15 Democrats Join Republicans in Backing Bill Critics Call Dictator’s Dream
By Stacy M. Brown
Donald Trump has openly declared he would rule as a dictator from his first day in office. Astonishingly, 15
House Democrats joined Republicans in passing a bill many say could empower the President-Elect to do just that. The Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American
San Diego to Face Harsh Budget Cycle
The City of San Diego’s budget priorities for the next fiscal year
are now taking shape. Topping the city council’s spending list: funding for housing assis-
By Macy Meinhardt
City staff and District 4 community members remain at odds on the approach to remove a zone regulation that residents claim unlawfully targets historically underserved communities of color.
The regulation, titled Footnote 7, minimizes the square lot size for homes to 5,000 square feet in Encanto and Southeastern neighborhoods. Everywhere else in the city the minimum lot size between homes is 20,000 square feet.
The effect of this, community members argue, is that it perpetuates unlawful housing segregation by allowing for additional
density exclusive to one region.
“We have a disproportionate share of that type of housing here, and it is causing all who come here,” said Andrea Hetheru, Chair of the Chollas Valley Community Planning Group (CVPG).
This area of the city has long faced challenges, including high poverty rates, inadequate infrastructure, and a predominantly minority population.
The city maintains that they share residents' concern, and has agreed to undergo a process to remove the footnote from land development code projected for early next year. This, however, would mean that until
As Congress prepares to finalize its leadership in both chambers, the fate of health insurance subsidies for millions of Americans hangs in the balance. Essentially, if Republicans wrest control of the House along with their victories at the White House, Senate, and Supreme Court, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) likely will end. In 2024, enrollment in ACA marketplaces reached historic highs, with over 45 million nationwide now enrolled in ACA-related coverage—a 46% increase since 2021 and more than three times the enrollment since the ACA’s early years in 2014. The program, known as Obamacare, has become an essential fixture in the U.S. healthcare system. “For decades, when it came to federal programs we could depend on to keep Americans covered, three were always top of mind—Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, but now it’s crystal clear that we need to add a fourth—the Affordable Care Act.,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra proclaimed earlier this year. Becerra praised the recent wave of enrollment, adding, “A record-breaking number of Americans have signed up for affordable health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplace, and now they and their families have the peace of mind that comes with coverage.”
The record enrollment has primarily been driven by enhanced subsidies, which were first enacted under the Biden administration in 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan. The subsidies limit insurance costs to no more than 8.5% of a household’s income for many middle-income Americans, making coverage accessible for those previously unable to afford it. However, the enhanced subsidies are only guaranteed through the end of 2025, and with Republicans newly in control of the Senate and vying for control of the House, the potential loss of these financial aids could spell trouble for
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Act (H.R. 9495) grants the Treasury secretary unilateral authority to label nonprofits as “terrorist supporting organizations” and strip them of their tax-exempt status without due process. The measure passed the House on Thursday, Nov. 21, in a 219-184 vote.
Critics argue the legislation opens the door for abuse, with devastating consequences for free speech and democracy. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, called the bill a step toward authoritarianism. “A tyrant tightens his grip not just by seizing power but by demanding new powers and when those who can stop him willingly cede and bend to his will.”
The provision has been compared to laws used by authoritarian regimes in countries like Hungary and Nicaragua, where similar measures have silenced dissent and forced aid organizations to close. Critics say it would allow any president to target nonprofits arbitrarily, bypassing judicial safeguards already in place.
The bill combines unrelated measures and includes tax-relief provisions for Americans held unjustly abroad. Opponents note that those provisions could easily be passed as standalone legislation without granting the Treasury Department new powers.
“This is not about fighting terrorism—it’s about handing Donald Trump the authority to decide who is a terrorist,” Doggett said. “Our democracy is under threat.”
Democratic Support Sparks Outrage
Despite clear warnings, 15 Democrats supported the measure, joining Republicans to advance what civil rights advocates have described as a “dictator’s dream.”
Reps. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and Jared Golden, D-Maine, are among those facing backlash for their votes. Critics have also called out House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for failing to
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it is formally removed, all projects using the footnote regulation would continue to be built.
As a result, board members of CVPG unanimously rejected the proposal, instead calling on Mayor Todd Gloria to remove the footnote through an executive order and halt all projects that rely on it.
“I am frankly offended that the city's decision is to continue to process projects in accordance with the footnote,” said Robert Campbell, Vice Chair of CVPG. “It is another violation in a long line of violations in this community.”
For months, the CVPG has been raising alarm bells that Footnote 7 code violates fair housing laws. In a letter addressed to all members of city council and the mayor, Andrea Schlageter, Chair of the Community Planners Committee writes:
“We hold that Footnote 7 perpetuates racial biases in historically segregated communities, Encanto and Southeastern, by limiting residents' access to the same zoning opportunities that predominantly white San Diego neighborhoods enjoy— namely, different density and housing size options which bolster economic opportunity.”
Unknown Origins of Footnote 7
The first trace of the footnote is located in an amendment to the land development code that was approved in 2020. The land development code outlines development
rally his caucus more forcefully against the bill, though he voted against it.
Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., expressed disbelief at the decision to hand such power to an incoming Trump administration. “The road to fascism is paved with a million little votes that slowly erode our democracy and make it easier to go after anyone who disagrees with the government,” McGovern remarked.
Broad Criticism of Dangerous Consequences
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), along with over 180 organizations including Planned Parenthood and the NAACP, issued a scathing rebuke of the bill. They warned it could allow the Treasury to shut down nonprofits and aid organizations with little to no evidence.
Abby Maxman, CEO of Oxfam America, said similar laws in Nicaragua forced humanitarian groups to cease operations within days, leaving thousands without essential aid. “We have policies in place to ensure the assistance we provide gets to those in need,” Maxman remarked to reporters. “But all it takes is a sentence or a headline to associate an organization like ours with accusations that could ruin us.”
Some of the bill’s proponents have even acknowledged the risks. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., proposed amendments to strengthen safeguards for nonprofits but stopped short of opposing the measure entirely. Critics, however, remain adamant that the bill represents an unnecessary and dangerous expansion of executive power.
“This legislation is not about terrorism,” Doggett concluded as the bill now heads to the Senate. “It’s about empowering one man to destroy the organizations and voices he dislikes. This bill hands over unchecked power. That’s not democracy—it’s tyranny.”
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tance, homelessness, infrastructure, and public safety.
Yet an imminent fiscal crisis could put these priorities at risk.
In an October report, San Diego’s Independent Budget Analyst (IBA) warns that the likely failure of Measure E, which would raise the sales tax to 8.75%, along with the depletion of American Rescue Plan dollars, could trigger major budget constraints.
Measure E has yet to be called, but it is trailing by about 5,000 votes as of press time according to the county registrar.
Already, the city is facing a $200 million budget deficit, which means ongoing costs exceed revenues.
“When those actions expire after this fiscal year, the city will lack the ongoing funds needed to support its current operations,” the IBA report states.
Measure E was estimated to generate up to $400 million annually for the city. Public safety, emergency response and neighborhood and park services are among the areas the revenue was anticipated to support.
Vulnerable communities are likely to feel the funding gaps most deeply.
Kyra Greene, Executive Board President of the Center on Policy Initiatives (CPI), has pushed for an equitable and transparent budget process in San Diego for ten years.
Last year, Mayor Todd Gloria cut many programs intended for equity in order to balance the budget. “It is a predictable pattern,” Greene says. The strains of the budget could call it into question again.
“We have to fight for a fair budget, because the status quo is to underfund,” says Greene, who works with the Community Budget Alliance on developing a
“Peoples Budget” every year—a community-led proposal for how a city or county should spend its annual budget.
To try to balance the next year’s budget, San Diego is recommended to rely on state and federal grants, bond financing, and an implementation of a city-wide trash fee, according to the IBA.
The city council won't vote on the city budget until May. However, the initial budget priorities provide a window into what city leaders value most heading into next year’s budget cycle.
Keeping San Diegans Housed American Rescue Plan dollars (HOME-ARP) has provided $21 million to the city to address housing and homelessness. In recent years, this went towards the development of affordable housing, shelters, and rental assistance for individuals experiencing or at-risk of becoming homelessness. With these funds now depleted, the city will have to continue to rely on state and federal grants to cover the majority of homeless funding.
All nine council members prioritized funding for the Housing Instability Prevention Program, which helps pay rent and other housing-related expenses for families at risk of homelessness. Serving 300 households, the program provides up to $750 in monthly assistance.
Council members also said they would prioritize the city’s Eviction Prevention Program, which provides legal representation and education to low-income renters facing eviction.
Meanwhile, the majority of council members called for $5 million to go towards a fund to preserve existing affordable housing supply.
Seed money for the Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing
Preservation Fund would also include a request to the state for a dollar-to-dollar match, and an additional $300,000 to employ a consultant to structure and manage the fund.
Over six hundred beds are expected to go offline by the end of this year. To address this, the majority of council members support the expansion of shelter capacity and outreach efforts.
These efforts would address skyrocketing rents that especially impact the city’s Black residents.
A 2021 Zillow report found that Black renters in San Diego are the most rent-burdened and at risk of homelessness, spending more than half (almost 53%) of their income on rent.
However, the IBA has warned against adding additional funding in the new fiscal year. “Council may wish to consider refocusing its Priorities Resolution on existing city activities that are critical to maintain, rather than identifying new expenditures,” the IBA’s report states.
Infrastructure Deficit
The city's deteriorating infrastructure is another top spending priority. Currently, the city faces a backlog of up to $6.29 billion in needed projects, stemming from historic disinvestment and neglect in maintenance needs.
Road repair, sidewalks, bike lanes, pedestrian safety, and city facilities are also infrastructure budget priorities council members listed.
For fiscal year 2026, all arrows point to a frugal budget approach.
Up next in the city’s budget development process will be the release of Mayor Todd Gloria’s five-year financial outlook on December 4. Councilmembers will consider that report to further refine their budget priorities. That update is due in February.
regulations, zoning, use of property, and other related land use activities. It undergoes regular updates to remain responsive to the City’s changing land use issues.
This update included a total of 39 code amendments intended to streamline the review process, reduce development barriers, and provide development flexibility through corrections and clarifications.
Within these amendments, Footnote 7 is listed as a zoning clarification, which states: “Clarification that the minimum lot size in the RS-1-2 zones within Encanto and Southeastern San Diego community planning areas is 5,000 square feet.”
The updates were reviewed by the city's Code Monitoring team, and the city council Land Use and Development Committee before it was passed.
City Planning Director Heidi Vonblum states if the amendment was brought forward today, it would not go through.
“It remains unclear to me why this application was not implemented citywide and why it was specifically applied to the Southeastern San Diego Community Planning Area, given that it contains no lots that are zoned RS-1-2.”
Vonblum met face-to-face with residents to further explain the city's approach during the latest CVPG meeting on Nov. 18.
Packed with over a hundred residents, tensions flared throughout the room as Vonblum unveiled the city's plan to remove the footnote, explaining that it calls for a specific, lengthy, process required by the state. The proposal must first be reviewed by the city's Planning Commission in December, followed by the Land Use and Housing Committee in January, before heading to the City Council for a vote expected in February 2025.
Residents expressed frustration with Vonblum’s inability to identify the origin of the footnote idea. The gap has caused speculation among the community. Some have pointed to 2021 lobbyist disclosure forms signed by then-District 4 Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe and her Chief of Staff, Henry Foster, as a possible connection. The municipal change that client, D.R. Horton—a national home construction company— had lobbied for included multiple plan and zoning changes in Emerald Hills.
Councilmembers Foster’s team has not responded to request for comment from Voice & Viewpoint on this issue but he maintains the footnote did not originate in his district.
Despite the rejection from the CVPG leaders, the city at this time is still going through with their proposed course of action.
In regards to the community's preference for the mayor to take action, “state law and the City of San Diego Charter do not grant the Mayor the authority to unilaterally amend the municipal code via executive order.
To amend this lawfully will require City Council approval,” said a city spokesperson.
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millions of Americans who depend on the ACA.
“These historic enrollment numbers are a testament to the need for comprehensive, quality, affordable health insurance,” said Chiquita BrooksLaSure, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Residents of the Chollas Valley Community group consider it as a partial win, but it is far from settled, they maintain. Outstanding questions still remain—Where did the footnote originate from? How did it get approved? Why was the community not informed?
Taking legal action against the city is a new course of action the CVPG group is considering.
Voice & Viewpoint will continue to be following this closely. Let us know what you think on the issue by sending inquires to: news@ sdvoice.info
While the House remains undecided, with Republicans projected at 215 seats to Democrats’ 210 and a majority requiring 218, health policy experts warn that GOP control could end these subsidies. House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested at a campaign stop that significant reforms to the ACA could be forthcoming. “The ACA is so deeply ingrained, we need massive reform to make this work, and we’ve got a lot of ideas on how to do that,” Johnson asserted.
The states with the highest ACA enrollment rates in 2024 were largely conservative strongholds supporting President-elect Trump, including Florida with 4.2 million enrollees, Texas with 3.5 million, and Georgia with 1.3 million. These five states— Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, and North Carolina—accounted for 55% of total ACA enrollment. Each state uses the federal Healthcare.gov enrollment platform and has yet to expand Medicaid under the ACA, making the ACA subsidies particularly vital for affordable healthcare access.
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THE CONTINUED ABUSE OF OUR BLACK INMATE
By Dr. John E. Warren PUBLISHER, THE SAN DIEGO VOICE & VIEWPOINT
On November 14th, this paper carried a front-page story about the treatment of Mr. Antwoine Bealer who is serving a 35 years to life sentence for an Arco Service Station robbery in Lemon Grove, CA, which he says he did not commit. His incarceration has been full of encounters with Prison guards insisting on housing him with known gang members when Mr. Bealer is not and has never been a gang member nor documented as one. His resistance to accepting such housing is based on a well-known fact in the prison system that to house a non-gang member with a gang member is certain death to the non-gang member.
Mr. Bealer has been beaten by prison guards while handcuffed; he has also been sued by at least two of the guards who won lawsuits against him for assault
following his beatings.
Mr. Bealer has been transferred 9 times since February 12th of this year and during one shortterm transfer was placed in a gang situation and stabbed 15 times. Multiple communications to the Attorney General, and the Director of The California Department of Corrections, all have yielded no response as to the multiple and continued transfers of Mr. Bealer.
Is this an effort to get death by inmates for this Inmate? Family and loved ones continue to call for justice for a man who now faces 55 years in prison because of the orchestrated write-up and infractions which seem to be aimed at increasing his prison time beyond any possibility of release. Mr. Bealer is again being transferred this week, when there should be a medical hold of moving him.
What Should Be Done About Footnote 7?
By now, we all know that the regulation titled Footnote 7 minimizes the square lot size for homes to 5,000 square feet in Encanto and Southeastern neighborhoods. Everywhere else in the city, the minimum lot size between homes is 20,000 square feet.
The Emerald Hills and Encanto com -
munities in District 4 are seeking to block development under this regulation which had the approval of former Fourth District City Councilmember Monica Montgomery-Stepp and her Chief of Staff at the time, now Councilmember Henry Foster. The one solution to the problem seems simple. The San Diego City Council
and Mayor Todd Gloria need to propose emergency legislation to reverse their approval of Footnote 7 with language that stops future development on the projects involved in this matter. Anything short of this approach is just a pretend solution to a problem created by City Council Representatives who did not take into consideration the
Where Do We Go From Here?
By Ron Reynolds State Rep.
As the dust settles on this election, we find ourselves at a crossroads. Vice President Kamala Harris has lost her bid for the presidency, and for the first time in years, Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. For many of us who have been fighting for equity, opportunity, and justice, it feels like the ground has shifted under our feet. The dreams we nurtured, the policies we fought for, and the progress we celebrated now face new and daunting challenges. But in the midst of this loss, I am reminded that true change has never come easy. It has come through our resilience, our determination, and our commitment to the ideals we hold dear.
The question we face now is, “Where do we go from here?”
Our task is not to retreat or to abandon our vision. Our task is to refocus, re-energize, and recommit to the values that brought us to this fight in the first place. As Democrats,
as progressives, and as Americans, we cannot afford to look at this election as the end.
We are the voice of millions who still long for justice, healthcare, and education that empowers rather than excludes. Every loss must sharpen our resolve, not weaken it. This is the time for reflection and a recommitment to standing with the people left behind, ignored, and marginalized for too long.
We may face challenges at every level of government, but we are not powerless. Our communities, our neighborhoods, and our grassroots networks remain a powerful force for change. We can influence the policies that matter most by continuing to organize, to educate, and to mobilize. Think of the Civil Rights Movement, think of the countless movements for social and economic justice that flourished against even greater odds. It was the spirit of ordinary people coming together to demand extraordinary change that moved this country forward. And that spirit is still alive in every one of us.
If we have learned anything, it’s that actual change begins at the local level. We need to
engage with our city councils, our school boards, our state legislatures, and our communities. These are the places where our work will make the most difference, where we can shape policies that directly impact the lives of those we serve. Together, we can keep pushing forward with policies that reflect the needs and values of our communities— especially for those who have felt the sting of discrimination, exclusion, and systemic inequality.
So, as we look ahead, let’s remember this: Our fight is far from over. This moment, challenging as it is, is also a call to action. Now, more than ever, we need to come together, to rebuild, and to be relentless in our pursuit of the America we believe in. An America that stands for justice, equity, and opportunity for all. Together, we will forge a path forward, one step at a time, one community at a time. This is our moment to rise stronger and more united than ever before.
Let’s get to work.
views of their constituents in signing off on this policy.
Although this is being presented as a State regulation, which it is, the City of San Diego is a Charter City and has the right to reverse this action. The Community should settle for nothing less and such action could save dollars in land use attorney fees.
Neighborhood House Association’s
110 th Anniversary Celebration
By Tihut Tamrat
Contributing Writer
For over a century, the Neigh borhood House Association (NHA) has been a cornerstone of community service, fostering unity, prog ress, and opportunity for all. On Saturday, November 23rd, NHA hosted a black-tie celebration commemorating 110 years of its enduring impact on generations of families in San Diego. Hosted at the San Diego Convention Center on the blue carpet in the Sails Pavilion, the evening was full of laughter, communion, music, and lots of great food!
President and CEO of NHA, Rudy Johnson, who grew up with the Neighborhood House Association and participated in NHA’s Federal Head Start Program himself, shared with Voice & Viewpoint the future of NHA when approached on the blue carpet.
“The Neighborhood House Association is a settlement house. We run 28 programs through a continuum of care model that starts with services to pregnant women and Black infant health. The babies that we are serving today, 20-25 years from now we want to hire them into our workforce. And I’m living proof that it works.”
Next on the blue carpet, Meisha Sherman, Board Chair of NHA, gave Voice & Viewpoint her guidance for families who are in a situation where help is necessary.
“Connect with a great organization like Neighborhood House, take advantage of the services of the mentors, of the therapists, and get involved when you can, where you can, and do what you can. Just do that a little bit everyday,” Ms. Sherman said.
As the evening began, awards were given to organizations and individuals who have been hidden gems and unsung heroes in the community.
The first award winner for Unsung Hero was San Diego HipHop 5K Health and Wellness, an organization focused on creating a surge of positive energy to encourage Southeastern San Diego residents of all gen -
erations to commit to living a lifestyle of fitness.
Carleton Overstreet Jr., President of San Diego Hip Hop 5K Health and Wellness, gave his advice for someone who is anticipating starting their health journey, “Take it one day at a time, and when your mind is telling you not to do something that's going to help you get healthier, push yourself.”
Other awardees included the Unsung Hero Award to Business for Good, an organization focused on Connecting San Diego’s business community to educate and advocate for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable policies; the Unsung Hero Award to Yasmina Vinci, Executive Director of National Head Start Association; the President’s Award to Jack McGory, community activist and San Diego public servant; Awards of recognition to Mark Cafferty and Peggy Cooper, Co-Chairs of the evening’s 110 year NHA celebration; and the City of San Diego Proclamation of Neighborhood House Day to Rudy Johnson III President and CEO of NHA. The night’s special honoree Stedman Graham, best-selling author, educator, speaker and longtime supporter of NHA, gave his remarks about NHA shortly after receiving the Chairperson’s Award.
“When I think of Neighborhood House, I think about D.H. Lawrence, a poem called “Dreams”. He said that ‘All people dream, but not equally. Those who dream in the dusty recesses of their mind, they wake in the morning to find that it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people, for they dream their dreams with open eyes, and they make them come true.’ That’s what Neighborhood House does, and has done, for 110 years.”
Before the conclusion of the night, Andra Day, Grammy-winning recording artist and actress of “The Deliverance” and “Billie Holiday” made a special appearance, singing the night away with her soul
ful tone and broad range.
Congratulations to the Neighborhood House Association on a Century of service to our community!
Rudy Johnson III President and CEO of NHA
Stedman Graham, Author, Educator, Speaker, and longtime supporter of NHA received the NHA Chairperson’s Award.
PHOTOS: Rochelle Porter and Tihut Tamrat
Never Leave One Behind Needs Your Help
Supporting Our Veterans and Flood Victims!
Dear NLOB Friend,
Although many of us are looking forward to the holidays as a joyous time with family and friends, others in our community find the season to be particularly challenging. Skyrocketing rent and food costs are causing extreme hardship. Additionally, San Diego continues to have one of the largest unsheltered populations in America. Many veterans and families sleep in make-shift tents on our streets and in our parks, or in their cars if they are fortunate enough to have a motor vehicle. Elderly veterans are particularly hard hit.
Never Leave One Behind needs your help more than ever to address these and other vital community needs. With your help, we can remind our veterans and less fortunate families in San Diego that they have not been forgotten.
For over two decades Never Leave One Behind has worked diligently to provide children with toys during the holiday season, and food and clothing year-round for less fortunate families and veterans. We urgently need your assistance to continue to provide vital services to residents in San Diego. Your donation will help to give San Diegans hope. We are also asking those that can dig a little deeper, to assist with donations for the kids and families living in the communities of District 4 that are still suffering from
the horrible flood disaster earlier this year. Beginning November 25th, new unwrapped toys and clothing can be dropped off Monday through Thursday from 9:00am - 3:00pm at the offices of The Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper located at 3619 College Avenue San Diego, CA 92115.
Every dollar makes an immediate and critical difference in the lives of veterans and their families.
Financial contributions to assist us with purchasing gifts for this upcoming Holiday season or financial contributions to assist us with providing necessities for the District 4 flood victims should be mailed to Never Leave One Behind at P.O. Box 152344, San Diego, CA 92195-2344. You can also donate through PayPal by clicking on the "Donate" button on our website, www.neverleaveonebehind.org.
NOTE: All Financial donations you give to Never Leave One Behind are tax-deductible. Thank you again for your support!
FYI - If you have a bulk number of unwrapped gifts that need to be picked up, please call (619) 994-8544.
Sincerely,
Larry Price, President, and the Never Leave One Behind Team
County Receives Grant for HighRisk DUI Offenders Program
Sobriety Testing (SFST), distribution of DUI
Political Playback: News You Might Have Missed
By Bo Tefu, Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
The projected budget includes a 2.46% costof-living adjustment (COLA), totaling $2.4 billion, to help schools manage operational costs.
California Students See Gains in Attendance, Graduation
The newly released 2024 California School Dashboard reveals significant progress in student outcomes across the state, reflecting the impact of targeted interventions and investments in education.
Chronic absenteeism dropped by 16.7% compared to last year, indicating that schools are making strides in re-engaging students. Meanwhile, graduation rates climbed to 86.4% for the class of 2024—the highest recorded since 2017—demonstrating a growing trend of academic resilience and recovery following the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over 51% of the graduating class met the eligibility requirements for University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) admissions, a key indicator of college readiness. This shows a positive shift toward greater access to higher education and reflects ongoing efforts to support academic achievement among California’s students.
"Across California, we’re seeing that when we provide for the most vulnerable in our communities, all students reap the rewards," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. "Yet, we know there is still much work to be done to ensure every student has the support and resources needed to succeed."
The Dashboard highlights gains in college and career readiness for historically underserved groups, such as Black and Native American students, signaling progress in narrowing long-standing equity gaps. However, the report also sheds light on areas requiring urgent attention, such as persistent disparities in suspension rates for Black students and foster youth.
"Today’s Dashboard results show California continuing to make important strides in post-pandemic recovery," said California State Board of Education President Linda DarlingHammond. "We are also supporting stronger gains for students who have been furthest from opportunity for many years. This progress is encouraging, but there is still critical work ahead to ensure equity for every child."
The Dashboard provides a comprehensive view of key metrics, including academic performance, absenteeism, graduation rates, and college/career readiness. It serves as a tool for educators, policymakers, and families to monitor progress and identify areas for improvement.
For an in-depth look at the data and analysis, visit the 2024 California School Dashboard online.
California's 2025-26 Budget: School Funding Expected to Increase by an Estimated $1.5 Billion
County
Probation received a $642,600 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for an intensive probation supervision program for high-risk individuals with serious felony and/or multiple driving under the influence (DUI) convictions. The grant program runs through September 2025.
The probation grant will pay for field operations, including multi-agency efforts to reduce DUI and unlicensed driving, conducting compliance checks during business and non-traditional hours, alcohol testing, officer training in Standardized Field
“Be on the Lookout” (BOLO) alerts, and collaborating with courts and prosecutors to establish and enforce probation orders.
“Intensive supervision programs are essential in reducing the harmful impact of DUI offenses,” said OTS Director Barbara Rooney.
“This is one important measure to help prevent the tragic consequences of impaired driving and create safer roads for everyone.”
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) recently published its fiscal outlook for the 2025-26 budget, forecasting a $1.5 billion increase in the minimum guarantee for funding public schools and community colleges.
This raises the total budget to $116.8 billion, a 1.3% increase over last year’s budget. While the additional funding offers opportunities to address educational inequities, challenges such as declining enrollment and the expiration of pandemic-era funding create uncertainty for schools, particularly those serving Black and other underserved communities.
The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), which prioritizes resources for schools with high populations of low-income and English learner students, will benefit from these adjustments. Funding also supports the expansion of transitional kindergarten, a program designed to increase access to early education for all four-yearolds. This initiative receives an $800 million adjustment as part of the state’s ongoing investment.
Despite these funding increases, systemic challenges remain. Enrollment has declined due to lower birth rates and increased migration out of the state, directly affecting funding levels. While the transitional kindergarten expansion may offer a short-term enrollment boost, the long-term trend of declining student populations threatens financial stability for many districts. Additionally, the expiration of $4.1 billion in one-time pandemic funding after 2025-26 could further strain resources.
For Black students, who are disproportionately represented in low-income school districts, the fiscal outlook provides potential for targeted improvements. Programs like the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant, aimed at mitigating pandemic-related learning losses, remain critical in addressing achievement gaps. However, recent assessments highlight the urgency of these efforts. Only 17.8% of Black students met or exceeded state math standards, compared to a statewide average of 35.5%. Similarly, just 30.3% of Black students achieved proficiency in English, compared to 47% overall.
The report identifies $2.8 billion available for new commitments, presenting options such as strengthening reserves, eliminating deferrals, or funding programs to address inequities. The LAO emphasizes the importance of fiscal planning and the strategic use of funds to ensure that these efforts will be impactful.
California Voters Approve Measure Limiting AIDS Healthcare Foundation's Spending
California voters have passed Proposition 34, a new measure that aims to limit the spending practices of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a major player in funding rent control initiatives.
The California Apartment Association (CAA), the sponsor of the measure, argued that it would reduce taxpayer costs by ensuring that more revenue from federal drug programs goes directly to patient care, rather than being used for non-healthcare expenses such as political campaigns or luxury housing.
Recent reports indicated that Prop 34 passed with 50 percent of the vote, narrowly defeating the opposition. The law will target healthcare providers who have spent more than $100 million over 10 years on non-patient-related expenses, and it specifically impacts organizations that also face significant health and safety violations in their housing operations.
California’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) stated that the program allows providers including AHF to serve low-income patients. However, the law “does not directly restrict how providers spend their revenue from federal drug discounts,” the LAO office stated.
AHF president Michael Weinstein denounced the effort as a retaliatory move by wealthy real estate interests.
“If billionaires spend more than $170 million lying and confusing voters, they are virtually guaranteed to win,” said Weinstein. While the law passed, the AHF indicated that it may challenge the measure in court. Legal experts noted that the specificity of the measure, which seemingly targets AHF alone, could render it unconstitutional.
Nonetheless, the passing of Prop 34 marks a significant victory for real estate interests and a major setback for the AHF’s ongoing push for rent control. Read
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
PHOTO: Antonio R. Harvey
PHOTO: County News Center
Lincoln High School Wins CIF San Diego Open Division Finals
Coaches and players laser-focused on being the best they can be between the lines
By Voice & Viewpoint Staff
Llast Saturday, November 23rd at Snapdragon Stadium.
The Hornets crushed it with a 31-13 win, showing off the coaches' and players' next-level focus and drive on the field.
HBCU Champions Advance to Postseason Play
By Ed Hill
As the semester quickly winds down, several teams at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are hoping to find success in the postseason.
ing on the schedule against Delaware State on Saturday, Nov. 23, will square off against the winner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) title game between Jackson State and Southern University on Dec. 7.
From HBCU football teams to the University of the District of Columbia’s soccer program, and Howard University’s volleyball players, athletes are still working to capture titles and garner bragging rights in their various conferences.
South Carolina State proved all the prognosticators wrong by winning the MidEastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) regular season title after being picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll.
As a result of their success, defeating the Morgan State Bears 54-7 on Nov. 16, the South Carolina Bulldogs now qualify for the Cricket Celebration Bowl on Dec. 14 in Atlanta, kicking off at noon and streaming on ABC. However, another game between Jackson State and Southern University must happen a week before the big matchup in Atlanta, before the Bulldogs (8-2, 4-0 MEAC) know who they’ll be going against.
In the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship game, it was Virginia Union University that defeated rival Virginia State 21-17 for the title in Salem, Virginia, on Nov. 16.
It was the Virginia Union University Panthers’ second straight CIAA title, avenging a 35-28 loss to the Virginia State University Trojans on Nov. 9. The Panthers (8-3 overall, 6-1 in the CIAA) got an effort of 178 yards rushing on 32 carries and a touchdown from Jodo Byers.
Virginia Union will open the playoffs with a road game at Wingate in Wingate, North Carolina on Nov. 23, with kickoff at 1 p.m.
In the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAC) championship, it was Miles College (9-2) overwhelming Clark
The Bulldogs, who have one game remain -
Atlanta (7-3), 53-25 in the title game. The Miles College Golden Bears piled up over 430 yards of total offense, giving them a NCAA Division 2 bid as they hosted CarsonNewman on Nov. 23 at 11 a.m.
Miles boasts one of the top defenses in the country in Division 2, having forced 33 turnovers.
University of the District of Columbia Soccer Team Defeats Molloy
In men’s soccer, the University of the District of Columbia defeated Molloy University in the East Coast Conference (ECC) championships
final on Nov. 17.
Mustafa Tahir scored the game-winning goal in the 100th minute. It was Tahir’s third game winner of the season.
The Firebirds (8-7-4, 3-4-1 in the ECC)
earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division 2 tournament against the No. 7 seed Post University. on Friday, Nov. 22. UDC enters the game on a four-game win streak.
Howard University Volleyball Dominating in the MEAC
Howard University is one of the hottest women’s college volleyball teams.
The Bison (21-5 overall, 14-0 MEAC) went undefeated in league play and are on a current 15-game game win streak headed into Friday Nov. 22nd’s tournament in Dover, Delaware.
Howard is the top seed, and they will be looking to capture their sixth tournament title and NCAA bid in the past nine years.
The Bison boast one of the top players in the country in junior outside hitter Rya McKinnon, who is headed for an unprecedented third straight Player of the Year honor. This originally appeared in the Washington Informer.
Continued from page 2 Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Vice President Cynthia Cox cautioned that if subsidies expire, middle-income enrollees would likely be hit the hardest, as many would be priced out of coverage entirely. “A lot of those folks would drop coverage,” she noted. Enhanced subsidies, which reduce premiums for eligible enrollees by an average of 44%, or about $705 per year, have made health insurance more accessible than ever. However, if Congress fails to renew them, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that ACA enrollment could fall from 22.8 million in 2025 to 15.4 million by 2030 as millions of Americans lose affordable options. Without financial support, many of these individuals—who have come to rely on the ACA for medical peace of mind—could
be forced to go without insurance, leading to even higher rates of medical debt, which stood at $220 billion nationwide in 2021.
For now, ACA enrollees can rest assured that their 2025 premiums will remain stable if they enroll during the current open enrollment period.
However, the stakes for the ACA remain high. As Congress finalizes its leadership, healthcare policy experts and millions of Americans watch closely, hoping for a path forward that will secure affordable healthcare for all. “The Affordable Care Act continues to be a successful, popular, and important federal program to millions of people and their families,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized.
incoln High School Hornets battled the Cathedral Catholic Dons in the CIF Open Division championship game
PHOTOS: Courtesy of Michael Brunker
South Carolina State University Bulldogs, winners of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season title, now qualify for the Cricket Celebration Bowl, after defeating the Morgan State Bears 54-7 on Nov. 16. PHOTO: Courtesy of Blackpressusa
Virginia Union University celebrates after defeating Virginia State University, and winning the regular season CIAA title in Salem, Virginia, on Nov. 16. PHOTO: Courtesy of Blackpressusa
The University of the District of Columbia men’s soccer team celebrates after winning the East
INTERNATIONAL
How a Blind Soccer League is Changing Lives in Sudan
By Sam Joseph CNN
So uth Sudan’s Blind Premier League is backed by Light for the World, a non-governmental organization that works for disability rights and inclusion in South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique and Uganda. It focuses on eye health and works with “under-served communities,” helping people with disabilities facing multiple barriers, such as children, women, rural communities and those hit by disaster.
Jimmy Just Augustin, who captains t he competition’s Kator Blind Football Club, had never even heard of blind soccer before he was introduced to it.
Augustin went blind as a child in 2012. He experienced pain in both of his eyes, but was told by a village doctor that nothing was wrong. He eventually visited a doctor in Juba, but by that point, his retinas were damaged beyond repair.
The rules of blind soccer
The rules of blind soccer differ significantly from its able-bodied counterpart. Each team is made up of five players: four outfield players and a goalkeeper. The outfield players must be classified as “completely blind” – meaning they have “very low visual acuity and/or no light perception” – but all of them must wear eye patching and eyeshades as some might see more light and shadows than others.
The goalkeepers, meanwhile, are sighted or partially sighted and provide vital communication to their team in defense, though they must stay inside the small, restricted area around the goal.
The ball has sewn-in rattles, making noise while it is on the move.
Soccer games are notorious for their raucous crowds, but blind soccer spectators are required to remain silent during the game, so players are able to hear and locate the ball, which is a size three, smaller than the standard size five ball used in the 11-a-side, able-bodied game.
Matches are 40 minutes long (played in two 20-minute halves) and take place on 40m x 20m (or roughly 131.2ft x 65.6ft) fields which have walls all the way around to prevent the ball from going out of play, allowing for a faster paced game.
Players must shout “voy” or “I’m going” in Spanish – in a nod to the game’s Iberian roots – when making a tackle to warn opponents and minimize injuries.
Each team also has another two
guides to help them, one at the halfway line and another behind the goal the team is attacking.
Aiming high
Though the league is only a year old and still in a relatively nascent stage, it is focused on expansion. Madol told CNN that the aim is to involve teams from every state in South Sudan and has spent time in different parts of the country to assess how blind soccer can be brought to the area.
The league also has lofty international aspirations. According to Madol, organizers are currently in the process of registering with IBSA to create a pathway for South Sudan to compete at the Blind Football African Championship in 2026. Success at this tournament could potentially give the country a route into the World Blind Football Championships.
Former Staffer Reveals Russia's Disinformation Tactics in Central African Republic
By Monika Pronczuk Associated Press
When Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo was first approached in 2019 by a Russian who suggested he help promote the activities of the Central African Republic’s army and Russian forces in the country, the journalist believed that he was doing the right thing.
African Republic from the inside.
Yalike-Ngonzo said that for three years he was tasked with writing stories praising the activities of the Russian forces and the army and military government of the Central African Republic and placing them in local media outlets. He was also asked to organize anti-Western demonstrations and suppress voices critical of the government.
But he soon realized that he was recruited by Kremlin-backed Wagner forces to spread Russian propaganda in the country, the crown jewel in Moscow’s operations on the African continent.
Despite threats and intimidation, Yalike-Ngonzo fled and made it to Europe several months ago with the help of The Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa. On Thursday, he became the first person to tell the story of the Russian disinformation machine in Central
Russia has in recent years emerged as the security partner of choice for a growing number of African countries, displacing traditional allies such as France and the U.S. Central African Republic has been in conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then-president François Bozizé from office. It is one of the first countries in which Kremlin-backed Wagner mercenaries established their operations on the pledge of fighting back rebel
King Promise and Fellow Artists Demand Broader Identity Beyond Afrobeats
By Lauren Lee CNN
Over the last decade, Afrobeats has become a global phenomenon, bringing African music into the Western mainstream. There’s now an Afrobeats category at the MTV Video Music Awards, and performers like Burna Boy and Wizkid can sell out major venues in the US and Europe.
While many African artists have been able to ride the wave of the genre’s international popularity, some musicians are now pushing for global recognition beyond its confines.
groups and bringing back peace.
But instead of stabilizing the country, Wagner forces have been accused of gross human rights violations and defending the brutal military regime of FaustinArchange Touadéra, in power since March 2016. Moscow has also put in place a multi-faceted disinformation strategy in Africa, Western diplomats said, with the aim of promoting a positive image of Kremlin, while spreading antiWestern sentiment and destabilizing democratic institutions.
Yalike-Ngonzo said he was first approached by a Russian national who introduced himself as “Micha,” who offered him 200,000 CFA francs, or around $320 per month — two and half times more than his salary as an editor in chief of Potentiel, a local news outlet.
“I thought I was contributing to bringing back peace in the country,” he said. “I did it for patriotic reasons.”
Wagner mercenaries are notorious for their human rights record. Two years ago in Mali, the group and the country’s army were accused of executing about 300 men — some suspected of being Islamist extremists, but most civilians — in what Human Rights Watch called the worst single atrocity reported in the country’s decade-long armed conflict. And in Central African Republic, mercenaries train the
“I won’t be mad if you call me an Afrobeats artist, but it’s only because it has become the yardstick for all Africans making global music,” Ghanaian singer King Promise told CNN’s Larry Madowo.
In recent years, popular music coming out of Africa has widely been classified as Afrobeats in the global soundscape, despite encompassing styles such as hiphop, R&B, amapiano, dancehall, highlife, and more.
King Promise, whose sound blends R&B, highlife, and hip-hop, began releasing music in 2017 and rose to international fame in 2023 with his TikTok viral dance track “Terminator.” But the 29-yearold singer and songwriter doesn’t want to be boxed into a single sound.
army on torture tactics, including how to cut hands, remove nails, throw fuel and burn people alive, according to watchdog The Sentry.
Yalike-Ngonzo said he was also told to cover up abuses committed by Wagner forces in his country. At that point, he already wanted out, he said, but he was afraid of his employers, who threatened him after a story critical of Wagner was published in local media.
“They accused me of writing it,” he said. “There were a lot of hidden
“I don’t think that’s the best thing,” he argues.
“I make music that I love,” he explained. “If I feel like making R&B today, I make it. If I feel like making highlife I can make it. If I feel like making Afrobeats I can make it. It’s really about my direction.”
The roots of the Afrobeats genre can be traced back to Nigeria and music icon Fela Kuti, who is widely considered the architect of the similarly named genre, Afrobeat. Popularized in the 1970s, Afrobeat merged American jazz and funk with traditional Yoruba music. More recently, Afrobeat morphed into Afrobeats a looser label and catch all for all African music that took inspiration from the original Afrobeat sound.
King Promise argues that although the Afrobeats sound has evolved over the years with the fusion of new sounds, the foundational element of the music remains the same: African tradition music. He says that will remain a mainstay in popular music.
“Just like we have hip-hop that stood the test of time, Afrobeats as a representation of our music as Africans on a global scale, it’s locking horns with the biggest, standing its ground, and it’s only getting better,” he said.
“Afrobeats kind of serves as the umbrella which all of our music comes together (under),” he says. But he adds that the label has a crossover feel “to make it sound appealing not to just to people back home but to the rest of the world as well.”
threats.”
When the journalist tried to flee with his family by taking a plane to France, he was stopped at the airport by security forces who blocked them from boarding the plane. A police officer warned him that “it’s the Russians who will handle you,” he recalled. He was taken in for questioning, but then let go and told to come back the following day.
Yalike-Ngonzo then went into hiding and crossed into Congo, from where he got to Europe.
PHOTO: South Sudan Blindfootball via X
PHOTO: @iamkingpromise via Instagram
Wagner Group. PHOTO: @stopwagnergroup via X
By
OTurkey Giveaway
ne of the many Turkey giveaways was held at Pilgrim Baptist Church with Pastor Donnel Townsend working as hard and joyfully as the many volunteers who came out for the event. Pastor Ray Smith was the key to this activity as he has been for many years.
This year had a list of 40 some churches participating as more than 600 churches picked up not only turkeys, but also eggs, milk, and bags of all the things to make a great dinner for each recipient. The sponsors were not only Attorney Gomez, but Highlandria Dairy. Mr. Shane Harris was a key coordinator for Attorney Gomez and his many young people who happily volunteered.
The line of cars coming through a very organized drive-thru stretched for several blocks as people waited patiently for their turn to open their trunks for the packages that included not only canned goods, dressings, and water but also a bag of white potatoes as long as they lasted.
The attitude of service was contagious as many familiar faces were seen who have participated year after year, volunteering their time and help.
n November 10, 2024, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of San Diego marked a historic occasion with the installation of its 13th pastor, Reverend Dennis Ray Anderson, D. Min. This momentous celebration, which was attended by over 400 guests, featured dignitaries, such as San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Councilmember Henry Foster (4th District), and a representative from District 8. The program was led by Pulpit Chair, Reverend John Ralph. Moderator Walter G. Wells, along with more than 20 ministers from the Progressive Missionary Baptist District Association, were also present. Special guest Rev. E. Wayne Gaddis, Sr., President of the California Missionary Baptist State Convention, joined family, friends, and the church congregation in celebrating this important milestone.
The ceremony included the symbolic passing of the staff from Pastor Emeritus Reverend J. Linzie Whitmill to Reverend Dennis Ray Anderson, formally installing him as the church’s new spiritual leader.
The joyous occasion was further enriched by uplifting music as the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Choir, guest musicians, and songstress Carmelia Bell, along with the Brothers of Praise, filled the air with songs of Zion.
Reverend Anderson was accompanied by his wife of 38 years, First Lady Janice Anderson, and their daughter, Charity Anderson. The Mt. Zion family is excited to begin this new chapter under his leadership as they continue their journey of spiritual growth and community service.
About
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of San Diego
Founded 129 years ago, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church is the oldest congregation in San Diego’s Logan Heights community. The church proudly honors the legacy of Pastor Emeritus, Rev. J. Linzie Whitmill, who retired in February 2023 after 43 years of committed service to both the church and the greater San Diego community.
For more information about our church’s worship services, visit our website at www.mtzionsandiego.org.
PHOTOS: Voice & Viewpoint
CONNECTING HOPE ANNUAL
Voice & Viewpoint Staff
VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE
PHOTOS: Courtesy of Clara Carter
Mayor Gloria and Pastor with Proclamation
Rev. Anderson at podium
Ministers in pulpit
Pastor and family
79th Assembly District Hosts 10th Annual Turkey Giveaway A
By Voice & Viewpoint Staff
ssembly District’s 10th Annual Turkey Giveaway and Health Fair held on Saturday Nov. 23 brought the holiday goodwill to the City Heights neighborhood.
Hosted by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D., the event, in partnership with the San Diego Food Bank, pro vided 1,400 turkeys, fresh produce, and holiday meal sides to local families.
Held at Cherokee Point Elementary School’s joint-use field, the event also featured a bustling health fair with over 30 com munity resource tables and mobile service buses offering vital health and wellness services.
Over a thousand residents lined the field well before the event commenced at 10 a.m. Right before the first turkey was given away, Assemblymember Weber addressed the crowd and expressed grat itude for the more than 200 volunteers who worked tirelessly to set up and distribute food items, starting as early as 6 a.m.
“Your partnership makes a real differ ence in the lives of those we serve,” she said.
As families left with holiday meals in hand and access to new health resourc es, the event underscored the impor tance of community collaboration in spreading holiday cheer.
Happy Holidays from the 79th Assembly District!
Licensed
Sheriff's
Veterinarian
Supervising
Directed by Yolanda Marie Franklin
Musical direction by Steve Gooden | Choral direction by Carmelia “Toot” Bell
THE GREAT AT THE JACOBS CENTER
Market Creek and the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Improvement was the scene for over 1000 people last Saturday morning. The lines extended around the Jacobs building and across the bridge and around the amphitheater as people waited for hours for their turn to sign up and enter the parking lot which had a host of tents, information, and give-aways.
This event, according to Pastor Sandoval, Executive Director of the Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention, and community wraparound organizations sponsored the activity which brought dozens of groups
together to share information and services. San Ysidro Health had a major presence with multiple locations.
According to Pastor Sandoval, there were over 1000 turkeys bagged for giveaways with a system that allowed so many people at designated times to pick up their turkeys.
There was music and at least 100 volunteers from the various organizations assisting the many people who came out with great patience and confidence that there was enough for everyone.
This was a massive event with much planning and coordination, with obvious lessons learned from past years of experience.
PRAISE & GLORY’S FREE
Thanksgiving Feast
AT MALCOLM X LIBRARY
By Darrel Wheeler Contributing Writer
Celebrating their 10th year of giving, the Praise & Glory non-profit organization, in collaboration with friends, used the Malcom X Library to serve the community a free full course meal.
''We decided that it would be better to serve a meal instead of giving away turkeys,” Alice Lloyd of Praise & Glory said. "Giving away
turkeys is fine but some of the people we are dealing with are homeless. Having a turkey and nowhere to cook, it doesn't mean anything.”
Last Saturday the all-you-can-eat feast featured tradi tional Thanksgiving Day foods complete with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, some mean green beans, sweet potato pie, cake and much more.
"A very special thanks goes out to cook, Miss Rhodes, and everybody else - they know who they are - for making this thanksgiving blessing possible," Alice Lioyd shared.
PHOTOS: Voice & Viewpoint
NORMAN POWELL'S UNDERSTAND THE GRIND FOUNDATION'S
By Darrel Wheeler Contributing Writer
Representatives of San Diego’s native son Norman Powell showed up at Lincoln High School last Saturday to do their annual Understand the Grind free Turkey Giveaway.
The free Turkeys were complimented with big boxes of food to help complete any Thanksgiving Day celebration.
Norman, of the NBA's LA Clippers, is known for his generosity to his beloved Hornets and the community that helped to raise him.
"This is just a small token of our appreciation. We've been extremely blessed.
blessing, so that's what we do and will continue to do," Sharon (Mom's) Powell shared.
"You know how Norman is. You watched him grow up, and one of the reasons he wanted to succeed was so he could help our community,” she continued.
There was no pre-registration necessary.
At Thanksgiving time, come-as-you-are by foot or car, and get served by the friendly folks of Understand the Grind foundation and a host of volunteers including some Lincoln High students.
COMMUNITY
ELEGANT DIVA’S HOST 10TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY
By Darrel Wheeler Contributing Writer
Kim Foster and her supporting cast of the Elegant Diva’s nonprofit organization were seen doing nice things again last Saturday on a Euclid Ave parking lot.
For the 10th year, the Elegant Diva's and crew gave out free turkeys to anybody in need of one or two.
"We just love to give back. We want to help bridge the big gap between the haves and the have nots, with the help of our spon -
sors and donors, and we also come out of our own pockets to make things work,'' said Kim Foster, President of Elegant Diva’s.
For four hours the excitable crew could be seen celebrating, fellowshipping, strategizing, being nice to people, and doing what Diva's do.
Their community compassion will continue on December 8th.
"We want everybody to come out and support our Adopt-a-Family event at 1:00 pm at the old Big Lots parking lot,” Foster shared.
Comfort Food and A Show AS YOU LIKE IT
Old Globe For All brings Shakespeare and homestyle food to District 4 Senior Resource Center
By Voice & Viewpoint Staff
As a stop on this year's annual Old Globe For All Tour, the community room at the George L. Stevens Senior Center lit up as a group of multitalented artists performed a free admission Shakespearean production of As You Like It.
Banished from the court by her distrustful uncle, the Duke–Rosalind and her cousin Celia journey to the magical Forest of Arden to escape from their world of oppression. Far from the confines of court life, the duo encounter the dashing Orlando and the follies of young romance ensue.
Voice & Viewpoint caught up with Laura Zee, the Community Programs Director just ahead of the show.
and often experience live theater for the very first time,” the website states.
“We're just excited for there to be a very touchable sort of Shakespeare, in a different realm. There's actors just a couple of feet away from you. They're not going to be behind a curtain for most of the show. You get to see the whole process happening. It's super interactive,” said Zee. Old Globe for All is an initiative to bring the essence of professional performing arts to various economically, geographically, and culturally diverse communities throughout San Diego County and Tijuana.
“The majority of attendees face barriers to accessing professional performing arts
Old Globe for All is designed to put on productions in non-theatrical venues, like the senior center. It also puts on shows in cafeterias, military installations, correctional facilities and gymnasiums.
Before the play commenced, attendees got to enjoy a down home-style fried fish lunch covered by Old Globe. When asked about the main takeaways from As You Like it , Zee said:
“It has a lot to do with being yourself, imagining new ways of living with others that you might not have expected, and how that can make space for people to be their true self.”
The Old Globe and the District 4 Senior Resource Center have been in partnership with one another for the last nine years. Executive Director of the Senior Center, Rosemary Pope, sees the partnership as a delightful treat that executes an essential service to the community.
“Me and the other seniors, didn't talk about Shakespeare and all the different plays, and jargon used back then—I understand it now!” said Ms. Pope.
To learn more about Old Globe For All and tour times visit: https://www.theoldglobe. org/arts-engagement/globe-for-all/
PHOTOS: Darrel Wheeler
PHOTO: Voice & Viewpoint Staff
Three Percent of Calif’s Doctors are Black Advocates Want Increased Representation
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
On ly 3% of doctors in California are Black, compared to about 5% nationwide.
The California Black Health Network (CBHN), Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) in Los Angeles and other health advocates are working to increase that percentage.
On Nov. 14, CBHN hosted its Health Equity Forum titled “Improving Workforce Development for Better Health Outcomes.” The organization -- now 40-plus years in existence – refers to itself as “a trusted resource” for Black health equity in California. CBHN utilizes outreach, education, advocacy and policy work to complete its mission.
The forum is the fourth installment in a series of webinars called the “The Health 4 Life: Healthy Black People Campaign.” The effort aims to empower Black Californians with the information and resources they need to navigate the healthcare system; advocate for friends, family, and themselves; and take action when faced with discrimination.
“Where there are Black doctors, we tend to
see better health outcomes for Black communities,” said Rhonda Smith, Executive Director of CBHN.
“According to the California Healthcare
modestly increased up 0.5 points.
The 2024 California Schools Dashboard shows the San Diego Unified School District continues to reduce chronic absenteeism and increase student preparedness to pursue careers, college, and overcome life adversities to succeed. District officials are encouraged by the progress being made, but acknowledge work must continue across all the Dashboard’s performance indicators.
The 2024 California Schools Dashboard results reveal some upward trends to continue building upon on when compared to the 2023 results:
• Chronic Absenteeism continues to significantly improve. It has declined by another 5.8 points, the 2nd consecutive year of decline. 21.4% of students struggle with chronic absenteeism
• T he College and Career Indicators positively increased 3%. This means more students are prepared for college or a career.
• E nglish Language Arts/Literacy Academic Indicator modestly ticked up 0.3 points, and remained 7.2 points above standard.
• Mathematics Academic Indicator
• Suspensions remained steady with just 2.5% of students suspended for one day.
Slight Decrease in Graduation Rate Due to Stricter Use of Graduation Waivers
In 2020-21, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State loosened requirements for using graduation waivers, which allowed for families to approve their student for graduation as long as they met the state minimum graduation requirements. When the 2023 CA Schools Dashboard was released, SDUSD like other Districts was still allowing families to use the waivers, but SDUSD tightened the waiver restrictions, which contributed to the slight decline in graduation rates. Not all school districts have tightened their requirements for using gradation waivers. For the class of 2023, 386 waivers with looser restrictions were used for students and approved by families and principals compared to the class of 2024 when just 115 waivers were used.
To keep up to date with the 2024 California Schools Dashboard, visit caschooldashboard.org.
Foundation, here in California, the state's medical student education pipeline is not producing enough Black physicians,” Smith continued. “And, unfortunately, half of California's black medical students leave
the state for residency programs and often don't return. So, what can we do to ensure that there is a strong pipeline of healthcare professionals that look like the communities they will serve, and that there's a greater representation of black physicians and healthcare professionals?”
The forum featured Dr. David M. Carlisle, MD, President of CDU.
CDU is one of four Historically Black Medical Schools in the country, and the only one in the West. The session centered on how CDU’s commitment to social justice and health equity prepares more Black and other minority doctors to serve across California while engaging and building trust with underserved and historically excluded communities.
Among all CDU’s medical students, about 31 were African American. That number contributed to an increase in the number of first-year African American medical students in the entire state, by well over 20% in that first-year.
Carlisle, who also sits on the board of the California Healthcare Foundation, noted in a recently published survey of Black Californians that trust is still a major issue when it comes to healthcare providers.
Five HBCUs Leading the Charge in Creating Black Excellence
By Aziah Siid Word In Black
What do Martin Luther King Jr., Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and Vice President Kamala Harris have in common? They’re all graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The 2022 proclamation from President Biden for National Historically Black Colleges and Universi t ies Week pointed out their incredible contributions to society: “HBCUs have produced 40 percent of all Black engineers and 50 percent of all Black lawyers in America. Seventy percent of Black doctors in our country attended an HBCU, and 80 percent of Black judges are alumni of these schools.”
The institutions also play a prominent role in maintaining the Black teacher pipeline. They produce 50% of Black teachers, thus boosting the number of Black men entering classrooms and introducing students to the love of learning.
Howard University
Founded 150 years ago by Army General Oliver Otis Howard, Howard University has also long been a pioneer in educating Black women at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Our first black vice president, Kamala Harris, graduated in 1986. Charlotte Ray, the nation’s first Black woman lawyer — and the first woman admitted to the Washington D.C. bar — graduated from Howard’s law school in 1872.
HU continues to make modern-day strides as it competes directly with schools in underserved communities through its dual enrollment courses.
Spelman College
Voted as the #1 HBCU in the country for 17 consecutive years by U.S News & World Report, Spelman College has earned its distinction for more reasons than one. Founded in 1881 as Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, the all-women’s campus has been a beacon of education and hope for Black women nationwide. Spelman College was home to visionaries like Martin Luther King Jr’s daughter, peace advocate and CEO of the King
Center, Dr Bernice King, politician and activist Stacey Abrams, and the legendary novelist Alice Walker.
Spelman continues to serve the greater Black education community through partnerships like their initiative with the National Education Equity Lab, a nonprofit that works to boost economic and social mobility for high school students. The program provides free college-level courses to low-income high school students to make them confident they can succeed in college and prepare them for higher education.
Florida A&M University
Through rhythm and song, FAMU alumni, like musical artist Common, have spoken life into the Black community. The 140-yearold university — which began with only 15 students and two instructors — is currently ranked as the No. 1 HBCU for research and development by the National Science Foundation. The university continues to make immense strides in law, pharmaceutical sciences, and more.
To encourage more young people to pursue STEM, FAMU hosts an annual STEM Day for students in grades 6-12. The event features academic speakers, hands-on activities, and science demonstrations to give participants a realistic look at what the future holds.
Morgan State University
Morgan State University President David K. Wilson recently became the first HBCU president to win the national Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education, presented by the McGraw Family Foundation
and the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.
The university is committed to increasing representation in fields such as STEM and communications by recruiting students as early as their junior year of high school. They also have a summer program for rising high school seniors and incoming freshmen interested in actuarial and mathematical sciences.
Prairie View A&M University
Founded in 1876 as the Alta Vista Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, the second public institution of higher learning in the state initially admitted only men. Recognizing the need for all Black people to be educated, it soon welcomed women.
PVAMU carries the legacy of inclusivity into its STEM Mobile Road Show. On-board technology allows Prairie View to bring hands-on demonstrations to high schools across the state and enable students to engage in activities.
Howard University Graduating Class of 1900. The photograph was taken outside the Andrew Rankin Memorial
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County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company
The first day of business was: 10/18/2024
San Diego County on November 12, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on November 12, 2029 11/21, 11/28, 12/05, 12/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
2024-9021190
Fictitious business name(s): Leona's Cucina Italiana Located at: 4748 University Ave Ste. B San Diego, CA 92105 County of San Diego
This business is conducted by:
A Married Couple
The first day of business was: 10/22/2024
Located at: 4311 Chamoune Ave San Diego, CA 92115 County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: Carlos Giovanni Ramos Fuentes 4311 Chamoune Ave San Diego, CA 92115
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 14, 2024
This business is conducted by: An Individual The first day of business was: 10/14/2024
This business is hereby registered by the following: Adriana Karem Torres 1536 Clavelita Pl San Diego, CA 92154
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on October 25, 2024 This fictitious business name will expire on October 25, 2029 11/21, 11/28, 12/05, 12/12
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on October 29, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on October 29, 2029 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, 12/05
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9022161
Fictitious business name(s): Patrick Paul Construction LLC Located at: 333 H Street 5000 Chula Vista, CA 91910 County of San Diego
by the following: Gemini Twins Bakery 7360 Cornell Avenue La Mesa, CA 91942 State of Incorporation/ Organization: California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 06, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on November 06, 2029 11/28, 12/05, 12/12, 12/19
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9022620
Fictitious business name(s): The UPS Store 0090 Located at:
501 W Broadway, Ste A San Diego, CA 92101 County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company
The first day of business was: 12/18/2019
This business is hereby registered by the following: Imprints SDDT, LLC
501 W Broadway, Ste A San Diego, CA 92101
State of Incorporation/ Organization: California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 13, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on November 13, 2029 11/28, 12/05, 12/12, 12/19
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9023150
Fictitious business name(s): Phuong NGA Restaurant Located at: 5237 El Cajon Blvd San Diego, CA 92115
4016 54th Street San Diego, CA 92105
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: A Corporation Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above
This business is hereby registered by the following: Phuong NGA Inc
4016 54th Street San Diego, CA 92105
State of Incorporation/ Organization: California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 20, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on November 20, 2029 11/28, 12/05, 12/12, 12/19
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9023141
Fictitious business name(s): Yourastral
Your Astral Magic Brands Located at: 6635 Bullock Dr San Diego, CA 92114 County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: A Corporation The first day of business was: 11/01/2024
This business is hereby registered by the following: Dekk Co. 6635 Bullock Dr San Diego, CA 92114 State of Incorporation/ Organization: California FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
This business is hereby registered by the following: BusinessTrade4u 700 Redlands Pl Bonita, CA 91902
State of Incorporation/ Organization:
California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on October 18, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on October 18, 2029 11/28, 12/05, 12/12, 12/19
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9022662
Fictitious business name(s): Salon V.I.P. LLC Located at: 3036 Adams Ave San Diego, CA 92116
3401 Fairway Dr. La Mesa, CA 91941
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by:
A Limited Liability Company
Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: Salon V.I.P. LLC 3401 Fairway Dr. La Mesa, CA 91941
State of Incorporation/ Organization: California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 13, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on November 13, 2029 11/28, 12/05, 12/12, 12/19
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-902257
Fictitious business name(s): We Haul Inc
Cheap Junk Removal San Diego Located at: 1257 Idanan Rd #2 Chula Vista, CA 91913 County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: A Corporation
The first day of business was: 3/14/2007 This business is hereby registered by the following: We Haul Inc 1257 Idanan Rd #2 Chula Vista, CA 91913 State of Incorporation/ Organization: California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 13, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on November 13, 2029 11/21, 11/28, 12/05, 12/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9022524
Fictitious business name(s): Professionals Unlimited Home Healthcare Located at: 2667 Camino Del Rio South Unit 110-6 San Diego, CA 92108 County of San Diego This business is conducted by: An Individual The first day of business was: 11/7/2024 This business is hereby registered by the following: Malaika Halleema Tiofil 2667 Camino Del Rio South Unit 110-6 San Diego, CA 92108 This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of
This business is hereby registered by the following: Everardo Bazarte 4748 University Ave Ste. B San Diego, CA 92105
Irma Antúnez
4748 University Ave Ste. B San Diego, CA 92105
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on October 22, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on October 22, 2029 11/21, 11/28, 12/05, 12/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9022826
Fictitious business name(s): East West Auto Repair LLC Located at: 6996 Broadway #B Lemon Grove, CA 91945 County of San Diego
This business is conducted by:
A Limited Liability Company
The first day of business was: 11/15/2024
This business is hereby registered by the following: East West Auto Repair LLC 6996 Broadway #B Lemon Grove, CA 91945
State of Incorporation/ Organization: California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 15, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on November 15, 2029 11/21, 11/28, 12/05, 12/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9022878
Fictitious business name(s): The Whyee
Located at: 4164 Cherokee Ave, F San Diego, CA 92104
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual
The first day of business was: 03/16/2020 This business is hereby registered by the following: Rhonda Anette Cobb 4164 Cherokee Ave, F San Diego, CA 92104
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 18, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on November 18, 2029 11/21, 11/28, 12/05, 12/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9021872
Fictitious business name(s): Creative 3D Academy Located at: 7448 Arucauna Ct San Diego, CA 92129 County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above
This business is hereby registered by the following: Xin Mathers 7448 Arucauna Ct San Diego, CA 92129
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 01, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on November 01, 2029 11/21, 11/28, 12/05, 12/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9022691
Fictitious business name(s): Tacos El Primo
This fictitious business name will expire on November 14, 2029 11/21, 11/28, 12/05, 12/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9022666
Fictitious business name(s): Final Stop Barbershop Located at: 5277 El Cajon Blvd San Diego, CA 92115 County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: A Married Couple Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above
This business is hereby registered by the following: Jean Mesmais Lusca 5277 El Cajon Blvd San Diego, CA 92115
Elvinave Mika Vilsaint 5277 El Cajon Blvd San Diego, CA 92115
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 14, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on November 14, 2029 11/21, 11/28, 12/05, 12/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9022488
Fictitious business name(s): Drift & Dusk
Drift At Dusk Located at: 4770 Biona Dr San Diego, CA 92116 County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above
This business is hereby registered by the following: Ryan Jerry Rose 4770 Biona Dr San Diego, CA 92116
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 12, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on November 12, 2029 11/21, 11/28, 12/05, 12/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9022622
Fictitious business name(s): Helix Dog Scoopers Located at: 4333 Macronald Dr. La Mesa, CA 91942 County of San Diego
8697 La Mesa Blvd Ste C #514 La Mesa, CA 91942 County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above
This business is hereby registered by the following: Jonathan Kenneth Schirer
8697 La Mesa Blvd Ste C #514 La Mesa, CA 91941
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 13, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on November 13, 2029 11/21, 11/28, 12/05, 12/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9021457
Fictitious business name(s): Karems Printing Located at: 1536 Clavelita Pl San Diego, CA 92154 County of San Diego
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9022498
Fictitious business name(s): Happy Habit Hats Located at: 770 Sycamore Ave. Ste 122 #1155 Vista, CA 92083
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual
The first day of business was: 11/12/2024
This business is hereby registered by the following: Cara Corren 770 Sycamore Ave. Ste 122 #1155 Vista, CA 92083
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 12, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on November 12, 2029 11/21, 11/28, 12/05, 12/12
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9022259
Fictitious business name(s): Doug Disraeli DDS Located at: 3645 Fourth Ave San Diego, CA 92103
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: A Corporation
The first day of business was: 11/01/2024
This business is hereby registered by the following: Andrew J Keith DDS Inc 3645 Fourth Ave San Diego, CA 92103
State of Incorporation/ Organization: California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 06, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on November 06, 2029 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, 12/05
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9021542
Fictitious business name(s): Brad Sorenson Insurance Solutions Located at: 1024 Neptune Dr. Chula Vista, CA 91911
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: An Individual
The first day of business was: 10/27/2024
This business is hereby registered by the following: Bradley Erik Sorenson 1024 Neptune Dr. Chula Vista, CA 91911
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on October 28, 2024
This fictitious business name will expire on October 28, 2029 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, 12/05
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9021652
Fictitious business name(s): A2W Engineering
A2W Located at: 440 La Veta Ave Encinitas, CA 92024
County of San Diego
This business is conducted by: A Married Couple The first day of business was: 10/01/2011
This business is hereby registered by the following: Rafael Ambrosi-Clavijo 440 La Veta Ave Encinitas, CA 92024
Stephanie EP Dietrich 440 La Veta Ave Encinitas, CA 92024
This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company
The first day of business was: 11/01/2024
This business is hereby registered by the following: Patrick Paul Construction LLC 333 H
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9022176
Fictitious
is conducted by:
The first day of business was: 03/01/2020 This business is hereby registered by the following: PLG King Inc 8395 Blue Lake Dr San Diego, CA 92119 State of Incorporation/ Organization: California
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 05, 2024 This fictitious business name will expire on November 05, 2029 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, 12/05
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9022009
Fictitious business name(s): SH79
Located at: 1499 Broadway #3 El Cajon, CA 92021 County of San Diego This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: Shawki Hurmiz 1499 Broadway #3 El Cajon, CA 92021
This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on November 04, 2024 This fictitious business name will expire on November 04, 2029 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, 12/05
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9021538
Fictitious business name(s): Hue By Ashli Nichole Located at: 8127 La Mesa Blvd Suite 116 La Mesa, CA 91941 8240 Valley View Circle#152 La Mesa, CA 91941 County of San Diego This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant
Invitation for Bids (IFB)
General Contractor Services for SANDAG Relocation
Solicitation No.: 4250082
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is seeking contractors to deliver the General Contractor Services for SANDAG Relocation project.
SANDAG is relocating to their new HQ at 1011 Union St at the WEST property, while also needing to decommission the property at 401 B St. General Contractor services will be needed at both locations.
There is no DBE goal for this project. The Independent Cost Estimate is $112,217.00. This project is not subject to the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA).
The Optional Pre-Bid Meeting will be held in person at 401 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101, Conference Room 7 on December 2, 2024 from 10:00AM to 12:00 PM PST/PDT. The Pre-Bid Meeting includes a walkthrough of 401B Street. Attendance is highly recommended. The deadline for electronic Bid submittal is December 24, 2024 by 10:00 AM PST/PDT unless otherwise stated in an addendum.
A copy of the solicitation documents and any communications or addenda can be accessed via www.bidnetdirect.com/sandag.
Fictitious business name(s): Importing Italy Located at:
b.PROPOSED NAME: Tuan Quoc Tran [first][middle][last]
THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes 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.
Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.
The address of the court is: 330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 11/21, 11/28, 12,05, 12/12
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA
330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 24CU021542C
Petitioner or Attorney: Juan Xicotencalt Mendez Jr
Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.
If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.
If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.
A RESPONDENT
OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date
1929
BERRY GORDY IS BORN
Berry Gordy, Jr. was born on November 28, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan, the seventh of eight children. He founded Motown Records in 1959 with $800 borrowed from family, operating out of his apartment before moving to Hitsville USA in Detroit. He attracted artists like Smokey Robinson and The Supremes, producing 14 number one pop singles from 1964 to 1967. Although Motown’s dominance declined in the 1970s, Gordy sold the company to MCA in 1988 for $61 million, significantly impacting the music industry and elevating African American artists.
1960
RICHARD WRIGHT PASSES
Richard Wright, born on September 4, 1908, in Roxie, Mississippi, to former slaves, published his first short story in 1924 and moved to Chicago in 1927, where he became a critic of the black urban experience.
a.PROPOSED
NOTICE OF HEARING
Date: January 07, 2025
Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61
(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)
NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.
The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).
If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.
To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree
Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree
Changing Name and Order
Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.
A certified copy of Decree
Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree
Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.
If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.
If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.
A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date
To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Juan Xicotencalt Mendez Jr filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:
PRESENT NAME: Juan Xicotencalt Mendez Jr
PROPOSED NAME: Juan Xavier Mendez
THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes 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.
NOTICE OF HEARING
Date: December 26, 2024 Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61
(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)
NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.
The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).
If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.
To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree
Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree
Changing Name and Order
Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.
A certified copy of Decree
Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree
Changing Name and Order
Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the
Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.
The address of the court is: 330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 11/21, 11/28, 12,05, 12/12 NAME STATEMENT
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. This Thanksgiving, let us Cherish the Blessings of Family, Friendship, and community, and share The Joy of giving Thanks" ~~~ wishing you A Very Happy Thanksgiving From The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint
Wright moved to New York City in 1937, winning federal writing funding, and published his acclaimed novel Native Son in 1940, which sold over 250,000 copies in three weeks. The novel highlighted the struggles of black residents in Chicago and is considered a landmark in "ghetto realism." Throughout his career, Wright evolved politically and philosophically, promoting black culture in works like Black Boy (1945). After moving to Paris in 1946, he found a sense of freedom as a writer. Wright died in Paris on November 28, 1960, leaving a lasting legacy as a key figure in 20th-century literature. 2012
DAVY PASSES
Gloria Davy, a rich-voiced lirico-spinto soprano, had a four-decade concert career. She replaced Leontyne Price as Bess in the 1954 international tour of Porgy and Bess and broke color barriers in 1958 as the lead in Aida at the Metropolitan Opera. Born on March 29, 1931, in Brooklyn to Caribbean immigrant parents, Davy graduated from Juilliard in 1953 and won the Marian Anderson Award twice.
After debuting in Nice in 1957, Davy's groundbreaking performance in Aida at the Met marked a significant achievement. She married Herman Penningsfield in 1959 and continued her career in Europe. Davy died in Geneva on November 28, 2012, at age 81.
Staying Sober During the Holidays
Expert Tips for Navigating the Season
As the holidays approach, nearly 9 in 10 U.S. adults report rising stress levels, leading to anxiety, illness, and increased substance misuse, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). Alcohol consumption spikes by 27% during this time, making the festive season particularly challenging for individuals in recovery.
For those striving to maintain sobriety, the pressure to join in holiday cocktails and celebrations can feel overwhelming.
Scott H. Silverman, a renowned addiction expert, crisis coach, and author of The Opioid Epidemic understands these challenges deeply. Celebrating 40 years of sobriety, Scott has dedicated his life to helping others overcome addiction as the founder of Confidential Recovery and the Veterans Navigation Center in San Diego. To support individuals navigating holiday stress, Scott shares five actionable tips to maintain sobriety during this demanding season
1. Practice Stress-Relieving Techniques
Manage holiday stress with meditation, walking, or deep breathing exercises, helping to reduce the urge to use substances as a coping mechanism.
2. Lean on Your Support System
Stay connected with trusted friends, family, or recovery groups who can provide accountability and encouragement, helping you avoid triggers.
from Social Media
Step back from social platforms to avoid triggering content or unrealistic holiday portrayals, fostering space for more meaningful and supportive interactions.
4. Speak Up
When stress or temptation strikes, reach out to your support network or sponsor to resist isolation and stay on track.
5. Engage in Uplifting Activities
Fill your time with positive, recovery-friendly activities to stay busy and focused on your sobriety goals.
By prioritizing these strategies, individuals in recovery can safeguard their well-being and enjoy a fulfilling, sober holiday season.
3. Take Time Away
GLORIA
PHOTO: Open AI DALLE tool
Our
Something That Everyone Should Know?
CHURCH DIRECTORY
OBITUARIES
Jones
SUNRISE 01/27/1967
SUNSET 10/18/2024
ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL
Service will be held 11am November 30th, 2024, at Preferred Cremation and Burial. ***************************************************************************
Emil Joseph Jones, affectionately known as Joey, was born on January 27, 1967, in San Diego, California, to Shirley Eugene Jones and Ophelia Marie Jones. Joey accepted Christ as his Savior and was deeply loved by his family.
Despite facing numerous challenges, Joey persevered and worked various jobs, including his last position as a dishwasher at Phil’s BBQ, where he earned $16.30 per hour. He saved his money, purchased a used car, and shared what he had with his family and others.
Joey passed on October 18, 2024. He will be missed.
He leaves to cherish his memory his son Eric Jones, his sister Diane (Scott) Thomas, his brother Gerald Hawthorne, Brothers; Darrell (Sabrina) Hawthorne and Nelson Jones, three aunts; Carolyn Hawthorne, Joyce (Clifford) Mc Clain, and Lorna Hawthorne, nephews; Everett Larkins, Brandon Henry, Treymayne McClain, Scotty Thomas Darrell A. Hawthorne, and Thai- Li Clark, great nephew Julian Larkins, nieces; Geri (Tramell) Wade and Katherine Jones, great nieces; Gensis Wade, Goureigh Wade, Melaine Jones, and Ava Jones, cousins; Reginal Hawthorne, Anthony Hawthorne, and Donnie Hawthorne, and a host of other family and friends.
Kendall Kayvonne Allen
SUNRISE 01/27/1991
SUNSET 10/21/2024
Harris
SUNRISE 04/13/1963
SUNSET 11/06/2024
ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL
Service was held November 22nd, 2024, at Preferred Cremation and Burial. ***************************************************************************
SONYA YVETTE REAVES was Born on April 13th, 1963, to Joanne McKee and Maurice Andrel Reaves in San Diego, California. She graduated from Morse High School in 1981. Sonya went on to have five children: Dwayne Gilbert, Amber Cooke, Allison Garrett, Hennessy Johnson and Chasity Huggins.
She had a smile that lit up every room and an infectious laugh. A true fashionista at heart, she enjoyed interior designing and shopping for the latest trends. She was known as the “fun mom” and did not hesitate to open her door to anyone in need. Known as the best cook in the family, she made sure to pass that trait down to her children. She was a pillar in the Southeast community and will surely be missed.
Sonya went home to glory on November 6, 2024.
She is preceded in death by her grandmother Marguerie, her mother Joann, father Maurice, and son Dwayne.
She leaves behind two brothers; Anthony Askari Brown and Thornell Brown, four children; Amber (Bryan), Allison (Renardo), Hennessy and Chasity, six grandchildren; Noah Cooke, Kaiden Gates, Da’Mea Johnson, Grayson Garrett, Gionni Garrett, and Dameon Johnson Jr.
ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL
Service took place November 12th, 2024, at 61st and Division Streets Church of Christ. Funeral arrangements trusted to Preferred Cremation and Burial.
*********************************************************************************************************************
Kendall Kayvonne Allen was born in San Diego, California, on January 27, 1991, to Kenya Dashiki Mitchell and Robert Nathan Daniels. Kendall’s admiration of his parent’s was evident and was especially reflected by the close bond he shared with his mother.
As a student, Kendall’s educational journey started at Gingerbread nursery. He later attended Porter and Fulton Elementary Schools. Some of Kendall’s childhood favorites included peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Barney the Purple Dinosaur, and the original Toy Story movie. Kendall was naturally athletic, driving his love and ability in most sports. However, football was the one he excelled the most at. He played for Skyline Pop Warner from the age of 4 years old until middle school. Some of his fondest memories on the field were shared alongside his brothers Devenaire and Terrance, and cousins AJ and Ricky Gilbert.
Kendall attended Horizon Christian Fellowship with his cousin AJ, where he continued playing football. While attending Horizon, he would live with his cousin AJ and his Aunt Stephanie. This would bring about a competitiveness spirit between the two. From sports to grades, their competitive nature drove their bond.
One of the happiest days of Kendall’s life was on August 31, 2010, when he became a first-time dad to Kayvionna Amiyah Allen. He was just as excited when his youngest daughter, Harlem Kyrielle Allen, was born on August 11, 2020. He was a proud girl dad.
Kendall departed this life on Monday, October 21, 2024.
He is preceded in death by his mom Kenya Dashiki Mitchell and his paternal grandfather Joe Daniels. He leaves to cherish his memory his daughters; Kayvionna (Alleey Izor-mom) and Harlem (Naisha Strickland-mom), dad Robert Daniels, grandmothers; Remona Daniels and Donna Thomas, great grandmother Eva Minor, great grandfather Curtis Minor, brothers; Devenaire Daniels, Kaezion Daniels, Kaelon Daniels, Marquis Holmes, step-brother Andrew Parks, Terrence Spells, Quentin Bell, Tayshaun Shannon, and Jayden Davis, sisters; Kendra St. Jean, Promise Mitchell, China Mitchell, Shakiya Daniels, Latasheanne Young (Willie), step-sisters; Aila Spells, Martiana Collins, Monisha Spells, Dakirra Spells, and Quinnisha Bell, nieces; Kamryn St. Jean and Payton, nephew Elijah St. Jean, cousin/brother Alfred (AJ) Pierite III, a host of cousins, aunts and uncles, and Virgil Turner Allen, who he had a special relationship and he called Pop.
Emil Joseph Sonya Yvette Lyndsey
Earl
SUNRISE 09/08/1991
SUNSET 10/31/2024
ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL
Service was held November 16th, 2024, at Total Deliverance Worship Center. Funeral arrangements trusted to Preferred Cremation and Burial. ****************************************************************************
Lyndsey was born on September 8, 1991, in San Diego, California, and was the 4th child born to Linda Hamition. He passed away on October 31, 2024. Lyndsey was raised by his Stepfather, Andrew Hamilton. Lyndsey graduated high school in 2010. He also graduated from ACTS University with a Bachelor’s in Christian Counseling and a Master’s in Christian Psychology. Leave to cherish Lyndsey’s memory is his daughter Saniyah Buchannon, his mother Linda Hamilton, 5 brothers; Terry (Kenya) Lucas, Jr., Javice Chisholm Sr., Terrance Earl, most beloved Quintin (Dannisha) Earl, Sr., and Isaiah Johnson, 3 sisters; Ta Mesha Lucas, La’Tara Hamilton and Clarke Heard, nephews; Tamir Lucas, Ziaire Lucas, Tashawn Lucas, Terry Lucas III, Javice Chisholm, Jr., Quintin Earl, Jr, Charles Chisholm, Sincere Earl, and Jasmier Earl, two nieces; Terri’Ana Lucas and Kaia Earl, and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. Lyndsey attended Total Deliverance Worship Center and was baptized in January 2023. Lyndsey’s faith was central to his life, guiding him through both triumphs and challenges. Lyndsey’s life was marked by love, joy, and service. He created his own brand, “Blaccout Vision” and was in the works of starting his own podcast called, “Blind Table Talk.” Lyndsey was also an extraordinary music artist who performed throughout the City of San Diego, earning respect and admiration in the industry.
He was a devoted son, loving father, caring brother and loyal friend. His radiant smile and positive energy left a lasting impact on everyone he met. Lyndsey’s legacy is one of kindness, integrity, and a commitment to making the world a better place. Though his time with us was short, his memory will be cherished forever.
Proceeding him in death is his grandparents; Milton and Anna Foster, Willard & Luteal Earl, George Earl, and his father Andrew J Hamilton.
Gerald Lamont Good
SUNRISE 09/05/1949
SUNSET 11/09/2024
ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL
Service was held November 23rd 2024, at North Park Apostolic Church. Funeral arrangement’s trusted to Preferred Cremation and Burial. *********************************************************************************************************************
Gerald Lamont Good was born in Columbus, Ohio, on September 5, 1949, from the blessed union of Gerald H. Good and Agnes Louise (Burke) Good. He was the second child of seven. Gerald (known as Red or Lamont) lived in Columbus until he was 12 years old, and later, the family moved west to Los Angeles, CA.
Lamont grew up in a God fearing family and learned to serve the Lord at an early age. As a teenager, he was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost at Apostolic Faith Church Home Assembly in Los Angeles. The Good and Lewis families all worked together in both Ohio and California in the family construction business. So as the oldest boy, he learned the value of hard work, tenacity, and the importance of family.
Lamont was a talented artist; when he was younger, he even won awards for his talented works of art. Although he did not pursue it as a career, he used his gift of artistry in so many ways, he even helped to create the church bulletin for North Park Apostolic Church in the early 80s. He was proud of his work, but he would tell everybody that his greatest joy was his children. Lamont was married to Thelma Jean Good in 1975, and to this union were born 4 children, Gerald Brandon, Eboni, Kandi, and Bethani. He also had two older sons, Ravon and Fabian Good, born from previous relationships. He loved all his kids dearly and spoke about them to everyone he met.
On November 9th, 2024, the Lord called Lamont home to his eternal rest.
Lamont leaves to cherish his memory his children; Gerald Brandon Good, Eboni Smith (Garnet), Kandi Sanders, Bethani Watson (Carlos), Ravon Good and Fabian Good, siblings; Joann Belgrove (Hilary) and Keith Good, grandchildren; Jeremi, Jalen, Azia, Arianna, Ian, Malyce, Gerald Jr., Asher, Dallas, Aaron, Kobe, Kasheva, Shakeva, Denzale, Tiesha and Kierra, great- grandchildren; Adrianna, Alan, Aaron, Isabella, Serenity, Luisa, Christopher, and Charlotte, dear friends that he cherished like family; Joel and Tina Bowdan and Deidra “Dee” Sanford, and a host relatives and friends.
Lamont was preceded in death by both parents; Gerald and Agnes, his brother Marshall, and three sisters; Denise (Niecey), Gail, and Etta.
Delores Thompson Black
SUNRISE 06/13/1943
SUNSET 11/08/2024
ARRANGEMENTS BY ANDERSON RAGSDALE MORTUARY
A memorial service was held on November 26, 2024, at Anderson Ragsdale Memorial Chapel. Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson Ragsdale Mortuary. *********************************************************************************************************************
Delores Thompson Black passed away peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus Christ on Friday, November 8, 2024, at her residence in San Diego, CA. She was 81. She was born on June 13, 1943, in Kinston, North Carolina. She was the third oldest out of thirteen to the late Garland and Doris (Herring) Thompson. She always wanted to be a nurse. In her senior year at Phoenix High School in Hampton, Virginia, she took a licensed practical nurse course. After graduating from high school in 1961, she married Howard Linwood Black Jr. (who preceded her in death) on December 23, 1963. In 1965, Delores accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior under the leadership of Elder Patrick in Hampton, Virginia. She was a devoted mom and grandmother to Howard A. Black, Briscoe T. Black (who preceded her in death), Diana Black-Tucker (Husband, Horace Tucker III), and Tommy L. Black (Wife, Neema Black). She has four granddaughters and one grandson. She has three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter. In 1972, Howard and Delores moved their family to Long Beach and then to San Diego. In 1974, Delores started her career in the nursing field. She also became a member of the Temple of Christ Church. She was the Sunday School Superintendent. In 1975, she obtained nursing assistant training and started working in skilled nursing facilities. In 1980, she began working for the County of San Diego and worked as a Psychiatric Technician. She attended San Diego City College and became an RN in 1996. She worked at the county jails, clinics, and hospitals. She retired from the County after 20 years and worked as an Ombudsman for the elderly. She was a caring and loving woman who cooked for her family and friends, enjoyed listening to gospel music, and loved taking care of others.
Her legacy will carry on forever, reminding us that God is in control and that we can live a life of meaningful acts of love and service, like Christ modeled for us.
Biased Home Appraisals Steal $150 Billion From Black Home Wealth
Pilot training and education program brings potential to transform industry
By Charlene Crowell
Fo r most consumers, buying a home is the single-largest investment of their lifetimes. But for Black America, home equity – the increase in market value from the time of purchase - is often the dominant, if not sole source of wealth-building. Home equity represents 65 percent of all Black wealth, according to the nation’s oldest minority professional trade association, National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB).
Yet the unfortunate reality for Black homeowners, according to NAREB is that systemic discrimination used in appraisals that determine home fair market values all too often perpetuate -- instead of narrow -- racial wealth gaps, for homeowners and buyers alike. These mandatory reports are a key factor used by lenders to reach decisions on loan applications to purchase, sell or improve homes.
“Appraisal bias
shares of homeowners, homes were undervalued by 47 percent, compared to similar homes in White neighborhoods with no Black borrowers. These lower property values prevent Black families from building and earning comparable wealth via home equity than similarly-situated white neighborhood homeowners, and additionally suppresses the ability of Black homeowners to develop intergenerational wealth.
The report also pinpoints where these disparities are widest.
likely a different race or ethnicity. Today, the home appraisal sector in real estate remains nearly all white, despite long-standing federal laws like the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
–Brian Cox
Home Appraisals in Black and White, a new NAREB research report, examines disparities in the estimated value of homes by racial neighborhood composition. Analyzing housing data from 2021 and 2023, its two authors James H. Carr and his colleague, Michela Zonta, both housing finance and urban policy experts, reached a startling finding: Blacks have lost $150 billion in home equity due to biased home appraisals.
According to Courtney Johnson Rose, NAREB president, “For decades, the undervaluing of property in African American neighborhoods has contributed to the expansive Black-White wealth gap in America, a spread so expansive that the 400 wealthiest Americans control the same wealth as all 48 million Blacks.”
In Black neighborhoods with large
“The percentage difference or median Black appraisal undervaluation price gap (relative to homes in White communities) ranges from 10 percent in Houston to 48 percent in Los Angeles,” states the report. “In Los Angeles, the median appraised value of homes in Black neighborhoods is $618,532 compared to $1,179,640 in white neighborhoods, after controlling for home and neighborhood characteristics. This translates into an appraisal value underestimation gap of $561,108 for homes in Black neighborhoods.”
Other metro areas where median appraised home undervaluation gaps are larger than the national average include Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Memphis, Miami, Orlando, Richmond, St. Louis, and Tampa.
In theory, home appraisals are supposed to be an objective assessment of a variety of factors like the number and size of rooms, quality of construction, types, and conditions of major home systems, presence of renovations or upgrades, property location, and community amenities and services.
But in reality, these reports are more likely to be developed by someone who lives in another area and is
“Appraisal bias is an issue that has economic implications on the generational wealth of minorities at all spectrums of the socio-economic scale,” notes Brian Cox, president of the National Society of Real Estate Appraisers (NSREA), a NAREB affiliate. “In addition, the disproportionate minority participation in the appraisal profession is estimated at 3% of a total population of approximately 70,000 appraisers and valuation professionals.”
In direct response to these disturbing findings, a pilot program focused on transforming the appraisal market and its professionals was launched in July at Fayetteville State University, a North Carolina HBCU. Drawing upon students, faculty, staff, active military, veterans and local community members the program’s goal is to develop “a pipeline of residential and commercial appraisers.”
NAREB’s report also endorses the effort and its potential growth.
“The Black Appraisers program aims to increase the representation of Black professionals in the appraisal industry, advocate for fair appraisal practices, and enhance awareness of appraisal bias,” states the report. “The initiative will form partnerships with and seek to attract participants from the military veterans’ community and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Appraisal mentorships and apprenticeships will be a core aspect of recruitment and training for this initiative.”
Being financially secure in retirement starts while you’re still working. Because you likely don’t want to remain in the workforce forever, creating a plan can help ensure you’re confident in living comfortably in retirement when the time comes.
Retirement plans and financial aspirations are deeply personal and often tied to family life, ambitions and values, meaning it’s entirely up to you when to start planning and saving for your post-work years. However, the worrying reality is that many households across the U.S. don’t feel in control of their finances. According to a study from World Financial Group, 11% of households have “forfeited contributions to their retirement accounts,” a decision that will have an impact later in life.
To ensure you’re prepared, consider these steps to plan for retirement.
Understand When You Can Retire and How Much Money You Will Need
Because nearly everyone has different goals for retirement, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to when and how much money you’ll need to stop working. Assess your unique situation – including all your forms of income, assets and savings – and calculate what you’ll need to maintain your standard of living and cover expenses, including any discretionary spending, in retirement.
Choose an Appropriate Retirement Plan for Your Needs
In addition to figuring out how much you should save, having the right savings vehicle is an important consideration. A good place to start is an employer-sponsored retirement plan with fund-matching, such as a 401(k). If a workplace retirement plan is not available, consider setting aside money for retirement through an IRA that provides access to a range of investments, including stocks, bonds
and mutual funds. Some insurance products may also provide benefits during retirement, such as life insurance coverage, supplemental income and tax advantages.
Take Stock of Your Current Assets
Your current assets include more than just what’s in your bank account. Beyond your paycheck, factor in real estate, investment accounts and any insurance policies you may have. If you need help understanding your finances, take a financial literacy quiz to test your knowledge and then consider meeting with a financial services expert.
Create a Retirement Budget and Look at Ways to Reduce Expenses
Your retirement budget should look similar to yours while still part of the workforce. Start by accounting for how much money is coming in and how much is going out toward fixed expenses like utilities, cellphone bills, insurance premiums, rent or mortgage and vehicle payments then track other expenses like groceries, gasoline and other spending toward non-essentials like entertainment and clothing. From there, look for ways to cut expenses to stretch your funds further, such as canceling a streaming service, dining out less or skipping a new movie release. Account for Unexpected Expenses
Before retirement, consider how you’d handle unexpected expenses such as a medical emergency, home or vehicle repair or moving into an assisted living facility. Suppose you don’t have the appropriate health and homeowner’s insurance coverage. In that case, you may be covering those costs out-of-pocket, which could limit or hinder your financial flexibility on a fixed income.
Family Features
PHOTO: Courtesy of Charlene Cromwell
PHOTO: Freepik
