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Concluding Black History Month, California Black Caucus Honors “Unsung Heroes”

By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey, and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media 

Closing out a month of Black History Month events, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) honored 12 Californians with its “Unsung Hero” award during a ceremony held at the State Capitol on February 26.

The awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to civic life within each CLBC member’s district.

Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) presided over the ceremony and presented a resolution on the Assembly floor celebrating the extraordinary work the award recipients are doing in their respective communities.

“The CLBC created the Unsung Hero Awards in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – to celebrate those who embody his philosophy and ideas,” said Jones-Sawyer, a member of CLBC. “We continue this tradition with this distinguished group of individuals.”

This list of honorees included city of Fairfield librarian Mychael Threets (Assemblymember Lori Wilson, D-Suisun City), Treehouse’s CEO and founder of Prophet Walker (Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, D- Ladera Heights), Young and Prosper Foundation’s Chris Jones (Assemblymember Akilah Weber, D-La Mesa), Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce’s President Cathy Adams (Assemblymember Mia Bonta, D-Alameda), and Los Angeles Unified School District’s Government Affairs advisor Carolyn Fowler (Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, D-Inglewood).

Awards were also given to  Brother 2 Brother At-risk Mentoring and Gang Prevention’s co-founder Mervin Brookins (Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento), KBLA Radio 1580 talk show Host Dominique DiPrima (Reggie Jones Sawyer, D-Los Angeles)), California Justice and member of the California Supreme Court Leondra R. Kruger (Assemblymember Chris Holden, D-Pasadena), Vice Chair of Compton Unified School District’s Board of Education Dr. Ayanna Davis (Assemblymember Mike Gipson, D-Carson), and Moreno Valley youth advocate Kymberly Taylor (Assemblymember Corey Jackson, D-Moreno Valley).

On the Senate side, Dr. Thomas Parham, the 11th President of California State University Dominguez Hills, was honored (Sen. Steven Bradford, D-Inglewood). His wife Davida Parham accepted the award on his behalf. Fran Jemmott, founder of California Black Women’s Health Project and the Jemmott Rollins Group, was escorted to the Assembly floor for her award by Assemblymember Bryan, who stood in for Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles).

San Bernardino Native Serves Aboard Navy Warship in San Diego

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Hanchar, Navy Office of Community Outreach

SAN DIEGO, CA – Petty Officer 2nd Class Rey Calvillo, a native of San Bernardino, California, serves the U.S. Navy aboard USS Tripoli operating out of San Diego.

Calvillo graduated from Vista High School in 2018.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in San Bernardino.

“I have learned from a young age to not take things personally and not live in the past,” said Calvillo.

“We work in a fast pace and sometimes dangerous environment where things can be misinterpreted, but it is important to know we all care for each other aboard the ship and just want to keep each other safe.”

Calvillo joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Calvillo serves as a fire controlman.
“I joined the Navy to learn new technical skills I could use for life as well as a career where I could travel and see the world,” said Calvillo.
Tripoli is an amphibious assault carrier that provides presence and power projection as an integral part of Joint, Interagency and Multinational Maritime Expeditionary Forces. Supports Marine Air/Ground Task Force requirements, from small-scale contingency operations to Expeditionary Strike Group operations to forcible entry missions in major theaters of war.
“The sailors who make up Team Tripoli really are the best the Navy has to offer,” said Capt. Gary Harrington, commanding officer of Tripoli. “We say it all the time, our Navy is nothing without the men and women who serve on the deckplates each and every day. I truly believe that the continued success of our Navy, and Tripoli specifically, is due in no small part to the contributions of our sailors.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Calvillo has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am very proud to say that after just three years I was able to pick up petty officer second class and help my junior sailors along the way,” said Calvillo.
Calvillo serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy provides me with a career as well as family and friends that will last a lifetime,” said Calvillo. “The Navy provides its sailors with a work/life balance and the peace of mind, knowing I will always have a roof over my head and three meals a day.”
Calvillo is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom, Kristina, for her support of everything I do,” added Calvillo. “She is my biggest champion and I can always count on her.”

California Assembly Passes Reparations Resolution; Paves Way for Compensation Discussions

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

The process the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) promised to initiate to pass a package of reparations bills began Feb. 26, on the Assembly floor at the State Capitol with the passage of Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 135.

Authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), ACR 135 — or the “Human rights violations and crimes against humanity on African slaves and their descendants” — recognizes the “harms and atrocities committed by representatives of the State of California who promoted, facilitated, enforced and permitted the institution of chattel slavery,” according to the language of the resolution.

The measure was unanimously approved with a 57-0 vote on the Assembly floor.

“ACR 135 is not only a resolution to affirm the (California Reparations Task Force) report,” Weber. Said during her presentation on the Assembly floor.  “It is also meant to educate ourselves on California’s history. Ida B. Wells wrote, ‘The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.’ The reparations task force turned the light on truth, and this is laid out in ACR 135.”

The nine-member reparations task force submitted a comprehensive 1,075-page report to the Legislature on June 28, 2023. The report contains the panel’s findings from a two-year study that involved investigations of harms, testimonies from community members, and up to 115 recommendations for compensation for eligible Black Californians.

On January 31, the CLBC announced the introduction of the 2024 Reparations Priority Bill Package, which includes 14 pieces of legislation that represents the first step in a multi-year effort to implement the legislative recommendations in the report.

ACR 15 was among the list of considerations.

Regarding the passage of significant legislation related to reparations for Black Californians, Weber is following in her mother’s footsteps.

Her mother, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, authored AB 3121, the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans, as an Assemblymember representing the 79th District. This legislation was the first-in-the-nation bill created at the state level to study and recommend redress for past injustices against the descendants of African people enslaved in the United States.

During the announcement of the rollout of the bills on Feb. 21, CLBC Chair, Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), said the package was part of “30 reparations bills” the Black lawmakers are developing. A bill requesting a formal apology from the Governor and the Legislature for California’s historical injustices against African Americans is next in line, Wilson said.

The passage of ACR 135 will officially open discussions about reparations, Wilson said.

“This year’s legislative package tackles a wide range of issues from criminal justice reforms to property rights to education, civil rights, and food justice,” Wilson stated. “The Caucus is looking to make strides in the second half of this legislative session as we build towards righting the wrongs of California’s past in future sessions.”

Before the vote, members from the CLBC spoke about the significance of the report, educating their colleagues about the issues that affected the Black community after slavery, and the task ahead to get the reparations bills to the Governor’s desk.

The members of the CLBC that spoke on the floor were Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D- Ladera Heights), Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson), Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Riverside), Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D- Los Angeles), Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), and Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento).

Other members of the Assembly body shared their sentiments about ACR 135 as well.

Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland), the first Native American elected to the California Legislature, expressed his support for the bill.

“The consequences of those 246 years of slavery and a 100 of segregation still plague African Americans today, and indeed plagues all Americans today,” said Ramos. “It is a history of trauma that still needs to come to light to make sure we can overcome and start the healing process – not only in our nation but here also in the state of California. During those times of slavery, bondage and oppression, many African Americans fled that type of treatment to find solitude with Native American tribes.”

Assemblymember Bill Essayli (R-Corona) condemned the state’s dark past.

“I rise in commendation of racial discrimination and the despicable indefensible treatment of Black Californians in our state’s early years,” Essayli said. “But I also rise as a proud Californian and believe that despite the bleak history of our early days our state has often been at the forefront of the fight for racial equality.”

Time for Change Foundation to Honor Bobby Wagner with the Philanthropist of the Year Award

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Time for Change Foundation’s (TFCF) 22nd Anniversary Awards Gala will honor outstanding individuals and organizations that go above and beyond for our communities and continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

Bobby Wagner, a football player of the NFL, will be honored with the Philanthropist of the Year Award for his outstanding dedication as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and investor. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Ontario, CA, Bobby Wagner was drafted 47th overall in the 2012 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Quickly excelling on the field, Bobby won a Super Bowl in 2013, and throughout his career, has earned nine Pro-Bowl selections, six First-Team All-Pros, four- Second Team All-Pros, a 2010 NFL All-Decade Team, the Seattle Seahawks Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee (2x) and the Art Rooney Sportsmanship award. He currently leads all active players in total tackles.

Bobby’s passion to promote stroke education and assist stroke patients has led to a partnership with the American Heart & Stroke Association, as well as the creation of the Phenia Mae Fund in partnership with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Cedar Sinai, and Kaiser Permanente. Additionally, Bobby has worked closely with several organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club of King County, Time for Change Foundation and HBCUs, to advocate for health and wellness, education, and child development.

“We appreciate the heart behind Bobby’s giving which is why we chose to honor him at this year’s gala,” said Vanessa Perez, Executive Director, “his support to his local community is helping single mothers provide a stable home for their children, that’s priceless!”

Other Award Honorees include:

Dawn Downs at Symbiosis with the Businesswoman of the Year Award, Laurena Bolden at San Manuel Band of Mission Indians with the Community Champion Award, Dr. Rita (Faridah) Ali from We 2 Matter with the Humanitarian Award, Rev. George Lamb at F.A.C.C.T with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Kellie Todd Griffin at CA Black Women’s Collective with the Michelle Obama Courage Award, Pastor Craig Hadley from Paradox Church with the Nancy Varner Angel Award, and Rialto ROTC with the Ramos Family Spirit of Compassion Award.

Time for Change Foundation’s 22nd Anniversary Awards Gala will be held on Friday, April 19th, 2024, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Ontario, California at 6:00 p.m. PST. To support the work of Time for Change Foundation, you can become a sponsor, purchase an ad in the event program book, or purchase a Gala ticket.

To register for the event or to become a sponsor and increase your business’s visibility in the community, please visit our website at www.TimeForChangeFoundation.org, or contact Florence White at (909) 886-2994 or by email at fwhite@timeforchangefoundation.org.

City of San Bernardino Names Andrea Russell as Director of Human Resources and Risk Management

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The City of San Bernardino has announced that Andrea E. Russell has joined its leadership team as its new Human Resources and Risk Management Director.

“Andrea Russell has demonstrated her diverse and distinguished human resources experience in her time with the city,” said City Manager Charles Montoya. “Her background in recruitment will play an important role as San Bernardino continues to strategically hire additional staff.”

Russell joined San Bernardino in June 2023 as a Supervising Human Resources Analyst and has been serving as the Interim Human Resources and Risk Management Director since January. Prior to joining the city, Russell was a Human Resources Advisor to multiple public sector agencies in the areas of recruitment and candidate selection, applicant tracking systems administration, and employee classification and compensation.

“I am honored to serve the City of San Bernardino as Director of Human Resources and Risk Management,” said Russell. “This is an exciting time for the city, and I look forward to contributing to its success.”

Prior to consulting, Russell spent over 20 years in human resources for local government agencies, including with the County of San Bernardino and cities of Covina, Riverside, and Henderson (Nevada). While at the County, she led their classification and compensation process; overhauled the recruitment processes from requisition to hire; implemented innovative off-site hiring events; and worked with union representatives.

Russell holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nevada State University, and a master’s degree in human resources management from Capella University.

The Human Resources and Risk Management Director is responsible for the planning, organization, direction, implementation of San Bernardino’s City-wide human resources and risk management programs. This includes recruitment, employment, classification, compensation, employee relations, training and development, performance evaluation, benefits, and workers’ compensation for the City’s 879 employees.

Russell replaces Suzie Soren, who was promoted to Deputy City Manager in January.

Letter to the Editor: Black Women Are Running for Change

By Kellie Todd Griffin | Special to California Black Media Partners

This is a year of opportunity for Black women in Politics in California. Voters of all races across this state must collectively seize this moment to affect the kind of transformative change we are all hoping to see.

Here’s why.

We have an unprecedented number of Black Women running for office throughout the state. Whether they’re running at the local or state level, or for a congressional or U.S. Senate seat, behind the candidacy of each, one stands a powerful tale a of triumph – an inspiring story showing how determination, commitment to service and moral intelligence consistently defeat racism and sexism.

Their journeys running for office take them directly through the cultural and political barbs of race and gender, which are, far too often, concealed — but no less dangerous.

Without fail, Black Women running for office find their accomplishments, their public images, and their ideas in the crosshairs of scrutiny and skepticism, much more than their White male and female competitors.

Nevertheless, we must continue to run because there is so much work to do for Black Women and girls! California has the fifth largest Black population in the country with more than 2.2 million residents, according to the US Census data. Of those, 51% are female. In the golden state, approximately 67% of Black households are headed by single mothers. In the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute’s Quality of Life public opinion survey that polled more than 1,200 Black Women in the state, we found that nearly 2 in 5 Black Women work multiple jobs and face significant challenges meeting basic expenses. Among Black Women who are employed, two thirds are considered primary breadwinners in their households.

Although Black Women in California have one of the smallest populations, they disproportionately contribute to the labor force in the state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that among adult Women in California, Black Women (60.6%) were more likely to participate in the labor force than were Asian Women (58.8%), Latinas (58.2%), and White Women (56.4%). In addition, Black women only hold 4% of the bachelor’s degrees obtained by California women. Regardless of educational attainment, Black Women overall make less than their Black male and White female counterparts. Black Women in California are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to other racial and ethnic groups. The rate of life-threatening childbirth complications is highest among Black women. Black girls have the lowest high school graduation rate and highest dropout rate than their female counterparts in the state. An analysis by researchers at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health shows that Black girls aged 10-14 in California experience disproportionate injuries at the hands of law enforcement, 6.7 times the rate for White girls in the same age group. Homicides of Black females in the state have nearly doubled in recent years, according to FBI data.

These disparity gaps must be addressed. Without immediate interventions, we’re not going to be able to change the trajectory of California’s Black females. There is clearly a need for policy and practice transformation that center around Black Women and girls. Black Women policymakers have historically been at the forefront of the change we have achieved in this area.

Black women have contributed immeasurably to creating California policy. Whether it is the late Gwen Moore, former Assemblymember and Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, who created the state law that required supermarkets to have bathrooms to help mothers, or Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), who created the California Violence Against Women Act.  Or whether its Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid, who fought to get the Ebony Alert passed, or L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who authored the CROWN Act as a state lawmaker, Black Women have supported policies that improve the lives of California’s Black women. These advances, in turn, improve the lives of all women in the state, as well as all Californians.

Coretta Scott King stated “Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul.” Black Women have been the soul that drives the spirit of California. When our voice is lifted and when we are driving the conversation, meaningful progress happens.

This upcoming election on March 5 is your opportunity to vote for a Black Woman. Don’t miss this moment to continue the change we need!


About the Author

Kellie Todd Griffin is the President & CEO of the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute.

NAREB Report Cites Significant Economic, Education, And Homeownership Gains for Black Women

CHARLOTTE, NC – With significant gains in education, employment, and entrepreneurs, African American women emerged as leaders in Black homebuying, according to a report released today by the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB).

NAREB’S 2023 Women Investing in Real Estate (W.I.R.E) report found that between 1990 and 2019, Black women increased homeownership by 5.6%. Moreover, Black women ages 45-54 and over 75 had a 2.9% increase during the pandemic, the largest among Black homeowners. In early 2020, when the pandemic onset slowed homebuying, Black women fared better than men. The full report can be downloaded HERE.

“With the rise of Black women buying homes, there is hope for the future,” exclaimed Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose, NAREB’s President. “Black women are breaking down barriers in several areas, and homeownership is another example of the resilience and strength of Black women working to secure a financial foundation for themselves and their families and contributing to closing the racial wealth gap. By owning a home, Black women create paths toward long-term financial stability and a legacy for their families. Homeownership among Black women is economic empowerment and serves as a catalyst for broader community development.”   

Dr. Rose added: “As homeowners invest in their properties, neighborhood revitalization often follows, impacting local economies and fostering community pride. This upward trajectory of Black female homeownership embodies the resilience and determination to overcome historical challenges and pave the way for social and economic progress.”

Noting that Black female homebuyers rebounded faster and continued to outpace males during the economic recovery from the pandemic, the W.I.R.E report outlined the data demonstrating Black women’s growing status and strength in American society.

The advances by Black women will be celebrated at NAREB’s 2024 MidWinter Conference in Charlotte, NC, February 28 – March 2. On Friday, March 1, Dr. Rose, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, and Wells Fargo EVP Georgette Dixon will participate in “A Fireside Chat with Women of Impact” at the Marriot Charlotte City Center at 11:15 AM.

“I’m looking forward to sharing my story, the triumphs and challenges, as well as hearing from my esteemed colleagues as we go on to discuss what’s next for women leaders and entrepreneurs,” Dixon said. “Wells Fargo is excited to be a leader in this space of supporting women’s empowerment with a variety of programing through organizations like NAREB and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).”

The W.I.R.E. report documented the economic gains that have paved the way for the success being enjoyed by Black women, who are 6.3% of the nation’s population, 52% of the African American population, and 12.5% of all women. Further, 63.4% of African American women over 16 are active in the labor force, and 89.3% of Black women have graduated high school or its equivalent.

Black women are also making tremendous strides as entrepreneurs. According to recent data, businesses owned by Black women grew by 50% between 2014 and 2019, with Black Women accounting for 42% of all women who opened new businesses during that period. In 2021, 17% of Black women were in the process of starting a new business. – 7% more than White women and 2% more than White men.

The real estate industry is also witnessing a positive trend concerning diversity, with an encouraging number of Black women carving a niche for themselves in this sector.

The shift towards greater inclusivity is a win for Black women and the industry, with diverse perspectives fostering innovation and a deeper understanding of multifaceted market needs. It is widely recognized that the real estate industry has been working toward increasing diversity and inclusion within its ranks. Black women, in particular, have made strides in the field, with NAREB and others providing support and networking opportunities to encourage further representation.

“Despite these efforts, considerable work remains to be done to eliminate barriers to entry and advancement for underrepresented groups,” said Dr. Rose. “Ongoing mentorship programs and targeted educational resources are critical for equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed. “In response to the W.I.R.E. report, NAREB will host a pre-conference one-day event for Black women in real estate and finance as part of their annual convention on July 31, 2024, in New Orleans, LA.


ABOUT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS

NAREB was formed in 1947 to secure equal housing opportunities regardless of race, creed, or color. NAREB has advocated for legislation and supported or instigated legal challenges that ensure fair housing, sustainable homeownership, and access to credit for Black Americans. Simultaneously, NAREB advocates for and promotes access to business opportunities for Black real estate professionals in each real estate discipline.  From the past to the present, NAREB remains an association proud of its history, dedicated to its chosen struggle, and unrelenting in its pursuit of the REALTIST®’s mission/vision embedded goal, “Democracy in Housing.”

 

Letter to the Editor: William Charles Walker, Sr. Celebrates His Diamond Year Birthday of 75

By Sonya Muhammad

Communities within Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County would like to wish Mr. William Charles Walker, Sr., a very Happy 75th Birthday, as he continues into his 76th year with the same enthusiasm for life and the determination to be relevant in his community, that he had thirty or forty years ago.  Unlike Cinderella, Mr. Walker’s life story has not been a fairytale or a story for the faint at heart.  Born in Upland, California, and raised in Pomona, California, Mr. Walker was exposed to a vast variety of lifestyles with some intriguing him more than others.

The importance of decisions, choices, and taking responsibility for one’s actions are topics of interest to Mr. Walker, as he shares it was the decisions and choices made in his earlier days, that cost him 26 years of his life with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).  However, it was this experience that made him realize the seriousness of this wake-up call that demanded his immediate attention, and he recognized his survival and future were depending on his ability to navigate and master the many life lessons on the table then and now.

Every prison in the world has become proficient at robbing minds, bodies, dreams, and souls.  So, it is no small task to maintain a sense of wholeness, as one attempts to quiet the silent tears inside to restore clarity and vision.  Mr. Walker never forgot how his church and his community stood by him during his days of darkness, which was his motivation and inspiration to stand strong, so that he could one day give back to those who had given to him.

And equally, if not more importantly, Mr. Walker’s two sons, Robert and William Jr., became his reasons for living and maintaining a more purposeful life.  Mr. Walker clearly recalls the day the gates of freedom opened, and he was handed $200 to start a new life.  He remembers the promise he made to never return, and he made that promise to God in reverence of the mercy and leniency that had been extended to him, and that was a promise kept for more than thirty years and will be forever.

His word is his bond, so no matter what challenges or setbacks step onto his path, he trusts in God for the answers which always come without fail.  So in gratitude, it makes sense to do whatever he can to share his blessings with others.  777 Community Warehouse and Services was founded by Mr. Walker for the purpose of providing food, clothing, job skills and opportunities, and mentoring services for the homeless community, veterans, juveniles in distress, and people who are reintegrating back into society after various periods of time of incarceration.

777 Community Warehouse and Services, is a 501 (c )(3), nonprofit public benefit organization,  that serves as a liaison between 777 Community Warehouse and Services and other nonprofit organizations,  collaborating to distribute products to those in need and serving as a resource center for other nonprofit organizations.  Many lives have been touched by the mission and commitment of  the 777 Community Warehouse and Services team over the years, so it seems very appropriate at this time to show our appreciation for Mr. Walker’s dedicated work in the community by sending monetary gifts and donations of food, clothing, toiletries, and any items considered essential for human survival and support, in a collective celebration of Mr. Walker’s 75th anniversary of life.

Thanking everyone in advance, donations may be directed to:

Mr. William C. Walker, Sr.

777 Community Warehouse and Services

1377 South Lilac Avenue

Suite 115

Bloomington, CA.  92316

AHF Honors and Remembers Indomitable AIDS Activist Hydeia Broadbent

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—- AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) mourns the death of lifelong AIDS activist Hydeia Broadbent who passed away in her sleep yesterday at the age of 39. Broadbent, who was HIV-positive since birth, first came to national prominence in 1996 when she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and other national news and talk programs at the age of 11 to talk about her life living with AIDS.

Broadbent continued her fierce and outspoken advocacy throughout her youth and adulthood. Over the years, Broadbent partnered with AHF on several AIDS advocacy and awareness campaigns, including riding on AHF’s award-winning 2013 Tournament of Roses parade float titled “The Global Face of AIDS” on which she represented North American individuals living with AIDS. Broadbent also appeared in AHF’s “God Loves Me” billboard campaign, featuring people living with HIV and the simple but profound tag line.

  • AHF’s Las Vegas Healthcare Centers Opening, 2013: Hydeia Broadbent attended the opening ceremony of AHF’s first Las Vegas Healthcare Centers. Being from the state of Nevada herself, Hydeia made a special appearance at the ribbon cutting.
  • AHF’s “AIDS is a Civil Rights Issue” campaign, Los Angeles 2014: Hydeia Broadbent spoke at AHF’s third community forum in a nationwide series of “AIDS is a Public Health Issue” at the Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles.
  • AHF’s “AIDS is a Civil Rights Issue” campaign, Selma 2015: During the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, Hydeia Broadbent joined Rev. Al Sharpton, Cynthia Davis, and Gabriel Maldonado to speak on a panel at Selma University for “AIDS is a Civil Rights Issue: An Evening of Action.”

President Biden Cancels $1.2 Billion in Student Debt; Action Benefits More Than 150,000 Loan Borrowers

By Lila Brown | California Black Media 

On February 21, President Joe Biden announced the cancellation of $1.2 billion in student debt for almost 153,000 borrowers enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan.

Biden shared the news during a campaign stop while on a tour of California. From Feb. 20 to February 22, the President visited Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Los Altos Hills.

“There were existing programs in the law for fixing and adjusting the programs. We had to change them to make people eligible. And that’s what I’ve done,” Biden said, speaking at the Julian Dixon Library in Culver City.

After the President referenced the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down his administration’s original debt relief plan, Biden summed up some of the benefits of his executive action.

“It helps everyone, not just the people whose debt is relieved, but when people in student debt are relieved, they buy homes, they start businesses, they contribute, they engage in the community in ways they weren’t able to before. It actually grows the economy,” he said.

The Biden-Harris Administration first introduced the SAVE plan with the belief that education beyond high school should unlock doors to opportunity, not burden borrowers with unmanageable debt.

Biden expressed gratitude for being able to make progress as he promised to borrowers and thanked Culver City Mayor Yasmine Imani-McMorrin for her support in helping to roll out the plan.

So far, the Biden-Harris Administration has approved nearly $138 billion in student debt cancellation for almost 3.9 million borrowers through more than two dozen executive actions. The borrowers receiving relief are the first to benefit from a SAVE plan policy that provides debt forgiveness to borrowers who have been in repayment after as little as 10 years and took out $12,000 or less in student loans.

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, students, particularly those from less-advantaged backgrounds, have had to rely on substantial student loans to finance their education. Similarly, college graduates who are the first in their family to go to college are more likely to incur debt to complete their degree than their peers. Over the past 40 years, college tuition has significantly outpaced many families’ incomes.

Early in his administration, Biden pledged to reform the student loan system and make sure higher education would be a pathway to the middle class.

“This is what the American dream is all about, and this is exactly what the President is advocating for. When people are financially insecure, they are unable to feel when the economy is good. Our economy is stronger than ever, but that is hard to notice when you’re in the quicksand of student loan debt,” said Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), who spoke at the press conference.

Other elected officials attending the news briefing included Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Mayor McMorrin, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.

 “Black college graduates have, on average, $25,000 more in student debt than white college graduates,” Kamlager-Dove added. “This is evidence of something we all already knew: that the cost of success is higher if you’re Black.?Combating this disparity?must?be part of the conversations we have around student debt, just like it is around wealth creation. And President Biden gets it.”

The Biden-Harris Administration introduced the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan in August 2023. This new income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, like its predecessor, is voluntary and bases monthly student loan payments on the borrower’s earnings. However, the new formula includes adjustments such as (but not limited to) shielding more income from being used to calculate student loan payments and waiving unpaid interest at the end of each month to lower monthly payments.

As the full SAVE regulations go into effect on July 1, 2024, the Department of Education has implemented three key benefits starting with the amount of income protected from payments on the SAVE plan which has risen to 225% of the Federal poverty guidelines (FPL). Next, the Department has stopped charging any monthly interest not covered by the borrower’s payment; and finally, married borrowers who file their taxes separately are no longer required to include their spouse’s income in their payment calculation for SAVE.

“Addressing student loan debt should be thought of as a job’s initiative, said Bass, who hosted Biden at CJ’s Cafe in Baldwin Hills before the announcement.

“This should be thought of as a housing initiative. This should be thought of as an economic motivator for young people throughout the country,” Bass continued.  “Student loan debt cripples our workforce – especially when it comes to addressing homelessness. We need more social workers, more mental health specialists, and more service providers.”

During his remarks, President Biden thanked Mayor Bass for her partnership and friendship.

While introducing the President, Dr. Jessica Saint Paul, a Physician Assistant, and public health practitioner spoke about the importance of receiving student debt relief. She said her loans ballooned from $90,000 to $145,000 even though she was making monthly payments.

Dr. Saint Paul, a Haitian immigrant, said the inability to repay back loans delayed her plans to start a family but after her debt had been forgiven, she was able to follow through on her dreams. Now, the proud mother to a baby daughter, she currently works as an adjunct professor at the Los Angeles Community College District.

“I’m proud to have been able to give borrowers like so many of you the relief you earned. I’m never going to stop fighting for hardworking American families. If you qualify, you’ll be hearing from me shortly,” the President concluded. “It’s about your dignity. It’s about opportunity.”