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March 17 - 23, 2022 VOL. 37, No. 11
Women’s History Month:
California Org Honors Leaders, Discusses Priorities
the state from different professional including media To mark Women’s History Month, backgrounds, The California Black Women’s executives, public health professionals, Collective (CBWC) honored more than activists, politicians and more. 100 Black women leaders from across Charlene Muhammad | California Black Media
Make Room, Gas and Food:
Insurance Payments Might Go Up, Too
The organization also held a series of panel discussions leading up to the celebration and highlighted several policy priorities, including aging and elder care. The Hon. Cheryl Brown, a retired California Assemblymember and a Commissioner on the California Commission on Aging said 23% of Black women live in poverty, which is the second highest percentage in the U.S. -- only behind Native American women.
Brown pointed out that Gov. Gavin Newsom set aside $2 billion for the Master Plan on Aging, a 10-year project, but she questioned, how would the people the money is intended to help access the money. Brown said currently there are not effective systems in place to inform people about the help they need. The funds, she said, will funnel down through the California Department of Aging down to county agencies. “That’s why it’s critical to get involved on those levels,” Brown emphasized. Ahead of Women’s History Month, a group of influential California Black women brought their perspectives together last month in a virtual “fireside chat” to take a broader look at aging and elder care in the Black community. Whether they were expressing the joys of caring for a loved one or exposing the range of challenges Black women face as they age, the panelists shared useful insights that could shape public health policy or improve ways African American caregivers attend to the needs of aging family members. “This is our third event as part of the California Black women Empowerment series,” said Yvonne Wheeler, a member of the strategy team of the CBWC. The event was organized in partnership with Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA). “Our goal is to talk about the issues that are important to Black women Continued on page 8
On State of the State, Gov. Newsom and Republicans Offer Clashing Views Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media
Tanu Henry | California Black Media
As gas and food prices continue to shoot up at a rapid clip, Californians might be hit with sticker shock from another bill that skyrockets later this year: their health insurance premiums.
According to officials at Covered California, monthly premiums for insurance coverage could jump by as much as 100% -- or an average of about $70 -- for more than 2 million Continued on page 7
As the cost of gas continues to soar in California, Black leaders, state lawmakers and frustrated citizens are urging Gov. Newsom to take immediate action to decrease high prices at the pump. Last week, Shane Harris, president of San Diego-based People’s Association of Justice Advocates (PAJA), wrote a letter to Newsom. Harris urged
the governor to declare a “state of emergency,” allowing him to cut the gas tax, which Harris believes helps to drive up the cost of gas. “We are seeing gas at nearly $5.50 a gallon, which is nearly three dollars more than the national average,” Harris said. “I am writing you as Continued on page 2
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