December 29, 2022

Greatness left us in 2022

You loved me too. My heart is heavy but I am strong. I will care for mommy, your love of almost 60 years. You raised me well and she is in good hands. Rest easy.”

Stephen “tWitch” Boss

he reported on myriad historymaking moments in the U.S. as well as around the world. He was 82.

Lamont Dozier

Franco Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris whose “The Immaculate Reception,” led to one of the most iconic plays in sports history died. No cause of death was given.

Harris was a star fullback at the University of Penn State before he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 13th pick in the 1972 draft.

He would go on to win the NFL’s Rookie of the Year award in after rushing for a then-rookie record 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns. He would help the Steelers reach the postseason, where the legend of Harris and the Pittsburgh Steelers would begin.

On December 23, 1972, The Steelers would take on

their rival Oakland Raiders in only their second playoff game in team history. On a fourth down play with 22 seconds left in the game, Pittsburg quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a pass to running back John Fuqua. Now what would happen next is debatable to this day.

Stephen Laurel “tWitch” Boss was an American freestyle hip hop dancer, choreographer, actor, television producer, and television personality. In 2008, he finished in second place on the American version of So You Think You Can Dance. He was 40 and died of suicide.

Coolio

Bill Russell, one of the iconic figures in American history and the greatest winner in North American team sports, died peacefully on July 31. He was 88.

Roger E. Mosley

First rising to fame as a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle, Coolio achieved mainstream success as a solo artist in the mid-to-late 1990s with his albums It Takes a Thief (1994), Gangsta’s Paradise (1995), and My Soul (1997). He was 59.

He is best known for his 1995 Grammy Award–winning hit single “Gangsta’s Paradise”, as well as other singles “Fantastic Voyage” (1994), “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” (1996), and “C U When U Get There” (1997).

Earnie Shavers

Lamont Dozier, the songwriter who penned hits for acts such as Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, and the Isley Brothers has died. Dozier was one-third of the songwriting and production trio Holland–Dozier–Holland that was responsible for much of the Motown Sound that changed music. He was 82

Michael Henderson

Michael Henderson, singer, and musician most known for his vocals on the Norman Connors track “You Are My Starship” passed away. He was 71

William “Poogie” Hart

The Grammy Award-winning lead singer and songwriter of the R&B group The Delfonics, has passed away. He was 77.

The Delfonics were founded in Philadelphia in the ’60s with Hart and his brother Wilbert alongside Randy Cain, Ritchie Daniels and Thom Bell. The Sound of Philadelphia, otherwise known as T.S.O.P, became a hallmark of soul music in the ’60s and ’70s and the Delfonics were one of the forefathers with hit singles such as “La-La Means I Love You,” “Hey! Love,” “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” and “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide From Love).”

Caleb Swanigan

Roger E. Mosley, best known as helicopter pilot Theodore “T.C.” Calvin in the original Magnum P.I., died at the age of 83.

“He was surrounded by family as he transcended peacefully. We could never mourn such an amazing man. He would HATE any crying done in his name. It is time to celebrate the legacy he left for us all. I love you daddy.

Earnie Shavers, a hulking heavyweight boxer and power puncher who took on some of the sport’s biggest names, including Muhammad Ali in a match that saw “The Greatest” end up falling to the canvas during their legendary boxing match decades ago, died. Shavers had just celebrated his 78th birthday.

Bernard Shaw

Shaw, who rose to journalistic prominence as the face of CNN for more than 20 years after becoming one of the then-upstart network’s first news anchors, gained the collective trust of America as

Former Purdue Boilermaker Caleb Swanigan died at the age of 25.

“Alongside a broken heart emoji, the team wrote, “Devastated. Our thoughts and prayers to Caleb Swanigan’s family and friends. The world lost a gentle soul last night. Love you Biggie.”

Marion Barber, III

Marion Barber’s death was caused by heat stroke, the Frisco Police Department confirmed.

The office has officially ruled Barber’s death as accidental.

PRESIDENT/ EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Willie Brown

PUBLISHER Kenneth Miller VICE PRESIDENT Gloria Kennedy PRODUCTION Kenneth Denson QUALITY

MANAGER Gloria Kennedy

Bill Russell

Greatness left us in 2022

Andrew Woolfolk

Barber, 38, was found dead inside an apartment on June 1 following a welfare check conducted by the Frisco Police Department.

Tytyana Miller

Saxophonist For Earth, Wind & Fire, died at 71.

Dwayne Haskins

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins died after being stuck by a car in South Florida on April 9th. Haskins was in Florida training with Steelers Quarterbacks, Running backs and Wide Receivers for the upcoming 2022 season. He was 24.

LaShun Pace

right in the Boston area who notably tried to gain traction on the topic of reparations for Massachusetts residents who are descendants of enslaved Black people in the U.S. Owens, died on Jan. 22 at the age of 84.

General Charles McGee

squadron.

One of those prestigious gentlemen who fought bravely in World War II was decorated war hero Charles McGee, who we’re sad to say has passed away recently at the age of 102.

Master P announced his daughter Tytyana Miller died. The younger sister to actor and rapper Romeo Miller, Tytyana was 29-years-old. Tytyana appeared alongside her brother on the reality show “Growing Up Hip Hop” in 2016.

Jeff Gladney

NFL player Jeff Gladney died in a crash in Dallas. He was only 25-years-old. Gladney, who played for the Arizona Cardinals, was among two people who died in the crash.

Lil Keed

Keed’s last project dropped in 2020, with his “Trapped On Cleveland” album. This album contained 37 tracks in total, with the deluxe edition. Keed’s album collabs included Travis Scott, Young Thug, 42 Dugg, Lil Baby, Chris Brown, and more. Her was just 24.

Bob Lanier

“For more than 30 years, Bob served as our global ambassador and as a special assistant to David Stern and then me, traveling the world to teach the game’s values and make a positive impact on young people everywhere,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement, also adding, “It was a labor of love for Bob, who was one of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever been around.” He was 73.

Kevin Samuels

Relationship guru was,56.

Pace, a founding member of the Anointed Pace Sisters gospel group, died March 21 of kidney failure after five years of dialysis and a lifetime struggle with weight and the diabetes that accompanied it. She was 60 years old

Traci Braxton

Traci Braxton, a singer who was the sister of Toni and Tamar Braxton, died. She was 50.

Johnny Brown

Brown played “Nathan Bookman” on the hit show “Good Times” from 19751979. He was 84

Charley Taylor

Former NFL player and coach Charley Taylor passed away at the age of 80. Taylor first joined the NFL in 1964, playing for the Washington team.

Moses J. Moseley

Moses J. Moseley, an actor who rose to fame on the TV show, “The Walking Dead,” died. The 31-year-old was found dead in his car in Georgia on Jan. 26 from an gunshot wound to the head.

Bill Owens

Bill Owens, a real-life trailblazer who was the first Black state senator in Massachusetts history and a civil rights icon in his own

Whether you found out about the Tuskegee Airmen in a history book, the 1995 HBO television movie named after them or George Lucas’ criminally-ignored 2012 film Red Tails, it goes without saying that America was indefinitely made proud by the Black men in that legendary squadron.

One of those prestigious gentlemen who fought bravely in World War II was decorated war hero Charles McGee, who we’re sad to say has passed away at the age of 102.

Whether you found out about the Tuskegee Airmen in a history book, the 1995 HBO television movie named after them or George Lucas’ criminally-ignored 2012 film Red Tails, it goes without saying that America was indefinitely made proud by the Black men in that legendary

McGee died January 16 in his sleep at home in Bethesda, Maryland as reported by his son, Ron McGee. He’s credited with flying 409 fighter combat missions over the span of three wars, later in his military career helping to bring attention to the stateside racism against the same Black pilots who fought for America’s freedom.

More on the courageous and honorable life of Charles McGee below, via AP News:

“After the U.S. entry into World War II, McGee left the University of Illinois to join an experimental program for Black soldiers seeking to train as pilots after the Army Air Corps was forced to admit African Americans. In October 1942 he was sent to the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama for flight training, according to his biography on the website of the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

“You could say that one of the things we were fighting for was equality,” he told The Associated Press in a 1995 interview. “Equality of opportunity. We knew we had the same skills, or better.”

McGee graduated from flight school in June 1943 and in early 1944 joined the allBlack 332nd Fighter Group, known as the “Red Tails.” He flew 136 missions as the group accompanied bombers over Europe.

More than 900 men trained at Tuskegee from 1940 to 1946. About 450 deployed overseas and 150 lost their lives in training or combat.”

Area Communities

Gloria D. Gray

Appreciation Day

Serving Ladera, Hawthorne, Westchester, Lawndale, Gardena, Carson

Celebrating Metropolitan Board Chairwoman Historic Term She is the first African-American to lead the board and only the second woman to do so in the district’s 90-year history.

Sports & Entertainment

’22 started with a boom, but ends in gloom The Rams won it all then went into freefall

By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

SoFi Stadum was built for the occasion that occurred on February 13 in Inglewood with an improbable Super Bowl LVI match-up featuring the favored Rams which essentially mortgaged its future to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals in a thrilling contest, 23-20, with the winning touchdown coming on a pass from Matthew Strafford to MVP Cooper

into a stratosphere as the epicenter of the sports and entertainment universe.

That’s how 2022 got started on the sports landscape, but the Chargers, Lakers and Clippers all left sour tastes in the mouths.

Brandon Staley’s massive fourth down blunders clouded yet another remarkable season from blond rifleman Justin Herbert who will take the Bolts into the post season for the first time in

the football team to the Division 2 championship game where it laid an egg against Sierra Canyon.

Still another 13 players signed letters of intent to go to college, setting a precedent for the public school in a district that remains under the authority of the County of Los Angeles.

If there was one person that would be selected as the Our Sportsman of the year it would be James, who has

compete for the starting job next season even if Stafford is healthy and at the very least the former top over selection is a keeper for the foreseeable future.

If McVay was going to walk away from the game and there has been lingering debate about burnout, after the Super Bowl victory would have been the opportunity. I don’t see that happening now.

Kupp with less than two minutes remaining in the game.

The event brought a world championship to a football starved region and its dynamic defensive star Aaron Donald who finally achieved the ultimate glory, after collecting baskets of individual accolades.

Genius head coach Sean McVay could exhale after owner Stan Kroenke pushed all his chips to the center of the table for a gamble that barely paid off against a brash young talented team from the Midwest that wasn’t even expected to be in the game.

A halftime show for the ages, featuring bouncing lowriders and robust homegrown talents such as Compton legends Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar was a Black History blockbuster, then an appetizer of Eminem, Mary J. Blige 50 Cent and Anderson was enough to set SoFi off

Staley’s reign, perhaps saving his job for at least another year.

LeBron James didn’t finish another hapless season for the Lakers which missed the playoffs and then extended the King for another four years after he teased that he’d go back to Cleveland or perhaps finish with Oklahoma where he could team up with his son Bronny in a couple of years.

Meanwhile, the Clippers also watched the post season on television after stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George suffered injuries, ruining a gasping coaching effort by Tyronn Lue.

It leaves one to wonder what kind of team will take the court when the lavish Intuit Dome opens for the 202425 season in Inglewood.

There was another shinning moment for Inglewood when Mil’Von James resumed building the dynasty at Inglewood High School leading

not lost a regular season game since he took the helm three years ago and has improved each and every subsequent year.

While Stafford relished in confetti on the SoFi turf following the Rams victory, he began the past season marred with an elbow injury and eventually went to the sidelines as the team failed miserably becoming the 17th Super Bowl champions did not make the playoffs the following year.

So desperate were the Rams this season (5-10 at press time) that when Stafford went down they did not have a quarterback capable of winning an NFL game until Baker Mayfield arrived off the waiver wire.

To McVay’s credit, the Rams (without Stafford and Donald), have played grueling hard in each and every game, a testament to him and his team’s weekly preparation.

Mayfield is a strong candidate to

The Rams can’t afford Sean Payton if they wanted him and the Chargers tepid success prevents management from being bold enough to pull the rug on Staley, who is not a bad coach. He just lacks the experience required to take this team over the top and the window to win this region is shrinking with each and every season.

It’s either win it all this season or advance deep into the postseason for Brandon Staley, who personally I really like as a person.

On other fronts, the Dodgers losing to the Padres in the post season after enjoying the regular season for ages will haunt them for decades to come, but there is a rare of hope for the Angels if they can be Mike Trout on the field.

BUPPIE | BUSINESS

Are Black Individuals Like Kanye West, Van Jones, and Stephen A. Smith ‘Perpetrating a Fraud,’ or is Self-Hate a Primary Motivator for Anti-Blackness

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

“So, you have two types of Negro. The old type and the new type. Most of you know the old type. When you read about him in history during slavery he was called ‘Uncle Tom.’ He was the House Negro.”

-Malcolm X

infuriated Black Americans, many of whom called him a “House Negro,” and an “Uncle Tom.”

“Herschel Walker being in this election is an insult to Black Americans,” Rutgers University Professor Valerie Fitzhugh determined.

“How does he not know he is being used?”

Earlier this month, a photo of Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones surfaced,

died of a fentanyl overdose.

He further angered the masses by donning white lives matter shirts alongside Candace Owens, whom many Black people dismiss as a selfloathing individual.

“Many millennials viewed West as an older brother,” writer Minda Honey wrote.

“Losing hope in him can feel like losing hope in ourselves like we’re

Dr. Jeff Menzies, a clinical psychologist, said it’s often difficult to label someone an “Uncle Tom” or a “House Negro.”

“Part of [some people’s behavior], I think, is stubbornness,” Dr. Menzies the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s Let It Be Known live morning show.

“For example, some people are like, ‘you’re not going to move me from my political views.’ Some will point out that Democrats are not that better, just maybe not as condescending,” he said.

Dr. Menzies called selfhate “real.”

“It’s a learned process and learned as a conditioning,” the clinical psychologist continued. “The process of learning is a deep and systematic concept.”

Dr. David Childs, a History and Black Studies Department professor at Northern Kentucky University, said it’s proper to view West, Smith, Jones, and others in a historical context.

In the 1960s, African Americans embraced a locally fashioned brand of Black pride, and “Black is beautiful” was their traditional motto.

According to writer Ronald E. Hall African Americans mostly embraced the Black pride movement in the 1960s.

“Unfortunately, such activist idealism manifested in Black pride expired with the passing of the times,” Hall asserted.

The author then noted that Black Americans “remain the most despised” among the community of human races, reinforced via media images.

“In response,” Hall determined, “is Black self-hate acted out by the political conservatism of Black American Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as an icon.”

In the eyes of many in Black America, Justice Thomas – disparagingly described by some as “Uncle Thomas,” isn’t alone.

Recently, the antics of Republican Georgia Senate Candidate Herschel Walker, hip-hop star Kanye West, sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, CNN contributor Van Jones, and others have drawn the ire of fellow African Americans.

Walker’s campaign against Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock

showing him among the crowd of white people in 1957 who blocked six Black students from desegregating a high school in Arkansas.

Before Jones responded to the criticism, Smith quickly jumped to the owner’s defense, and the uproar from the Black community proved swift.

Most observers noted that in his four decades owning the Cowboys, Jones had never hired a Black head coach.

Further, the owner had vociferously blasted former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem.

Kaepernick hasn’t received an NFL job since.

“Sometimes a fruit falls from a tree and rolls so far away from its roots that it’s no longer of the tree,” asserted Brother Jamaal Nelson, the owner of the app Knowledge of Self.

Continuing his quoting of Malcolm X in describing Smith, Nelson said, “the hard fall, and long journey, bruises the fruit so much that it totally changes it. But, unfortunately, it’s the same for some of our people.”

West, the rapper, now known as “Ye,” also upset many of his own race with comments ranging from “slavery is a choice” to asserting that George Floyd

looking at what’s waiting for us after a few more successes after we find out that white validation is gold-plated and something green and corrosive waits for us beneath it,” Honey, the owner of TAUNT, insisted.

“If West can’t be Black and brilliant in America, someone like me can’t survive it either. So, we’re resistant to giving up on him,” Honey assessed.

As for Jones, the CNN contributor, his “apology” for what he deemed the lack of response by the Black community to West’s anti-Semitic comments drew the ire of nearly all social media.

“Now, I must have missed the meeting where we all came together on Black Twitter and elected Jones the representative of the ‘community,’” Jessica Washington wrote for The Root.

“But, I kind of think I’d remember making the man who said we don’t give Donald Trump ‘enough credit’ for his love of Black people, the supreme leader.”

Washington called white supremacy a threat that impacts all oppressed peoples, and all should take it seriously.

“But trying to make the victims of white supremacy fight like crabs in a barrel does nothing to make the situation better,” she declared.

“Since the time of enslavement, there have been African Americans that have sided with white forces that joined up with the enslaver to get benefits,” Dr. Childs said.

“Sometimes I wonder if they believe everything they put forth. But it’s very lucrative to sign up with certain individuals like those with [former President Donald Trump].

“They stand to benefit, reminding me of what Malcolm X said in his speech differentiating between the House Negro and the Field Negro. He talked about how the House Negro benefitted from the master. I see that today. If offered the right amount of money, many people in our community would say and do whatever.”

Sonny Etienne, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and Certified Addiction Professional said self-hate isn’t always by accident.

“It’s well-orchestrated,” Etienne stated.

“There are folks out there perpetrating fake news. So, the thing you’ve got to ask with Kanye, are there unseen political hands working behind the scenes?”

PUBLIC NOTICE

Fictitious Business Name Statement

File No. 2022262997

The following Person is doing business as:

The Radical Mind, The Radical Mind Psychotherapy 708 N. Eucalyptus Ave., #109 Inglewood, CA 90302

Registered Owner(s): Vonne Perry, 708 N. Eucalyptus Ave., # 109, Inglewood, CA 90302

This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on December 6, 2022

I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

Vonne Perry, Owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on December 6, 2022

NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.)

Original

December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2022 IT0042230120020357

Inglewood Today

PUBLIC NOTICE

Fictitious Business Name Statement

File No. 2022269452

The following Person is doing business as: 410 Beauty 8616 La Tijera Blvd., Ste 319 Los Angeles, CA 90045

Registered Owner(s): 410 Group, LTD, 8616 La Tijera Blvd., Ste 319, Los Angeles, CA 90045

This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on December 14, 2022

I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) 410 Group, LTD, Owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on December 14, 2022

NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.)

Original

December 15, 22, 29, 2022; January 5, 2023 IT0042230120020358

2022 Movers and Shakers Year in Review – Carol McGruder

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Carol McGruder is co-chair of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC).

Formed in 2008, McGruder says the mission of the AATCLC is to inform and influence the direction of tobacco control as it affects the lives of African American and African Immigrant communities.

The AATCLC works with health jurisdictions, elected officials, community-based organizations, tobacco researchers, activists, faithbased communities, and the media and it plays a key role in elevating the once obscure issue of regulating the sale of menthol and flavored tobacco products to one of national concern and action.

California Black Media asked McGruder to reflect on the past year and share her plans for 2023.

With the work you do advocating for African Americans in California, what was your biggest accomplishment in 2022?

It would be an understatement to say that 2022 has been a banner year for tobacco control and African Americans. Of course, the overwhelming vote in support of passing Proposition 31 is at the top of the list.

Californians went to the polls on November 8th and soundly rejected the tobacco industry’s attempt to undermine the nonpartisan passage of Senate Bill 793. Passed in 2020, Senate Bill 793 made California the second state after Massachusetts to pass legislation to take menthol and all flavored tobacco products off the market. The tobacco industry’s cynical use of California’s proposition system was resoundingly defeated.

The bigger benefit of Senate Bill 793 is when Californians move to enact legislation that protects us, we advance the health and safety of Black children and communities across the country.

Another accomplishment was our lawsuit against the FDA to compel them to do what they were mandated to do in 2008, which was to take menthol tobacco products off the national market. Because of our lawsuit, the FDA has finally initiated steps to remove these products. They are in the second stage of the rule-making process, and we look forward to having a national sales ban in place in the next few years. In the meantime, we keep plugging away at local and state levels.

What did you find most challenging

over the past year?

My biggest challenge was juggling all of the balls of 2022. We worked on local, state, and national fronts and fought hard to get here and make it count. I am proud to see that we did.

understands the inter-relatedness of these issues. As we move forward to implement the removal of menthol and flavored tobacco products in our Black communities, Los Angeles will play a pivotal role.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023?

I am feeling so grateful and looking forward to many things in 2023. In our mission to save the 45,000 Black souls who die each year from tobaccoinduced diseases, we will continue to support cities and states across the nation as they adopt and implement policies to stop this cycle of death through nicotine addiction. We will continue to be a resource for our community as we remind Californians that the responsibility of the tobacco ban is placed on retailers, not individuals.

We are also looking forward to working with Los Angeles Madam Mayor Karen Bass who has supported us and worked with us throughout her political career. Her hard-fought win to become mayor of Los Angeles couldn’t have come at a better time for our movement and state. We know that she “gets it”, and profoundly

What’s the biggest challenge Black Californians will face next year?

I am fresh back from Cuba where I had the opportunity to study their public health system. I was inspired by how they have done so much with so little. They have eradicated illiteracy. And it is safer for a Black baby to be born in Cuba, than in the United States. We face so many challenges, but our biggest challenge is us. Rededicating ourselves to our families and communities. Putting the health, education, and wellbeing of our families and communities first. Let’s look forward to 2023 with power and optimism. Bring IT!

What’s your wish for this holiday season?

I wish that we all get some rest and come back in 2023 ready to move our agenda forward. While we face many challenges, we also have so many opportunities to begin ... again.

2022 Movers and Shakers Year in Review – Rick Callender

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Rick Callender is the President of the California Hawaii State Conference NAACP.

He helps oversee 74 branches and youth units of the association which are mobilized across the states to help ensure racial justice and equality.

California Black Media asked Mr. Callender to reflect on the past year and share his plans for 2023.

With the work you do advocating for African Americans in California, what was your biggest accomplishment in 2022?

First was bringing back our State Convention which was completely sold out, second was ensuring that all African American voters and members received a slate mailer on how the CA/ HI NAACP suggested they vote on State-wide Propositions.

The slate mailer also identified our lifetime members who were running for office. All but one of the lifetime members were successful in their elections.

What did you find most challenging over the past year?

When fighting for justice, it’s important to remember that it’s both a marathon and a sprint at the same time.

In the face of adversity, it can be challenging to continue pushing

At the same time, we have to often sprint to obtain justice by speaking truth to power.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023?

In 2023 I want to continue fighting for justice and equity, building our membership, and prepare for the 2024 elections.

We cannot allow for the likes of Herschel Walker to gain a foothold in California or Hawaii.

Further, one of our main priorities this past year has been justice on the field for young student athletes experiencing racism.

What’s the biggest challenge Black Californians will face next year?

We will continuously face being able to access equal justice under the law in all respects.

Unfortunately, the fight clearly continues. The CA/HI NAACP will continue to lead the resistance for equity and equality.

What’s your wish for this holiday season?

For some relaxing time off so I can come back re-energized, focused, and ready to continue to fight!

DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEETINGS

even the smallest difference–that has been what’s catapulted my own power forward.

forward with the same endurance held in the beginning of the marathon, but once you see your efforts start to make