March 14 2024

JOIN OUR WEEKLY

By Charles Jackson

This past fall during the October 17th council meeting, citizens in attendance were treated to a special event in chambers. District 3 council member, Eloy Morales Jr. introduced Mayor Butts and the attending council members to one of Inglewood’s favorite daughters. At the end of the council’s business, international vocal star, Becky G was handed the Key to the city in a special ceremony.

Moving forward to this past Sunday, American families settled around their televisions, to watch the 96th annual Academy Awards show, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel at the Hollywood Dolby Theater. The World War Two era movie Oppenheimer walked away with seven Oscars, including the coveted movie of the year statue.

The lovely Eva Longoria had already directed two films before taking charge of the quirky 2023 biopic story, Flamin’ Hot, which received a nomination for the Best Original Song, written by Diane Warren. The song “The Fire Inside ‘’, faced “What Was I Made For” from the much heralded 2023 summer classic film, Barbie. The Barbie song did however win the Oscar but ahead of the envelope reading, our favorite daughter, Becky G took to the academy award stage and was introduced to an audience of over 16.6 million viewers. She gave a dazzling performance of her musical contribution to the Flamin’ Hot movie soundtrack.

The

already has the key to our city and she seems on track to win hearts all over the music business.

Congratulations, Ms. G.

Is a Cultural Shift on the Horizon?

By Maya Mackey

Almost two weeks removed from Black History Month, I find myself pondering what Black Culture is, in modern times. There’s a running joke on X/Twitter that “we are

losing recipes!” whenever young Black people (Gen Z) don’t know a Black classic, like a movie, song or “rule.”

And while we mean no harm in teasing our younger kinfolk (cause you know, we’re all cousins), it does beg the question: Why are we losing

recipes? And what recipes do we even want to keep?

As with all traditions in all cultures, it is up to the elders to pass down the

Publisher’s Message

Spotlight on Women in Sports History

By Willie Brown

As we reflect on the great female athletes during Women’s History Month, we are reminded, sadly, of the gross pay inequities between men and women. While top-tier NBA players like Lebron James will reportedly earn $128M for the 2023-2024 season, highest paid WNBA player, Jackie Young will earn $252,450.

Fortunately, women aren’t competing just for the money. They are in it for the love of the game, and the opportunity to blaze trails for women behind them.

The victories won by Serena Williams go far beyond the tennis court. She is an inspiration and an icon. From her humble beginnings in Compton until her 23rd Grand Slam singles title, the tennis legend and her sister Venus are considered pioneers of a new era in tennis—one shaped by wealth, fame, celebrity and recordbreaking wins.

Danica Patrick paved the way in a sport that is hard-pressed for female representation. Danica accomplished multiple firsts for open-wheel car racing and was the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race at the 2008 Indy Japan 300. She is credited with inspiring more women to enter auto racing and motorsports.

Professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist, Ronda Rousey is not one to mess with. The 2008 Olympic bronze medalist is the only woman to win both a UFC and WWE championship. and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018.

WNBA player Candace Parker cut her teeth as a dominant player with the Los Angeles Sparks for 13 seasons. One of the league’s most celebrated players, Parker earned the title of Rookie of the Year and WNBA MVP in 2008. She led the Sparks to a championship in 2016. At 37, she’s now a player for the Las Vegas Aces.

The resilience of women in sports— or any field for that matter—is truly remarkable. Are you are pioneering woman within your career? We’d love to hear about it. Send your bio to veronica@inglewoodtoday.com and you may be featured during Women’s History Month over the next 2 weeks. Also, comment below.

New California Campaign Aims to Improve Alzheimer’s Disease Care, Prevention and Detection

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) launched the Take on Alzheimer’s campaign in late February.

The awareness campaign is aimed toward educating all Californians about brain health, the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, and ways to improve communication between patients’ loved ones and health care providers.

Over the next 20 years, the impact of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dimensions (AD/ADRDs) on the State of California will increase dramatically, according to the CDPH. Longer life expectancies and the aging of the baby boomer generation will lead to an increase in the number and percentage of Californians who will be 65 years of age and older. Since the primary risk factor for AD/ADRDs is older age, a significant increase is anticipated in the numbers of people who will be living with the disease.

“It’s critical to build dementia expertise into programs and services supporting our state’s increasingly diverse older adult population, including family caregivers and our workforce,” said Susan DeMarois, Director of the California Department of Aging in a press release.

“Widespread prevention, screening and detection will enable more families to make important social, medical, financial, and personal decisions and we want our aging network to be well equipped to meet their needs.”

In 2019, approximately 660,000 Californians over 65 years of age lived with AD/ADRDs, which accounted for roughly 11% of the disease’s prevalence across the United States (5.8 million people).

Between 2019 and 2040 a doubling in the number of Californians living with AD/ADRDs is expected. This increase will affect all regions of the state across various demographic groups.

Women are especially impacted by the disease, making up nearly two-thirds of diagnosed Americans. Other groups disproportionately impacted include older Black Americans, who are twice as likely to develop the disease. In the next 20 years, the number of people living with AD/ADRDs is projected to triple, growing to 91,071 people.

Latinos are one-and-a-half times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than White older adults.

Additional CDPH estimates indicate that between 2019 and 2040: California’s population will grow by 16%, while the population of people living with AD/ADRDs will expand by

127%;

• The number of Californians over 75 years of age living with AD/ADRDs will more than double, growing to over 1.3 million.

• The number of Californians between 55 and 74 years of age living with AD/ ADRDs will increase 26%, growing to 194,975 people.

• The number of people living with AD/ADRDs in California’s fifteen most populous counties (those with a population of 700,000 or more) will at least double.

• The number of Californians living with AD/ADRDs will increase by 11% for women, growing to 917,482 people; and increase by 8% for men, growing to 609,197 people.

• The number of people living with AD/ADRDs more than double for Californians who identify as Asian American/Pacific Islander, growing to 241,106 people.

The Take on Alzheimer’s Campaign aims to reach these disproportionally impacted communities through multilingual and multicultural advertising, partnerships with community-based organizations and engaging trusted ethnic media journalists. The campaign also plans to educate these communities about brain health, the signs of aging, and ADRD symptoms to make a positive impact on them and their loved ones by promoting brain health and benefiting from early detection and diagnosis.

“This campaign will empower our diverse communities to support brain health, better understand and the difference between signs of aging and symptoms of dementia and encourage individuals to have important conversations with their loved ones and health care providers,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer, Dr. Tomás J. Aragón in a release.

The campaign also believes starting honest and empathetic conversations with friends, loved ones or a healthcare provider can be critical to improving outcomes and combating fear and stigma associated with AD/ADRDs.

Based on population-level evidence, the sex health conditions and behaviors that increase risk for cognitive decline and AD are midlife hypertension (age 45-64), physical inactivity, midlife obesity (age 45-64), diabetes, smoking (age 45 and older) and poor sleep (less than six hours a night).

Visit TakeonALZ.com to learn ways people can help reduce their risk and take charge of their brain health before or after an AD/ADRD diagnosis.

Ten Little-Known Facts About Harriet Tubman: Symbol of American Freedom and Womanhood

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

As time passes, the details of our great African American historical figures begin to feel more like legends than concrete facts. At the beginning of this Women’s History Month in 2024, and as March marks the 201st year since Harriet Tubman was presumably born, California Black Media (CBM) honors this monumental figure by sharing 10 little-known facts about her life.

1. Harriet was not her birth name.

Historical accounts suggest that Tubman was born between 1820 and 1821 into slavery in Eastern Maryland.

The then-named “Araminta Ross” was the daughter of Ben Ross, a skilled woodsman, and Harriet ‘Rit’ Green. Tubman worked from the age of six, as a maidservant and later in the fields, enduring inhumane treatment and brutal conditions.

Tubman adopted her mother’s name after escaping slavery, and her surname came from her first marriage in 1844, to a free Black man John Tubman. This blended marriage was complicated by her slave status, passed on by her mother, but was not uncommon.

2. She was the first woman to lead an armed assault in the Civil War.

Recognizing the significance of a Union victory for the abolition of slavery, Tubman contributed to the war effort as scout, a nurse, a cook and a spy to Federal troops.

In June 1863, Tubman worked alongside Colonel James Montgomery to assault plantations along the Combahee River. Using intelligence from escaped slaves, she guided Union riverboats through Confederate torpedo traps. At least 750 slaves were freed in the mission. Unfortunately, despite Tubman’s years of service, she never received a regular salary and was denied veteran’s compensation for 34 years.

roots to put together a herbal remedy that alleviated the patient’s symptoms and facilitated their recovery from the disease.

4. She refused anesthesia when undergoing brain surgery in 1898 Tubman lived much of her life experiencing severe migraines and

Tubman reportedly had a beautiful singing voice and would sing two songs – “Go Down Moses” and “Bound for the Promised Land” – as signals while leading escape missions. Tubman would change the tempo of the songs to let escaping slaves know if it was safe to come out of hiding.

younger than Tubman when they wed in 1869.

Tubman’s second husband was Nelson Davis, a veteran of the Civil War. At the time of their marriage, Tubman was 59 years old, while Davis was just 37. In 1874, the pair adopted a baby girl named Gertie. They shared a life together for 20 years before Davis passed away.

8. She was an active proponent of women’s suffrage.

Tubman worked alongside women suffragettes such as Susan B Anthony and Emily Howland. She travelled to New York, Boston and Washington speaking about her actions during the Civil War and her role as an Underground Railroad conductor. Her speeches were seen as validations of the struggle for women’s rights.

9. Harriet Tubman has two National Park sites dedicated to her memory.

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Dorchester County, Maryland, interprets Tubman’s early life and features a visitor center with thorough and informative exhibits, the site of the plantation where Tubman was enslaved as a girl, and the general store where she suffered her traumatic head injury. The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Auburn, New York, tells the story of her later life and includes the house she owned. Visitors can also see Tubman’s grave at a nearby cemetery that is unaffiliated with the historical park.

10. She converted the home she owned into an assisted living facility.

3. She helped find a cure for dysentery.

During her time as a nurse during the Civil War, Tubman was credited for providing a treatment for dysentery. Many people in the hospital where she worked were suffering from the disease. Tubman used her knowledge of plant

seizures due to an injury inflicted on her by her slave owners. By the late 1890s, the pain in her head had affected her ability to sleep. Fortunately, she found a doctor in Boston willing to operate on her brain. Instead of receiving anesthesia while the doctor cut open her skull and performed the surgery, she chose to bite on a bullet -- something she had seen soldiers do during the Civil War when they suffered pain on the battlefield.

5. She had a beautiful singing voice

6. Two years after escaping captivity, Tubman came back for her husband, but he refused to leave.

When Harriet escaped slavery in 1850, she left her husband behind in Maryland. Two years later, she returned hoping to bring her husband north with her. However, she soon discovered that he had married another woman and had no desire to leave. Instead, she found a group of slaves who wanted to escape and brought them up to Philadelphia.

7. Her second husband was 22 years

Tubman was very passionate about the lives of senior citizens. She founded ‘The Tubman Home for Aged and Indigent Negroes’ in 1908 with help from the A.M.E. Zion Church. The facility was located in Auburn, New York, and was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1974.

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Area Communities

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

California Officials React to Pres. Biden’s State of the Union

Tanu Henry | California Black Media

On March 7, President Biden delivered his third State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress.

In the wide-ranging and impassioned speech that covered broad political ground, Biden defended Democracy at home and abroad, drawing policy distinctions with his predecessor and probable opponent in the upcoming November elections, Donald Trump.

From global wars between Russia and Ukraine to the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East, moving on

“Respect free and fair elections. Restore trust in our institutions. And make clear -- political violence has absolutely no place, no place in America. Zero place.”

During the speech and after, California officials reacted to the President’s message.

“The President’s State of the Union speech was a powerful reminder that government can be a force for good. Over the last three years, President Biden has been a defender of our freedoms, a champion of our democracy, and an advocate for our progress,” said Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.).

committing to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.

“I’m pleased President Biden underscored the dire need to secure a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine. However, as I’ve said several times, in order to reach that goal, the U.S. must call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire,” said Lee. “Each day that Palestinians continue to suffer from famine, violence, and displacement is a tragedy. President Biden’s plan to construct a port for large-scale aid flow is a vital step in the right direction to ending this dire humanitarian

grade echo our work to invest in early learning, reading specialists, and proven professional development for teachers of literacy,” said Thurmond.

He also touted the President’s plan to support opening career pathways for students to career opportunities.

to wedge issues at home like abortion, the economy and immigration, Biden challenged his Republican opponents on the issues while highlighting his achievements.

“This is a moment to speak the truth and to bury the lies. Here’s the simple truth: You can’t love your country only when you win. As I’ve done ever since being elected to office, I ask all of you, without regard to party, to join together and defend democracy,” Biden said.

“Remember your oath of office and defend against all threats foreign and domestic,” the President added.

“He has done the hard work, securing victories that have led to historic job creation and record low unemployment. Americans in cities and towns across the country – including those in California – are better off today than the day he took office. I am proud to partner with an Administration that doesn’t shy away from taking on our most pressing challenges, and faces our future with urgency and resolve,” she added.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) praised Biden for seeking a political solution to the conflict in the Middle East and

catastrophe, but we cannot stop here. The release of hostages is imperative. The lasting peace and security of the Israelis and Palestinians depends on a ceasefire and a hostage deal now.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said he celebrates the President’s decision to support students at different stages of their educational attainment.

“The President’s call to ensure that every three- and four-year-old has access to preschool and to ensure that every child learns to read by third

“President Biden also called for more access to internships so that all students can discover their passions and develop career-ready skills,” said Thurmond. “I am proud of our work to invest in paid internships for our young people, which directly connect California youth with opportunities in high-growth, high-wage industries.”

Reacting to the President’s speech, Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement affirming the President’s accomplishments and crediting him for investing in programs that have transformed the lives of people and improved infrastructure in Los Angeles.

“With President Biden’s partnership, more than 3,365 Angelenos moved into permanent housing through emergency housing vouchers delivered through his

Continued on page 7

Sports & Entertainment

Navigating the Digital Transformation: Pros and Cons for Small Businesses

By Aden Ferguson

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses of all sizes are grappling with the challenges and opportunities presented by digital transformation. For small and micro enterprises, embracing digital technologies can be a game-changer, offering numerous benefits while also presenting potential drawbacks that must be carefully considered.

The Advantages of Going Digital

Increased Efficiency and Productivity: Digitizing processes and leveraging technological tools can streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks, and reduce the need for manual labor, ultimately boosting efficiency and productivity.

Enhanced Customer Experience: Digital platforms enable businesses to interact with customers more effectively, provide personalized experiences, and gather valuable data to better understand and cater to their needs.

Expanded Market Reach: With the power of e-commerce and online marketing, small businesses can now reach a global audience, transcending geographical boundaries and tapping into new customer bases.

Cost Savings: Digitization can lead to significant cost reductions by minimizing paper-based processes, reducing overhead expenses, and optimizing resource utilization.

Competitive Advantage: By embracing digital technologies, small businesses can level the playing field and compete more effectively with larger enterprises, offering innovative products and services to their customers.

Potential Drawbacks and Challenges

Financial Investment: Implementing

digital technologies often requires substantial upfront costs for hardware, software, and training, which can be a significant burden for small businesses with limited resources.

Cybersecurity Risks: As businesses move online, they become more vulnerable to cyber threats, such as data breaches, hacking attempts, and malware attacks, necessitating robust cybersecurity measures.

Resistance to Change: Transitioning to digital processes may face resistance

from employees accustomed to traditional methods, leading to potential disruptions and productivity losses during the adoption phase.

Technical Expertise: Small businesses may lack the necessary technical expertise to effectively implement and maintain digital systems, requiring them to rely on external resources or invest in training for their staff.

Data Privacy Concerns: Collecting and storing customer data raises privacy concerns, and businesses must ensure

compliance with relevant data protection regulations to avoid legal repercussions and maintain customer trust.

While digital transformation presents numerous opportunities for small and micro businesses, it is crucial to carefully evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks. A well-planned and strategic approach, coupled with a willingness to adapt and upskill, can help these businesses navigate the digital landscape successfully and remain competitive in an increasingly digital world.

Continued from page 1: Is a Cultural...

rituals, food, language, and customs that identify a group. So if your auntie, uncle, mom, and so on didn’t teach you how to play Spades, well, that’s a recipe lost. But outside of Spades, Uno and Dominoes, Cookouts, Collective Dancing, and asking who made the Mac’ n’ Cheese, what is bonding us in the present?

Every time I learn something about Black American history, the lessertold stories about pioneers of The Civil Rights Movement, I get choked up. The resilience of our people is astounding. The bravery and courage our ancestors had to muster in the face of unadulterated hatred is unmatched. But one thing about us is that we never lose our joy. As racism against African Americans soared in the 50s and 60s, alongside it, a cultural movement of pride aimed to juxtapose it.

Black is beautiful” was a slogan, a campaign, and a mission in the 1960s and 1970s. Black people began to embrace, or rather, re-embrace their natural hair–sporting afros, braids or other non-chemically treated styles. Some even learned Swahili to connect to Africa. James Brown upped the ante with his iconic song, “Say It Loud - I’m Black and I’m Proud.” The 70s brought us Soul Train, a cultural mosaic of music, fashion, and the hottest dance moves to TV screens across America.

The 80s launched B.E.T., the first solo Blac- centered channel of relevance today. Martin Luther King Jr day was established as a national holiday and Michael Jackson became

a solo sensation. Oprah became an overnight sensation! The 80s gave way to Black entertainers in particular, breaking color barriers and fighting to be “legitimized” by mainstream media.

When the 90s and 2000s came around Blackness was at the height of popularity (at least on TV). The plethora of sitcoms featuring storylines of Black families and friends has never been as robust as it was during this era.

From “Martin” to “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Living Single.” followed “Girlfriends,” “The Parkers” and “One on One,”

Black people got to see themselves reflected on screen in diverse ways.

Air Jordans became synonymous with Black Urban culture. Terms like “Ghetto Fabulous” were coined due to the styles of Mary J. Blige and Destiny’s Child. Then the cultural pendulum swung back and Black people were sorely missing from programming in the first half of the 2010s. Even today, the height of Black television has not been reached since its demise around 2005.

In a post-pandemic world, where our communities have once again fallen victim to recessions, and larger family get togethers aren’t as frequent, I wonder where the pendulum of Black American culture will swing next.

Cord Jefferson, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of 2023’s American Fiction, gave rousing speeches both when he accepted his Academy Award and when he was later interviewed off-stage. He urged Hollywood to

financially back more diverse, lowerbudget films. It was a reasonable and much-needed ask. Yet, Black Twitter was divided today on whether Jefferson was perpetuating a culture war against “Hood Blacks” and “Suburban Blacks.”

The problem with that line of thinking and false accusation is that a.) There is a third subset of Black folk who are neither from the hood or the suburbs and b.) There are indeed Black people from the hood that have nonstereotypical interests such as anime, a love for EDM music and a passion for nature and hiking.

I was frankly annoyed that such an unproblematic request by Jefferson became obtusely misunderstood by so many people. Cast aside Cord Jefferson and the Oscars, there has still been much discourse about the normalizing of abnormal things in our community. And while we know that a racist system is to blame for a lot of the Black American plight, free will is always on the menu.

If the 60s cultural movement was about uncovering our natural beauty, the 70s and 80s were relentlessly joyful, and the 90s and 2000s were about flexing our economic come up, what will the next big be to signify Black people moving forward? As it becomes more normal to have Black people in power and more of us are living in and creating multicultural families, what of Black American life will prevail? What do we keep? What do we innovate next? I hope it’s one of living well, no matter what hood you come from.

Continued from page 4: California Officials...

American Rescue Plan and the administration provided historic waivers to cut through bureaucracy and moved more formerly unhoused Angelenos indoors,” Bass said.

“In the midst of a global pandemic, the BidenHarris Administration also provided relief for local small businesses and helped the city keep essential workers on the payroll and continue delivering critical services,” Bass added.

Biden urged Americans to stand up for America’s ideals.

“Hate, anger, revenge, retribution are the oldest of ideas. But you can’t lead America with ancient ideas that only take us back. To lead America, the land of possibilities, you need a vision for the future and what can and should be done. Tonight, you’ve heard mine,” said Biden.

“I see a future where in defending democracy, you don’t diminish it. I see a future where we restore the right to choose and protect other freedoms, not take them away,” he said.

Original February 22, 29; March 7, 14, 2024

IT00422301200203103 Inglewood Today

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case # 24TRCP00089

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS

Petitioner: Somtoochukwu Gabriella-Tony Muonagor, 735 N. Eucalyptus Ave., Apt 1, Inglewood, CA 90302, has filed a petition with the Superior Court Of California, Torrance Courthouse, 825 Maple Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503, to change the name.

FROM: Somtoochukwu Gabriella-Tony Muonagor – TO: Somtoochukwu GabriellaTony Okpala

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing on, April 12, 2024, 8:30 A.M., Dept. P, to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name change described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

Publication Dates: March 7, 14, 21, 28, 2024

March 14-20,

California Capitol News You Might Have Missed

Gov. Newsom Announces New Council; $182 Million Investment to Create More Jobs Faster

Gov. Gavin Newsom is committed to creating more jobs, faster, and increasing pathways to higher paying careers for Californians from all backgrounds, according to his office.

To achieve these goals, on March 8, Newsom announced the formation of a new state-level committee focused on increasing jobs called the California Jobs First Council. He also awarded $182 million in grants to 13 organizations around the state involved in developing viable economic development projects that will stimulate employment and attract significant government and private sector investments.

Gov. Newsom has appointed Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to Governor Newsom and Director of the Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development to co-chair the council. She will work alongside co-chair Stewart Knox, California Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development.

“I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to align strategic investments that further economic growth and job creation in every region of California,” said Myers.

Other members of the council are the Director of the Governor’s Office of Planning & Research; Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency; Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture; Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency; Secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency; Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs; and the President of the Public Utilities Commission.

“California has created more opportunities, more jobs, and more businesses than any other state, but we need to ensure that we’re all moving forward together,” Newsom said in a statement. “Through this new council and these investments, we’re aligning all of our economic resources to create more jobs, faster for Californians in every community.”

Sen. Steve Bradford: New Ebony Alert System Is Working

The Ebony Alert, a statewide system that has been implemented to notify the public -- and signal the launch of police investigation – when Black children and young Black women go missing in California is working, says Sen. Steve Bradford.

Bradford authored Senate Bill (SB) 627, the bill that created the Ebony Alert. Gov. Newsom signed it into law on Oct. 8, 2023.

“One Ebony Alert was issued on Jan. 4, and then later they found the young lady who was missing from (the city) of Long Beach,” Bradford told California Black Media (CBM).

Bradford added that a 19-year-old Black Los Angeles woman was found on Feb. 20 after the alert system was used.

The Ebony Alert is activated if a law enforcement agency decides that it would help in the investigation of a

missing Black youth or a young Black woman between the ages of 12 and 25 years.

On behalf of the Los Angeles County Police Department, an Ebony Alert was turned on Feb. 16, to locate a missing 14-year-old who was last seen on Jan.5. The 5-foot-4 woman was last seen West 102nd Street and Figueroa Street in Los Angeles and still has not been located at the time of this report.

On March 5, an alert was released regarding a 22-year-old Black woman from San Mateo County. She was last seen Feb. 16 in East Palo Alto, according to a post on X by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The East Palo Alto Police Department is the investigating agency that requested the alert.

“This new emergency alert, focused on missing Black youth and young women, marks a significant step in dedicating resources towards a previously underserved community,” CHP posted on its Facebook page on Jan. 8.

In 2023, Los Angeles had the most missing persons reports at 10,039, according to California Department of Justice data, followed by San Diego (3,993), San Bernardino (2,833), Sacramento (2,788) Nevada (2,490), and Riverside (2,357) counties. Alameda (1,834), San Francisco (1,743), and Santa Clara (1,515) counties were reported to have the highest number of missing persons among the 58 jurisdictions in the state.

Bradford said he is pleased that law enforcement agencies are using the Ebony Alert early on and will continue to implement it going forward.

“It lets us know that law enforcement has educated themselves and made themselves aware that this tool is available,” Bradford told CBM. “All folks want them to do is utilize it. There’s not really a learning curve. It’s simple: there’s a missing child or Black woman missing. Send out

the alert.”

Calif. Sec. of Transport Toks

Omishakin Cuts Ribbon to Launch New Central Valley to NorCal Train Service

On March 6, California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin joined other state leaders to launch a new techforward train service -- the San Joaquin’s line -- that runs between Bakersfield and Oakland, with a route branching off to Sacramento.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in Stockton at a regional maintenance facility for trains.

Developed in partnership with Amtrak, the train service is the first of seven lines that will make five daily round trips from the Central Valley to the Bay Area. The other six trains will be launched by the end of the year, according to CalTrans.

“These trains are a giant leap forward in passenger experience. In addition, they have been built in California, providing economic prosperity to our region, said Omikshakin.

“They show our commitment to combating climate change and improving the multimodal transportation network for all Californians,” he continued.

The trains were built by Siemens, a German company, at the manufacturer’s Sacramento plant.

“These trains were designed with Californians in mind,” said Michael Cahill, Siemen’s president for rolling stock in North America. “They set a new standard for passenger travel with endto-end accessibility.”

Caltrans Director Tony Tavares said the train line is the backbone of California’s regional transportation network.

“We are committed to providing our riders with the highest quality service, equipment, and amenities. These new Venture Rail Cars move us forward into the next era of rider experience, comfort, and reliability,” Tavares said.

Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media