What it do with Lue

Suicide Prevention Week: A Reminder of the Mental Health Crisis Confronting Black Californians

By Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media

The conclusion of Suicide Prevention Week on Sept.16, served as a reminder, according to wellness advocates, of the ongoing mental health crisis faced by Black Californians.

Between 2010 and 2019, Black Californians experienced a 31.1% increase in suicide deaths, according to the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that between 2019 and 2020, non-Hispanic White people experienced a decrease in suicide rates by 4.5% while the rate for non-Hispanic Black people increased by 4%.

For Black men, the numbers are more dire. Over the last two decades, the suicide rate for Black men has increased by nearly 60%, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Many of these suicides occur among people aged 10 to 24, prompting schools, colleges and universities to develop programs to reach out to young Black Californians dealing with mental health challenges.

The Claremont Colleges (TCC), a consortium of five private liberal arts colleges and two graduate schools located in Southern California, have implemented programs of their own.

“Across our campuses, we are continuously working to reduce or remove perceived barriers that may prevent people of color from getting services at a counseling center,” said TCC’s Director of the Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services Center (MCAPS), Dr. Gary DeGroot.

DeGroot highlighted several internal obstacles, including a mistrust of treatment and therapy, a lack of confidence in the mental healthcare system’s ability to provide culturally competent care, and fear of stigma.

Dr. Adrienne Hilliard, Senior Staff Psychologist at the Claremont Colleges, spoke about the stigma connected to treatment for mental health issues.

“I think as suicide and mental health stigma decreases, Black men are now more open to identify and report that they are in crisis and instead of silently suffering are now encouraged and willing to seek help,” said Hilliard.

She pointed to some external obstacles to seeking mental health treatment.

“Several institutional factors can contribute to the increase suicide rates for Black men: economic oppression, increased educational disparities, racism and racial trauma across all sectors, racial injustice witnessed with the recent increase in recorded murders of black men by police and others, stigma surrounding manhood and mental illness,” said Hilliard.

Black Californians had the largest increase in firearm suicide rates since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study by Injury Epidemiology.

However, TCC has seen an increase in the number of students participating in their mental health programs.

“More resources, specifically for Black folks are becoming readily available,” said Hilliard. “So, statistically there may be greater representation.”

Hilliard pointed to programs like Therapy for Black Men, Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM), Black Mental Health Alliance, and The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation.

DeGroot, who also works closely with the Office of Black Student Affairs (OBSA), stated that students respond positively to having access to Black therapists, connecting with Black organizations and attending Black student events.

Hilliard spoke on the importance of a community-based approach to mental health care for Black students on their campuses.

“Although each campus has individual resources and services, we encourage a more community-oriented mindset when it comes to our students of color,” said Hilliard. “We understand that community is extremely important for Black students, so we maintain connections with faculty and staff across departments, such as counseling, student health, housing, etc., to ensure our students are supported on every front.

Last Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office released a statement announcing that the state, through the the California Department of Health, is investing $16.3 million in “Youth Suicide Prevention efforts” through grants dedicated to tribal entities and community-based organizations.

“Suicide ideation amongst youth has increased nationwide, especially among girls, LGBTQ+ youth, and youth of color,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “Knowing this, California’s new investments in youth suicide prevention resources are absolutely critical as we work to destigmatize mental health and improve access to mental health support for young Californians and their families.”

California to Make Makes Historic Investment in Fight Against Organized Retail Crime

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

On September 12, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state is making a $267,118,293 investment to combat organized retail crime.

This sum represents the largest-ever single investment ever made by the state to aid law enforcement in fighting crime. As part of a competitive grant process, the funding, if approved, would be allocated for 55 local law enforcement agencies across California.

The initiative, part of the Governor’s Real Public Safety Plan, is slated to be dispersed on Oct. 1, 2023, to police departments, sheriffs’ departments, and district attorney offices in every region of the state to prevent and investigate cases of organized retail theft and arrest and prosecute more suspects.

“Enough with these brazen smash-and-grabs. With an unprecedented $267 million investment, Californians will soon see more takedowns, more police, more arrests, and more felony prosecutions. When shameless criminals walk out of stores with stolen goods, they’ll walk straight into jail cells,” Newsom said in a statement.

The funding would be used to create fully staffed retail theft investigative units, increase arrests, install advanced surveillance technology, train loss prevention officers, create new task forces, increase cooperation with businesses and the community, target criminals in blitz operations, as well as crack down on vehicle and catalytic converter theft.

The next day, following the announcement of the grants, the Governor’s office held a news briefing featuring four law enforcement leaders whose offices will benefit from the program: California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee; San Francisco D.A. Brooke Jenkins; San Francisco Police Department Chief Bill Scott; and Los Angeles County Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco.

“I want to thank Governor Newsom for making this issue a priority, for allocating resources from our state to ensure we are able to set a new tone in the state of California: that this conduct is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” said Jenkins.

Former L.A. Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas Files a Notice of Appeal Challenging His Convictions

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Edward Henderson | California Black Media
Former L.A. Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas has filed a notice of appeal challenging his convictions for voting in support of county contracts that would favor USC while accepting benefits for his son from the university.

The notice sets the stage for appellate arguments in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that could possibly go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ridley-Thomas was sentenced to serve a prison term of three years and six months beginning Nov. 13. Marilyn Flynn, a former head of the USC School of Social Work, pleaded guilty to a bribery charge in the case, has been sentenced to 18 months of home confinement and ordered to pay a $150,000 fine.

In a statement, Alyssa Bell, a member of Ridley-Thomas’ appellate team said the lawyers who handled the former councilman’s 12-day trial in Los Angeles “laid the groundwork for what we believe to be an exceptionally strong appeal. We are already examining and analyzing several potential grounds that could result in reversal of Dr. Ridley-Thomas’ convictions.”

Those grounds included a claim that the government failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the jury’s guilty verdicts.

“The UN 2030 AGENDA – A Satanic Agend Make No Mistake About It!”

By Lou K Coleman

A New World Order; Global initiatives; International law, and Social Revolution, I tell you, your spiritual antenna should be beeping; Beep; Beep; Beep; Beep, alerting you that Time is Almost Up! The current world chaos is too well orchestrated to be a mere coincidence. Read the second chapter of 2 Thessalonians which provides a glimpse into Satan’s master plan. It speaks of an evil, sinister force working behind the scenes. It speaks of a villainous, devious, charismatic world-leader, whom Paul identifies as ‘the man of lawlessness,” who in the last days will ascend to power out of nowhere and would usher the world into a global economy and a universal religion. I tell you; your spiritual antenna should be Beeping. Beep; Beep; Beep; Beep; Beep! For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work. [2 Thessalonians 2:7]. This is how we know it is the last hour. [1 John 2:18]. The UN 2030 AGENDA –Recognize – Be sober and be vigilant, Time is Almost Up!

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them has turned aside. [Psalms 53:2-3].

Then, I looked, and there before me was a white horse! It’s rider held a bow, and he was given a crown and he rode out as a conqueror bent on a conquest. [Revelation 6:2].

Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. It’s rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. [Revelation 6:4].

Then I looked, and there before me was a black horse! It’s rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine! [Revelation 6:6].

Then I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green like a corpse. And Death was the name of its rider, who was given authority over one-fourth the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals” [Revelation 6:7-8].

Then there was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like a sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth. Then the sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. [Revelation 6:12-14].

Because they did not listen, the destruction that DID come found the people unprepared. [Luke 17:26-30].

California Lawmakers Pass Bill That Will Allow Churches to Build Affordable Housing

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

A bill that could allow churches to build affordable housing on their parking lots and surplus lands passed the California Legislature on Sept. 11. If Gov. Gavin Newsom signs Senate Bill (SB) 4 thousands of unused urban lots could potentially be used for housing development.

“SB 4 will open up 170,000 acres of land for affordable housing. It’s a game-changer,” Sen. Scott Wiener (D–San Francisco) posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The bill successfully passed the Senate floor with 32 votes in favor and two against. In the Assembly, it received overwhelming support with just a single vote against it.

The bill applies to churches, mosques, synagogues and other faith organizations. The organizations utilizing their land for construction would be able to bypass local zoning restrictions or discretionary approval processes.

Opposition to the bill has come from some local governments and environmental justice organizations. The city of Beverly Hills argued that localities are better equipped to address the needs of their residents. Environmental justice organizations have advocated for more protections that would prohibit construction within specified distances of freeways, industrial areas and oil and gas facilities.

The bill was amended in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee to improve environmental protections near oil wells.

California Slaps the Five Largest Oil Companies Sith Lawsuit

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

On Saturday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the state is suing five of the world’s largest oil companies and their subsidiaries — including Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and BP — for “more than 50 years of deception, cover-up, and damage that have cost California taxpayers billions of dollars in health and environmental impacts.”

Newsom will be speaking at Climate Week events in New York City this week.

“California taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill for billions of dollars in damages — wildfires wiping out entire communities, toxic smoke clogging our air, deadly heat waves, record-breaking droughts parching our wells,” said Newsom, referencing the civil lawsuit filed in Superior Court in San Francisco.

Bonta said the companies have known but not admitted that burning fossil fuels contributes to climate change.

“Enough is enough,” said Bonta. “With our lawsuit, California becomes the largest geographic area and the largest economy to take these giant oil companies to court. From extreme heat to drought and water shortages, the climate crisis they have caused is undeniable. It is time they pay to abate the harm they have caused. We will meet the moment and fight tirelessly on behalf of all Californians, in particular those who live in environmental justice communities.”

In a rebuttal, the American Petroleum Institute issued a statement arguing that Congress, not courts, should be responsible for establishing climate policy.

“This ongoing, coordinated campaign to wage meritless, politicized lawsuits against a foundational American industry and its workers is nothing more than a distraction from important national conversations and an enormous waste of California taxpayer resources,” the statement read.

Clark Atlanta University’s Department of Art and Fashion Scholars Selected by Fulton County’s FACE Program to Work with Designers in Paris

ATLANTA, GA—- Two Clark Atlanta University Art and Fashion students were selected for the Fulton County Fashion Art Culture & Education (FACE) initiative in Paris presented by Noir for the Global Master Class as part of the Paris Experience, a collaboration with Fulton County’s FACE program and Clark Atlanta University’s Department of Art and Fashion. This new initiative highlights resources in the arts and fashion industry and provides an innovative experience that bridges the gap between fashion, art, culture, and education.

“What an exciting opportunity for our Art and Fashion students, Amari Franklin and Ficara Akins, as they head to Paris for an amazing 10-day educational experience ending with a look at Paris Fashion Week,” said Professor BJ Arnett, Chair of the Art and Fashion Department and Special Assistant to the Dean of Arts and Sciences. “There are so many reasons why these two women were selected. They are both talented and are examples of resilience and tenacity in their fields. This unforgettable experience stands to be an amazing educational and artistic experience for our students due to the partnership between Clark Atlanta University and FACE.”

Franklin, a senior majoring in Fashion Design, and Akins, a sophomore, and Advertising Design major minoring in Fashion Merchandising, learned of the Paris Experience initiative by e-mail. The application process included submitting letters of recommendation and completing a quick fashion collection. This will be the first trip to Paris for both scholars, and they are excited about sharing this memorable and creative opportunity and the international art, fashion, and cultural experiences it will offer. Franklin looks forward to visiting Parisian thrift stores and vintage boutiques to find clothing that complements her sustainability aesthetic and taste and meeting and working with fashion leaders. Simultaneously, Akins plans to soak up the logistics of the fashion show to study the business side and artistry that goes into it, which will help her pursue her dream in advertising design and fashion merchandising.

Franklin and Akins will have an opportunity to gain insight into the Fashion industry through a hands-on field emergence where they will visit design houses and manufacturers and immerse themselves in all things art and fashion during the week-and-a-half-long tour. Additionally, guided by the amazing Noir organization out of New York with CEO Nicole Bess, they will work with designers during Noir Fashion Week, an organization committed to providing BIPOC creative talent and fashion brand opportunities through cultivation and showcasing. The two student fashion scholars may also have a chance to share their fashion collections with the public during one of Noir’s fashion shows.

Cal State Names Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes Its First Woman President

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

On September 13, the Board of Trustees of California State University (CSU) announced that it has appointed Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes to assume the role of president at California State University (CSU) Los Angeles.

When she assumes office on Jan. 8, 2024, Eanes will become the first woman to be president of a CSU school.

She will be succeeding Interim President Leroy M. Morishita, who has served in the position since the retirement of President Emeritus William A. Covino at the end of July 2023

“I am honored to join this outstanding university and its vibrant and diverse campus community,” said Eanes, who is currently President of York College, City University of New York – a position she has held since 2020.

“I look forward to engaging and collaborating with Cal State LA’s talented students, staff and faculty to continue the institution’s journey to new heights in student success, research, scholarship and creative activity, and community engagement,” she continued.

“A champion of diversity, equity and inclusion, Dr. Eanes is the ideal person to lead Cal State LA and continue to drive its powerful engine of social mobility,” said CSU Trustee Jack B. Clarke, Jr., chair of the Cal State LA Presidential Search Committee.

Eanes completed her undergraduate studies at Dillard University, obtained a master’s degree in social work from Boston University and earned her doctorate in social work from Clark Atlanta University.

 

Black Business Owners Concerned as Groups Step Up Attacks on Diversity

By Lila Brown | California Black Media

When the BeyGOOD foundation, led by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, awarded Compton-based entrepreneur Veronica Clanton-Higgins $10,000 in August, the 46-year-old businesswoman says she felt empowered and recognized.

Clanton, whose company, VCH Prosperity Consulting provides mental health consulting and socio-emotional wellness services to businesses and organizations, was one of 12 winners in the Los Angeles Area who were awarded grants.

Clanton told California Black Media (CBM) she wants to improve the lives of people in her community.

“I will use the grant funding for general operations expenses, to provide programming such as a hygiene drive for youth at a local high school along with day of wellness events and workshops,” she said.

As Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour makes its way around the globe, the BeyGOOD Foundation supports small businesses affected by the global pandemic through a charitable initiative known as the Black Parade Route. At each tour stop, the foundation hosts business impact luncheons where grant recipients are awarded $10,000 to support their business ventures, most of which are financially disadvantaged.

Clanton is among hundreds of Black individuals and businesses who have benefitted from corporate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives designed to empower African Americans. These initiatives have gained momentum since companies intensified their commitment to addressing systemic racism and historical inequities in the wake of the tragic murder of George Floyd in 2020 and the subsequent protests that erupted nationwide.

However, if certain conservative groups opposed to DEI initiatives get their way, it would be illegal for companies to specifically allocate funding to Black individuals or Black-owned businesses.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision banning affirmative action in college admissions could potentially pose a risk to corporate affirmative action programs.

Edward Blum, a conservative political strategist whose organization, The Project for Fair Representation was instrumental in the lawsuits that ended the consideration of race in college admissions, is now suing the Fearless Fund, an Atlanta-based venture capital fund that supports Black women businessowners with $20,000, accusing it of unlawful racial discrimination.

The nonprofit American Alliance for Equal Rights, also established by Blum, claimed in its federal lawsuit, that the Fearless Fund is violating Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, a U.S. law barring racial bias in private business. Both Goldman Sachs and the Fearless Fund are partners with BeyGOOD which also counts major corporations as sponsors including Adidas, Mastercard, Grameen America, Cisco, Live Nation along with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), an organization that certifies companies as Minority Business Enterprises.

Last week, the Fearless Fund issued a 914-page response to the lawsuit, asserting that the case is baseless; that the plaintiff does not have the right to sue; and that supporting Black women does not harm others, among other claims.

NMSDC’s CEO Ying McGuire issued a statement on the ruling which she said will have significant generational impacts on the business community, particularly for supplier diversity and business diversity programs.

“I am deeply concerned about the ramifications of this decision which poses a direct threat to minority-owned businesses and their economic prosperity,” she said.

In July, the Attorney Generals of 13 states penned a letter to the CEOs of Fortune 100 companies warning them to “refrain from discriminating on the basis of race.”

“Racial discrimination in employment and contracting is all too common among Fortune 100 companies and other large businesses,” the letter reads. “In an inversion of odious discriminatory practices of the distant past, today’s major companies adopt explicitly race-based initiatives which are similarly illegal.”

Corporate social responsibility programs like the Black Parade Route, J.P. Morgan Chase’s Advancing Black Wealth Tour, and Goldman Sach’s One Million Black Women specifically focus on empowering Black entrepreneurs.

Other corporations have launched Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs that aim to increase the representation of Blacks and other minorities at all levels of their corporate structures, while others have focused on Supplier Diversity Programs in procurement.

The J.P. Morgan Chase’s Black Wealth Tour was established in response to the national reckoning that followed the tragic death of George Floyd. The roadshow is part of a broader initiative that promotes equity and inclusion for the Black community.

This year’s tour features Golden State Warriors star and four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry .

At the Oakland stop in August, Curry shared his experience as a venture capitalist with over 300 attendees.

“Generational wealth is about possibilities and about rectifying 400 years of disadvantages since the system was designed to disadvantage Black people around the country,” Curry said.

Although Proposition 209, enacted in California in 1996, prohibited the consideration of race in college admissions and state contracting, advocates say DEI programs still benefit Black businesses in the state.

“I am not surprised by these attacks on diversity. America is in denial about our history – our treatment of minorities, especially Blacks,” said Jay King, President and CEO of the California Black Chamber of Commerce. “We have to come together as Americans of all races and fight for the humanity of each other or we are doomed. That is how we live up to our desire to fix historical wrongs and be truly inclusive.”

Earlier this year, there was a sudden exodus of Black women executives in Hollywood leading DEI initiatives, including Karen Horne, senior vice president of North America DEI at Warner Bros. Discovery; Jeanell English, executive vice president of impact and inclusion at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences; Vern? Myers, Netflix’s first head of inclusion; and LaTondra Newton, Disney’s chief diversity officer and senior vice president. Additionally, Terra Potts, executive VP of worldwide marketing at Warner Bros., left the studio after 13 years. 

Launching her National “Fight for Our Freedoms” College Tour at Hampton University last week, Vice President Kamala Harris characterized those opposing DEI initiatives as “extreme.”

“If we want equal outcomes, we must take into account that not everyone starts out on the same base,” noted Harris.

Antonio Ray Harvey contributed to this article.

 

 

Social Lite, Inc., Charter Member Edna Noble Celebrates 90th Birthday in Style

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Current and past members of Social Lites, Inc., along with over 100 family and friends were on sight on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at Jassan Banquiet Hall in San Bernardino to pay tribute to longtime resident of San Bernardino and honorary member, Ms. Edna Noble, at her 90th birthday celebration. Ms. Noble was among the charter members of this organization in 1956 to help young African American high school students through the Beautillion Program to continue their education beyond high school.

We salute Ms. Noble who was president of the Social Lites, Inc. in the late 60s when she took the lead with the establishment of the first $1,000.00 scholarship to California State University, San Bernardino. This was announced at the Social Lites, Inc. annual Ebony Fashion Show scholarship fundraiser.

Ms. Noble is a member of Temple Missionary Baptist Church who received recognition from City Council Member, Kimberly Calvin, Sixth Ward on behalf of Mayor Helen Tran along with a plaque from Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes of the California State Assembly presented to her from representative Prince Ogidikpe.