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By Joe Bowers and Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Mayor London Breed has been adamant in defense of her policy to arrest and detain drug users to get them into treatment programs.

Breed has directed the San Francisco Police Department to use public intoxication laws to make these arrests. So far, officers have cited or arrested 38 people under the “Intoxication Detention Program.”

Tensions flared over Breed’s policies during a Board of Supervisors’ meeting on June 13.

“Here we go, another White man talking about Black and Brown people as if you’re the savior of these people,” Breed told Supervisor Dean Preston, a frequent critic of both the mayor and police.

Preston interrogated the mayor on her plans to open wellness hubs for overdose prevention, as well as the recent drug-related arrests. Preston quoted from a Department of Public Health report that discouraged “punitive policies” and noted that Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities have long been targeted by drug crackdowns.

“The fact is, it’s not just services; it’s also force,” Breed responded, using the example of a friend who had entered treatment after an arrest. “You can quote all these statistics all you want, but at the end of the day, you’ve never lived in it.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Omnitrans is pleased to welcome Micah May as the agency’s new Director of Information Technology (IT).

As leader of the IT Department, May will oversee agency network systems infrastructure, cybersecurity, emerging technology, and business continuity while managing the agency IT team.

“Micah’s public sector experience, along with his performance optimization skill set, will be invaluable as we seek innovative technology to enhance service,” said CEO/General Manager Erin Rogers.

“I am looking forward to working with the IT team to strengthen and develop systems that benefit internal and external Omnitrans customers,” said May.

Prior to Omnitrans, May served as Deputy Court Executive Office – Technology CIO for the Superior Court of California County of San Bernardino and Assistant Deputy Court Executive Officer for the Superior Court of California County of Riverside. May is a graduate of American Intercontinental University, and currently is working toward his Master of Business Administration degree from West Texas A & M University.

SACRAMENTO, CA— On California Nonprofits Day, Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) honors the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation as the 2023 California Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 58.

“For many years, the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation has worked tirelessly to create opportunities, foster empowerment, build unity, and promote equity within our Inland Empire communities,” said Assemblymember Cervantes. “The Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation has been a pillar of our region and it is a great honor to name them as California Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 58!”

“The Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation is committed to providing the Riverside community’s diverse population with cultural-based programs, provide unique, stimulating, and thought-provoking cultural presentations to awaken and inform our community of the future, while reflecting on our past. We are extremely grateful, deeply humbled, and appreciative for this great opportunity to be recognized by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes as a nonprofit of the year,” said Adrian “Dell” and Carmen Roberts.

The Adrian Dell & Carmen Roberts Foundation (ADCR Foundation) consists of dedicated volunteers focused on empowering Riverside County residents through cultural activities, education, and economic development. ADCR Foundation showcases Riverside County’s rich cultural diversity with colorful, inspiring, and authentic cultural activities throughout the year. Notably, the Foundation has successfully organized and coordinated one of the longest-running Black History Month Parades in California. Other activities include the Black History Month Expo, Backpack Giveaway, and the Empowering Young Women’s Conference. The Adrian Dell & Carmen Roberts Foundation is committed to “bringing communities and opportunities together,” rewarding academic achievement and excellence with scholarships, and nurturing an awareness of “giving back to the community” within today’s youth.

Learn more at adcrfoundation.org.

REDLANDS, CA— Retiring Redlands Police Chief Chris Catren was honored by the city last week, recognizing his 28-year career with the department. At the event, he was joined by new Chief Rachel Tolber, another department veteran with 25 years of service to the residents of Redlands.

Chief Tolber is the first female police chief in the city’s history. “I am truly humbled and honored to be selected to lead the men and women of the RPD in our service of such an incredible community,” she said in a statement published by the Redlands Daily Facts. You can read more about Redlands’ new police chief here and here.

LOMA LINDA, CA— Two sets of twins from the Inland Empire are now doctors after graduating from Loma Linda University (LLU.)

Twin sisters Lauren and Karen Bathan grew up in Loma Linda. Their parents are also LLU alums: their mother, a nurse practitioner, and their father, a physical therapy assistant. “Although our parents first influenced us to have a healthcare career, we decided to become doctors to lead patient care,” Lauren said.

Similarly, twin brothers Christopher and Luis Chan attended LLU School of Pharmacy after graduating from the University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.

Originally from Chino, they are the first in their family to attend college. “We knew in high school we wanted to become doctors,” Luis said. “After volunteering at Pomona Valley Medical Center in college, we knew pharmacy was the right career path for us.”

Thanks to Loma Linda University Health for providing this inspiring story. Read more about the Bathan and Chan twins here.

FONTANA, CA—- No topic is more important than the health, safety, and well-being of a loved one, but especially a loved one with a special need. A variety of health and safety information along with valuable resources will be available at the Legacy Bridges Foundation, Inc. 1st Annual Bridging the Gap: Safety Symposium & Expo on Saturday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Entrepreneur High School located at 7775 Sierra Avenue in Fontana. Sponsors for the event include Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Neurelis, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), American Medical Response (AMR), and A. Upland Fire Protection.

“The goal of our first annual Safety Symposium is to bring together medical and subject matter professionals to share and demonstrate the latest safety advancements and trends to better serve our communities,” said Executive Director Melanee Stovall. “The event will feature a wide variety of speakers and professionals from first responders American Medical Response Team, San Bernardino County Sheriff Department, Neurologist and Behavioral Interventionist; with the aim of disseminating safety practices to protect our family members in an emergency situation,” she added.

“This is a unique opportunity to bridge the gap in a fun, interactive and sensory focused space,” said Volunteer Director Melody Solomon. “This event is FREE and open to the public, as all are welcome. The first 50 people will be entered into a raffle for awesome prizes. There will be face painting, balloon artists, refreshments, giveaways and much more. This is an event you do not want to miss,” she added.

The Legacy Bridges Foundation, Inc. (LBF) is a California 501(c)3 nonprofit public benefit corporation founded to support individuals and families living with epilepsy and other seizure related disorders. LBF’s mission is to raise awareness of the disease of epilepsy and other seizure related disorders, shine a light for those individuals and families affected, and partner with other organizations to find a cure.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, “epilepsy affects 1 out of every 26 individuals; 3.4 million people nationwide, more than 65 million people globally, and 150,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.”

For more information or to volunteer, call (951)374-0933 or email us at admin@legacybridgesfoundation.org.

To make a monetary contribution today, visit www.givebutter.com/LegacyBridgesFoundation-Donations. Support the foundation’s mission to raise awareness, shine a light and partner to find a cure. All contributions are fully tax-deductible to the extent of the law.

By Edward Henderson| California Black Media 

Last week, a new report based on census data was released showing the impact of California’s high cost of living on people who earn the lowest incomes in the state.

According to census data, 45.5% of homes in California are occupied by renters, second only to New York at 49.7%. Nationwide, the rate of renter-occupied housing units is 36.9%, the highest it’s been since 1970.

United Ways of California uses data such as the costs of food, health care, childcare, transportation and other basic needs to compile its “Real Cost Measures of Living in California” report.

According to the study, African American and Latino household seem to be struggling the most.

51% of Latino households fall below the Real Cost Measure compared to 45% of African American households, 30% of Asian American households, and 23% of White households.

Factors contributing to California’s high renting percentage are housing prices and having a larger immigrant community that the rest of the United States.

Last week, some California lawmakers held a rally to raise awareness about a proposed  amendment, authored by Assemblymembers Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) and Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), that would make adequate housing a constitutional right.

By Joe Bowers | California Black Media

Dr. William “Bill” Spriggs, an educator and one of the economists serving on the California Reparations Task Force, passed away on June 6.

The chief economist for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and a former chairperson of the Economics Department at Howard University, Spriggs, 68, held several economic policy positions in the federal government, spanning two presidential administrations.

Among those mourning his passing is U.S. President Joe Biden. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bill Spriggs, a man who brought as much lasting brilliance to economics as he brought joy to his friends and colleagues,”  Biden shared in a written statement. “Bill was a towering figure in his field, a trailblazer who challenged the field’s basic assumptions about racial discrimination in labor markets, pay equity, and worker empowerment. His work inspired countless economists, some of whom work for our Administration, to join him in the pursuit of economic justice.”

In March, Spriggs was among four economists who developed formulas estimating that the amount California owes Black residents who are descendants of enslaved people in the United States is likely to exceed $800 billion.

“Devastated to hear the news of Dr. #BillSpriggs’ passing! He left a tremendous mark on society, contributing to the first-in-the-nation California Reparation Task Force, including the compensation section of our final report (releasing on June 29). Rest well!,” California Reparations Task Force Chairperson Kamilah V. Moore tweeted on June 7.

By Carrie Stanton, DMV Regional Administrator

The REAL ID is here, and it’s easier to get than you think.? What is the REAL ID and why do you need one?

The REAL ID is an identification card or driver’s license that is also considered a federally accepted form of identification.

Beginning May 7, 2025, federal laws will require air travelers aged 18 years and older to have a REAL ID, valid passport, or another federally approved form of identification to fly within the United States and enter secure facilities such as military bases.

If you haven’t applied for the REAL ID yet now is the perfect time!

You can do it online with the necessary documents to complete the application – one proof of identity such as a valid passport, original or certified copy of birth certificate or valid permanent resident card; AND two documents to prove California residency such as a utility bill or bank statement. You can check DMV’s REAL ID checklist to see if your documents qualify as a REAL ID document.

Once you complete the online application and upload the needed documents, you will receive a confirmation code and be asked to make an appointment online to visit your local DMV office.

Many people have completed the in-office visit in about 15 minutes with an appointment.

Over 15.8 million people in California have their REAL ID as of May 2023. Though the REAL ID isn’t required and is optional, regular California driver’s licenses and identification cards will have limits federally.

When traveling, you want to get through the airport as quickly and as simply as possible. Starting May 7, 2025, if you don’t have a REAL ID you will need to bring a passport to travel domestically.

This may cause some headaches for those who don’t have a REAL ID and aren’t used to traveling domestically with a passport. But when you have the REAL ID, it eliminates having to remember to bring your passport to fly within the United States.

Start your REAL ID application now to avoid the rush when you need it later.

Visit dmv.ca.gov/realid and get started today!

The Inland Empire’s Old School 70’s Summer Jam will be held on Saturday, July 1, at 6:30 p.m. at 8443 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. The Jam will be presented by Stone Gas Entertainment-A Bromatics Production and will feature the Bromatics-Performing Motown Hits. There will be other special performances by: The Five Tempting Men; The SoulTones -Harold Melvins Blue Notes; Melodik-singing the hits of the Marvelettes; and Kim Caffey-A Gladys Knight Tribute. The show will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with the doors opening at 6 p.m.

Purchase your tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inland-empires-old-school-70s-summer-jam-tickets-634369806167.