamental liberties and humanity throughout the state’s history, from before the Civil War to the present.

“To be effective, a considerable number of survivors and their relatives must participate in the development of the apology. As occurred with the apology to California tribal communities, the Legislature should establish a program or government body, such as the California American Freedman Affairs Agency, to facilitate listening sessions that allow victims and their relatives to narrate personal experiences and recount specific injustices caused by the state of California,” the task force recommends.

It took eight hours for the task force members to approve numerous recommendations addressing issues such as over policing and mass incarceration in Black communities, health and environmental inequities and discrimination in education, housing, voting, housing, and business opportunities, and others. The report also addresses the inability to create wealth due to inequity and lack of quality jobs.

During the task force’s14th meeting held in Sacramento in March, economists advising the task force presented economic formulas estimating that the reparations owed to Black Californians who are descendants of people enslaved in the United States is likely to total more than $800 billion.

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland-12) addressed the panel during the public comments section of the meeting. She is co-sponsoring the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) bill in Congress.

The first-ever congressional commission examines the effects of slaves, institutional racism, and discrimination against people of color and how history impacts laws and policies today.

“Reparations are not a luxury for our people but a human right long overdue for millions of Americans,” Lee said. “A promise of 40 acres and a mule made to formerly enslaved people over 150 years ago has yet to be fulfilled and it’s critical that the promise that was made to our ancestors is kept. We must repair this damage.”

Oakland City Council member Treva Ried (District 7) and Kevin Jenkins (District 6) were present at the meeting which was attended by more than 150 people at Mills College. This is where the Black Panther Party For for Self Defense (BPP) was born in 1966.

Elaine Brown, a former Black Panther Party leader and Minister of Information, was also in attendance. Last year, she broke ground on an $80 million affordable housing project in West Oakland. The housing project includes 79 units and aims to house formerly incarcerated people, homeless people and unemployed individuals.

“I’m glad to see all these Black people together. I want to see us all get into the streets because you know that you cannot legislate freedom…you are going to have to fight for it,” Brown said to the panel and audience. “You want these people to hear you…you’re going to have to get into the streets (to advocate for reparations).”

The final meeting for the Task Force will be held June 29 in Sacramento. Remarks by task force Members, a Presentation of the Report, closing comments by legislators and other dignitaries will end the two-year charge for the first-of-its-kind reparations commission.

For any questions about the Task Force meeting, contact DOJ at ReparationsTaskforce@doj.ca.govor call (213) 519-0504.

By Tanu Henry and Edward Henderson | California Black Media

On April 27, the Senate Budget Subcommittee #4 held a hearing on the California Film Tax Credit, a $330 million dollar program launched in 2020 to bolster the film industry in the state.

The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) want Black workers in the entertainment industry to benefit from the tax break.

CLBC chair Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) and the caucus’ vice chair State Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood) in a letter to the committee said, “We write to request that the Senate Budget Subcommittee #4 have a robust discussion regarding the diversity requirements for California Film Tax Credit that includes key stakeholders,” CLBC Members wrote in a letter.

“(We) are interested in highlighting the lived experiences of Black workers in the entertainment industry and survey the economic impact the new measure will have on Black and Brown entertainment workers.”

By Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media

Rae Benjamin, a Los Angeles resident and writer for the Netflix series “The Witcher,” is among more than 11,000 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) participating in a strike that has disrupted film and television production.

For almost a week now, writers have been picketing major studios in Los Angeles and New York City, after failing to reach a new contract agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

The writers’ contracts expired on May 1 and negotiations with the Film and Motion Picture Association (FMPA) have not resulted in an agreement.

“For me, streaming residuals are really important,” stated Benjamin, one of the few Black writers in the union.

“Whenever they re-air an episode television writers would get a check based upon that,” she explained. “When network shows were the only options, content was constantly re-aired, and it really rewarded people who worked on a popular show. You could be making money from that show, years and years later, because it’s in syndication.”

Benjamin says the compensation structure is different for streaming companies like Netflix.

“They refuse to release data on how many people actually watch your shows, even though it’s easy to do. Because they’re refusing to do that we could not get accurately paid for our work. We can’t get paid the residuals and streaming that we’re owed,” she said.

In the past decade, streaming platforms, particularly Netflix, have disrupted the traditional cable television model by producing new shows with shorter seasons in an effort to attract new subscribers.

Last week, the AMPTP offered annual salary increases for writers and made other concessions, but the WGA has yet to respond to the proposal.

“When you see what was put on the table, and then you see that the producers negated most things, even proposals such as making sure that we’ll have jobs and not robots take our jobs, and there’s no proposal for that No. counter for that,” said Benjamin. “It’s a little scary to think that, hey, there’s an AI that might be able to write your entire show, and no one seems to be fretted about that at all.”

In a statement, AMPTP acknowledged that the emergence of Artificial Intelligence technology “requires a lot more discussion.”

“AI raises hard, important creative and legal questions for everyone. For example, writers want to be able to use this technology as part of their creative process, without changing how credits are determined, which is complicated given AI material can’t be copyrighted, the statement reads.

WGA’s proposal stipulated, “AI can’t write or rewrite literary material, can’t be used as source material; and MBA (Minimum Basic Agreement) covered material can’t be used to train AI.” AMPTP rejected the offer and countered with an offer of “annual meetings to discuss advancements in technology.”

AMPTP did not make a counteroffer regarding proposals about duration of employment, which the writers say is too short and akin to freelance work.

“On network shows we would typically be employed for a long time, because there were more episodes. It would be 20 to 30 episodes of the show, which means you were employed 40 to 45 weeks out of the year,” said Benjamin. “We would just take a break in between seasons and come back. So being a writer was a very stable career. Now, because of extremely short orders of streaming shows, it’s become more unstable. Worse than that, these companies don’t want to hire people for a reasonable amount of time to complete a show.”

Benjamin says showrunners and show creators cut corners by hiring writers for a short time then build on their work with rewrites and edits.

“The actual writers get a job for two weeks, which is very little pay,” she said. “I think it also disproportionately affects Black creatives, because a lot of times they’ll hire us to do the cheapest amount of labor.”

West Hills-based writer Sid Quashie told the Los Angeles times he made $250,000 for a script he sold to Walt Disney Studios in 2003. Sixteen years later in 2019, when he sold a script to Netflix, he made under $100,000.

In 2007, the WGA went on a 100-day strike that cost the city of Los Angeles an estimated $2.1 billion and countless jobs as all corners of the industry and others adjacent to it were impacted.

Only one week into the 2023 strike, there are already casualties.  Late night shows were canceled abruptly. Daily shows stopped. Productions for all shows are tenuous, with many on pause.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, who have received support from both sides of the dispute, have expressed their concerns and are advocating for a resolution.

Newsom said Tuesday at the Milken Institute Global Conference that the work stoppage “has profound consequences direct and indirect. Every single one of us will be impacted by this, and we’re very concerned about what is going on because both sides are dug in. The stakes are high.”

“Los Angeles relies on a strong entertainment industry that is the envy of the world while putting Angelenos to work in good middle class jobs. I encourage all sides to come together around an agreement that protects our signature industry and the families it supports,” Mayor Bass said.

In the short term, streaming platforms with more scripts banked may have an advantage, as they can continue their productions. Daily and weekly cable shows are at the greatest risk. During the last writer strikes, the producers turned to unscripted content, leading the creation of the reality show Cops and even The Celebrity Apprentice.

The Directors Guild and Screen Actors Guild are also in negotiations, with contracts set to expire at the end of June.

By Lou K Coleman

Then suddenly, after all the warnings, a day will dawn that will start like any other day, but before that day is over, you will be face to face with God. Are you ready for that day? For, in one day, in one hour, God’s judgment will fall. [Revelation 18:8, 10, 17, 19].

For many people this will be the saddest day ever because they did not prepare themselves for this day. They did not repent, were not baptized, and did not accept Jesus as their personal savior. They will be likened to the “Five Foolish Virgins” of [Matthew 25:1-10] that failed to prepare their lamps before the Bridegroom came and missed out on the wedding feast. What Tragedy! The smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever. And they have no rest day nor night. [Revelation 14:11].

Listen, as God through Pilate gave Israel one last chance before consigning the nation to perpetual judgment. [John 19:8-16] He is giving you one last chance to repent.  The parable’s lesson in [Luke chapter 13] is that mercy and grace are available to all who will come to Christ IN TIME. Because eventually time runs out. [Hebrews 9:27]. This message is an urgent call for you to use the second chance wisely.

Understand that it is only the forbearance of God that stands between you and eternal damnation. You are living on borrowed time. Opportunity to repent does not last forever. For He said to the vineyard-keeper, “Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! [Luke 13:7].

I want you to know that in life there are windows of opportunity. Once those windows close, opportunities are gone.  God’s patience won’t last forever.  The window is closing. The opportunity is passing. Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, the unrighteous man his thought, let him return to the Lord and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” [Isaiah 55:6-7].

Consider today with some urgency your eternal life. Tomorrow is not promised. Learn the lesson of the Ten Virgins [Matthew 25:1]. The Foolish were not in the bridal procession and they hadn’t been in the closed-door celebration. Why will you die? Repent and live! Give, your life to Jesus NOW! Don’t delay! For I declares says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of anyone. [Ezekiel 18:30].

I tell you; your whole life is about to change. Get under the Almighty wings for cover. For NOW, is the Appointed Time. NOW is the Day of Salvation! [2 Corinthians 6:2]. Do not wait! Do not postpone the matter any longer! “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found; call ye upon Him while He is near” [Isaiah 55:6].

Repent and Live! The clock is ticking down from God’s Two-Minute Warning and the window to change is closing. Don’t be another Belshazzar who waited until it was too late! Only if he’d repented, God probably would have spared his life. God spared the King of Nineveh, which had 40 days till destruction; God spared King Manasseh who had done the most terrible things of anyone in the Old Testament! But Belshazzar went on in arrogance with his charade and died that night. [Daniel 5:1-30]. Don’t you do it! Repent and live! For the judgment of God is serious business.

We’ve Been Warned! – 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2…!

By Tanu Henry and Edward Henderson | California Black Media

California college freshmen and high school seniors have less than a week to apply for the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) scholarship. The deadline is May 15 at midnight.

According to the CLBC, the scholarship, named after Frederick Roberts – California’s first Black lawmaker — was “established to assist deserving students by offering financial assistance to help meet educational expenses.”

Get more details and apply at https://cablackcaucus.org/scholarship.

Sponsored by Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California Riverside African American Historical Society Fair Housing Council of Inland Empire. A huge congratulations to the following women:

Felicia Alexander, Cheylynda Bernard, Gaye Caroline, Lois Carson, Amina Carter, Shirley Coates, Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry, Dr. Debora Deas, Dr. Leita Harris, Dr. Janet Hill, Dr. Margaret Hill, Renee Hill, Sylvia Jackson, Lynne B. Kennedy, Sharron Lewis, Dr. Angelina Martin, Deborah McDuff Williams, Holly Mitchell, Dr. Carolyn Murray, Dr. Regina Patton-Stell, Dr. Gwen Rogers, Janice Rooths, Cherie Russell, Dr. Hazel Russell, Harriette Stuckey, Pastor Karen Sykes, Mildred Tyler, Mary Welch, Dr. Niedha Welch, Dr. Judy White, and Eliza Woolford-Daniely.

By Tanu Henry and Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Last week was Black Health Advocacy Week and Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber delivered the keynote speech at the California Black Health Network’s (CBHN) 40th anniversary celebration in Sacramento.

“When you talk about health issues and the challenge of health, we are a large portion of that issue. So, it becomes important that we raise our voice and don’t just be quiet when these things happen because they have impact on the future,” said Weber at the event.

CBHN is an organization that is dedicated to “advancing health equity for Black and Brown communities” in California.

Last month, Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) introduced Assembly Resolution (ACR) 53 to establish last week as Black Health Advocacy week.

“This measure would recognize May 1, 2023, to May 5, 2023, inclusive, and every first week of May thereafter, as Black Health Equity Advocacy Week, and commend the California Black Health Network and other organizations throughout the state for their efforts to improve the health, well-being, and life expectancy of Black Californians,” the resolution language reads.

ONTARIO, CA— – Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement (CEEM) returns to LA County Fair this year for its 4th annual Black Excellence Weekend May 20 – 21. Grammy-nominated artist MAJOR will headline along with a solid lineup of Hip Hop, R&B, Jazz, and Gospel artists. From the taste of local black-owned food vendors, live performances, CEEM’s second annual Pitch Competitions, and panel discussions with surprise guests to a riveting National Black graduation soirée, CEEM’s Black Excellence Weekend will celebrate and honor the past, present, and future of Black culture.

CEEM’s two-day affair has become an anticipated local tradition, bringing together African American communities. Owned by a collective of members, CEEM is a cooperative economic engine that empowers people to move.  This collective movement creates access to knowledge, wealth, and power, allowing the Black community to prosper, to achieve what CEEM calls prosparity.

CEEM will bring out some of Southern California’s top Black-owned brands and organizations such as That’s A Awful Lot Of Cough Syrup, Snoop Dogg’s Snoop Youth Football League and Special Stars, the National Black Grads (NBG), and more.

Saturday’s lineup includes Nakkia Gold, freestyle artist Ray Wimley, to name a few. 102.3 KJLH Radio personality Aundrae Russell will broadcast live from the fairgrounds creating an unforgettable experience for all fairgoers to enjoy.

“Fairplex is proud to collaborate with CEEM as it champions its mission of prosperity for our Black community. CEEM’s Black Excellence Weekend has created the space to expand both of our horizons to new opportunities,” says Walter Marquez, president and CEO of Fairplex.

“I’m always excited when we get to partner in the community, but I really love the LA County Fair partnership because it truly represents CEEM; creating value, building relationships and showcasing the African-American community in a really fun way,” states interim CEO Kiana Webb. “I enjoy being a steward in a legacy that is looking for new ways to understand parity; it’s an economic movement, an empowering movement, and a cooperative movement.”

Key highlights:

Black-Owned Food Vendor Tasting Experience – May 20 – 21

CEEM will amplify the culinary experience at the fair this year by bringing together Black-owned food vendors and businesses known throughout the county such as such as Billionaire Burgers Boyz, D Lo’s Kitchen, All flavor No Grease, and etc.

Black Graduation Night – Sunday, May, 21

In partnership with National Black Grads (NBG), CEEM will bus over 700+ Black graduate students to the fair for an evening celebration consisting of a fashion show, featuring local high school graduates, live performances, prizes, and other fun activities for Black students and families to enjoy!

CEEM Pitch Competition  – Saturday, May 20

CEEM is excited to announce its annual pitch competition at the LA County Fair! This year, we’re offering $5,000 and a Start-Up Business Service Kit to the winner with the best business idea.

CLICK HERE to see the full schedule! For more information about CEEM, visit www.ceem.coop. 

• To purchase your tickets with CEEM, CLICK HEREand enter the discount code CEEM2023z
• Need media passes and/or interested in covering the event? Please contact our PR rep Cathy J. Hood at cathy@pristineinitiative.com. 

Follow @CEEM on social media:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceemcoop/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CEEMCoop

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors presents a Proclamation to The San Bernardino Salvation Army‘s Major Isais Braga In recognition of National Salvation Army Week.

In 2022 The Salvation Army helped 23,218 people, 22,268 households, served 105,981 meals, gave groceries to 10,318 households, and provided educational and recreational programs for 1,612 children. The Hospitality House provided 31,534 nights of shelter to families and children experiencing homelessness.

PERRIS, CA— On Saturday, April 29th Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson invited the next Speaker of the California State Assembly Robert Rivas to tour the 60th Assembly District to learn more about the region’s affordable housing projects, economic development, and community. The visit was an important opportunity to engage with the local community and hear firsthand the challenges they face. The tour encompassed three key locations: The Courtyards at Cottonwood in Moreno Valley, the Elected Officials Brunch, and Downtown Perris. This was a chance for the Speaker-Designate to gain a deeper understanding of the issues affecting the region and work towards creating a better future for all.

“Ensuring that every Californian has access to housing is one of our state’s major challenges, and it will take every level of government to help tackle our housing crisis,” said Assembly Speaker-Designate Robert Rivas. “Moreno Valley and Perris are rising to the occasion to bolster housing opportunities, and I want to thank Assemblymember Jackson for his work on this issue and for organizing this tour.”

The tour began in Downtown Perris, a hub for economic development in the area. They learned about the city’s efforts to make Downtown Perris a destination, and the economic development projects that are underway to create more job opportunities for the local community.

Mayor Michael Vargas of Perris expressed his gratitude for the Speaker-Designate’s visit, saying, “We are thrilled to have Speaker-Designate Robert Rivas join us in Perris to learn about our rich history, affordable housing projects, and economic development. His visit underscores the importance of community engagement in building a better future.”

The second stop on the tour was the Elected Officials Brunch, which provided an opportunity for elected community members to meet with the Speaker-Designate and discuss issues facing the area. This was a great opportunity for the Speaker-Designate to connect with the local community and hear firsthand the challenges they face.

The last stop on the tour was, the Courtyards at Cottonwood, an 81-unit gated community developed by The Rancho Belago Developers, Inc. The community features 60 units set aside for lower-income families, and 20 units reserved for lower-income seniors. This project is a shining example of what can be achieved when developers prioritize affordable housing for underprivileged communities.

“I was honored Speaker Designate Rivas was able to see firsthand the incredible work Moreno Valley is doing in regard to economic development, cultural heritage, and inclusive housing,” said Mayor Cabrera. “His visit highlights the importance of investing in our communities to create a better future for all. I want to thank Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson for organizing and attending this tour.”

Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson expressed his appreciation for the Speaker-Designate’s visit, saying, “As a representative of the 60th Assembly District in the Inland Empire, it’s important to me that we bring leaders from around the state to gain a deeper understanding of the issues facing our community. This tour, which included stops at the Courtyards at Cottonwood, the Elected Officials Brunch, and Downtown Perris, was an excellent opportunity to showcase our region’s community and highlight the progress we’ve made in creating affordable housing and promoting economic development. I’m grateful to Speaker-Designate Robert Rivas for taking the time to visit our district and for his commitment to addressing the challenges we face.”

The tour provided a great opportunity for the Speaker-Designate to learn more about the housing, economic development, and the region. By engaging with the local community and learning from their experiences, the Speaker-Designate can better understand the challenges they face and work towards creating a better future for all.

During the tour Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson was joined by Majority Leader Eloise Reyes and Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes.