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

Last week, the Black in School Coalition released the results of its comprehensive survey titled “California Black Voters Perspectives on the Quality of Education for Black Students.”

The coalition commissioned this statewide survey of 1,200 Black voters for the third consecutive year to assess their viewpoints on education funding, school performance, and the biggest challenges facing Black students today.

The Black in School Coalition is a statewide organization that works to improve academic and social outcomes for Black students in California.

The data gathered from the poll is intended to offer policymakers, educators, and other relevant stakeholders’ insights into the education related concerns of Black voters. These insights can be used to help them develop more effective policies and programs to improve the quality of education that Black students receive.

Currently, 70% of Black students are not meeting English language arts standards and 84% are not meeting math standards.

The survey found that 84% of Black voters want education funding to target the lowest performing schools.

Additionally, 71% of Black voters believe that allocating additional money based on student performance would improve education for Black students.

79% of respondents support a legislative proposal to change the way that LCFF is funded by creating a new grant for California’s lowest performing subgroups, including Black students.

50% of respondents do not think that schools in their area are providing quality education for Black students. This finding suggests that Black students are not receiving the same quality of education as their White peers.

93% of respondents think that chronic absenteeism is an urgent problem. This is a major issue for Black students because it can have a devastating impact on their academic achievement.

48% of Black voters disagree that the California legislature is working hard to improve education for Black students. Only 27% of respondents agree that Gov. Newsom is doing enough to improve educational outcomes for Black students.

All of these findings suggest that Black voters in California are deeply concerned about the state of education for Black students.

Dr. Margaret Fortune, President and CEO of Fortune School of Education said during the release of the poll, “I think that the point of this work is to improve the academic performance of all of our students including those that are the lowest performers.”

Brian Rivas with The Education Trust-West and a Black in School Coalition member said in the Coalition’s press release, “Almost half of those surveyed do not believe the California Legislature is working hard to improve education for Black students, and that is a problem. We must do better.”

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

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell and state Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) recently traveled to Kenya to study a universal income program the country utilizes to support one of its most impoverished regions. The goal is to see if a similar program could benefit California residents as well.

In the towns of Kisumu County, Kenya that they visited, residents have received $25 a month for the past five years as part of the world’s largest guaranteed income project. GiveDirectly, the non-profit funding the $30M initiative, disburses millions of dollars to 20,000 individuals residing in 295 villages across the Western and Rift Valley regions of Kenya.

While a similar program in California would look vastly different due to the wide-ranging incomes found in the state, Mitchell and Haney were inspired by aspects of the project. The mobile money distribution system that villagers use allows individuals to receive cash transfers via mobile phone apps without being connected to a bank.

“Cash performs better than some of the other critical services that we in government prioritize,” Mitchell told the LA Times. “We create this cliff effect: if people do what we ask them to do like go to school or get a raise, then we drop them from the social safety net. My dream is for us to rethink the way we administer these programs and create a culture shift and cut some of the red tape.”

Existing programs in California are limited and in early development stages but have been met with support from the Legislature.

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

Last week, the Gene Hale Foundation, a non-profit based in Los Angeles County, donated $25,000 to the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC) Education Scholarship Foundation to support a program designed to assist college-bound students.

The recipients of these scholarships are students all from Los Angeles-area high schools, including Susan Miller Dorsey Dorsey High School, Crenshaw High School, Washington Prep High School, Jordan High School, and Hamilton High School.

Hale and his wife, Crystal Hale, are dedicated philanthropists who support numerous charitable causes.

Hale is currently chair of the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce and the Gardena Police Foundation. He also serves on the Los Angeles County Small Business Commission.

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

Clarence Avant, known for his exceptional ability as a “kingmaker” and deal closer in power circles from Hollywood to Washington died at his home in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Avant, born in Greensboro, N.C., was 92.

“Through his revolutionary business leadership, Clarence became affectionately known as ‘The Black Godfather’ in the worlds of music, entertainment, politics, and sports,” read a statement released by his children Alex and Nicole Avant and his son-in-law Ted Sarandos.

“Clarence leaves behind a loving family and a sea of friends and associates that have changed the world and will continue to change the world for generations to come. The joy of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss,” the statement continued.

In December of 2021, Avant’s wife, Jacqueline Avant, was shot during a home invasion at the family’s Beverly Hills mansion.

A close friend of Quincy Jones, Avant’s influence impacted the careers of a many celebrities and politicians, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama; Michael Jackson; Jimmy Jam; Snoop Dogg; Terry Lewis; Whitney Houston; Jay-Z, among others.

National In-Home Care Company Introduces Innovative Model to Serve the San Bernardino Community

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — CareBuilders at Home, a leading national in-home care franchise, is excited to announce the grand opening of its newest location in San Bernardino, California. Sheila Jones-Lilley will be the first franchisee in Southern California.  This expansion brings high-quality in-home care services to the residents of the Inland Empire where the Jones-Lilley family has resided and raised their three children for the past 30 years.

CareBuilders at Home specializes in developing personalized care plans tailored to the unique needs of each client. With services ranging from mobility assistance and medication compliance to hygiene support, CareBuilders at Home ensures that clients receive the assistance they require for daily living.

Jones-Lilley has dedicated her life to helping others. She has been an occupational therapist for more than 30 years as well as a senior care coordinator since 2014.  For her, providing care is second nature, but the need for in-home care became abundantly clear to her when she and her husband, Myron, began caring for his uncle and her mother.

“Taking care of my mom and uncle from a distance made me realize that you need someone in person. You need eyes, ears, and hands to help in the home, to make sure that the care you set up is being provided,” Jones-Lilley said. “I realize there is a great need for in-home care in our area, and nothing gives me more personal satisfaction than knowing I met the needs of someone else, and they can have a better quality of life because of the work I’ve done.”

The demand for in-home care services is rapidly increasing, and CareBuilders at Home is committed to meeting this demand by expanding its presence in local communities across the nation. Jones-Lilley’s new location will provide in-home care and beyond to Southern California—a state that holds more than a dozen metro areas in a recent USA Today list of U.S. cities where people live the longest. IBISWorld reports the U.S. market size for home care providers, based on revenue, was nearly $130 billion in 2022.

CareBuilders at Home offers more than in-home care. Clients can also participate in their innovative Wellness Program, which offers virtual caregiving, allowing family members to connect with their loved ones through a device linked to a standard television.

“We are delighted to welcome Sheila to the CareBuilders at Home family. Her background in the medical field, combined with her commitment to providing outstanding service, makes her the ideal leader for our new location,” said David Savitsky, Founder and CEO of CareBuilders at Home. “We continuously strive to listen to our clients’ needs and find innovative ways to meet them, and Sheila will be instrumental in driving our future success.”

Jones-Lilley said she is opening a CareBuilders at Home franchise to continue her passion for helping others, make a good living and have the potential to leave a legacy for her children. The CareBuilders at Home-Inland Empire franchise will open in the summer of 2023 to serve the community with compassion and expertise.

Join a Growing Franchise Family

CareBuilders at Home is seeking qualified candidates who are mission-oriented and want to help individuals live a better life. With locations currently across the United States, CareBuilders at Home looks to bring on new franchise owners to support the company’s expansion plan.

To learn more about the franchise opportunities with CareBuilders at Home visit https://carebuildersfranchise.com/

Background of a Family Business

More than 30 years ago, David and Stephen Savitsky founded their first home care business, wanting to give back to their community and provide quality care for people in need. Their company was called Tender Loving care, which has evolved over the years through name changes, but the mission for the company and two brothers has always been: To provide dignity and care to senior citizens, people with disabilities, and anyone else who might need the services of qualified home care franchise specialists.

David and Stephen Savitsky now run ATC Healthcare Services, a healthcare staffing franchise system.  CareBuilders at Home is the home care division of their company, allowing the company to grow and provide a wealth of care to individuals across the nation.

The family dynamic at CareBuilders at Home does not stop with the brothers. Avi Savitsky, the son of Stephen Savitsksy, is the Director of Franchise Strategy. It was a position he had to earn through experience. Before he worked in the home office, he was a franchise owner.

About CareBuilders at Home

CareBuilders at Home is a fast-growing national franchise which provides comprehensive non-medical home health care solutions to enhance the lives of individuals across the nation.

The company offers a wide range of services individualized to meet the needs of clients including errands, light housekeeping, and medication compliance. In addition to the support given to older Americans, the company also assists those who are physically or developmentally disabled, recovering from illness or surgery, and new moms.

The CareBuilders at Home franchise opportunity allows entrepreneurs to be a part of the lucrative home care industry, while being able to give back and help clients. CareBuilders at Home franchise partners have access to the company’s exclusive Virtual Caregiver platform.

The company is the only home care franchise in to handle all back-office services for franchise partners including payroll, billing, and collections.

For more information on the CareBuilders at Home franchise opportunity, visit?https://carebuildersfranchise.com/.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The 56th Beautillion Scholarship Program culminated on April 1, 2023, at California State University, San Bernardino. Master of Ceremonies, Raafi Bell, Principal at Hardy Brown College Prep and 2004 Beautillion Sir Knight tied the past fifty-five Beautillion themes into an empowering history of the Beautillion, closing with this year’s theme, “I AM…Changing the Narrative.” Keynote Speaker was Lawrence Charles Hardy, Equity & Targeted Student Achievement Program Specialist/Family Engagement with the San Bernardino County Unified School District. Lawrence emphasized the importance of higher education and giving back to the community in which you live. Russel Ward, Alumni 1984, choreographed the dance routines, propelling the audience to stand, dance, and celebrate.

Jermaine Isaiah Moreno, a San Gorgonio High School senior, was named Sir Knight 2023 at the Beautillion Scholarship Awards presentation sponsored by the Social Lites, Inc. of the Inland Empire. Jermaine received over $15,000 in scholarships, computers, and awards for the prestigious title of Sir Knight. In the fall, he is attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in Psychology.

Shannon Williams II was 1st Runner-Up receiving over $10,000 in scholarships and awards. Shannon is a student from the high desert and the first person in his family to go to college. K’Miles Davis was 2nd Runner-Up, receiving over $8,000 in scholarships and awards, and was voted Mr. Congeniality by his peers. Davion Boyd-Phenix received the $4,000 President’s Scholarship Award. Jordan Evans received the $2,000 Beautillion Alumni Scholarship Award.

In addition to scholarships and awards, each young man received a proclamation from Joe Baca, California State Assembly Member, U.S. House Representative Pete Aguilar, Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson, Colton Mayor Frank J. Navarro, and San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran.

Social Lites, Inc.’s inaugural Trailblazer Award was presented to Damon Alexander, Seventh Ward City Council Member, and Alaina Matthews was given the Philanthropic Award for her unwavering generosity to the Social Lites, Inc., Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leader Award. Also, thank you, San Bernardino County Board Member Dr. Gwendoyln Dowdy-Rogers, San Bernardino Unified School District Police Department, Chief Joseph Paulino, and Battalion Chief of Los Angeles Fire Department David Reddix for their unwavering support.

As we have concluded the 56th Beautillion, The Social Lites, Inc., of the Inland Empire, is preparing for its 57th Annual Beautillion Scholarship Program, “A Moment of Greatness,” to be held at California State University, San Bernardino, on March 30, 2024. The first Beautillion briefing will be held at the Center for Youth and Community Development, on September 10, 2023, from 2 pm-3:30 pm. We encourage high school senior young men to attend and explore opportunities to invest in their future. The program has prepared over five hundred young men to enter the college or university of their choice and has raised and awarded over $2.5 million in scholarships.  For additional information, please contact Stephanie Newman, Beautillion Chair at (909) 990-6462, Donna Little-James, Beautillion Co-Chair at (909) 528-9793, or Marlene Davis, Public Affairs at (909) 709-5502.

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media  

A new report released by the California Department of Justice warns of the danger of ghost guns (weapons assembled at home that have no serial numbers.) The weapons cannot be traced, making them a go-to for criminals who want to operate under the radar of law enforcement.

Over the past few years, the use of ghost guns has surged as people have been able to make them by producing gun parts with 3-D printers.

According to the California Department of Justice report, from 2020-21, the use of ghost guns jumped by about 10,000, from 13,000 to 23,000 incidents. However, the use of ghost guns recently decreased to about 21,000 incidents per year.

Since 2016, Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) has been a vocal opponent of ghost guns, pointing to the many threats they pose.  Gipson said many Americans are unaware of the danger of ghost guns. This year, he authored Assembly Bill 1089, which bans the sale, purchase and possession of ghost gun technology.

The bill is currently under review in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

“Irresponsible companies have continued to sell machines that are explicitly designed as ghost gun manufacturing machines while deceptively claiming that these machines do not have the ‘primary’ purpose of manufacturing firearms,” according to a factsheet from Gipson’s office.

Existing law in California prohibits persons or corporations from manufacturing or assembling firearms that are not imprinted with a valid state or federal serial number.

“These companies fail to inform buyers that it is now unlawful in California to use these machines to produce firearms without a firearm manufacturer’s license.

Additionally, while California law currently prohibits unlicensed manufacturers from using a 3-D printer to produce firearms, state law does not regulate the sale of 3-D printers that are designed or marketed as ghost gun manufacturing 3-D printers,” according to Gipson’s office’s factsheet.

Gipson represents the 65th Assembly district that covers cities such as Willowbrook, Compton, Long Beach and parts of Los Angeles. His district has been plagued with gun violence arising from both registered and unregistered firearms.

In many cases, people who can’t get legal guns, because they don’t want to go through background checks, turn to ghost guns. And they are often used for nefarious purposes. Black and brown people are the main victims, according to Gipson.

“This is a health issue,” he said.

Ghost guns have been used in several California mass shootings. In 2022, David Mora, a father-of-three was banned from possessing a gun because of his criminal record. He later went on a gun rampage in Sacramento County, shooting his three children and a social worker. The gun was created with a 3-D printer.

According to Gipson, statistics show that one of the most dangerous times for shootings is between Friday and Monday.

He also stated that legislation on ghost guns was needed because technology is moving faster than the law.

“Technology has advanced faster than policies and bills,” he said.

Gipson isn’t the only legislator who has taken action on ghost guns.

Senate Bill (SB)1327, authored by Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-San Fernando Valley,) and approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom, allows Californians to sue people who manufacture, transport and distribute ghost guns for up to $10,000.

“Our message to the criminals spreading illegal weapons in California is simple: you have no safe harbor here in the Golden State,” Newsom said in a speech at Santa Monica College, the site of a 2014 mass shooting that killed six people.

“As the U.S. Supreme Court expands the right to own guns, California continues to add new ways to restrict them. California will use every tool at its disposal to save lives, especially in the face of an increasingly extreme Supreme Court,” said Newsom in a press statement.

By Antonio Ray Harvey  | California Black Media

Fed-up residents and concerned political advocacy groups in Oakland — including the city’s local branch of the NAACP — are outraged over a tide of rising crime that overtaken the East Bay’s largest city.

“Oakland residents are sick and tired of our intolerable public safety crisis that overwhelmingly impacts minority

communities. Murders, shootings, violent armed robberies, home invasions, car break-ins, sideshows, and highway,” Oakland NAACP president Cynthia Adams and Acts Full Gospel Church’s Bishop Bob Jackson wrote in an open letter to Oakland residents.

In the letter dated July 27, Adams and Jackson blame Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price for “failed leadership.”

Price made history in 2022 when she became the first Black woman elected D.A. of Alameda County. A graduate of Yale and the Berkeley School of Law, Price is a strong advocate for criminal justice reforms and is known for her progressive stances on policing and sentencing. Oaklanders have also criticized her office for not pursuing harsher sentences in high profile crime cases, including the shocking murder of Jasper Wu, a 2-year-old who was killed by a stray bullet in a shootout on Interstate 880 in Oakland.

“There is nothing compassionate or progressive about allowing criminal behavior to fester and rob Oakland residents of their basic rights to public safety,” Adams and Jackson stated in the letter. “We need our elected leaders to take responsible action to ensure public safety. The best way to start is to declare that we are in a public safety emergency.”

In February, Oaklanders launched a Change.org petition to recall Price. As of Aug. 4, 24,504 people had signed it.

Two weeks, ago a spokesperson from Price responded to Adams’ and Jackson’s letter.

“We are disappointed that a great African American pastor and a great African American organization would take a false narrative on such an important matter. We would expect more from Bishop Bob Jackson and the Oakland Chapter of the NAACP,” said Price’s representative.

According to the Oakland Police Department, homicides are up 80% compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic) numbers. There have also been sharp spikes in assaults (40%) and robberies (20%).

When you compare crime rates this year to last year, violent Crime has increased by 15%; burglaries re up nearly 40% and vehicle theft is up by more than 50%.

The Oakland branch of the NAACP also points that Blacks have been victimized most by the surge in crimes.

“African Americans are disproportionately hit the hardest by crime in East Oakland and other parts of the city. But residents from all parts of the city report that they do not feel safe. Everyone is in danger,” the letter explained.

Women have been beaten and robbed by youths; Asian Americans have been assaulted in Chinatown; physical aggression has been used against street vendors; and cameras have been stolen from news crews working in the field; and utility crews are now required to have private security, the letter asserts.

Last week, after a request from Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, Gov. Gavin Newsom agreed to send the California Highway Patrol and automatic license plate readers to assist local law enforcement in their fight against crime.

“I am committed to working with community partners and across agencies to ensure we are doing everything we can to both prevent violence and hold people accountable for carrying out crime in our city,” Thao said in a statement.

On August 3, Oakland City Councilmember Kevin Jenkins, who represents District 6, one of the areas in the city most affected by the crime spike thanked Thao and the governor.

“I applaud @MayorShengThao for working with @CAgovernor to get Automatic License Plate Readers. I am committed to #TechforSafety in Oakland,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

On July 27, Price and the Oakland police held a public safety meeting at Montclair Presbyterian Church. Frustrated residents at the meeting complained about the violence, brazen robberies in broad daylight, assaults on the elderly, and the low prosecution and conviction rates of people who commit crimes.

“As lawyers we have to follow the law,” Price told people in the audience who questioned her about criminals receiving lenient sentences.

“The commission in 2017 issued a report that was a commission set up by Gov. (Gavin) Newsom to look for the first time in decades at our sentencing structure. They recommend that we stop using enhancements the way that we have done consistently,” Price continued.

But Adams and Jackson insist that authorities should declare “a state of emergency” in Oakland.

“We need our elected leaders to take responsible action to ensure public safety,” they wrote.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), along with other Democratic lawmakers and April Grayson — a witness who last month testified against a sex trafficking bill proposing stiffer penalties for repeat offenders – have disclosed receiving death threats laced with the n-word and other racial slurs.

Jones and Grayson, who are both Black, said the threats and insults came by emails, telephone and social media.

“The number of death threats, people who threated to rape members of the Assembly and their families, the number of times people were called the ‘N-word,’ and staff members who may be with the LGBTQ community, were called the ‘F-word,’” are just a sample of what Jones-Sawyer told California Black Media (CBM) he was hearing. “They were calling like crazy. That’s not a place for public discourse. You can disagree but you don’t have to be disagreeable.”

The hate-filled messages came after Jones-Sawyer, chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee and other Democratic committee members were criticized for not supporting Senate Bill 14 authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield). The legislation proposes adding the sex trafficking of minors to the list of “serious” crimes under California’s Three Strikes law. A conviction, including previous felonies, would increase prison sentences to 25 years to life. The trafficking of minors currently carries a prison term for up to 12 years, or 15 years to life.

On June 11, the Democratic majority on the Public Safety committee unanimously abstained from voting on the bill. The committee’s two Republican members voted for it. The bill’s failure to advance from the committee drew national attention and sharp condemnation from conservative groups.

“After passing the Senate with a unanimous, bipartisan vote, I had hoped Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee, led by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, would agree to make sex trafficking of a minor a serious felony. I am profoundly disappointed that committee Democrats couldn’t bring themselves to support the bill, with their stubborn and misguided objection to any penalty increase regardless of how heinous the crime,” Grove said in a statement after the committee vote. “Human trafficking of children is a growing tragedy that disproportionately targets minority girls, and California is a hotbed because of our lenient penalties.”

Two days after SB 14 failed in the Public Safety committee, it passed with a 6-0 vote. California Legislative Black Caucus members Assemblymembers Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) and Majority Leader Assemblyman Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) abstained from voting.

In a statement sent to CBM, Grove who has been the main champion of SB 14, addressed the threats and said such attacks against lawmakers should be taken seriously.

“It can be a felony offense to threaten public officials in California. I urge any legislative member who has received a threat to contact the Capitol police immediately so that an investigation can take place and those making threats can be held responsible for their abhorrent actions,” Grove wrote.

California Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), a strong supporter of SB 14, also condemned the death threats and hate messages and expressed his concerns about the attacks leveled at his colleagues from across the aisle.

“We need to get to a place where we can have a difference of opinion without the threat of violence…on any level,” Gallagher posted on X – formerly known as Twitter.

Jones has stated that he is committed to ending sex trafficking in California, but he wants to improve Grove’s bill so that it does not just result in more incarceration, considering that some of the offenders are victims themselves.

In the Legislature, Jones-Sawyer has also been a vocal supporter of shifting the focus of California’s criminal justice system from incarceration to rehabilitation. In California, Blacks make up under 6% of the state’s population but account for nearly 30% of prison inmates, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

Grayson is one of those victim-offenders who was trafficked as a child but ended up spending 17 years behind bars. Born in Los Angeles, Grayson said she grew up in 22 different foster homes, going through one abusive experience after another.

Now, she is the statewide coordinator for the Young Women’s Freedom Center, Sister Warrior’s Freedom Coalition, a coalition of formerly and currently incarcerated women.

Since her release from prison in 2015, Grayson has been politically active. She worked on California Assembly Bill (AB) 124, which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021. The bill creates a channel for survivors of human trafficking to request a reduced prison sentence.

“(Grayson) broke my heart. She told us about being trafficked and then she became a trafficker. When she got caught, they put her in jail,” Jones Sawyer said. “Nobody ever gave her any counseling or found her a safe place where she could go. They didn’t have that 20 years ago. She was not only victimized by the trafficker, but she was criminalized by our criminal justice system.”

When the state legislature reconvenes on Aug. 14, the Assembly Appropriations Committee could hold a hearing on SB 14 as early as Aug. 16.

Jones-Sawyer says he hopes members of that committee can examine the legislation without attracting the attacks he and other members of the Public Safety committee had to endure.

Nonprofit and business leaders discuss Southern California housing crisis and Latino homeownership gap

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—-– On Monday, August 7th, Rep. Pete Aguilar hosted a roundtable with representatives from UnidosUS and Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire (NHSIE) to discuss how California’s housing crisis is affecting the Latino community and steps Congress has taken to address this crisis.

“In our community, securing affordable housing has become more and more difficult for families. This issue particularly impacts the Latino community, whose homeownership rate is still below 50% as of 2022,” said Rep. Aguilar. “Everyone needs to work together to tackle this crisis with the urgency and seriousness that it deserves. We’re doing that here in the Inland Empire and across California, but much more needs to be done.”

“The Inland Empire will play a critical role in growing the number of homeowners in the state of California over the next serval years and this is why gatherings such as this roundtable are vital, it encourages collaboration between local communities’ members while sharing directly with our elected representation, Congressman Pete Aguilar, the needs here in the Inland Empire. NHSIE was delighted to open its door to the community and partner with UnidosUS. We look forward to continuing our 40-year mission of creating homeownership opportunities alongside UnidosUS in partnership with all who attend and support this cause,” said Kailin Scott, CEO and Executive Director of NHSIE.

“There are 8 million Latinos nationwide who are ready to buy a home. In California only 46% of Latinos are homeowners, which is 18 percentage points lower than the non-Hispanic White population. Yet in spite these challenges, there are 1.9 million Latinos aged 18-45 in California who are considered ‘mortgage ready’.  Given that Latino homeowners have 28 times the wealth of Latino renters, it’s clear that removing barriers to the American Dream for Latinos would close the wealth gap, stabilize our neighborhoods, and fuel our economy,” said Esmeralda Lopez, California State Director of UnidosUS.