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A Tragic Death, Health Fears Add to Concern Over California New Extreme-Heat Reality

By Mark Hedin, Lila Brown and Edward Henderson | California Black Media

A Riverside County family is grieving — and a local community is stunned — after a 12-year-old boy suffered a fatal medical emergency during an excessive heat wave last week in Lake Elsinore.

On August 29, Yahushua Robinson, a student at Lake Canyon Middle School, allegedly did not “dress out” appropriately for gym class and was consequently punished by running laps in his street clothes. His aunt told NBC4 Los Angeles that he was denied a water break by his Physical Education teacher. His classmates reported that Robinson repeatedly complained of difficulty breathing before collapsing and becoming unresponsive.

Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Robinson was pronounced dead at Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta.

The coroner’s report attributed Robinson’s death to cardiac arrest.

On the day of the incident, temperatures reached a high of 106° F. The California Department of Education advises schools throughout the state to assess whether outdoor activities, such as physical education and sports, should continue under such conditions. However, it is still being investigated whether the proper protocol was followed. At 11a.m., Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the school.

“Our hearts are with the family, friends, and our school community,” said Lake Canyon Middle School Principal Gil Rodriquez.

The family has since started a GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral costs and other related expenses for the child they affectionally called “YaYa.”

Around the state, there is a growing concern among Black Californians about how extreme heat could affect elderly family members, impact skin care, and exacerbate other health concerns. Authorities have warned that sweltering temperatures will now be a part of life in the Golden State.

Worldwide, July was the hottest month on record, and the California Governor’s office reports that 2023 is “shaping up” to be the hottest year on record.

During an Aug. 29 press briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services (EMS) and California’s Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications, speakers discussed what’s changed and what we can do to adapt to this new reality.

“These are not your grandmothers’ heat waves,” said Braden Kay, Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program manager for California’s Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.

“We have a critical need to support behavior change and mind-shift for a lot of people who feel their bodies should just be able to handle the heat, but are not,” Kay continued. “Not just today, not just this summer, not just next summer, but for decades to come.”

According to Kay, “Extreme heat is a climate risk that all 58 counties in California will face,” noting that 90-degree weather now sometimes occurs as early as March and as late as November.

Sara Gardner, a massage therapist in San Diego, said skin care is extremely important during heat waves and everyone should wear sunscreen to protect their skin from dangerous sun rays.

“When it’s hot and dry out, I’ve have found exfoliating and moisturizer to be a must every day. I like to use ice each morning directly on my skin to help close my pores which helps me make sure I don’t let out as much sweat and buildup throughout the day. I also like to lock in my moisture with a cream, typically something with Vitamin C.

Experts who participated in the EMS news briefing said Black Californians, Indigenous communities and other people of color are the most affected by health disparities worsened by extreme heat and are at a higher risk of heat-related deaths.

“As doctors, perhaps one of the most useful things we can do is educate the public,” said Sharon Okonkwo-Holmes, a doctor of family medicine at Kaiser Permanente Southern California.

“Older adults in general don’t feel as thirsty, but I’m telling them, ‘Stay on top of your hydration. Add lime, lemon, cucumber, whatever’s necessary to make you have an incentive for drinking.’”

To combat the extreme heat, California is making historic investments in climate action and public awareness. The state has launched a website at heatreadyca.com.

“It is an “all-of-state-government approach” to the challenge, Kay said. The site offers a new grant program to support awareness campaigns and add trees and shade infrastructure.

Last week, the Governor’s Office of Emergency of Emergency Services (CalOES) released a number of online toolkits (in 12 languages) to inform state residents about extreme heat and natural disasters.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include feeling fatigued and tired, said Okonkwo-Holmes. Swelling in the lower extremities and high blood pressure are other signs.

“We really need our bodies to stay cool, 96-99 degrees. If we’re not listening to those warning systems, we can get seizures and death,” Okonkwo-Holmes added.

Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer Applauds Passage of Gun Safety Resolution

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.”

Gov. Newsom’s New Executive Order Opens Pathway to State Jobs, Higher Pay

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.

Fifth District Youth Advisory Council Seeks Applicants

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.

This Seat Is Yours: Crafton Hills College launches fundraiser in support of students in performing arts

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.

Eisenhower High School and Rialto High School Receive $2.7 Million Investment for Upgrades to Baseball Fields

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.

California Black Media, Ethnic Media Services Host Award Show and Conference

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.”

 

Dr. Robert L. Fairley Celebration Tribute

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.

Aging Californians: Relaxing the State’s Public Meeting Law Is a Good Thing

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that temporarily suspended some of the requirements of the California’s public meeting law, the Bagley Keene Act.

Newsom’s executive order allowed elected boards, commissions and other state “bodies” to hold remote meetings via teleconference without posting each official’s teleconference location (which in some cases were private homes); posting agendas at each location; or making those locations accessible to the public, as required by law.

A bill is currently being considered by the California legislature that would extend some of the changes to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act until Jan. 1, 2026.

Senate Bill (SB) 544, which was amended Aug. 14 and is currently being reviewed by the Assembly Appropriations Committee, was introduced by Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) in February.

Supporters of the legislation argue that the bill saves taxpayer money by driving down the costs associated with in-person meetings by up to 90%, and that virtual meetings give access to vulnerable populations who may not be able to attend meetings in person.

One of those vulnerable populations is aging Californians.

“For many citizens, this was a way to stay active in the community,” says former Assemblymember Cheryl Brown, who is now the chair of the California Commission on Aging.

“Once we got them trained, they fall in love with it. They become engaged with their government,” said Brown.

“They want more communication, and they don’t want to be isolated,” Brown says referring to the changes SB 544 is proposing. She wants people to have permanent access to public meetings. During the pandemic, there was record participation in meetings because they were broadcast online, and people could access them by teleconference.

However, SB 544 has its share of opponents. Groups such as the First Amendment Coalition (FAC), the California Newspaper Publishers Association, California Common Cause, The Society of Professional Journalists, and other groups committed to holding government accountable have spoken out against the bill. They believe that if SB 544 passed, it would lead to more government secrecy and turn state government boards and commissions into “faceless bureaucracies.”

The FAC was one of several civic groups that co-signed a letter critical of SB 544.

“This rewriting would ensure that a state body would never again have to meet in person. This would fundamentally undermine one of the law’s key protections for public access and participation — the guarantee that the press and public can be physically present in the same room as those sitting on the dais and making decisions. Such physical presence has been a constant hallmark of democratic institutions,” according to the letter.

David Loy, legal director at the FAC, told California Black Media (CBM) he is concerned SB 544 would allow more online meetings and it would diminish elected officials’ face-to-face contact with their constituents.

He added that the governor’s executive orders about online meetings were established during the COVID pandemic – and that the health crisis is over.

According to Loy, elected officials decide public policy in these meetings. And he feels that needs to be done in-person.

“Public officials should be meeting face-to-face with the people they serve,” he said.

Sedalia Sanders, former mayor of El Centro who is currently active with her city’s local agency on aging and is active with the California Commission on Aging, disagrees with Loy.

Sanders told CBM since many of the Commission’s meetings are held in Sacramento, she participates through video conferencing.

“I don’t think anything is lost,” she said.

Sanders says participants can still see and interact with their representatives through video cameras.

“For an elected official to participate in a meeting online, the majority of the board members still have to meet in person to form a quorum,” she added.

Although born during World War II, Sanders has embraced modern technology. She has a cell phone and navigates the Internet. However, she said that not all senior citizens are as tech savvy as she is.

Many of them don’t know you have to pay for the Internet. And this can be a problem, especially if you’re on a fixed income.

Brown says that the bill’s opponents are conflating the issues, boards, and commissions are different than elected leaders voting on public policy matters, and seniors and disabled communities support this bill because it’s about inclusion, not exclusion.

“Seniors don’t want to sit back and just play pickleball,” she said. “They want to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives and remote access allows them to do that.”