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BLOOMINGTON, CA—- In a collaborative effort, Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. announced a series of significant enhancements to Kessler Park as part of its ongoing Revitalization Project. Among the upgrades is the much-anticipated addition of WiFi connectivity.

“We are making impactful strides in our park – from the enhanced snack bar to support our local little league families, to the new WiFi connection ensuring every Bloomington resident has access to the internet,” Baca, Jr. shared. “It’s a step towards creating a more connected community.”

When funds from the American Rescue Plan Act became available, Baca, Jr. strongly advocated for utilizing these resources to integrate WiFi across county parks. “This development is a milestone Bloomington can truly take pride in,” he added.

Tony Carrasco, Vice President of the Bloomington Little League, echoed the sentiment during his speech, “I want to thank the support and effort that is put into this community. I’ve been here coaching for 10 years, and as a dad and as a coach, I’m really excited to see the changes that are going on in this community and the commitment that Joe Baca, Jr. and the county have made to this park.”

By Spring 2024, residents and visitors will be welcomed into a refreshed park setting. This includes a 1,383-square-foot layout, decorative shade improvements, modern restrooms, a refurbished snack bar, and state-of-the-art, vandalism-resistant exterior lighting.

“We’re all working hand-in-hand to create a space where Bloomington can come together and connect,” Baca, Jr. mentioned. “I’m thankful for the county teams, partners, and especially the community members for their input and dedication.”

Operated by the Bloomington Recreation and Park District, Kessler Park exemplifies San Bernardino County’s dedication to community pride and well-being.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, organized a virtual roundtable discussion titled “Education to End Hate: Countering Antisemitism” that brought together about 350 attendees, including elected officials and faith leaders, according to the Department of Education (CDE). The aim of the discussion, which was held Aug. 23, was to address the role of education in combating the recent increase in antisemitism.

Steve Zimmer, Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction, moderated the discussion and cited statistics on the increase of antisemitism and hate crimes in California.

Antisemitism and other hate crimes have surged in California, rising by more than 20% last year. The main targets were Black, LGBTQ+, and Jewish people. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported that antisemitic hate crimes had increased by over 40% between 2021 and 2022, especially in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Kern counties.

Thurmond is involved in initiatives related to Holocaust and genocide education, and he aims to utilize education to reduce acts of hate. He is co-chair of the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education along with Dr. Anita Friedman, Executive Director of Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties, Sen. Henry Stern (D-Calabasas), and Attorney General Rob Bonta. He has also partnered with the National Equity Project to help implement the $20 million Antibias Education Grant Program to empower educators and students in addressing hate, bigotry, and racism.

“I have pledged that the CDE will intervene whenever we learn about an antisemitic act or other forms of hate at a California public school. We will work side-by-side with school and district leaders to ensure that teachers have the resources and partnerships needed to address both the immediate crisis and the long-term educational implications. My priority is to empower educators and students to confront the hate, bigotry, and racism rising against several communities in the state and nation,” said Thurmond.

Thurmond initiated the “Education to End Hate” series to tackle hate and racism through education. The next event in the series is scheduled to take place on Sept. 12, 2023.

Several members of the Jewish Legislative Caucus, Senators Stern, Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), and Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) and Assemblymembers Laura Friedman (D-Burbank) and Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), gave opening remarks for the roundtable.

The caucus members thanked Thurmond for his leadership and partnership and emphasized the importance of educating students about the history and impact of antisemitism and other forms of bigotry. They also urged schools to adopt the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum, which includes a unit on Jewish American studies, to foster understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and identities.

“It is no secret if you are Jewish or if you have Jewish friends or interact with Jewish students or folks in the community, the tremendous levels of anxiety that our community is feeling at this moment [is} really unprecedented for my lifetime,” caucus co-chair Gabriel said.

Following the remarks from the Jewish legislators, a panel of Jewish community leaders presented different perspectives on the issue of antisemitism. On the panel were Rabbi Meyer May, Executive Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museums of Tolerance; Dr. Friedman; and Sarah Levin, Executive Director of Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa (JIMENA).

The panel members discussed the rich history and multifaceted elements of Jewish identity, the rise in antisemitism across the political spectrum, the intersectionality of antisemitism with other forms of oppression, and the specific ways that education can play a role in countering antisemitism throughout the state. They also identified important resources that teachers can use to address antisemitism and all forms of hate.

Rabbi May said that being Jewish means caring for the community and treating others with dignity: “Judaism for me is an all-encompassing experience. … I have an equal responsibility every day to treat my fellow persons with human dignity. That should be the core value for every human being: that we treat others with human dignity and understand that everyone has the same basic needs, that they want to support their families, have joy, and pride in their families and perpetuate their culture.”

Friedman said that antisemitism affects not only Jews but American society, more broadly. She warned that it is a sign of something wrong that needs to be fixed.

“It’s a signal, like the canary in the coal mine, that something is not right and needs to be fixed,” Friedman said.

The state’s ethnic studies curriculum, which faced strong backlash when it was first released in 2019, was a recurring topic during the discussion.

Wiener said the first draft of the state’s ethnic studies curriculum, had “despicable” and “straight-up antisemitic” language. He said Jewish groups lobbied to change the final version, but some districts are being pressed to use the old draft, which is illegal. He also said some authors responsible for antisemitic language in the curriculum are shopping their services as “liberated ethnic studies”.

In response to Wiener’s concern, Thurmond said he had sent many letters to districts reminding them of the legal limits of ethnic studies, which should not be antisemitic or use any unapproved version of the curriculum. He also urged anyone who witnessed antisemitism in schools to contact his office.

“We’d like to get that phone call,” Thurmond said.

A full recording of the webinar can be viewed on the CDE Facebook page.

“This article was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.”

BLOOMINGTON, CA—- “I am pleased to present Colton Joint Unified School District a check for $500,000,” Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. stated. The funding from the County of San Bernardino will be used to put up safety netting at Bloomington High School’s Baseball Field. This netting will help keep baseballs from accidentally landing in neighbors’ yards.

“We have the opportunity to improve facilities for the district, ensuring not just enhanced sports amenities but also resolving the longstanding challenges faced by our residents,” remarked Supervisor Baca, Jr. “I strongly believe in investing in our kids and our community. It’s about ensuring their safety and amplifying the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship.”

In response to this generous contribution, the BHS Bruins baseball team took to Instagram, expressing their gratitude: “Thank you Supervisor Baca for your generosity and continued support of our program. We appreciate you so much for prioritizing the safety of our athletes.”

This significant investment aligns with Supervisor Baca, Jr.’s commitment to enhance community recreational resources while ensuring a safe environment for athletes and the Bloomington community.

By Antonio Ray Harvey| California BlackMedia

The Ethnic Media Conference Awards and Expo took place at the Kimpton-Sawyer Hotel in downtown Sacramento on August 31. The event celebrated the work of journalists, podcasters, photojournalists, and investigative reporters whose contributions have been published by media outlets serving ethnic audiences across California.

The awards ceremony, sponsored by Ethnic Media Services and California Black Media, recognized winners selected from over 300 entries republished between January 1 and December 31, 2022.

“We had more awards, we had more submissions than ever, and we had judges saying this was the best we’ve ever seen. “Now, that is against the odds of remarkable,” said Sandy Close, Ethnic Media Services (EMS) Executive Director.

In all, 26 writers, communications specialists, educators, playwrights, and publishers from across the state served as the judges. The award categories were: Breaking news, commentaries, explanatory analyses, feature reports, and photography.

The Ethnic Media Conference Awards and Expo was a full day event attended by over 300 journalists, publishers, elected officials, business leaders, and others.

Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber and U.S. Census Director Robert L. Santos opened the conference with messages that underscored the importance and power of ethnic media in California.

“California is the most diverse state in this nation, and it’s reflected in this room,” said Weber. “It’s reflected in our relationships with each other, and it’s reflected in our values. We will always celebrate that.”

California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) Chair Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) and CLBC’s vice chair, Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) made appearances at the event. State Controller Malia Cohen was the guest speaker at the awards ceremony and Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin participated in a plenary session.

Three plenary sessions were held. The breakout meetings were designed to discuss pressing statewide issues and how to develop public awareness campaigns that resonate with and engage all communities.

Rick L. Callender, the President of the California/Hawaii NAACP State Conference, spoke on behalf of Community- Based Organizations (CBOs) about how ethnic media covers issues that the mainstream media often overlook.

“If we cannot rely on the ethnic media and the Black press to do exactly what they are doing, to continue to report on what’s going on out there, or if we cannot partner with the ethnic media in the ways that we have; we won’t have anyone telling our stories. We need a strong, funded ethnic media,” Callender said.

“I know when I was listening to the folks from the state, we talked about the $90 million that was put into the community. Well, that’s excellent but I need to make sure that these dollars are getting to our ethnic media,” Callender added.

The final session before the presentation of awards was a Reporters Roundtable. A diverse group of journalists discussed the challenges of breaking the silence around community taboos and other sensitive issues that sometimes are left uncovered.

Ethnic media outlets are designed to cater to audiences defined by characteristics such as race, ethnic origin, religious affiliation, or gender identity.

Pan-ethnic media outlets target multiple ethnic audiences (such as pan-Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, pan African diaspora, pan-immigrant, pan people-of-color, pan LGBTQ+).

Integrated into the Ethnic Media Conference Awards and Expo was the Stop the Hate Campaign (STH). This campaign facilitates cooperation between leaders of community-based organizations and ethnic media to address inter-ethnic tensions and help communities heal from hate.

Authorized by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), the STH program provides funding to qualified nonprofit organizations. These organizations offer support and services to victims and survivors of hate incidents and hate crimes, as well as their families. The program also promotes crime prevention measures.

The sponsors of the Ethnic Media Conference Awards and Expo were: Pacific Gas and Electric; BMO; SoCalGas; the California Wellness Foundation; the California Newspapers Publishers Association; Stop the Hate, Spread the Love; and Blue Shield California Foundation.

“Every time we come together like this, representing Black- owned and other Ethnic-owned media in California, we display the power we have to effect change in our communities and in our state government,” said Regina Wilson, Executive Director, California Black Media.

“The work we do in our communities is based on trust we have earned, commitment we have shown and relationships we have built over decades,” Wilson said. “Organizations can’t just show up, slap an ‘ethnic’ name on a media company and claim that they are serving our state’s diverse communities.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- A memorial tribute to Dr. Robert L. Fairley will be hosted at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 1575 W. 17th Street, San Bernardino, CA on Saturday, September 9 at 10 a.m.

Dr. Micheal Andrew Owens, current pastor at New Hope and congregation will salute Dr. Fairley Pastor Emeritus’s legacy. The legendary, Inland Empire’s Dr. Robert L. Fairley served at New Hope for a total of 23 years until his retirement. The wisest, kindest, most caring community leader a congregation could ask for has passed on. A preacher, teacher, par excellent, received his crown of glory.

Dr. Fairley’s beloved family members, First Lady Mary Fairley, daughter Lori Fairley-Green, will visit and Pastor Fred Fairley’s eldest son will be the guest speaker.

Acknowledgments and well wishes for the family can be sent to New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Please contact New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Community Liaison, Beverly Jones Wright, for further details at (909) 887-2526 or (909) 434-6583.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— September is International Underground Railroad Month. When Harriett Tubman was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, there was no such thing as a hate crime; it was a crime to ‘not hate’!  The hate-habit is real and so is the effort to break it. This broadcast focuses on recognizing and reporting hate. To listen to and watch the broadcast, please visit out Facebook page.

By Gina Browne, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Educational Services and Support, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office

SACRAMENTO, CA—This time of year when the fall semester is beginning, I often hear students and parents say, “It’s too late to enroll in college and get the money I need to pay for tuition, books, supplies, and living expenses.” But it’s not too late.

Students can still enroll now for the fall semester at one of the 116 California community colleges, and they still have time to apply for financial aid to help cover their costs for the 2023-24 academic year.

Due to the typical Cal Grant September 2 deadline falling on a Saturday during the Labor Day holiday weekend, the deadline to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for students attending a California community college has been extended to Tuesday, September 5. This extension ensures that students have time to apply for the Cal Grant Community College Entitlement Award, which offers funds that do not have to be paid back.

More students are getting the message and taking advantage of the financial aid available to them. As of August 27, 2023, the California Student Aid Commission has seen an increase of 4.6% in completions of the FAFSA compared to the same time last year. Still, too often students disqualify themselves from financial aid before they have a chance to benefit, leaving millions of dollars in financial aid unused every year. That’s why we must urge everyone considering attending a community college to submit their FAFSA and CADAA applications by September 5. Financial aid is for all students, especially students from historically underrepresented populations, who may not know these funds are available to help them to go to college and achieve their higher educational goals.

It’s important to note that by completing the FAFSA or CADAA by the deadline, students can qualify to receive the most financial aid possible. What’s more, students awarded a Cal Grant may transfer their remaining eligibility to a University of California (UC) or a California State University (CSU) upon transfer from a community college.

Having the money to pay for college is a major determining factor in whether individuals pursue higher education. Not only is there still time to apply for financial aid for this school year, but help is available. Students can get directly connected to their local financial aid office to get one-on-one assistance with completing their financial aid form. The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office encourages interested students to visit icangotocollege.com to enroll, find links to the financial aid forms, and use the college locator tool to get contact information for their local financial aid office.

For more information about financial aid including special scholarships and to enroll today visit icangotocollege.com.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Edward Henderson | California Black Media

California lawmakers are scrambling to find ways to alleviate the housing crisis occurring in the state. Programs and subsidies are in constant development; however, under an obscure tax rule called possessory interest, individuals may be responsible for getting hit with an unexpected tax bill as a result.

In a move to aid the middle class, government agencies (known as joint power authorities) are buying luxury buildings and lowering rent for possible tenants. The discount is possible because these agencies do not need to pay property taxes. Instead of pocketing the extra cash, programs are being implemented to place middle income workers like police officers, teachers and construction workers in these buildings at a discounted rent price.

But, under the tax rule, tenants may need to pay some of the lost revenue in individual tax bills upwards of $1,000 a year. The rule states that if a government owned property leases to a private entity, then that entity can have a “possessory” interest that must be taxed.

Joint Power Authorities involved in these programs do not want to tax tenants. However, unless the Legislature gets involved, they are afraid they will have to abide by the rule. If taxes go unpaid, residents could face liens that would make it more difficult to quality for mortgages and other loans.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Edward Henderson | California Black Media

The 20th Annual Gardena Jazz Festival, one of the largest events for the city, took place at Rowley Memorial Park in Gardena on Sunday, August 27.

Sen. Bradford (D-Gardena) founded the Gardena Jazz Festival in 2003 and serves as Chair of the Gardena Jazz Festival Committee, which is responsible for putting this event together.

According to Bradford, “This festival began as a free event at a time when the city was struggling financially. As the city faced difficult cuts, the Gardena Jazz Festival signaled new hope. The festival brought Gardena together to enjoy great music and celebrate community pride; all at no cost to the city. Over the years, more than 100,000 people have attended.”

This year, about 7,500 people enjoyed the performances of Boney James, Damien Escobar, Family Stone Band, Brandee Younger, Ragan Whiteside, and The Fernando Pullum Community Arts Band.

On site, there were vendors selling a range of items, including food, clothing, hats, jewelry, and skin care products.

Joining the jazz lovers and local community members at the popular festival were Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and U.S Congress women representing the Los Angeles area, Maxine Waters and Sydney Kamlager.

By Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media

There is a growing body of evidence that disparities in medical treatment in the United States — compounded over centuries by the legacy of slavery, Jim Crow segregation and prevalence of anti-Black biases — have adversely affected the health of Black women in numerous ways, including the birthing process.

In June, the tragic and high-profile death of Olympic Gold Medalist and sprinter Tori Bowie during childbirth brought more national attention to the crisis of Black maternal mortality in the United States.

Aware of the discrepancies in treatment as compared to women of other races and terrified by the potential mental health ramifications of those disparities – which can lead to greater fear and anxiety about pregnancy and childbirth — some Black women are seeking alternatives to hospital births.

Black women die at nearly twice the rate of White Women during labor, according to data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

In July, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the federal government has launched a civil rights investigation into the treatment of Black expectant mothers at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

“Maternal health is a priority for the Biden-Harris Administration and one in which the HHS Office for Civil Rights is working on around the country to ensure equity and equality,” read an emailed statement from HHS to several news outlets.

The federal investigation comes seven years after the 2016 death of a Black woman, Kira Dixon Johnson, who died from internal bleeding following a cesarean section at Cedars Sinai.

Dr. Melissa Frank, Director of the Division of Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, stated that she has “lived the disparity” associated with maternal healthcare.

During the delivery of her second daughter, Dr. Franklin says she could tell something was wrong and expressed to hospital staff, “I feel like I’m dying,” but her concerns were largely dismissed.

When the hospital staff finally checked on her, they discovered that her blood pressure was dangerously low to which she responded, “I told y’all!”

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, Black women in the U. S. were more than twice as likely as White women to die due to complications related to maternity and the birthing process, according to the CDC.

In California, the risk of death due to pregnancy complications is four to six times higher for Black mothers than any other ethnic group, according to data from the California Health Care Foundation.

Research has indicated that maternal mental health conditions, including prenatal and postpartum anxiety and depression, are the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth.

According to the American Hospital Association Institute for Diversity and Health Equity, 12.5% of birthing people will suffer from postpartum depression. However, Black women are about 1.6 times more likely to deal with its effects than White women.  

Hiring a doula is one solution Black women are using to help address some of the mental health issues associated with the birthing process. A 2013 study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that mothers who received support from a doula during childbirth were two times less likely to experience complications.

A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional and physical support to pregnant individuals during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Doulas are not medical professionals and do not deliver babies or provide medical care. Instead, they offer support in the form of physical comfort, emotional well-being, information, and advocacy.

According to another study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, doula-assisted mothers were 57.5% less likely to suffer from postpartum depression or anxiety. This confirms that having the support of a doula during the birthing process can have a significant positive impact on the mental health of mothers.

The long history of discriminatory care towards Black women in the healthcare system has resulted in another mental health issue: generational trauma.

“When we speak about Black maternal health, we cannot ignore the fact that the foundation of medicine in this country and many of its early principles were deeply rooted in racism,” said Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist, and founder and past director of the Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Division at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego.

“Some of the earliest examples of experimental research relied on these racist concepts. The pain of black individuals was not only ignored but assumed to not be experienced to the same degree as White individuals.”

Franklin emphasized the importance of culturally competent care for the mental health of Black mothers.

“The support of doulas as alternative birthing spaces gives Black women the opportunity, the choice of giving birth in a way that’s culturally affirming,” said Franklin. This highlights the significance of providing care that is sensitive to the cultural needs and experiences of Black women during the birthing process.

Franklin also pointed out that doulas alone cannot bear the burden of an unfair healthcare system.  She emphasized the importance of hospitals employing well trained providers who operate in anti-bias and anti-racism spaces. This can help Black women give birth with “the support of a village.”

California has been taking steps to address healthcare disparities and improve outcomes for Black mothers and birthing individuals. The state introduced various policies and initiatives aimed at making culturally competent care a reality.

?For example, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has taken steps to improve access to doula services for expectant mothers. One such initiative is the inclusion of doula services as a preventative care option covered under Medi-Cal. This can help make doula support more accessible and affordable for those who need it.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell has emphasized the importance of doula care in improving pregnancy experiences and birthing outcomes. In a press release, she stated that “Doula care is shown to improve pregnancy experiences and birthing outcomes. We must increase awareness of doula services for mothers and families across the County and expand our workforce to be more representative of our communities most in need.” This highlights the need for greater awareness and accessibility of doula services, particularly for those in underserved communities.

In a meantime, Dr. Franklin’s advice is to listen to Black women when they express concerns about their health. This means taking their concerns seriously and providing them with the care and support they need.

Related Video

Chelsea, an expectant mom, and Danica, her doula, discuss the delicate connection between mental health and maternal care.  Watch the video.