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“It’s been like tons, or gallons of alcohol being thrown on the open wounds of inequality and racism in this country. And as we think about how to recover, we’re going to have to think about how to make sure that we don’t go back to where we were before,” said Angela Glover Blackwell, an African-American author and policy specialist based in Oakland.

Blackwell is the founder and president of the non-profit PolicyLink, a research institute and social action organization that advances racial and economic equity, according to the group’s website.

“It was unacceptable then and it will be unacceptable going forward,” Blackwell continued, pointing out the “painful” economic and health disparities the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare across the United States and here in California.

She was speaking Friday during Gov. Gavin Newsom’s daily COVID-19 press conference in Sacramento. During the briefing, the governor announced that he has appointed Blackwell and 79 other prominent Californians to the state Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery.

The governor said he is charging the diverse group of social, political and economic leaders to analyze every sector of the state economy and put together a road map to economic recovery. Newsom says he expects the task force to come up with “short-term, medium-term and long-term ideas” to put California on track to once again attain the level of economic prosperity the state had reached before the pandemic: 21 consecutive months of job growth; a $20 billion budget surplus in 2019; and 20 billion more stacked away in the state reserves.

“I have asked and tasked some of the best and brightest minds that we could source —  a disproportionate number, almost exclusively, reside right here in the state of California – some of the most well-known business leaders in the world. The great social justice lawyers reside here in the state of California. Tribal leaders. Health care leaders. Small business leaders.”

Tom Steyer, the billionaire businessman, civic leader, and former US presidential candidate will co-chair the task force along with Gov. Newsom’s Chief of Staff Ann O’Leary.

Other African-American task force members include Gregory A. Adams, Chairman and CEO, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., and hospitals; Willie Adams, President, International Longshore and Warehouse Union; E. Toby Boyd: President, California Teachers Association; Stacy Brown-Philpot: CEO, TaskRabbit; Dr. Robert Ross: President and CEO, The California Endowment; among others. See the full list of members.

The impact of the global Coronavirus pandemic in California has been deep and far-reaching, hitting the finances, health, and way of life of people across class, race, and geographical lines, but especially so among African Americans and other people of color.

At press time,  the coronavirus had claimed the lives of more than one thousand Californians, and more than 28,000 more across the state had been infected by the deadly virus – with the largest concentration, more than 11,000 people, diagnosed in Los Angeles County alone.

Based on racial data the state has collected so far on mortality rates,  a disproportionate number of Black Californians have died from COVID-19: About 12 percent in a state where African Americans account for 6 percent of the total population of nearly 40 million people.

About 95 people died of COVID-19 Thursday, the deadliest day since the onset of the pandemic, and a day before the governor announced his economic recovery task force appointments.

Last week, the governor also announced that the state is officially in a “pandemic-induced recession.”

“This pandemic has forced millions of Californians out of jobs – with the most vulnerable hit the hardest,” he said. “We will use a gradual, science-based and data-driven framework to guide our re-opening timing while planning our economic recovery.”

More than 3.1 million Californians have filed for unemployment insurance since March 12, and the state unemployment rate has spiked to 5.3% from under 3% just two months ago. Before the onset of the pandemic, about 2,500 people applied weekly, on average, for unemployment insurance. Over the last few weeks, that weekly average has jumped to more than 200,000. 

“This is an amazing moment despite all the suffering,” Blackwell said. “The silver lining could be to finally understand that we cannot go forward as a nation divided as we have been between haves and have nots.”

Other members the governor appointed to the task force are California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Los Angeles), Senate Minority Leader Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), Assembly Minority Leader Marie Waldron (R-Escondido), former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, Walt Disney Company Executive Chairman Bob Iger, former head of the Small Business Administration Aida Álvarez and dozens of other Californians from sectors, including business, labor, health care, academia and philanthropy.

Gov. Newsom also appointed the state’s four living former governors as honorary members on the task force. They are Hon. Jerry Brown, Hon. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hon. Gray Davis and Hon. Pete Wilson.

“We need to demonstrate for the nation that it is possible to have a recovery that is transformative, imaginative and radical,” Blackwell emphasized.

This week, Marijuana enthusiasts across the state of California — and around the world are — observing 4/20/2020.

But, this year, the famous pot smoking celebration in California, where the weed industry has been struggling to take off, has taken another twist. Like every other activity and public function, it will be happening, if it does at all, privately, away from public spaces, as the global COVID-19 pandemic that has now killed more than 1,000 Californians continues to rage.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed  issued a statement urging people to continue practicing social distancing on 4/20.

“I want to be clear with people who come to San Francisco on 4/20 to Robin Williams Meadow to celebrate 4/20, do not come to San Francisco,” warned Breed, the city’s first Black woman mayor. She was elected in 2018.

“We will not allow this unsanctioned event to occur this year especially in the height of a pandemic,” she added.

The unofficial “holiday” honoring the consumption of cannabis has become almost synonymous with California. Five high school students first coined the term “4:20” in 1971 at San Rafael High School in Marin County near San Francisco. Hippie Hill, the largest annual public pot smoking celebration in the world is held in San Francisco every year. Several more large festivals rivaling the Bay Area’s are held downstate around Los Angeles.  

In pop culture, California rappers like Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Nipsey Hussle – and 1990s urban movie classics like “Friday” —  have popularized weed smoking and created a laidback, dazed-out hip hop weed aesthetic straight out of the stereos of tricked-out whips and against the backdrop of the hazy Southern California sunshine.

In 1996, California became the first state in the United States to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. Then in 2016, by a ballot measure, Prop 64, voters approved the use of recreational marijuana, prompting big investments in the state’s weed industry. But the retail business has been slow to pick up — some say because of high state and local taxes, protests from NIMBYs, and stiff competition from a thriving untaxed illegal market that is more rooted and widespread than the legal one.  

Prop 64 included in it a provision to establish the California Community Reinvestment Grant (CalCRG) program funded by excise and cultivation taxes on cannabis. The program funds programs that assist Californians disproportionately affected by federal and state War-on-Drug policies. Among its programs, the grant helps formerly incarcerated people reintegrate into society with “trauma-informed” care. The majority of those impacted were Black and Hispanic men, women and children.

Even though the state has deemed weed an essential commodity during the COVID-19 crisis, the state’s weed industry is sputtering.

Some weed smokers have been excited that the unofficial observance of weed smoking is unique this year because the date has four twenties in it. Some putting forth the suggestion that entire month of April, which is technically 4/20, like the date, be celebrated this year.

“At 4:20 on 4/20/2020, there will be four twenties,” are the words on a sign rapper Snoop Dogg is holding on a meme making its way around the internet.

But the excitement that was building up to this year’s celebration has been cooled by strict social distancing measures issued by the state during the current pandemic. Organizers of San Francisco’s “Hippie Hill” 4/20 celebration have cancelled the event.

“We take the health and safety of the public, our staff, vendors, and sponsors very seriously. We feel it’s all of our responsibility to do our part to minimize social gathering and potential spread of this virus in the community,” reads a message on Hippie Hill’s official website.

The 4/20 celebration usually takes place in Golden Gate Park, but this year organizers are urging people to stay home and smoke.

“While this event is cancelled in person, it is not cancelled in spirit! We want everyone to celebrate this historic day by staying in and supporting your local delivery services and dispensaries,” it says on the Hippie Hill website.

LOS ANGELES, CA— Free, same-day tests are now available for all LA County residents who have symptoms of COVID-19.  Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. 

The following factors do not affect eligibility for a COVID-19 test: 

• Immigration status
• Insurance status
• Age
• Underlying health issues

Health equity is central to Los Angeles County’s mission to build a network of free COVID-19 testing sites. There are currently 29 operational sites throughout the County. There are both drive-up and walk-up sites. To ensure the sites prioritize people who need it most, only people who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 are eligible for these testing services at this time.  

Appointments are necessary. Here are the steps for getting a test appointment: 

• Visit the website lacovidprod.service-now.com/rrs
• Answer a series of questions. The answers determine if you are eligible for an appointment. 
• If you are eligible, you will receive an appointment confirmation number by email. 
• Bring the confirmation number and photo ID to your appointment.
• People with no access to the Internet can dial 2-1-1 for help making an appointment. 
• People without a car can be tested as long as they have an appointment. The sites can accommodate pedestrians.
• There are NO walk-up appointments available for people who do not register. 
• For a full list of locations and answers to questions about testing, go tocovid19.lacounty.gov.

There is a helpful instructional video to prepare you to take the test. Test results may take up to 3-4 days. Positive test results will be notified with a phone call. Negative test results will be notified by email.

For more information, visit https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing. To schedule a test, visit https://lacovidprod.service-now.com/rrs.

By Lou Yeboah

Hear me and hear me good. If you never listen to anything else I say, listen today. The judgment of God is looming right over the horizon. Don’t be caught off guard, going about your daily life, unable to understand what is going on around you. Put yourself in a position to hear the warning, to understand what it means, and to have the wisdom to act accordingly. Our world has just about reached the limit of God’s mercy and forbearance. Man’s pride and arrogance, his greed and selfishness, his violence and brutality have reached a level which is intolerable. Our nation and world is in turmoil and this is the time for God’s people to get right with God. To repent of our own sins and to pray that in the midst of His coming wrath, He would remember mercy. [Habakkuk 3:2]. This was the message God gave to the Assyrians in Nineveh in the 8th Century BC through the preaching of the prophet Jonah. [Jonah 1:2]; and it is the same message He is giving to us today through his Word; a message of a judgment that is coming.

You know, Noah could have thought, “One hundred and twenty years is a long ways off,” and procrastinated on building the ark. But he didn’t do that. AS SOON AS HE HEARD God’s warning about the coming judgment, he went to work building the ark. It took him over a century to complete, but he kept at it. It seemed crazy to the world, but it all suddenly made sense when the sky began to pour rain and the fountains of the deep opened up. But then it was too late! Then the destruction that DID come found the people unprepared. Heed the warning! The judgment of God is looming right over the horizon.

God has issued a clear warning: A “Category 5” storm of judgment is heading toward everyone who dwells on earth! The door of His ark is still open. Flee to Christ and you will be saved. Scoff at the warning and you will be lost forever. As the three angels proclaimed in Revelation 14, ‘with loud voices’, very strong and dire warnings to the world, as well as the angel in Revelation 18, ‘crying out mightily’ to the inhabitants of the world, giving God’s final warning and call of mercy, it is high time for us to heed these final warnings, because we are living in end times. 

Wake up! Be reminded and become aware of these things which will soon affect every single one of us. Time will not just “continue on” the way it has, so says the Word of God. And even as it begins to happen, God is faithful, and His Word says that someone will see [Ezekiel 33:3] the sword coming upon the land, and this someone is commanded to give warning or indeed lose his own life also!” Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among you. [Jeremiah 6: 18]. The trumpet is sounding. The time is at hand. It is near. The judgment of God is looming over the horizon. We must take heed to God’s warnings or suffer the consequences.

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live…” [Deuteronomy 30:19].

Customers eligible to renew license online encouraged to do so

Commercial licenses extended through June 30; drivers under 70 extended through May 31

Drivers can request an optional paper extension online

Drivers 70 and older will automatically receive temporary paper extension valid for 120 days

SACRAMENTO, CA— – The California Department of Motor Vehicles is extending driver licenses expiring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Licenses for drivers younger than 70 that expire between March and May 2020 are now valid through May 31, 2020.

All commercial driver licenses, endorsements and certificates expiring between March and June 2020 are now valid through June 30, 2020, aligning with a recent emergency declaration from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The extension does not include medical certificates for commercial drivers, which requires additional administrative actions scheduled in the near future.

The DMV has alerted California law enforcement of the extensions. Californians with a suspended license are not eligible.

The DMV continues to review and process online renewals, and encourages drivers who are eligible to renew their license online to do so.

The extensions require no individual action on the part of drivers. These drivers will not receive a new card or an extension in the mail. As an option, these drivers can request a free temporary paper extension online through DMV’s Virtual Field Office to document their extension.

The Virtual Field Office, virtual.dmv.ca.gov, builds on the other online services already available to DMV customers at dmv.ca.gov, including driver license renewals.

The temporary extensions are in addition to other steps the DMV announced earlier this month to help Californians with expiring licenses, including:

• A 120-day extension for drivers age 70 and older. Drivers age 70 and older with expiring noncommercial licenses are receiving an extension in the mail automatically. 
• Temporarily waiving required in-person renewals for eligible driver license and identification cardholders with expirations in March, April, and May 2020. Individuals who meet the criteria are able to renew online or by mail.

The DMV continues to provide essential services via mail, online, kiosks, its call center, available business partners and now virtually to process critical transactions, including eligible driver license and vehicle registration renewals, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers can use the Services Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV tasks.

The measures to help Californians with expiring driver licenses are the latest DMV actions during the coronavirus pandemic, including:

• Temporarily closing field offices. Following deep cleaning, expansion of virtual services and development of new protocols, the DMV soon will offer in-person services in each region. Information on office openings will be announced by DMV in the near future.
• Canceling all behind-the-wheel drive tests to honor social distancing guidelines. 
• Suspending extended office hours and Saturday service.

By Kim Callinan

“I have heart disease, and I am scared.  For years, doctor’s visits and medication have kept me alive. However, now I am afraid if I go to the doctor, I will catch coronavirus and die. If I don’t go, my heart disease could kill me.” 

I have had similar conversations with seriously ill Americans nationwide who have a host of diseases. They ARE legitimately at greater risk of dying prematurely if they are exposed to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Terminally ill patients at the end of their life face an even direr dilemma. They need access to quality medical care to control pain, manage symptoms, reduce suffering and extend their quality of life. A shortage of hospice care could drive them to seek pain and symptom management in already crowded, infectious emergency departments, which would increase their risk of a premature, painful death.   

As the nation grapples to contain and treat patients with COVID-19, we’re rethinking how we care for people with other serious or terminal illnesses.  Given that patients risk contracting the coronavirus at healthcare facilities designed to save lives, medicine must adopt accordingly, by replacing brick and mortar medicine with the safe, effective use of telehealth.

Fortunately, late last month the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued regulations to implement telehealth provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) that significantly expand patients’ access to telehealth services. They will help ensure that vulnerable populations, including terminally ill patients, can seek care in the safety of their own homes while allowing quarantined doctors the ability to safely deliver quality health care.

1. CMS will now pay for more than 80 additional Medicare services when furnished via telehealth. They include emergency department visits, initial nursing facility and discharge visits, and home visits, which must be provided by a clinician that is allowed to provide telehealth.
2. Providers can evaluate Medicare beneficiaries, who have audio phones only, a vitally important option for low tech seniors.
3. Licensed clinical social worker services, clinical psychologist services, physical therapy services, occupational therapist services, and speech language pathology services can receive payment for Medicare telehealth services.
4. Licensed practitioners, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, are allowed to order Medicaid home health services during the existence of the public health emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fortunately, telehealth recently has become a rapidly growing care vehicle in the United States. According to a 2018 JAMA study, annual telehealth visits have increased at an average annual compound growth rate of 52 percent from 2005 to 2017.  A 2018 study by Deloitte indicates that 9 out of 10 physicians recognize the benefits of telehealth. Furthermore, two-thirds of physicians (66%) note that virtual care improves patient access and the majority (52%) recognizes it improves patient satisfaction.

Despite these promising statistics and the new CARES Act provisions, widespread adoption of telehealth will take some time. It will require buy-in by both healthcare providers and patients to restructure our health system and make telehealth a first-line approach, particularly during the threat of COVID-19. 

If you are a patient with a terminal or serious illness or a caregiver to one, talk with your healthcare providers about whether telehealth could replace an in person office visit. While it cannot substitute all office visits, it can be used in more instances than people realize. For example, clinicians are able to furnish patients with medical equipment so that they can monitor vital health indicators remotely and more effectively.

We know from experience that doctors are more likely to take the steps necessary to learn and then implement new approaches to medicine when patients request them. Given these facts, your self-advocacy for telehealth could benefit you, others, and ultimately contribute to more widespread and appropriate adoption. 

---

Kim Callinan is President & CEO of Compassion & Choices. 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes along with her colleagues Senator Connie Leyva, Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez and Assemblymember James Ramos have collaborated with leaders in the Inland Empire to donate N-95 Face Masks, thousands of surgical masks and face shields to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.  Thanks to the generosity of the Inland Chinese Association about 1,000 N95 masks and more than 3,000 surgical masks will be delivered.  Additionally, San Bernardino Valley College will deliver 100 medical-grade face shields made with the 3D printers from their MakerSpace lab. These donations are an effort to increase personal protective equipment (PPE) for nurses, physicians and staff working on the frontlines serving the community during the COVID-19 crisis.

As an added gesture of gratitude, the local legislators are providing lunch to the Emergency Department personnel.

The County of San Bernardino recently reported 887 positive cases. This increase is now outpacing any county in the Bay Area, according to the Los Angeles Times. If cases continue to double every four to five days in San Bernardino County, it could also increase exposure of COVID-19 and put more pressure on medical personnel. This is an example of why it is important to continue increasing personal protective equipment for essential workers.

“Our nurses, physicians and medical staff are putting themselves and their families at risk every day, protecting our community. It is our duty to make sure they have the personal protective equipment they need to continue serving,” said Assemblymember Reyes.

“Everything we can do to support those on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 leaves our entire community safer and healthier. Thank you to everyone in our healthcare system who is working hard to protect and serve their patients,” said Assemblymember Rodriguez.

“It is a privilege to be able to deliver these critically needed masks to our frontline medical workers,” said Assemblymember James Ramos (D-Highland). “We rely on these medical professionals for the well-being of our community, our loved ones and ourselves—protecting those on the frontlines is of upmost importance.”

“We are very grateful for this gift,” said Rodney Borger, M.D., ARMC Emergency Department Chairman. “ARMC’s staff is on the frontlines of this COVID-19 response and they appreciate this gesture.”

“During this Coronavirus pandemic, we have heard that many hospitals are short of supplies, and we want to thank Gary Liaou and the IE Chinese Association for donating 1,000 N95 masks and thousands of surgical masks to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. They come at a critical time,” states Senator Connie M. Leyva

“We are grateful for the heroic work of our health care workers,” said San Bernardino Valley College President Diana Z. Rodriguez. “They do so much to take care of us; we must do our part to take care of them.”

What: PPE Donation to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center plus Thank-You Lunch

Who: Senator Connie Leyva, Assemblymember Eloise Reyes, Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez, Assemblymember James Ramos

Gary Liaou, Inland Chinese Assn President

Anne Vericel, SBCCD Board of Trustees Chair

Frank Reyes, SBCCD Board of Trustees Member

Frank Navarro, COLTON Mayor

Leno Moreno, Leno’s Rico Taco

Rodney Borger, M.D., ARMC Emergency Department Chairman

William Gilbert, CEO ARMC

Where: Arrowhead Regional Medical Center

400 N. Pepper Ave, Colton, CA 92324

(Outside the Medical Office Building)

When: Wednesday , April 15th  11:30am

WASHINGTON, D.C.—- The NAACP, in conjunction with BET, will host part two of their four-part virtual town hall series, “Unmasked: COVID-19” on Wednesday, April 15, at 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT. The hour-long call will focus on naming and addressing the real trauma communities are experiencing at this moment. Panelists will also touch on the severe impact this pandemic has had on the prison and incarcerated population throughout the country. 

Callers can participate via interactive toll-free conference call that will stream LIVE on the NAACP’s website at https://naacp.org/call-to-action-program/. To join via phone, dial (866) 757-0756 and to join the conversation on social media follow @NAACP and @BET. 

“Living in this new reality, we not only have to think about how we interact with each other, but we must give special care to our mind, body and soul,” said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP. “The dynamic speakers in our second virtual town hall will provide in-depth information on how to cope during times of uncertainty.”  

Participants on the call will have the opportunity to hear remarks from Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP; Iylana Vanzant, host and executive producer of the award-winning show, Iyanla: Fix My Life; Benny Napoleon, sheriff of Wayne County, Mich.; and Dr. Patrice Harris, president of the American Medical Association.

Each speaker will offer words of encouragement and actions our communities can take to contribute to their well-being during this challenging time.

WHAT: Unmasked: COVID-19 (Part 2)

WHERE: Participant Dial-in: (866) 757 0756

WHEN: Wednesday, April 15, 2020, @  8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT

WHO

Ed Gordon, Journalist

Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP

Iyanla Vanzant, Host and Executive Producer, Iyanla: Fix My Life

Benny Napoleon, Sheriff, Wayne County, Michigan

Dr. Patrice Harris, President, American Medical Association

LOS ANGELES, CA—- Hallelujah! The Lifetime Original Movie  The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel  hit a high note on Saturday night, delivering 2.7 million Total Viewers in L+SD, according to Nielsen Media Research, making it Lifetime’s highest-rated movie since 2016 and the strongest original movie on all of television for 2020 across key demos, including both broadcast and cable. Additionally, The Clark Sisters was the best ad-supported cable original movie since 2018 in key demos, with 1.1 million Adults 25-54, 905,000 Adults 18-49 and 813,000 Women 25-54. With the success of The Clark Sisters, Lifetime now claims the top three original movies on ad-supported cable in 2020 in key demos, along with Stolen By My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story and Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer.

On social media, #TheClarkSisters ranked #1 across all TV on April 11 with over 700,000 interactions, according to Nielsen Social. #TheClarkSisters was the top social Lifetime movie over the last year.

Hailing from executive producers Queen Latifah , Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott , The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel recounts the story of the legendary pioneers of contemporary gospel music and their trailblazing mother, Mattie Moss Clark ( Aunjanue Ellis ). Credited with bringing Gospel music to the mainstream, the five Clark sisters (Christina Bell as “Twinkie,” Kierra Sheard as “Karen,” Raven Goodwin as “Denise,” Sheléa Frazier as “Dorinda,” Angela Birchett as “Jacky”) overcame humble beginnings in Detroit, enduring abuse, loss, rejection, betrayal, and sibling rivalries to achieve international fame as icons of the Gospel music industry. Grammy-winner, songwriter and gospel record producer and artist Donald Lawrence produced all the re-recorded Clark Sister hits for the movie. Christine Swanson (Chicago P.D.) directed, based on a script written by Sylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker . In addition to Latifah, Blige, and Elliott, executive producers also include Holly Carter who also executive produces for Relevé Entertainment and Shakim Compere executive produces for Flavor Unit. Loretha Jonesalso executive produced. 

Follow Lifetime Publicity onTwitter  and   Instagram

By David Tucker

Every 10 years, the United States Census Bureau works to conduct an accurate count of the nation’s population, as provided for under the U.S. Constitution. This decennial count – which is currently underway – is one of our nation’s most inclusive civic activities, including every person living in the country, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion or citizenship.

An accurate count is essential to our democracy and our community’s growth because the data helps determine how much federal funding and political representation each state and community receives. Census results are used to determine political seats and draw district lines for all levels of government and to allocate hundreds of billions of dollars in federal spending nationwide for critical community resources like parks, infrastructure, health care, and support programs in education, housing grants and nutrition.

Black Americans have been systematically undercounted from the very first census, disadvantaging Black communities and neighborhoods, and silencing our voices. An inaccurate census count can negatively impact community programming for schools, housing, health care services, business investment and much more.

The first census count in 1790 deliberately listed only the names of the heads of free Black households, while all other free persons were listed by age. By the 1860 census, at the start of the Civil War, the Black population increased to 4.4 million, about 14 percent of the overall population of the country. Yet, the explicit undercount of the Black population continued until the first post-Civil War census in 1870, following granting citizenship and equal civil and legal rights to African Americans and slaves under the Fourteenth Amendment. 

Over the following century, explicit discrimination was outlawed – but systemic discrimination persisted. Even today, the Census continues to disproportionately and systematically undercount the Black population. Black men have been undercounted in greater numbers than men of any other racial or ethnic group. In 2010, Black children were undercounted at twice the rate as a young non-Black child, affecting the funding for programs designed to serve children and families, like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs and the National School Lunch Program. Even as the 2010 census overcounted the population as a whole, it undercounted the Black population by more than 800,000 people.

Certainly, there are social and economic problems that make the Black community hard-to-count, including increased rates of housing instability, industrialized incarceration, homelessness, and even lack of internet access. And a deep distrust of government and concerns about privacy only make things worse.

This means many in the Black community are “missing” in their own communities, hiding in plain sight – even to this day.

These are unprecedented times. So, we must come together to ensure that Black communities are seen, heard and counted.

That starts by ensuring people know what to do to participate: You can go to my2020census.gov right now to fill out the form. It’s a simple, confidential nine-question survey that asks for basic information like your name, address, sex, race, and age. For those who prefer to fill out the form over the phone, you can dial 844-330-2020 to participate.

And don’t forget, your responses to the Census are protected by law and cannot be shared with, or used by, any other government agencies. Answers cannot be used for law enforcement purposes or to determine eligibility for government benefits or immigration enforcement. 

Black Californians deserve a fair and accurate census count in 2020. Our democracy relies on accurate data to make sound decisions that reflect our country’s needs. An accurate representation of our communities in the census will allow Black Americans to have a greater influence over resources and representation and the ability to hold lawmakers accountable. The Black community has an opportunity to change the history of the census in 2020 and participate in record numbers – let’s seize this moment.