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

On August 31, the Senate Public Safety Committee voted to pass Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 7, the Right to Safety Act, legislation that could impact federal gun laws.

“This is not a symbolic gesture,” said Assemblymember Reggie Jones- Sawyer (D-Los Angeles). “This is a push to have a real national conversation on the issue of gun violence in America and do something about these near-daily horrific acts.”

According to the resolution’s language, “The measure would apply to the United States Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the Constitution of the United States for the purpose of proposing a constitutional amendment relating to firearms, as specified.

Jones-Sawyer says if SJR is approved by the Legislature, it will give California and other states a chance to fight back against an “activist Supreme Court.”

“Poll after poll shows a majority of Americans want action taken to have gun safety laws in place,” Jones-Sawyer said. “A Right to Safety Amendment to the U.S. Constitution will do exactly that without impeding on the Second Amendment.”

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

On August 31, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to improve access to higher paying and more fulfilling careers for students and workers.

The executive order launches the development of a new Master Plan on Career Education designed to prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow, including jobs that don’t require college degrees. Additionally, the executive order directs the state to take further steps to reduce other barriers to state employment.

“All families, students, and workers deserve the freedom to succeed: to build real-life skills and pursue careers — including those that don’t require college degrees,” said Newsom. “California is leveraging billions of dollars in investments to prepare students and workers for good-paying, long-lasting, and fulfilling careers.”

The Master Plan on Career Education aims to create career pathways; prioritize hands-on learning and real-life skills; and advance universal access and affordability for all Californians through streamlined collaboration and partnership between government and the private sector.

The executive order also builds on California’s effort to improve the state’s hiring process. Recognizing that many state jobs do not require four-year college degrees for success in a position, the Governor’s executive order directs the California Human Resources Department (CalHR) to evaluate whether a college degree is needed for a particular position wherever its classification is reviewed. CalHR is currently engaged in outreach efforts to help more Californians access state employment.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— High School Juniors and Seniors in the Fifth District are encouraged to apply for the first-ever Fifth District Youth Advisory Council. This is a great opportunity to gain firsthand experience in county government.

The Youth Advisory Council is an exciting new initiative that aims to engage young people in the workings of county government. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the decision-making process, participate in discussions on important community issues, and gain valuable leadership experience.

To apply click here.

For many states, September represents International Underground Railroad Month. The State of Maryland initiated this commemoration in 2019. During this month, we hope to elevate and share Underground Railroad histories with our communities and better understand how the actions of freedom seekers and their allies shaped the world we live in today.

September represents International Underground Railroad Month because it was the month that two of the most well-known freedom seekers and Underground Railroad operatives, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, escaped from slavery.

There was no singular path to freedom. Freedom seekers may have chosen to travel within the United States, but some travelled internationally to secure their freedom: to the Caribbean, Mexico, England, Canada, etc. The journeys of freedom seekers themselves is part of what connects nations across the world to the history of the Underground Railroad.

Wherever and whenever slavery existed, there were efforts to escape. We know free Black communities, and in some cases Indigenous tribes, came together to aid freedom seekers in their fight for freedom: not just Quakers and wealthy white abolitionists. We know that freedom seekers who made the decision to escape traveled not just North to Canada: but South to locations like Spanish Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico to reclaim their freedom. All these puzzle pieces can help us understand the Underground Railroad as one of the first American Civil Rights movements.

In September 2019, the State of Maryland initiated the commemoration of September as International Underground Railroad Month and invited other states to join them in the future.  In 2020, Maryland Office of Tourism and the Michigan Freedom Trails Commission reached out to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom to collaborate with sites, facilities, and programs with documented connections to the Underground Railroad.  The Network to Freedom’s role is to bring communities together and provide them with an opportunity to engage with these stories in a new way.

The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program defines the Underground Railroad as “resistance to slavery through escape and flight.” The Underground Railroad would not exist were it not for the bravery of freedom seekers who self-liberated: and thus, it is imperative that discussion of the Underground Railroad is centered on the experiences of the freedom seekers themselves. Everyone who escaped slavery has a unique story, and though it is possible to draw trends from the hundreds of individuals who escaped, we must understand that there is no such thing as a “routine” or “typical” escape story. By examining the Underground Railroad in this way, we can more thoroughly understand the obstacles freedom seekers faced, the motivations of allies and enemies, and the complexity and nuance of one of the first Civil Rights movements in the United States.

Digital versions of proclamations will be available in the coming days.

Events are being held all over the country and internationally to commemorate International Underground Railroad Month. The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Organization Calendar Page has information relative to Network to Freedom Members that are hosting events for International Underground Railroad Month, as does our International Underground Railroad Month landing page.

YUCAIPA, CA—- The stage is almost set for Crafton Hills College’s all-new Finkelstein Performing Arts Center’s debut. But before the curtain lifts on the space in 2024, the Yucaipa-based college’s Foundation has put out the call for the community to sponsor a seat (or two).

Funds raised through the effort will go to support the future of the college’s Theater Arts Department, and each seat sponsored will include a personalized touch – a donor plate embossed with each donor’s name or name of their choosing.

“Donations are not for lights and overhead, but for support that helps students succeed,” explained Michelle Riggs, Crafton’s director of institutional advancement. “This endowment will enhance experiences for theatre, dance and music students and provide program expenses, impacting students in perpetuity.”

The fundraiser “is really exciting to see because this is a major investment in the time and effort the college has put into promoting the performing arts,” added CHC Theater Department Chair Paul Jacques. “This will benefit the performing arts at Crafton for the next 20 years.”

Donor plates are approximately 2.875 inches x 1.375 inches, and supporters can choose between one or two-year pledge options to make it easy and affordable to support the cause. For example, seats in rows A through C cost $1,000 per sponsorship, but donors can commit to a one-year pledge of $84 a month or a two-year pledge of $42 a month.

Sponsorships can be made directly at craftonhills.edu/seat or by contacting the Foundation directly by email at chcfoundation@craftonhills.edu or by phone at 909-389-3245.

Crafton’s new 24,000 sq. ft. PAC stands on the site of the college’s old gym, which was demolished last year. The new performing space will house instructional spaces for music, theater and dance programming and was approved for construction in Sept. 2022, and the groundbreaking followed in May.

The Crafton Hills College Foundation works year-round to raise funds for student-based scholarships, grants, and campus improvements. To learn more about the nonprofit, go to craftonhills.edu/foundation.

By Lou K. Coleman

Who lead the world in every abomination known to man. “Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: who has forsaken the Lord, who has provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, who has gone away backward.” [Isaiah 1:4]. Woe unto you! Professing to be wise, became fools, changing the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Changed the truth of God into a lie, worshipping and serving the creature more than the Creator.

America, being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, deceit, whispers, backbiters, despiteful, proud, boasters, disobedient, covenant breakers, implacable, unmerciful, haters of God: Who knowing the judgment of God, that what they commit is worthy of death… [Romans chapter 1]. Woe to America! Cunningly guided the world in spiritual fornication. “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies” [Revelation 18:3-5]. I tell you, you will be a curse and an object of horror, a curse, and an object of reproach; you will never see this place again. [Jeremiah 42:18]. For the judgment of God for you have reached the point of no return. Your destruction will be like an overwhelming flood, uniquely vast and deep. Overpowering. Unescapable. Unstoppable, says Almighty God.

Come near, you nations, to hear; and listen, you peoples! Let the earth and all it contains hear, and the world and all that springs from it. For the Lord’s anger is against all the nations, and His wrath against all their armies. He has utterly destroyed them; He has turned them over to slaughter. So, their slain will be thrown out, and their corpses will give off their stench, and the mountains will be drenched with their blood. And all the heavenly lights will wear away, and the sky will be rolled up like a scroll; For My sword has drunk its fill in heaven; and it shall descend for judgment upon [America] and upon the people whom I have designated for destruction… Woe to America! Its streams will be turned into pitch, and its loose earth into brimstone, and its land will become burning pitch. It will not be extinguished night or day; Its smoke will go up forever. From generation to generation, it will be desolate; none will pass through it forever and ever. [Isaiah 34:1-10].

At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. [Jeremiah 18:7-8].

For, I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. [Acts 20:27].

RIALTO, CA— Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. was pleased to present a transformative $2.7 million investment into the baseball fields of Eisenhower High School and Rialto High School within the Rialto Unified School District.

Supervisor Baca, Jr., adds, “This is more than just an upgrade. It’s a commitment to our students, ensuring they have access to facilities that are safe, modern, and inclusive,”

This pivotal allocation comes after both schools actively sought funding for modernizing their sports facilities. Beyond the aesthetics and functionality, the upgrades are pivotal in ensuring both schools’ facilities align with the ADA requirements set by the Division of State Architect.

Eisenhower High School was awarded funding of $1.5 million which will introduce a state-of-the-art Musco Lighting System, enhanced seating with new bleachers, revamped dugouts, and a heightened backstop for better viewer experience. Rialto High School received an investment of $1.2 million to not only equip the school with a Musco Lighting System but also focus on essential updates to their path of travel, making it compliant with ADA guidelines.

Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. reflecting on the announcement, shared, “I have a deeply personal connection to Rialto. I grew up here, attending Morgan, Frisbee, and Eisenhower schools. My bond with this community was further cemented during my tenure as a teacher at Rialto High, where I also had the honor of coaching baseball and softball.”

The Rialto Unified School District has ratified the funding contract with San Bernardino County, setting the stage for these anticipated enhancements.

NEW YORK, NY— GIRLS PREP BRONX II ELEMENTARY was the epicenter of a heartwarming philanthropic initiative led by two-time New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Frederick Joseph. Reflecting his ongoing commitment to communities and young people, Joseph generously donated $20,000 worth of essential back-to-school supplies and books to children at the school.

The generous contribution included copies of his recent work, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – The Courage to Dream,” Nike book bags, school supplies, notebooks, and stress-relief balls. Beyond the tangible items, Joseph also ensured that attendees were well-fed, providing food for the event. Recognizing the financial challenges that some families face, he went a step further by distributing $50 gift cards to parents in attendance.

“I’m from these neighborhoods in New York, and these kids remind me of myself,” Joseph shared. “I want to help provide for them some of the same things I wish people provided for me when I was that age.”

About Frederick Joseph:

Frederick’s literary prowess is evident with New York Times bestsellers like “The Black Friend” (2020) and “Patriarchy Blues” (2022) under his belt. He’s been a beacon in the literary world, gaining accolades such as the International Literacy Association’s 2021 Children’s & Young Adults’ Book Award and making the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2019. His activism, philanthropy, and poetic gifts have led to numerous honors, including the 2023 Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Vanguard Award.

Notably, Frederick’s community-driven endeavors have amassed over $50 million to support marginalized communities. His initiatives, like the #RentRelief campaign during the height of the pandemic and the #BlackPantherChallenge, resonate globally, bringing hope and change.

Eager readers can anticipate Frederick’s upcoming works, including his debut poetry collection “We Alive, Beloved,” novel “This Thing of Ours,” and the non-fiction essay anthology “Color Me Grateful.” Visit FrederickJoseph.com or @FredTJoseph to learn more.

About Girls Prep Bronx II Elementary School:

Girls Prep Bronx II Elementary School is a part of the award-winning, Public Prep network of charter schools across Manhattan and the Bronx and the nation’s first non-profit tuition-free charter school network that develops exceptional Pre-K, and single-gender elementary and middle public schools. We envision a world where every scholar realizes their greatness inside and outside of school, and where classrooms are beacons of the community, fostering courageous learners, critical thinkers, and resilient leaders with strong personal agency.

About Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – The Courage to Dream:

Set in the world of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever from Marvel Studios, The Courage to Dream is an inspiring picture book about a young Wakandan finding her destiny, from two New York Times best-selling creators. The Courage to Dream tells the story of Assata, a young Wakandan who hopes to become one of the Dora Milaje, the warriors who protect Wakanda. But because of Assata’s disability, she lets go of her dream. Assata’s light shows through all the same, introducing her to surprising friends: the princess Shuri, the warrior Okoye, and the powerful M’Baku. But only Assata can give herself what she’s missing: the courage to dream.

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.