Vol. 60 No. 21, Thursday, May 21, 2020

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ThursdayMay Vol. Vol. 57 60No. No.35 21 || Thursday, August 21, 2020 31, 2017

LOCAL COVID-19 UPDATES - SEE PAGES 6 & 10

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Cannot be Heard”

Serving Serving San Diego SanCounty’s Diego County’s African & African AfricanAmerican & African Communities American57Communities Years 60 Years

MS. BEA’S 97TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! – see page 9

FULL TRANSCRIPT: PRES. OBAMA’S #SHOWMEYOURWALK COMMENCEMENT SPEECH – see page 15

PAVING GREAT FUTURES HYGIENE KIT GIVE-A-WAY – see page 8

“Encouraging” Is There More COVID Cash

Coronavirus

Hard-to-Count Cities

In Southeastern San Diego and South County

Census Response Coming to Help Californians?

Rates Evident in

By Quinci LeGardye

By Charlene Muhammad California Black Media

Early data is showing cities in California with some of the hardest-to-count census tracts are among places with above-average U.S. Census response rates so far.

Many of them are areas where African Americans live.

California Black Media

to California to cover some of its coronavirus losses before the fiscal year begins July 1.

Last week, Gov. Newsom presented his May Revision budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year.

There are also billions in cuts to education and Medi-Cal services in the proposal.

The spending plan includes new priorities that reflect a projected $54.3 billion budget deficit brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has $14 billion in spending cuts, including a 10% salary reduction for state workers, that would be triggered only if the federal government does not provide funding

“The federal government has a moral and ethical and economic obligation to help support the states,” the governor said. “This is an opportunity to make real our purpose and advance our values. Federal government, we need you. These cuts can be negated. They can be dismissed with your support.”

See CENSUS page 2

See CASH page 2

The Fight for the 2020 A PLACE OF HEALING FOR Vote and the March to the Ballot Box

“In some of these states, they have this evil match law where if they don’t think your signature matches, they will not count your vote,” said Transformative Justice Coalition Founder and President Barbara R. Arnwine Arnwine. “We have to be clear, you have to not only have vote-by-mail options and absentee balloting, but you have to have on-site, distances, and personal protective equipment for workers and voters.” (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent

Since the onset of COVID-19, voter registration in the United States has decreased by a whopping 90 percent.

Additionally, more than 18 million voters have been purged off the rolls since 2016, and, with the all-important 2020 General Election on the horizon, activists, and others, are working to ensure the registration of millions.

Broadcast over Facebook Live, the presentation featured panelists who agreed that the election process would be severely hindered unless strategies are developed for more robust voter outreach and empowerment.

See BALLOT page 2

Photo: Google / Maps

VETERANS VILLAGE OF SAN DIEGO:

Newswire

LOCAL VETERANS

The County of San Diego is expanding its response to COVID-19 through the recently announced T3 Strategy of testing, tracing and treatment.

San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency

While progress has been made – including expanded testing by the hospitals and medical care offices who best know their patients – much remains to be done.

By Brian Goodin Contributing Writer

On Monday, May 4, The Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC) and the Voting Rights Alliance held a tele-townhall titled, “The Fight for the Vote 2020: Our March to the Ballot Box.”

Testing Expands

It was 39 years ago that Jack Lyon, Bill Mahedy, Randy Way, Paul Grasso, and Russ Kelly, all Vietnam Veterans, sat around having a discussion on how to better serve the veterans of our nation. What developed was a program that is the only one of its kind and is seen as a go-to model that has gotten national recognition for helping to turn around the trauma and related causes leading to the homelessness of our national heroes.

Veterans Village of San Diego, located in the heart of the city, at 4141 Pacific Hwy is like any one of our well-orchestrated branches of the military equipped to get the job done. In this case, getting the job done requires the healing of many of our former service members. Those efforts are led by Andre Simpson, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operations Officer. He and his staff are compassionate about seeing veterans get all the help they need to live happy productive lives after some challenges that have hampered their quality of living.

See VETERANS page 8

A big part of the T3 Strategy headed by Health and Human Services Agency Director Nick Macchione includes getting testing to places where data shows the most need. An emphasis has been placed on Southeastern San Diego and South County.

On Saturday, May 17, the County’s Live Well on Wheels Mobile See TESTING page 2

2

Thursday, May 21, 2020 •

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

ARTICLE CONTINUATION Cash:

we get back on a more secure footing to recover from the economic impacts of COVID.”

continued from page 1

The aid efforts for essential workers and testing included in the HEROES Act would proportionally affect more Black Americans, as studies have shown that Black people are more likely to be essential workers, and more likely to live in urban areas hit hard by the virus.

Gov. Newsom also expressed support for the U.S. Congress’ Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, which the U.S. House of Representatives passed on May 16.

The $3 trillion legislation includes another round of $1,200 stimulus payments to individuals, an extension of the extra $600 per month in unemployment benefits, and nearly $1 trillion in assistance for state and local governments.

The Congressional Black Caucus championed the concerns of Black households and businesses, sending out a press release that outlined a proposal submitted to House and Senate leadership on April 29.

The new forms of aid the HEROES Act passed in Congress Friday include $200 billion in “hazard pay” for essential workers, $75 billion for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing and a $75 billion fund to help homeowners with mortgage payments and property taxes. It would also extend student loan relief to borrowers with private loans, who were left out of the CARES Act relief.

“The proposal includes policies to safeguard social safety net benefits; keep Black businesses afloat; support students and educational institutions; address health care inequities; strengthen infrastructure in the Black community; protect Black farmers; keep people in their homes; ensure incarcerated individuals are protected; and much more,” the Congressional Black Caucus press release reads.

Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), who serves as chair of both the California Legislative Black Caucus and the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety, joined the governor and other state leaders calling on the federal government to lend California a helping hand.

The Western States Pact — a regional coalition that includes California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Nevada — sent a letter to Congress asking for $1 trillion in state and local government aid on May 11. The California Labor Federation, California State Association of Counties, League of Cities and California Travel and Tourism Coalition have also endorsed the HEROES Act for its inclusion of state and local government aid.

“As the Governor said, what we are facing is unprecedented,” said Weber. “Fortunately, the Legislature has worked to reduce the impact through investing in reserves and a rainy-day fund. We will, however, need the help of the Federal government and the passage of the HEROES Act to ensure that

Census:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters May 12 that Republicans will insist on “narrowly targeted legislations” and that there’s no

The report identified areas in the state where African Americans are least likely to be counted by the 2020 Census.

continued from page 1

Invitations to fill out the Census 2020 questionnaire started going out to Californians in mid-March. At the time, the deadline for completion was July 31.

“Several cities with pretty good response rates are areas with large numbers of hard-to-count populations,“ said Hawkins.

But because states across the country issued emergency shutdown orders about two months ago responding to the global coronavirus pandemic, the federal government has pushed the self-response deadline to October 31.

Among California’s cities with the highest numbers of African American residents, Elk Grove in Sacramento County has the highest response rate of 73.7%. The Black population in Elk Grove, one of the hardest-to-count areas in Sacramento County, is more than 11% — nearly two times the percentage of African Americans in the state.

Now, as California begins to phase in the reopening of offices, businesses and public spaces, census advocates are reminding people that even with the extension, it is still urgent that they submit their questionnaires as soon as possible.

“The data coming in suggests that response rates are encouraging, but we can’t get comfortable,” said Walter Scott Hawkins, a senior research associate at NewHawk, a southern California-based data collection firm.

“African Americans across the state have to push each other and make sure every person they know completes his or her form,” Hawkins said. “Until we have the actual numbers for those hardest-to-count places in the state, which can sometimes be as small as several blocks, we don’t have the full picture.”

In California, 60.6% of all residents have submitted their 2020 Census forms. A total of 51.1% of that number completed their questionnaires on the internet. The state has a response rate of 59.5%.

So far, among the top 13 counties in California with the highest African American populations, Contra Costa County has the highest response rate at 69.1%. Kern County has the lowest at 54.5%.

Across the United States, approximately 79 million households have already responded to the 2020 Census online, by phone or by mail. The estimated 55 million that haven’t should be receiving “don’t forget to respond” postcards soon.

Hawkins, who spent 30 years in the California State University system, recently authored California Black Media’s Counting Black California: Counting the Hard to Count” study.

Ballot: continued from page 1

Panelists included National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., TJC Founder, and President Barbara R. Arnwine, Esq., Moms Rising CEO Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, and Vote.org CEO Andrea Hailey.

“A person without a vote is a person without protection,” stated Attorney Daryl D. Jones, TJC’s Board Chair, who served as a moderator.

The panelists tackled robust voter outreach and registration strategies, media, and spe-

Other cities with sizable Black populations and above average response rates include: Carson (64.8%); Sacramento (63.3%); Riverside 62.7%; Oakland (61.8%); Rialto (60.7%); and Long Beach (59.3%).

In the greater Los Angeles area, including parts of Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire, the number of Black residents is more than the number of African Americans in the rest of the state combined. The response rate in several Los Angeles area cities is slightly lower than the state’s total number. They include Victorville (59.3%); Fresno (59.1%); Bakersfield (58.8%); Stockton (57.7%); San Bernardino (54.7%); Compton (54.5%); Inglewood (54.3%); and Los Angeles (49.2%).

For African-American community-based organizations, the ongoing COVID-19 crisis has thrown their outreach plans off track, many of them say. So, news that the Census Bureau has moved its deadline to later in the year was a gift they had been anticipating.

“We know that working-class Black people in Oakland already face barriers to being counted in the Census. The extension of the Census deadline will give the Black community the opportunity to prioritize adjustments to their livelihood, while also giving us more time to complete the Census,” said Laneisha Butler, field manager for Oakland Rising, a community-based civic engagement organization.

Butler is optimistic the extension will enable her organization to find new ways to reach people where they are.

Recently, the organization conducted tens of thousands of wellness checks via text that revealed the

urgency to pass any COVID-19 relief bill any time soon. President Donald Trump commented that there’s “no rush” to pass another bill.

Republicans in the California legislature have also expressed skepticism about the governor’s budget plan.

“While additional federal assistance can help cover some of the deficit, expecting Uncle Sam to come to the rescue is wishful thinking,” said Sen. Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel).

“Raising taxes makes no sense when many families and businesses have significantly less income to live with. That is why a final 2020-21 budget must help support a safe reopening of the state’s entire economy. Workers and businesses cannot earn income and pay taxes if our economy continues to be in an induced coma,” she said.

Assemblymember Weber said even though California is asking for federal aid, the state’s legislators still have the responsibility to find solutions that work for Californians, especially those hit hardest by the pandemic.

“Let’s be clear; we are not absolved of having a vision for the state. We must strive for a recovery, but we have to ask what that recovery will mean,” she said. “Before this crisis hit, we had communities underserved by the healthcare system, ignored by the education system, and robbed of economic opportunity. All of this is underscored by the disproportionate impact of COVID on these communities.”

alarming amount of African Americans throughout Oakland and Alameda County who have lost their homes, jobs, and even loved ones as a result of the coronavirus crisis, according to Butler.

“On top of this, many Black people lack access to adequate — proper medical attention and other resources to help them get through this quarantine,” she continued.

According to the Census Bureau, some areas where census takers were originally going to hand deliver forms will now receive a reminder letter in the mail.

The agency will drop off invitations for those who don’t receive mailed letters, until it’s safe enough to return to business as usual.

Like other advocates working to ensure a robust Black count, part of Oakland Rising’s efforts include a new text banking program on top of its current phone banking program to be able to directly reach out to Hard-to-Count communities, specifically Black and other communities of color, according to Butler.

“This is a new strategy we developed in order to be able to check-in on our neighbors who have been more than likely burdened by the impacts of COVID-19,” said Butler.

In Inglewood, the California Black Women’s Health Project says the census extension brought great relief to them, too. Although it’s hard to make major adjustments with partners, said CEO Sonya Young Aadam.

A couple of the organization’s partners were able to push forward because of their associations with food banks or other places where food is distributed, Aadam said. This gave the group an opportunity to distribute information by slipping them in care packages.

According to Aadam, the California Black Women’s Health Project’s faith-based approach to the census targets Christian, Muslim, and elderly Black female communities. It also works with partners focused on improving the lives of marginalized youth.

“Extending it just gives us time because right now our community is very much focused on something other than the census, and it’s going to take time before people start to think about things that are more civic engagement-related,” continued Aadam.

cialized outreach to purged voters and those on inactive lists, creating voter contact systems, onerous absentee ballot requirements, and voter identification.

pression, and we have to do it now,” he added.

“The struggle for voting rights continues in America even amidst the pandemic the struggle for the most fundamental right, the right to vote, continues,” Chavis stated.

“Vote by mail works for White people, but it doesn’t for a whole lot of people of color,” she stated, adding that there were 1.3 million ballots mailed in Wisconsin, but 197,000 were not counted for various reasons, including the lack of postage stamps.

“We have to be concerned that while we sit here tonight, there are tactics, strategies, and efforts afloat in too many of these states to suppress the vote and to make people fearful of voting such was the case 50 years ago,” Chavis continued.

“We had to overcome those tactics of voter sup-

No excuses, and no barriers should be in place for mail-in ballots, Arnwine stated.

“In some of these states, they have this evil match law where if they don’t think your signature matches, they will not count your vote,” Arnwine said. “We have to be clear, you have to not only have vote-by-mail options and absen-

Testing: continued from page 1

Office returned for the third consecutive Saturday testing appearance at the Euclid Health Center – 292 Euclid Avenue.

Going forward, this Saturday testing location will continue to operate for the foreseeable future. Appointments at the Euclid Health Center for the tests available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. are free, but must be made in advance by calling 2-1-1.

New to Southeastern is a state walk-in lane that began service on Tuesday, May 19, at the Tubman-Chavez Center, 415 Euclid Avenue.

Offering appointments from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., this testing will operate five days a week. It joins a state walk-in testing center in Chula Vista that is located at the old Sears building, 565 Broadway.

To make an appointment at either state location, go to lhi.care/covidtesting or call (888) 634-1123.

In National City, the County is working with Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis to bring testing to a regular food distribution at St Anthony’s Church, 410 W 18th Street.

Paradise Valley Hospital last week began using the two ACCULA rapid testing machines that were provided by the County Public Health Lab. With the equipment, the hospital now can get results back in two hours – instead of two-to-three days – which allows it to better manage the use of the personal protective equipment used by doctors and nurses, and its treatment of patients.

Additional regular testing in South Chula Vista, San Ysidro and Imperial Beach is expected to be announced soon.

On Monday, May 18, the County began offering sixday-a-week appointments for free drive-up testing at San Diego County Credit Union Stadium in Mission Valley. The stadium driveup will operate Monday through Saturday, open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free appointments are available by calling 2-1-1.

Updated information about testing for COVID-19 can be found at coronavirus-sd.com by clicking on the “testing” link.

tee balloting, but you have to have on-site, distances, and personal protective equipment for workers and voters.”

Rowe-Finkbeiner added that Moms Rising has more than 1 million members spread out across all 50 states.

She said mothers are high targets of voter suppression.

“You change your name, and you get pushed off the rolls,” Rowe-Finkbeiner stated. “You have to check your status and make sure you have at least five friends ready to vote. The situation has never been more urgent.”

See JUMP page ??

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The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

• Thursday, May 21, 2020

3

EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY/OPINION COMMENTARY:

EDITORIAL:

African Americans, Business Old, Sick and

Reopenings and Wisdom

Incarcerated

By Julianne Malveaux

By Dr. John E. Warren

NNPA Newswire Contributor

Publisher

It has become very clear that America as a nation is more concerned about reopening businesses than saving human lives. This means that we must be especially guarded about the information we receive telling us it’s safe to go back to “business as usual” instead of looking at the new “normal.” If more African Americans and people of color are dying disproportionately to anyone else, then our losses will not be considered as important as other people. This means that, just because businesses reopen, it does not mean that we must line up to die.

If barber shops and beauty salons reopen, and we own and operate many, then some of the following steps must be taken: (1) both the person providing the services and the customer receiving service should be wearing “Personal Protective Equipment” (PPE). The service provider should wear the same type of disposable covering for clothes, head, gloves and mask with a face shield; the client should be in a disposable garment; the number of people permitted in a shop at a time should be limited to less than 50% and there should be no waiting seating, only customers being served. Garments

should be changed after each client and the area disinfected; gloves should be disposed of after each client as well, and service providers should wear face shields as well as masks, not bandanas, but real masks.

Clearly, these precautions will increase the cost of service, but what is a life worth? Hopefully more than our President and those rushing to reopening think. Clearly, each of us must exercise some personal discipline. Use gloves at all times so that we are not touching door handles, which can transmit the virus.

We must not start acting like everyone else when we are the ones at the greatest risk of infection and death.

We should remind those around us, family and friends who think, “I am not going to die before my time,” that they can kill others with their arrogance.

Finally, we must look at new business models and opportunities that are being created as a result of this pandemic. I see no African Americans selling personal protective equipment (PPE) but others are beginning to do so. We have a builtin clientele. We need to redirect the dollars we spend. We need to leverage those dollars now like never before so that we benefit from what we spend as well as others. We need to change some of our habits in terms of spending and consumption to support each other at every opportunity, then others.

All these are things we can do and should rethink as life and businesses around us reopen. We have a new opportunity to do business and help each other. Let’s make the best of it.

We might not have another chance.

Transparency Goes Both Ways

By Mr. Kamaal Martin Director, California Charter School Association

Recently, longtime community activist Mr. Clovis Honoré was removed from his position as President of the San Diego Chapter of the NAACP. He started as a volunteer a few years ago and in November 2018, he was voted Chapter president by its members.

According to news reports, Mr. Honoré was not given specific reasons for his removal—only that his behavior was detrimental to the organization. Such a vague statement invites conjecture, confusion and more questions.

What we do know is that Mr. Honoré supports any educational program or platform that provides a high level of service to African-American

students – including quality charter public schools. The San Diego NAACP passed a Resolution opposing the National NAACP’s call for a moratorium on expanding the number of charter schools. In California, all charter schools are public schools that are independently run.

The National NAACP is opposed to the expansion of charter schools, demanding more transparency. Ironically, they are not providing the public with the same transparency in their discharge of Mr. Honoré.

Without question, Mr. Honoré demonstrated courage and leadership in advocating for what is right for students. African American students in charter public schools in San Diego Unified are accelerating their growth on state tests more quickly than their peers in district-run schools and achieving higher rates of readiness on college-preparatory coursework. And at the statewide level, African American students in public charter schools achieve academic outcomes exceeding their peers in district-run schools.

Every hard-working person deserves the respect and dignity of getting the whole truth that would impact their reputation and livelihood.

It is alarming that support for quality charter public schools—voted and passed by the San Diego NAACP chapter—could be cause for his dismissal. Mr. Honoré and the San Diego families that rely on a charter public school education deserve to know what happened.

We agree that transparency is important for public trust and confidence and we encourage the NAACP to follow what they expect from others. Our community is better together when we work on behalf of the families we represent and serve.

It is not just Mr. Honoré who has a right to know, but also the members of the San Diego community that stand with him.

Mr. Kamaal Martin is the CCSA Director, Southern California Local Advocacy Team and a Member of San Diego NAACP Chapter, Chair of the Political Action Committe

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I’m not as outraged at Manafort’s early release as I am disturbed about the other 4622 elderly inmates, most who lack the resources and access that Manafort had.

Nearly forty percent of those incarcerated in federal prisons are African American, many serving very long sentences for drug-related crimes. Many have some of the same underlying medical conditions and “fear of coronavirus” that Manafort had. How many of them will get an early release and the relative luxury of home confinement? The treatment of a wealthy, older white man and a poor, older Black man is vastly different.

Prisons are a breeding ground for the coronavirus. Prisons are overcrowded with social distancing an impossibility since an average cell, about five feet by five, does not allow six feet of distancing. Recent studies show that the COVID-19 germs from a loud conversation or a cough linger for minutes, sufficient time to infect another person. The notorious Riker’s Island prison has eight times the COVID-19 infection rate of the New York City rate. Infection is not a possibility, but a near-certainty. Prison infections are so widespread that some activists describe them as “death camps.”

Older people don’t commit violent crimes (although they commit financial crimes and perjury). Releasing those over 65 who were convicted of drug crimes and other nonviolent crimes saves money and has little social cost. But incarceration is an economic driver for some

TO ADVERTISE Publisher Dr. John E. Warren

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Street Address: 3619 College Ave., San Diego, CA 92115

There were 4623 incarcerated people over 65 in federal prisons during the first week of May. Until May 12, Paul Manafort, Mr. Trump’s one-time campaign manager, was one of them. The 71-year-old petitioned the court for release to home confinement because of his age, heart condition, and “fear of coronavirus.”

Yet the federal correctional institution that housed Manafort had no coronavirus cases, and Manafort had served fewer than two years of his more than seven-year sentence. Recently developed federal guidelines suggest at-home confinement for those at risk who have served more than half of their sentence or have less than eighteen months of jail time left to serve. Manafort meets none of these criteria, but he apparently had enough highpriced lawyers to push his case aggressively.

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communities. Federal prisons employ tens of thousands of people. In some isolated communities, these prisons are a significant source of employment. Releasing prisoners early may cause layoffs. Is this why we insist on keeping so many people locked up for such long periods?

Parole was eliminated in federal prison in the mid-1980s, allowing “good behavior ” only after 85 percent of a sentence has been served. But Manafort, citing “fear of coronavirus,” ended up serving less than a quarter of his sentence. Can an old Black man get the Manafort treatment and serve the rest of his sentence in a cushy condo in Northern Virginia? Manafort had a lot less to fear, at his minimum-security prison, than a Black inmate might.

Other countries have reacted to coronavirus crowding by releasing inmates in the tens of thousands. According to David Anderson of the International Legal Foundation, Iran released more than half of its prisoners – 100,000 of 189,000. Palestine is holding emergency court sessions to allow inmates to petition for release. Other countries seem to understand that COVID-19 and crowding don’t work and are releasing prisoners.

Meanwhile, our country, in Anderson’s words, is “addicted to punishment.” In keeping nonviolent inmates incarcerated, we are “prioritizing punishment over public health.” The inmates aren’t the only ones at risk. Correctional officers, lawyers, and visiting family members are also vulnerable. We are so committed to getting a “pound of flesh” from those incarcerated that we refuse to consider the high costs of incarceration.

Consider the case of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Convicted of perjury, obstruction of justice, and other crimes, Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years for his crimes. He is not scheduled to be released until 2037!

While Kilpatrick certainly deserved to be convicted, a 28-year sentence is excessive. Recently an inmate at his Oakdale, Louisiana prison died from the coronavirus. I’m sure Kilpatrick is as frightened of the coronavirus as Manafort is. He is not likely to be allowed home confinement.

Unless there is intervention, Kilpatrick will be eligible for Social Security before he is released!

What is the purpose of such a long sentence? How much does it cost to incarcerate someone for 28 years? Is it worth it?

The coronavirus magnified our nation’s inequality. Manafort is out after less than two years’ incarceration. Thousands who are old and poor remain incarcerated and vulnerable to coronavirus. Our criminal injustice system is in dire need of reform.

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Thursday, May 21, 2020 •

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Bishop / Pastor Adlai E. Mack, Pastor

Christians’ United in the Word of God

The Church of Yeshua Ha Mashiach Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of San Diego

7965-B Broadway Street Lemon Grove, California 91945

1819 Englewood Dr. Lemon Grove, CA 91945

3085 K Street San Diego, CA 92102

619.724.6226 • www.coyhm.org

619.232.0510 • www.bethelamesd.com

Worship Service Sunday 10 : 30am Bible Themes Class Sunday 1: 30pm Bible Study (Thursdays) 6: 30pm

Pastor Dennis Hodge First Lady Deborah Hodges

Sunday In the Know Bible Study 8 : 00 a.m.

Sunday Worship Service 9 : 00 a.m.

Saturday Shabbat Service 1: 00-2 : 30 p.m.

Rev. Harvey L. Vaughn, III

All are Welcome to Join Us.

Rev. Dr. Eugenio D. Raphael

St. Paul United Methodist Church

Pilgrim Progressive Baptist Church

Bethel Baptist Church

3094 L Street San Diego, CA 92102

4995 A Street San Diego, CA 92102

1962 N. Euclid Ave. San Diego, CA 92105

619.232.5683

619.264.3369

Sunday School 9: 00 am • Sunday Worship 10: 00 am Wednesday Bible Study 10: 00 am & 6:30 pm Thursday Food Pantry 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm Thursday Diaper Program 12: 00pm to 1:30pm

Sunday School 9 : 00 a.m.

Morning Service 10 : 45 a.m.

New Membership Orientation BTU 6 : 00 p.m.

Wednesday Eve Prayer Service 6 : 00 p.m.

619.266.2411 • www.bethelbc.com bethel@bethelbc.com

“Come Worship With Us”

Rev. Dr. Obie Tentman, Jr.

Sunday School 8 : 00 a.m.

Sunday Worship Service 9 : 30 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study 12 : 00 noon Thursday Bible Study 6 : 30 p.m.

2nd Saturday Men’s Bible Study 3rd Saturday Women’s Saturday Bible Study

Pastor Donnell and First Lady Sheila Townsend

Dr. John W. Ringgold, Sr. Pastor

“To Serve this present age” Matt: 28:19-20

Sunday Morning Prayer 6 : 00 & Worship 7: 30 a.m.

Sunday School 9 : 30 a.m.

Morning Worship Youth & Children’s Church 11: 00 a.m.

Community Prayer (Hemera) Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri., Sat . 7: 30 a.m.

Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 7: 30 p.m.

Mid Week Prayer Wednesday 12 : 00 noon and 7: 00 p.m.

Lively Stones Missionary Baptist Church

Phillips Temple CME Church

Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church

605 S. 45th Street San Diego, CA 92113-1905

5333 Geneva Ave. San Diego, CA 92114

1728 S. 39th Street San Diego, CA 92113

619.263.3097 • t.obie95@yahoo.com

619.262.2505

619.262.6004 • Fax 619.262.6014 www.embcsd.com

Sunday School 9 : 00 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship 10 : 30 a.m.

Wednesday Prayer 11: 00 a.m. - 12 : 00 noon Wednesday Bible Study 7: 00 p.m.

Pastor Jerry Webb

Sunday School 8 : 30 a.m.

Morning Worship 9 : 45 a.m.

Tuesday Bible Study 10 : 00 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study 6: 00 p.m.

Pastor Jared B. Moten

Sunday School 9 : 30 a.m.

Sunday Worship 11: 00 a.m.

Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study 12 p.m. & 6 : 00 p.m.

“A Life Changing Ministry” Romans 12:2

Pastor Milton Chambers, Sr. & First Lady Alice Chambers

New Hope Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

Mesa View Baptist Church

Total Deliverance Worship Center

2205 Harrison Avenue San Diego, CA 92113

13230 Pomerado Road Poway, CA 92064

2701 East 8th Street National City, CA 91950

619-234-5506 • Fax 619 234-8732 Email: Newhopeadm@gmail.com

858.485.6110 • www.mesaview.org mvbcadmin@mesaview.org

619.670.6208 • www.totaldeliverance.org Fax: 619.825.3930 • Mail : P.O. 1698, Spring Valley, CA 91979

Early Sunday Morning Worship 7: 45 am Sunday School 9 : 30 am Sunday Morning Worship 11: 00 am Children and Youth Bible Study Tuesdays 6 : 30 pm Bible Study Tuesdays 6 : 30 pm Mid-day Bible Study Wednesdays 12 : 00 pm

Pastor Dr. Darrow Perkins Jr., Th.D.

Sunday Worship 10 : 00 a.m.

Sunday School 8 : 45 a.m.

Bible Study Wed. 7: 00 p.m.

Sunday Early Morning Worship Service 8 : 00 a.m.

Sunday Christian Education (Sunday School) 9 : 30 a.m.

Wednesday Noon Day Bible Study 12 : 00 p.m.

Wednesday W.O.W. • Worship on Wednesday (Bible Study) 7: 00 p.m.

“It Takes Team Work to Make the Dream Work”

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD! ” Psalms 122:1

Pastor Dr. John E. Warren

Suffragan Bishop Dr. William A. Benson, Pastor & Dr. Rachelle Y. Benson, First Lady

Eagles Nest

Christian Center

Mount Olive Baptist Church

New Assurance Church Ministries

3619 College Ave. San Diego, CA 92115

36 South 35th Street San Diego, Ca 92113

7024 Amherst Street San Diego, CA 92115

619.266.2293 • jwarren@sdvoice.info www.facebook.com/EaglesNestCenter

619.239.0689 • www.mountolivebcsandiego.org

619.469.4916

Sunday First Worship 9 : 30 a.m.

Second Worship 11: 00 a.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study & Prayer 7: 00 p.m.

Cox Cable Channel 23 / 24

Sunday School 8 : 30 - 9 : 30 a.m.

Sunday Worship Service 10 : 00 a.m.

Wednesday Night Prayer 6 : 30 - 7: 30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study (Youth & Adults) 6 : 30 - 7: 30 p.m.

Sunday Bible Study 9 : 00 a.m.

Sunday Worship 11:15 a.m.

Wednesday Corporate Prayer 6: 00–7: 00 p.m.

Pastor Antonio D. Johnson

“Loving God, Serving Others, Living by Faith”

NOW YOU CAN NOW EXPERIENCE EAGLE’S NEST TEACHINGS ON YOUTUBE!

Pastor Rodney and Christine Robinson

“A new Hope, A new Life, A new Way through Jesus Christ 2 Corinthians 5:17 A change is coming”

Search: Pastor John E. Warren San Diego We are a non-denominational full fellowship of believers dedicated to reach our community with the gospel and providing a place for believers to workship, learn, fellowship, serve and grow into the fullness of Christ Jesus.

This ministry is to build people of Purpose, Prayer, Power, Praise and Prosperity.

This mandate is being fulfilled by reaching the reality of the gospel in a simplistic fashion, and a result, learning how to apply it in everyday life.

Minister Donald R. Warner Sr.

Church of Christ

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church

580 69th Street, San Diego, CA 92114

625 Quail Street San Diego, CA 92102

619.264.1454 • warnerdt1@aol.com

619.263.4544

Sunday Bible Study 8 : 45 a.m.

Sunday Morning Service 10 : 00 a.m.

Sunday Bible Class 5: 00 p.m.

Sunday Evening Worship 6: 00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Class 7: 00 p.m.

Friday Video Bible Class 7: 00 p.m.

Sunday School 9 : 30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Service 11: 00 a.m.

Sunday Evening Service 6: 00 p.m.

Wednesday Prayer Meeting 6: 00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Study 6: 30 p.m.

Wednesday Youth Bible Study 6: 30 p.m.

Pastor Rev. Julius R. Bennett

“We are waiting for You”

Calvary Baptist Church Eagles Nest

719 Cesar E. Chavez Pkwy San Diego, CA 92113

Christian Center

3619 College Ave. San Diego, CA 92115

619.233.6487 • www.calvarybcsd.org calvarybaptist1889@gmail.com Dr. Emanuel Whipple, Sr. Th.D.

Sundays Bible Discovery Hour 9 : 30 a.m.

Mid Morning Worship 11: 00 a.m.

Wednesday Noon Day Bible Study 12 : 00 noon Wednesday Discipleship Training 7: 00 p.m.

“A Church Where Family, Faith & Fellowship Matters”

CHURCH DIRECTORY ADS

$ 99

www.sdvoice.info

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

Elenor Patricia Thomas

James Bray

SUNRISE

SUNRISE

SUNSET

SUNSET

3/29/21

11/19/48

5/7/20

ARRANGEMENTS BY ANDERSON-RAGSDALE

Private services were held on May 18, 2020; interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary.

ELENOR PATRICIA THOMAS, also known as “Pat Thomas”, was born March 29,1951 in Suffolk, Virginia. She was the third child born to loving parents, Colley and Verdell Rodgers. At a young age, she received Jesus Christ as her personal savior and was baptized at East End Baptist Church.

Elenor attended East Suffolk Elementary School and graduated from JFK High School. The family later moved to San Diego, California, where she continued her education at the University of San Diego and earned her Bachelor’s degree in sociology.

In May 1969, Elenor enlisted in the United States Navy. She received her Honorable Discharge in August 1973 after four year of service to her country.

After her stint in the Navy, Elenor began employment in civil service at SPAWAR Naval Base, San Diego as an accountant.

She retired in 2015 after thirty-five years of exemplary service.

Elenor loved serving the Lord at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral Church of God in Christ. She was a faithful and active member for more than thirty-seven years, where she held numerous leadership positions, including vice president and president of the Cathedral Sanctuary Choir, secretary and also president of the Deaconess Board. She was an evangelist who loved the Lord and had a passion for helping others.

Elenor was a very loving and devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and a wonderful friend to many. She was outspoken, lovable, always with a beautiful smile, strong and independent, charismatic and very family oriented. She was the foundation that kept the family together, someone you could always talk to.

On Thursday, May 7, 2020, Elenor Patricia Thomas (“Sister Pat”), was called from her earthly labor to eternal rest and is now with the Lord. Waiting to greet her was her mother, Verdell and her brother Andrew Lee Rodgers.

She leaves cherished memories in her daughters, Aisha Parker and Nicole Woodruff-Logan (Brittish); her son, Benjamin Woodruff (Leonessia); her sister, Jean Lorraine Sampson; brother-in-law, Sheller Sampson; eleven grandchildren: Yas-meen, Michelle, Michael, Hakeem, Meontay, Elenor, Deasha, Emoney, Jeremerio, Janetta (Jermere) and Ajanea; along with her St. Stephen’s family, other relatives and friends whom will mourn her passing, yet celebrate her legacy.

5/1/20

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL

On November 19, 1948, Mattie Jo and Eugene Bray welcomed a charming baby boy into their lives whom they named James. He would be one of nine children giving Eugene and Mattie Jo a run for their money.

Growing up in Wichita, KS, James attended Catholic School his entire life. He was an outgoing young man, into racing cars, bowling and of course, watching all sports. He enjoyed going to Football games and talking sports with Family. Before moving to San Diego, CA, he worked at Boeing Aircraft for four years.

In San Diego, James worked for the SD Model City Program briefly before dedicating forty years to the Navy Dept. FRCSW preparing warfighters in the Department of Defense at North Island Naval Base. James retired in 2017 after falling very ill. He passed away peacefully at Avocado Nursing Facility on May 1, 2020.

James was preceded in death by both of his parents, Eugene and Mattie Jo, and stepparents, Neal Bobo Henderson (Ann) and Mary Maxcine Birch (Donnie), and his sister Marilyn “Sissy” Yell.

James leaves as his legacy four children; three grandchildren; siblings Gloria, Amanda, Carmon and Faye, John, Jr., Carlos and Anthony, Vonda, Chere, Neale IV(Sue), Ronald (Pamela), Paul (Karen), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

When great trees fall.

When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, lions hunker down in tall grasses, and even elephants lumber after safety.

When great trees fall in forests, small things recoil into silence, their senses eroded beyond fear.

When great souls die, the air around us becomes light, rare, sterile. We breathe, briefly. Our eyes, briefly, see with a hurtful clarity. Our memory, suddenly sharpened, examines, gnaws on kind words unsaid, promised walks never taken.

Great souls die and our reality, bound to them, takes leave of us. Our souls, dependent upon their nurture, now shrink, wizened. Our minds, formed and informed by their radiance, fall away.

We are not so much maddened as reduced to the unutte able ignorance of dark, cold caves.

And when great souls die, after a perio peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us. They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better.

For they existed.

Maya Angelou

ANDERSON-RAGSDALE MORTUARY 5050 Federal Boulevard San Diego, California 92102 (619) 263-3141 www.andersonragsdalemortuary.com

“STILL FAMILY OWNED STILL THE SAME QUALITY SERVICE STILL WORTHY OF YOUR TRUST”

H.W. “Skipper” Ragsdale, III Owner (In Memoriam)

Valerie Ragsdale Owner

Continuing over 130 Years of Service

Kevin Weaver General Manager

• Thursday, May 21, 2020

5

If Tomorrow Never Comes If I knew it would be the last tine that I’d see you fall asleep, I would tuck you in the more tightly and pray the Lord, your soul to keep. If I knew it would be the last time that I see you walk out the door, I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time I’d hear your voice lifted up in praise, I would videotape each action and word, so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time, I could spare and extra minute or two to stop and say, “I love you,” instead of assuming, you would know I do.

If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day, well I’m sure you’ll have so many more, so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there’s always tomorrow to make up for an oversight, and we always get a second chance to make everything right.

There will always be another day to say “I love you’s”, And certainly there’s another chance to say our “Anything I can do’s?”

But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get, I’d like to say how much I love you and I hope we never forget, Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike, And today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you’re waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?

For if tomorrow never comes, you’ll surely regret the day, That you didn’t take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a liss and you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today, whispher in their ear, Tell them how much you love them and that you’ll always hold them dear.

Take time to say “I’m sorry,” “please forgive me,” “thank you” or “it’s okay”.

And if tomorrow never comes, you’ll have no regrets about today.

6

Thursday, May 21, 2020 • The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

www.sdvoice.info

COVID-19 LOCAL COVID-19

UPDATES

City Council Extends Ban on Evictions in San Diego

Miramar, Murray and Lower Otay Reservoirs Now Open

Relief in Effect Until June 30

The three reservoirs opened last weekend for limited use during regular business hours for recreational exercise, fishing and boating. Six other reservoirs remain closed. Visit sandiego.gov/reservoirs-lakes.

New protocols include: • Restrooms cleaned every two hours.

• 50% Parking Capacity reduced • Compliance with public health orders (facial coverings, physical distancing) monitored with an education-first focus Photo by Pilar Wildey

Voice & Viewpoint Newswire

We are in Stage Two - Gatherings Still Not Allowed, For Now Though some businesses and recreational activities are reopening up, with restrictions, San Diego County officials are still requiring residents to be patient, follow local recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, practice physical distancing, and wear face coverings in public.

What is Permitted? Drive-thru Celebrations Drive-thru celebrations are permitted, provided they follow the local health guidance: • No exiting vehicles • No open snack stands • No open bathrooms • No spectators • No people in the vehicle who are not part of the same household

Other COVID-19

Resources

In a move to provide continued relief for struggling renters and small businesses, the San Diego City Council voted Tuesday, May 19to extend the City’s moratorium on evictions until June 30.

unable to pay their rent or lease due to financial hardship brought about by the COVID19 outbreak.

related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Landlords and tenants are encouraged to work out a payment plan on their own.

Under the moratorium, renters and small businesses cannot be evicted if they notify The eviction ban, first ap- their landlord in writing, on proved by the Council on or before the day the rent is March 25, was set to expire due, that they are unable to on May 31. It prohibits land- pay. They have one week after lords from evicting renters notification to provide proof and small businesses that are that their financial hardship is

Those provided relief under the moratorium have until Sept. 25, 2020, to pay any unpaid rent. Tenants and landlords can learn more about San Diego’s updated eviction moratorium at the San Diego Housing Commission website www.sdhc.org/evictionban.

Small Business Better Business Bureau (BBB) Grant Program - “Main Street Matters!” The Better Business Bureau is offering emergency $500 or $1,000 grants for businesses who have been financially impacted during the COVID-19 crisis. Apply at bbb.org/pacific-southwest/main-st.-matters.

High Road Kitchens (HRK) This is a statewide program representing a network of independent restaurants to provide jobs for restaurant workers and a subsidy for responsible restaurant owners who commit to paying a living wage and job quality.

The San Diego Workforce Partnership and The San Diego Foundation are coordinating with local restaurants and One Fair Wage to fund the training, start-up costs and initial wages for restaurant workers rehired as part of this initiative. Visit workforce.org/businesses

Food Assistance Friday, May 22nd SD Hip Hop 5k with SD Strike Force, New Paradise Baptist Church and American Legion Post 310 1st Location: 435 S. 35th Street, San Diego, CA 92113 Time: 1pm - 3:00pm 2nd Location: Ocean View Blvd, San Diego, CA 92113 Time: 1pm - 3:00pm 3rd Location: 420 68th St., San Diego, CA 92114 Time: 12pm - 2:00pm (2 meals) 4th Location: 465 47th St, San Diego, CA 92102 Time: 11am- Until (2 meals) June 6th 2020 The Southeast Alano Club Food & Mask Give Away - location TBD Through June 10, 2020 “Great Plates Delivered” Program - Free Meals to Qualified Seniors For a limited time, seniors can avoid the grocery store or restaurants with this collaboration between the County and a pre-selected list of local restaurants. Date may be extended.

Funding is provided by FEMA, the State and the County.

County criteria: • People 65 and older who live alone or with one other older adult • County residents 60-64 who are high-risk as defined by the CDC, including those: • Who tested positive for COVID-19 • With underlying medical condition that puts them at a higher COVID-19 risk • Exposed to COVID-19 and do not require hospitalization, but are required to self-isolate or self-quarantine Residents receiving assistance from other state or federal nutrition assistance programs, such as CalFresh or Meals on Wheels, are not eligible.

Call 2-1-1 San Diego, or the AIS Call Center at (800) 339-4661 or visit www.aging.sandiegocounty.gov/greatplates.

General Info San Diego Gas & Electric to suspend service disconnections during the pandemic. Call 1-800-411-7343 to make payment arrangements. They will also waive late fees for affected businesses.

San Diego County Library’s eLibrary is available 24-7 Enjoy professional training courses, K-12 educational resources, storytime, ebooks, audiobooks, digital magazines & more. Visit SDCL.ORG/elibrary.

San Diego Area Post Offices Host Senior Tuesday Hours Area Post Offices will open 30 minutes to one hour earlier on Tuesdays for seniors. Opening times and duration vary by location, please check your local Post Office for posted hours. Sign up for Informed Delivery to view incoming mail and packages at www.informeddelivery.com.

SOURCES: Voice & Viewpoint Newswire, San Diego County and County of San Diego Communications Office

LegaL Notice

If you resided in Greenfield Mobile Estates, Starlight Mobile Home Park or Villa Cajon Mobile Home Estates in El Cajon, California, for one or more calendar years from January 1, 1963 through April 14, 2020, currently own a mobile home in one of those parks, or if you attended school as a student or worked as staff at Magnolia Elementary School in El Cajon, California for one or more school years between January 1, 1963 and through April 14, 2020, you may qualify for benefits from a class action settlement This Notice may affect your rights, so please read it carefully.

Settlements have been reached in two class action lawsuits (Cox I and Trujillo) about claims of exposure to toxic contamination from waste materials stored below ground at the Former Ametek Facility (located at 790 Greenfield Avenue, El Cajon, California).

Plaintiffs’ claims arise from alleged contamination of groundwater, soil vapor and indoor air on and below downgradient properties, including the Greenfield Mobile Estates, Starlight Mobile Home Park, and Villa Cajon Mobile Home Estate (Cox I Action), and Magnolia Elementary School (Trujillo Action), where teachers worked and students attended school.

Who Is Included?

The Cox I settlement includes two Subclasses.

Medical Consultation Program Subclass This Subclass includes every person who resided in the following mobile home park units for 1 or more calendar years from January 1, 1963 through April 14, 2020:

What does

the

settlement ProvIde?

If Cox I is approved by the Court, a Settlement Fund of $1,500,000.00 will be established to pay for medical consultation benefits for Plaintiffs and Class Members, as well as fees and costs consistent with the Settlement Agreement; a separate $2,000,000 Settlement Fund will be established for sampling/mitigation/remediation of the plume, consistent with the Settlement Agreement.

If Trujillo is approved by the Court, a Settlement Fund of $1,000,000.00 will be established to pay for medical consultation benefits for Plaintiffs and Class Members of that settlement, as well as fees and costs consistent with the Settlement Agreement; a separate fund of $500,000.00 will be established to pay for sampling/ mitigation/remediation of the plume consistent with the Settlement Agreement. Details about all of the benefits of each settlement are available at the website.

hoW do You receIve BenefIts?

You must submit a Claim Form postmarked no later than September 23, 2022 to receive benefits from the • Greenfield Mobile Estates, 400 Greenfield Drive, settlements. For a Claim Form, visit the website.

El Cajon, CA 92021 • Starlight Mobile Home Park, 351 E Bradley What are mY other oPtIons?

Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92021 If you do not want to be a part of the settlements, • Villa Cajon Mobile Home Estates, 255 E Bradley you must exclude yourself by July 25, 2020. If the Ave., El Cajon, CA 92021 settlements become final, Class Members who remain Mobile Home Coach Sampling/Mitigation Program in the settlements will be releasing the Defendants from Subclass all of the Released Claims described in the Settlement This Subclass includes every person who as of Agreements.

April 14, 2020, owns a mobile home coach at the If you stay in either or both settlements, you may following mobile home parks: object to them by July 25, 2020. The detailed notices at • Greenfield Mobile Estates, 400 Greenfield Drive, the website explain how to exclude yourself or object.

The Court will hold a hearing on August 24, 2020 El Cajon, CA • Starlight Mobile Home Park, 351 E Bradley to consider whether to approve each settlement. You or your own lawyer, if you have one may attend the Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92021 • Villa Cajon Mobile Home Estates, 255 E Bradley hearing, but it is not necessary.

Ave., El Cajon, CA 92021 If approved, Class Counsel will ask the Court for attorneys’ fees for each case in an amount not to exceed The Trujillo settlement includes every person who: (1) Attended Magnolia Elementary School as a 25% of the gross amount awarded to the Settlement student for one or more school years from January 1, Class in each settlement plus costs and expenses and 1963 through April 14, 2020; or (2) Worked as staff at incentive awards of up to $5,000 per Plaintiff.

Magnolia Elementary School for one or more school For more information call the number below or visit years from January 1, 1963 through April 14, 2020. the website.

844-814-8803 • www.ElCajonCaseSettlement.com

T:13" S:13"

www.sdvoice.info

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

• Thursday, May 21, 2020 7

S:21"

DEAR BIG TOBACCO, WE ARE DYING. But you already know that.

Smoking kills more African Americans than AIDS, drug and alcohol abuse, car crashes, and murder combined.

And 70% of us who smoke use menthol cigarettes.

That’s no coincidence.

You’ve spent decades pushing menthols into Black communities with cheap prices and slick advertising.

And the worst part is, you think you can keep getting away with it.

You come after our brothers, sisters, parents, and friends.

Now, we’re coming after you.

We want you out of Black neighborhoods, because our lives are worth more than your bottom line.

We are people, not profit.

Signed,

The Communities You Are Trying to Erase Fight back at

WeAreNotProfit.org © 2020 California Department of Public Health

8

Thursday, May 21, 2020 •

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

Local Non-Profit Provides

Hygiene Bags To Over 300 Residents

Photos by Christopher LeFall

By Christopher LeFall Contributing Writer

On Saturday, May 16, 2020, Cars lined up in front of John’s Incredible Pizza, located at Westfield Plaza Bonita Mall 3030 Plaza Bonita Rd in National City California. Paving Great Futures, a local non-profit, which focuses on mentoring marginalized youth of San Diego teamed up with The Westfield Group (developers of Westfield Plaza Shopping Malls) to provide 350 hygiene packages to San Diego residents.

Cars rolled up one at a time and were greeted with a thumbs up. Volunteers put packages which included toiletries like toilet tissue,

shampoo, baby wipes, deodorants, lotion, and toothpaste in their trunk. Some participants even held thank you signs up in their windows to show appreciation. Since lines outside local markets have become excessive while practicing social distancing. Armand King, The COO of Paving Great Futures, with the help of his team and sponsors at The Westfield Group was eager to reach families in need of a helping hand.

The non-profit made sure to include nursing homes and members in the community who are unable to travel. Providing the unable bodies with hygiene packages in which were delivered personally. “We wanted to provide support for families in need and those who may not be able to get out of their house”, said King.

Although the hygiene relief package give away is scheduled as a one-time thing, the organization has been giving back on a regular basis. This is one of many community givebacks by the non-profit.

With the continuous help of local community groups of San Diego like My Brothers Keeper, weekly distribution of food packages to families in need is made possible. Food has been provided to over 4 thousand families in just two months during the pandemic. “In these times it’s important to give back and think of others besides yourself”, also said King.

today makes me feel as if I’m in the middle of the civil rights movement of our time.”

Ryan Anthony, a local musical artist of San Diego, says” Paving Great Futures has been giving back during this whole pandemic. As long as we stick together as a community we’ll bounce back with no problem.”

Paving Great Futures continues to support the community with the help of many sponsors and community groups. Food giveaways are every Tuesday at the Jacob Center located at 404 Euclid Ave. in San Diego.

Keith Baham, financial manager for Paving Great Futures, says” support is very much needed in our community and what’s going on

VETERANS VILLAGE OF SAN

A PLACE OF HEA Continuation from cover

By Brian Goodin Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC & ARBORISTS PRUNING OVER 180,000 TREES TO KEEP YOU SAFE. Going above and beyond to prevent wildfires is a big part of what we do. So think of us as San Diego Gas & Electric & Wildfire Safety. With our own team of certified arborists, we maintain our community’s vegetation all year round–every single trim keeping you and your home safer. To see when we may be in your area and get helpful tips on managing your vegetation, go to sdge.com/tree-safety.

Follow us on:

© 2020 San Diego Gas & Electric Company. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Andre, a former United States Air Force service member of 10 years, has worked his way up the ladder. During 24 years of being with VVSD from an employment case manager to his current position, he now has a staff of just under 200 employees. Many of them are veterans themselves. That lends itself to the obvious empathy they have for those they serve in this nurturing environment of healing.

Veterans Village of San Diego has lots of ground to secure when considering the task at hand that many of our former service members face. Situations ranging from Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Mental illness, Drug, and Alcohol addiction, housing, and employment issues. All these and more are addressed with professional accuracy on the campus of VVSD. Statistics from Veterans-National Alliance to End Homelessness says that over 40,000 veterans are homeless nationwide. California has over 10,000 homeless veterans alone.

VVSD is doing its part to aid in this crisis. One such effort is the Homeless Court Program (HCP) that meets monthly on the campus in conjunction with the Public Defender and the Prosecutor’s office to resolve legal issues concerning the homeless community. To date, it has helped over 10,000 participants. Not only does VVSD seek to help veterans but their families as well, that’s why they have provided Permanent Supportive Housing for 54 families. 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms with wrap-around supportive services continue to bring those numbers down.

It doesn’t stop there, says Andre Simpson, “My staff and I understand this isn’t a one size fits all solution.” That’s why VVSD is offering every possible resource that the Veterans Administration (VA) and the city of San

Diego have for those who risk the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It takes roughly 8 million dollars a year to run all of the programs this nonprofit entity provides to our former service members and some civilians.

The mission is to save lives and that’s what one participant named Darwin who is several months into the rehabilitation program says it has done for him helping to put his life back on course as it once was when he volunteered to serve this great nation in the armed forces. The mission statement is “ Leave No One Behind” and since 1981 Veterans Village Of San Diego is doing just that for many a veteran. family members and civilians. They’ve even opened a transitional housing program to help the civilian population when there is room to accommodate, as we know homelessness is a major issue.

Veterans Village is a safe place of peace to reorganize and become the best one can be. It’s somewhat of a full-service community with beautiful surroundings, even a garden to grow fruits, vegetables, and oneself.

I asked Andre how did his days as a case manager lend to what he applies to help so many individuals as the now acting C.O.O of VVSD? He responded, “I have learned to hear people, and not just listen to them. It’s a critical difference when attending to veterans’ needs.” I believe he and the staff of people who work at this outstanding facility really do adhere to the call of duty for so many who gave everything and now need a little hand up. Veterans Village of San Diego deserves a big salute for all that they do in helping to heal our heroes.

Though COVID-19 is at hand, VVSD has managed to work through the pandemic while operating in the confines of State and County requirements, says Andre Simpson.

Case management, like a true Marine, has adapted to the rudiment of social distancing to keep everyone as safe as possible in this time of much concern.

www.sdvoice.info

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

• Thursday, May 21, 2020

9

Beatrice Fentress’ (Ms. Bea)

97th Birthday Celebration!

Photos courtesy of Lynne Turner

Mt Zion Church Members

By Lynne Turner Courtesy of the Family

On May 9, 2020, family and friends gathered to celebrate Beatrice Fentress’ (Ms. Bea) 97th birthday. COVID 19 did not stop her family from celebrating this milestone. Joshlyn Turner and family and friends organized a drive-by parade on her actual birthday to show their love by dropping off cards, flowers, balloons, cakes, gifts and well wishes.

Ms. Bea has lived in her neighborhood and on her block for over 60 years after moving to California in 1942. She has been an active member at the Mt Zion Baptist Church since 1957 and worked for San Diego Children’s Hospital for 35 years. Her full community involvement and faith in God continue to sustain her strength and endurance.

Singing Happy Birthday

A message from Bea: “To my neighbors, who pitched in the celebration and came out of their homes, thank you! To my church family and choir members who stopped by to share in the festivities, thank you! To my exercise class members from the Jackie Robinson YMCA that sent f lowers and stopped by to show their love to me, thank you! Most of all, thank you to my family and dear friends that shared this special moment with me! Your gifts fill my house with love and lasting memories. This birthday is one of the most memorable occasions in my life. THANK YOU! Ms. Bea’s family would like to thank everyone for coming together and showing our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great great-grandmother so much love.

Elaine,Brenda, Siebert & Sheila, Lil Elaine Smith Family

N DIEGO:

ALING FOR LOCAL VETERANS

Photos by Brian Goodin

10

Thursday, May 21, 2020 • The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

www.sdvoice.info

COVID-19 IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY - A SNAPSHOT

County Approves Plan to Request

Accelerated Reopening

By Katie Cadiao County of San Diego Communications Office

COVID-19 Cases by Date Reported This chart shows that, as of Tuesday, May 18, there were 6,026 total COVID-19 Cases among San Diego County residents. That is an increase of 6,001 reported cases in San Diego County since March 14, 2020. The yellow bar indicates the daily reported count of new COVID-19 cases in the County, from March 14 to May 18.

On Tuesday, the County Boa rd of Super v isors approved two measures intended to allow the region to accelerate the reopening of the local economy.

Under the first, the County will submit a plan to the governor’s office that, if approved, would move San Diego further into Stage 2 of the California Resiliency Roadmap in the coming days.

Under the proposal, in-person dining at restaurants and retail shopping would be allowed, as long as businesses enact social distancing measures and follow various restrictions to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“Based on the current readiness criteria, San Diego County is ready to move to the Accelerated Stage 2 of the state’s plan,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H, County public health officer. “The County has made great progress in the fight

Credit: Shutterstock

against COVID-19 and it is now safe for certain businesses to resume operations if they can implement safety measures outlined by the County and State.”

lined by the state.

The pilot program includes outdoor religious services, research labs, hair and nail salons, fitness facilities, youth sports and clubs and pools at apartment comStage 3 Pilot Proposal plexes. The pilot program The board also approved would also allow therapeuproposing a pilot program tic and peer support groups that would allow a select to offer sessions, but with number of businesses from group size limited to 12 Stage 3 to gradually reopen people or fewer. ahead of the schedule out-

COVID-19 Percentage Positive

This chart shows that 2,609 COVID-19 tests were reported in the County May 19th.

The 14-day, rolling percentage of COVID-19 cases has been trending downward and has decreased from 6.2% to 3.9% over the past few weeks. At the same time, the percentage of positive COVID-19 cases has been going down. The number of positive cases in comparison to the number of tests administered daily is important because that is one of the federal metrics the County is using to determine when to further ease restrictions in the local Health Officer Order.

The County of San Diego and State of California have expanded free COVID-19 testing throughout San Diego.

Here are some of the locations:

COUNTY-RUN LOCATIONS Euclid Health Center 292 Euclid Avenue Every Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SDCCU Stadium

9449 Friars Road Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For appointments at County-run locations, call 2-1-1.

STATE-RUN LOCATIONS Tubman-Chavez Center *Rates are calculated using 2018 population estimates from the San Diego Association of Governments. Rates are not calculated for counts under 20 cases.

Data are preliminary and subject to change.

Sources: San Diego County Communicable Disease Registry, SANDAG 2018 Population Estimates (Prepared July 2019) Prepared by County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Services, Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch

COVID-19 Cases by Race/Ethnicity This chart displays the number of people who have contracted coronavirus in San Diego County by Race/Ethnicity. It also shows the number in each group out of every 100,000 people in the group. While the total number of African-American COVID-19 cases is lower than that of Latinos or whites (only 4% of the total known cases), our rates of infection are disproportionately high for the number of African Americans living in the County.

SOURCE: San Diego County and County of San Diego Communications Office

415 Euclid Avenue Tuesday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Former Chula Vista Sears 565 Broadway Tuesday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For appointments at State-run locations, visit lhi.care/covidtesting or call (888) 634-1123

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

Police Target Attacks Against Zimbabwean Women

Two of the country’s leading women’s rights groups said they have received numerous reports of violence.

By Tatira Zwinoira Zenger News/Urban News Service

paper, on April 6 in a 1.25 minute video clip, which has been posted online.

Visibly shaken in the video, Mashoko’s story is part of a larger trend of violent acts being perpetrated by memAround 8 p.m on the previ- bers of the police and army ous night, Mashoko said she deployed during the nationwas outside of the main house al lockdown. cooking when she saw people fleeing back inside the house. While there are no statistics as to how many of these When searching for what made such indecencies have octhem run, Mashoko caught curred two of Zimbabwe’s glimpse of soldiers patrolling leading women’s rights cess and poor food supplies at Both Mugwisi and Nyathi said her street who were in the area groups, Women’s Academy to enforce Zimbabwe’s 21-day for Leadership and Political supermarkets mean women no reports of assault against COVID-19 national lockdown Excellence and Women’s must search for firewood, women from their organizations had been made. However, Coalition of Zimbabwe, have water and food outside. begun on March 30. the women’s academy said inreceived numerous reports of Searching outside the home for cidents are not being report“I was the last one to run in- such practices. basic provisions means they ed because the perpetrators side the house, and just as I are the same people to whom was getting in I noticed three Reports to these two organi- are exposed to harassment. victims are supposed to file a of the soldiers followed and zations include police officers slapped me, and then forceful- beating up women while they The Zimbabwe Defense Forces report. disagree. ly dragged me from the house,” were laying on the ground.

The Zimbabwe security secshe said.

“There are many cases so far re- “We can investigate such mat- tor has been questioned by its “They took me behind the corded of state security heavy ters. You guys [journalists] citizens on other issues in the house and there I met dogs. handedness on women,” said are sending me videos of in- past.

One of the soldiers with the Sitabile Dewa, director of the cidents happening outside dog came to me and set it on women’s academy. “That’s why Zimbabwe then claim it is Following a delay in Zimbabwe’s as WALPE continue to call for being perpetrated by the ZDF,” presidential results in the July my leg.” the setting up of the indepen- said spokesperson Overson 2018 election, a protest broke The soldiers then took dent complaints mechanism Mugwisi of the Zimbabwe out in the central business disMashoko to the street in against members of the secu- Defense Forces. “Some of this trict in Harare, the nation’s capital. In response, the government front of her house where rity forces as stipulated by sec- is being exaggerated.” deployed the army to quell the their vehicle had pulled up, tion 210 of the constitution.” demonstrations, which and then dismissed her beleft six dead.

Ronika Mumbire, vice cause she was “injured.” chair of the women’s coAgain in January 2019, “I had troubling sleeping as alition, also confirmed following a three day I could only sit in pain the an increase in violence anti-government naagainst women by state whole night,” said Mashoko. tional stay-away, the security. army and police killed She said the reason she was 17 people. cooking outside the house was “We have received some because her family uses wood reports,” said Mumbire.

Violence against as fuel. There is no power to “It’s sad that the easy women by the secucook inside her Chikangwe target for gender-based Zimbabwe security forces roll through downtown rity sector is part of a township home, located in the violence is women. It Harare, Zimbabwe in a tank in 2017. (Public Domain) growing global trend.

Karoi District of Mashonaland puts them in a situation COVID-19 cases West Province in north-cen- where they bear the brunt in Mugwisi then viewed Mashoko’s Where cases of pandemics, conflicts video. “I am not saying that it are most prevalent, United tral Zimbabwe. etc. It is even very unfortu- didn’t happen but do you think Nations Women reports a 30% “I always cook around 8 p.m. nate when it’s coming from three soldiers who are in a crowd increase in reported domestic If we don’t cook, we will sleep the security forces. There are with police can come and just at- violence cases and a 33& with hunger because of this ways of enforcing laws without tack someone at their house?” he increase in emergency calls for gender-based violence. said. corona thing [national lock- being violent.”

For the women in Zimbabwe down],” Mashoko said. “I was not able to go to the hospital Women are being subjected to The police were not involved like Mashoko, acts of violence the next day because I was in violence n part because women in any acts of violence against are happening during growsaid Zimbabwe ing uncertainty because of pain and I don’t have money are the primary caregivers in women, the household, the women’s Republic Police spokesperson COVID-19 and deteriorating to go to the hospital.” academy said after conduct- Commissioner Paul Nyathi, socioeconomic conditions.

Mashoko first narrated ing research. Current national and some of the reports were her story to the Zimbabwe electrical and water shortages exaggerated or fake.

Independent, a weekly news- combined with decreased acAs she sits on her lawn battered, bruised and bitten from an alleged assault from members of Zimbabwe’s army, Lucia Mashoko, aged 26, recounts a harrowing tale.

When Hip Hop Saves LIves: UNESCO, i4Policy, UNHCR join forces in #DontGoViral COVID-19 Campaign

• Thursday, May 21, 2020 11

Malik Yusef Raised More Than $10,000 to Help Slow COVID-19 Behind Bars 147Calboy and Vic Mensa joined the effort’s initial concert.

By Benjamin Minick Zenger News/Urban News Service The sweeping coronavirus pandemic has taken its toll on people from all walks of life. While many are at home practicing social distancing and wearing masks—which has been shown scientifically to slow the spread of the disease—there are some unable to comply: people behind bars.

One artist is trying to help.

Multi-Grammy award winner Malik Yusef has written and produced Multi-Grammy award winner music with Beyonce, Jay-Z and Malik Yusef, who has writRihanna, has created a concert ten and produced music with series. (Photo Courtesy: Armani Beyonce, Jay-Z and Rihanna, Sharpe of A Smoking Mirror) has created a concert series to personal care items and perdraw attention to the issue. sonal protective equipment.

“We must remember that these men and women are The show is also available as a still human beings regardless recorded segment. of what they may have been charged with. We should help And this won’t be the end: people no matter what their Yusef told Zenger there will be situation may be. This is not future shows. the time to argue about guilt Performances such as these or innocence; this is the time may be the new normal going to make sure that these people forward as it appears that have the necessities that they the virus will be with us for need to stay alive. This virus some time. Virtual platforms does not discriminate, and it allow fans to see artists from can reach out and touch you the comfort of home, keepno matter who you are,” Yusef ing people safe while allowing told Zenger News. artists to continue their trade.

While some states have called There are some large differfor the immediate release of ences performing on a virtual nonviolent offenders, many platform rather than in front have not. According to the of large crowds. “You can Prison Policy Initiative, jails definitely feel your music and in places as disparate as Los get pumped up but it’s kind of Angeles; Maricopa County, like being in a recording stuArizona; Anderson County, dio, it’s not the same as being Tennessee; and Hennepin around the fans and feeling County, Minnesota as well as their energy,” said Yusef.

Delaware and Hawaii have reduced their populations by at The Chicago area continues to least 30% during the pandem- be one of the hardest-hit urban ic, though, the nonprofit ad- centers in the United States. vocacy organization reports, According to data compiled prisons are releasing far fewer by Johns Hopkins University, people.

Cook County, where Chicago is located, has seen more than Yusef teamed up with 50,000 cases and more than 147Calboy from Meek Mills 2,300 deaths from the virus.

Dream Chasers, who recently released a single, and Vic While politicians struggle to Mensa of Roc Nation, who keep people safe and busihas in the past taken a stance nesses closed and some peoon climate change and passed ple start to feel as though they out shoes in his communi- are being incarcerated in their ty, for the inaugural show own homes, the goal of efforts last month, which Yusef said such as this concert series is raised more than $10,000. to grounded fans in their humanity and remind viewer The concert is available via there is a light at the end of an app called MATT, which the tunnel. allows users to download and purchase a virtual ticket More shows in the series have for the show. The technolo- not yet been announced, but gy helps bring the experience Yusef says there have been disto fans while assisting artists cussions about furthering the get paid. A portion of the pro- project to benefit the commuceeds will go to inmates as will nity as a whole.

Courtesy of UNESCO “We are at war against an invisible enemy/ For once, by keeping our distance we will be invincible/ I know you’ve always dreamed of being Superman/ But stay home, you’ll see it’s super, man” says the song Protect your Life, released by the Raised Fists collective of Niger to raise awareness of, and mobilize against, the spread of COVID-19 in Niger and across Africa.

As over 15,000 coronavirus cases were reported in West and Central Africa, the song was composed to express the spirit of #DontGoViral, the online campaign launched by

UNESCO and the Innovation for Policy Foundation (i4Policy) on April 1st. The campaign crowdsources creative content and addresses the urgent need for culturally relevant openly licensed information in African languages to inform communities, in their own languages, about how to prevent the spread of COVID19 and combat the “infodemic” spreading disinformation and misinformation about the virus.

Since its launch, the campaign has received more than 500 submissions from more than 40 countries in Africa.

The campaign’s social media posts on Facebook and Twitter alone have reached more than 90 million people so far, and the videos have been watched by countless more through Youtube and messaging platforms, and heard on local radio stations across the world.

contributions highlight the fact that cultural players are a much-needed part of the solution,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO. Top tier artists from across Africa and the African Diaspora have joined the campaign, including Fally Ipupa, Timi Dakolo, Wale Turner, Stonebwoy, Reekado Banks, Les Freres Smith and Seun Kuti, Didier Awadi, and Youssou N’Dour, to name but a few.

“The success of the DontGoViral campaign underlines the resilience and creativity of women and men on the African Continent to harness the power of cultural diversity to effectively combat the infodemic that The result of this collaboration is proving to be just as viral is the song Protect your Life, as the pandemic itself. Their with lyrics in Djerma, Haoussa,

Tamashek and French. “We hope our voices and that of Fulani Bororo singers, the nomadic people of the Sahel, will reach every cultural and linguistic region of Niger and even beyond our borders; through all of West and Central Africa,” says Lee.

The music video accompanying this powerful song was shot while in confinement, in Danny Lee’s studio, and in Niamey hospital to pay tribute to its staff which is working around the clock.

12

Thursday, May 21, 2020 • The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

www.sdvoice.info

HEALTHY LIVING Is My Weight Increasing My Health Risks?

Here’s How to Tell Voice & Viewpoint Newswire You don’t have to give up all of your favorite foods or start training for a big race to improve your health. Over time, small changes to your eating, drinking, and physical activity habits may help you control your weight, feel better, and improve your health.

Gaining a few pounds during the year may not seem like a big deal. But these pounds can add up over time. Excess weight, especially around the waist, is linked to serious health problems. But not everyone who is overweight or obese has these problems.

Excess weight may raise your chances of having these health problems:

your weight in relation to a waist size of more than You may lower your chances your height and provides a 40 inches may have higher for health problems by losscore to help place you in a chances of developing dis- ing weight. Losing 5 to 10 category: eases related to obesity. percent of your body weight • normal weight: BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 Know your health numbers • overweight: BMI Below are some numbers to aim for.

How can you tell if your of 25 to 29.9 weight could increase your Measure Target • obesity: BMI of cha nces of developing 30 or higher Target BMI 18.5-24.9 health problems? Knowing two numbers may help you Waist Size Men: less than 40 in. understand your risk: your Waist Size Women: less than 35 in. body mass index (BMI) score Another important number Blood Pressure 120/80 mm Hg or less and your waist size in inches. to know is your waist size in inches. Having too much LDL (bad cholesterol) Less than 100 mg/dl fat around your waist may Body Mass Index Men: more than 40 mg/dl increase health risks even HDL (good cholesterol) Women: more than 50 mg/dl The BMI is one way to tell more than having fat in other whether you are at a nor- parts of your body. Women Triglycerides Less than 150 mg/dl mal weight, are overweight, with a waist size of more Blood sugar (fasting) Less than 100 mg/dl or have obesity. It measures than 35 inches and men with

• certain cancers • heart disease and stroke • high blood pressure • kidney disease • type 2 diabetes

may improve your health. If you weigh 200 pounds, that would mean losing 10 to 20 pounds.

Slow and steady weight loss of ½ to 2 pounds per week is the safest way. To do so, you may need to take in 500 to 750 fewer calories per day.

Cutting back on sugar-sweetened beverages like soda and sports drinks is a great way to reduce calories and improve your health.

Source: https://www.niddk. nih.gov/ National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases

EDUCATION With Schools Closed,

Children More Susceptible to Sexual Exploitation Voice & Viewpoint Newswire San Diego is on the FBI’s list of top 13 cities for trafficking children. Human trafficking and research estimates that San Diego has an underground sex economy worth $810 million a year. Victims can be anyone – women, men, children, U.S. citizens or foreign nationals. Minors are particularly vulnerable targets. Social media is an easy way for traffickers to access and exploit children.

Now that school campuses have been closed since midMarch due to COVID-19, students are more susceptible than ever to sexual exploitation because teachers and school staff aren’t able to make the same observations as they would in person.

“Social media is the number one recruiting method for traffickers,” said Geanie Franco, Commander for the San Diego Human Traff ick ing Task Force.

“Parents should know what sites their children visit and talk to them about the ways strangers could try to entice children online.”

Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Announces Emergency COVID-19 Grants to HBCUs

Voice & Viewpoint Newswire

Reports of technology-based exploitation have tripled to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children amid the COVID19 pandemic. The San Diego Tra f f ick i ng Prevent ion Collective, is now providing online training to San Diego teachers, at no cost.

It’s mission: bringing human trafficking education, prevention and awareness training into every public school in San Diego County. In 2017, schools became legally required to provide a human trafficking curriculum.

The Collective provides additional parent and community resources (see their “Get Involved” page on their website at www.sandiegotpc. org) to equip families in their home environment.

The collective, a self-described “end-to-end prevention education program that aims to protect every stu-

Follow the Collective for tips and resources to get involved at @sandiegotpc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

dent from exploitation,” was formed last year in a unique partnership with The San Diego’s District Attorney’s Office. Through virtual Teacher Academies, live presentations and self-paced web platforms, the collective is educating students, parents and teachers.

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation today announced $1.76 million in emergency grants distributed to 16 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The grants aim to help the institutions stabilize enrollments for the upcoming academic year. For students, the grants address technology needs, financial strain due to tuition or residential bills, supporting essential travel between home and campus, and other necessities.

HBCUs are an integral part of the higher education landscape and enroll nearly 300,000 students across the country, but they face chronic funding challenges.

The COVID-19 epidemic has increased these challenges and is affecting students’ ability to pay tuition, travel to and from school, and access the internet, thereby jeopardizing their continuous enrollment.

Mellon Foundation President Elizabeth Alexander. “The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affects under resourced institutions and communities of color.”

Ref lecting on the importance and potential impact of this funding Lincoln University President Brenda Allen remarked: “For every $1,000 we can offer a student in grant aid we increase the likelihood that they “HBCUs play an essential will graduate by about 20 role in shaping the minds percent.” and futures of our nation’s talented young people,” said Funding in the form of

$110,000 emergency grants will be given to Lincoln and 15 ot her HBCUs: Claf lin University, Clark Atlanta University, Dillard University, Fisk University, Ha mpton Un i v e r s i t y, Howard University, Johnson C . Sm it h Un i ve r sit y, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University, Spelman College, Tougaloo College, Winston-Sa lem State Universit y, a nd Xav ier University of Louisiana.

SDCCD’S Fall Semester Classes to be Primarily Online Voice & Viewpoint Newswire Fall semester classes across the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) will be offered primarily through online and distance education. The decision was announced last week by SDCCD Chancellor Constance M. Carroll in an email to the district’s 5,000 employees. The district’s 100,000 students also are being informed.

and San Diego Continuing Education, will make an effort to allow some exceptions for classes such as science, clinical and career-technical labs, classes for first responders, and others which are difficult to offer completely online. In those cases, however, social distancing and other health protocols would need to be closely followed.

to allow the faculty and the campuses to prepare. She also announced that the district and the campuses would be providing additional professional development to ensure the highest quality of instruction and student support during this online phase.

The district has also begun discussions regarding a phased-in approach that wou ld determine when Chancellor Carroll offered Chancellor Carroll said it was employees might return that the district, which important to make the deci- to work. However, as with includes San Diego City, sion about modality for the classes, the work environMesa, and Miramar colleges fall semester early enough ment would need to be safe

for employees.

“Never in my years in higher education have I seen a crisis of this magnitude, certainly never in my 28 years in the San Diego Community Col lege Dist ric t,” sa id Chancellor Carroll. “And the Board of Trustees and I have never been prouder of how faculty, staff, students, and alumni have responded.

Their efforts have been extraordinar y and have enabled the district to continue to meet the educational needs of students and the

community.”

hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and The SDCCD conver ted emergency grants have been over 5,000 classes to all-on- secured to assist students — line instruction on March 23. Since then, it has also many of whom have lost jobs. announced that summer classes will be held online The district estimates it has due to t he continuing incurred approximately $4 COVID-19 pandemic, and million in unanticipated that commencement ceremo- costs thus far due to the nies will be conducted virtu- COVID-19 pandemic. ally in mid-July. Thousands of district students have been provided with laptops, wifi For district updates on the hubs, and other equipment COVID-19 situation, visit to ensure they can continue sdccd.edu/coronavirus or call their studies. In addition, 619-388-6980.

www.sdvoice.info

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

• Thursday, May 21, 2020 13

BUSINESS Small Business Employee Insurance Assistance

Available Through Covered California

• Covered California for Small Business will allow small businesses an additional 30-day grace period to make their missed premium payments for April and May.

• Employers interested in the program can defer up to 75 percent of their premium payments for April and May to help keep employees insured during the current healthcare crisis.

• More than three out of every four Covered California for Small Business employers surveyed are either operating in a limited capacity or are temporarily closed.

Voice & Viewpoint Newswire Covered California for Small Business announced a new program April 30 aimed at helping hundreds of small businesses continue to provide insurance to their employees during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The program will allow employers, who provide coverage to their employees and were unable to pay their premiums for the month of April, an extra 30 days to make their payments for the months of April and May and a way to spread the costs of those premiums over the balance of the year.

“Small businesses with coverage through Covered California will get both a longer grace period and help in spreading their premium costs through the end of the year,” said Covered Ca lifornia Executive Director Peter V. Lee. The Premium Deferra l Program is currently being offered to employers who have not yet paid their premiums for April or May. The program will allow affected businesses the f lexibility to pay just 25 percent of their premium payments for those

two months and defer the remaining amount across the rest of the year. Covered California will continue to monitor the pandemic and determine if further actions are needed to protect small businesses seeking to keep their employees covered.

know it will provide a muchneeded break for small businesses so they can continue to protect their employees.”

Early results of a recent survey found that an overwhelming majority of small business employers had been negatively affected by the pandemic with 79 per“The program puts an interest-free loan into the hands cent stating their businesses of our small businesses, so were operating in a limited they can keep their employ- capacity or were temporarily ees covered,” said Covered closed. In addition, 68 perC a l i for n i a for Sm a l l cent of employers said they Business General Manager had reduced staff hours, temBob Manzer. “This is the porarily furloughed employright thing to do because we ees or laid employees off. At

the same time, 70 percent of respondents say they are seeking to keep providing their employees with health insurance coverage.

The new Covered CA program will benefit the more than 300 employers that represent 4,245 employees that had not yet made their payments. It will be available to employers struggling with the May premiums.

Interested employers must act quickly. They must contact the Covered California for Small Business service center at (877) 777-6782,

or CCSB@covered.ca.gov, within 10 business days of being notified.

Covered California is currently enrolling any eligible uninsured individuals who need health care coverage amid the COVID-19 emergency. Anyone who meets Covered California’s eligibility requirements, which are similar to those in place during the annual open-enrollment period, can sign up for coverage through June 30. Enroll through CoveredCA.com.

Teen Creates App to Help Kids

Connect With Incarcerated Parents Voice & Viewpoint Newswire

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

COLOR Single Display Ad 2.5

$99

When Jay’Aina Patton’s dad, Antoine Patton, went to prison for gun possession, it would take days for her letters to reach him. It took even more days for his responses to get back to her. Jay’Aina’s mother was left to raise two children on her own, with little money to coordinate visits or pay for postage or phone calls. Hours away, Antoine cherished each letter, and often wondered when he’d hear from his daughter again.

“I remember thinking, ‘This could be better,’” he recently told hosts in an interview on the Today Show.

Patton came up with a solution: the formerly incarcerated father created an internet website for parents in prison to connect with their children. He and his daughter have now turned the site into a free app to help families like theirs. The app is called Photo Patch, and Patton and his daughter worked together to build it. Jay Jay, as Jay’Aina is affectionately known, even coded it herself.

5.1 million U.S. children are currently separated from an incarcerated parent, often across great many miles, which makes visits next to impossible.

When he returned home in 2014, Jay Jay was 10. That’s when Antoine decided to act on his dream of building out his website to connect prisoners to their families. After watching her dad tinker away on the site, she started asking questions and before long, father and daughter were coding together.

“I was finally bonding with my dad,” Jay Jay said. The website they created enables children to write letters and upload photos that Patton and his team would print, package, and mail to their incarcerated parent, free of charge.

Printing and postage costs are covered by individual donations, grants, and fundraisers organized by Patton’s Photo Patch Foundation. A mobile app was the logical next step.

“Everybody’s on their phone.

It’s way easier for them to take a picture and type a letter right there,” Jay Jay told her dad. Three months later, the Photo Patch app made its debut, making it even easier for kids and their impris-

oned parents to share special moments and build relationships in an organic way.

The teen’s app has been downloaded over 10,000 times and supports 1,000-2,000 users

each month. Because prison visitation rights are frozen amid COVID-19, more and more letters are being composed and shared via the app every day.

14

Thursday, may 21, 2020 •

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint www.sdvoice.info Classified ads can be placed in person, by phone, fax, or email

Monday-Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

P:619-266-2233 F:619-266-0533 E:ads@sdvoice.info

All classified ads are prepaid.

CLASSIFIEDS/ LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

REQUEST FOR BIDS The County of San Diego, Owner, invites bids for WILLOWS ROAD BRIDGE SCOUR MITIGATION IMPROVEMENTS FEDERAL AID PROJECT NO. BHLSCR-5957 (062) ORACLE PROJECT NO. 1005322; BID No. 10293.

Sealed bids will be received at the Department of Purchasing and Contracting, at 5560 Overland Avenue, Ste. 270, San Diego, 92123, until 2:00 PM on June 4, 2020, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. Contract documents including Plans, Specifications and Bid Forms are available for download on the County Buynet site: https://buynet. sdcounty.ca.gov.

You must be registered at the site in order to download documents. The cost of materials is estimated to be from $3,325,000 to $3,500,000. The Owner, as a matter of policy, requires Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation for this project. For complete bid information, go to County of San Diego Purchasing and Contracting website at https://buynet.sdcounty. ca.gov. For questions, please contact PCO, William Eames at William.Eames@sdcounty. ca.gov.

5/14, 5/21/20 CNS-3363600# VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWS

REQUEST FOR BIDS NOTICE TO BIDDERS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of San Diego (City) is seeking to receive Electronic Bids for the below named Public Works project.

The solicitation, including plans and specifications, may be obtained from the City’s website at: https://www. sandiego.gov/cip/bidopps Contractors intending to submit a Bid must be prequalified.

Please refer to the solicitation for instructions.

Project Name: Botanical Building Improvements Project Number: K-20-1932DBB-3 Estimated Value: $8,000,000.00 Bid Open Date: 06/16/2020, at 12:00 P.M. License Requirement: B It is the policy of the City of San Diego to encourage equal opportunity in its Construction and Consultant contracts.

Bids or proposals from local firms, small, minority-owned, disabled, veteran-owned, and women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged.

Contractors are encouraged to subcontract with and/or participate in joint ventures with these firms. The City is committed to equal opportunity and will not discriminate with regard to race, religion, color, ancestry, age, gender, disability, medical condition or place of birth; and will not do business with any firm that discriminates on any basis.

Bids shall be received no later than the date and time noted above at: City of San Diego’s Electronic Biding Site PlanetBids at: h t t p s : / / w w w. p l a n e t b i d s . com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=17950 James Nagelvoort, Director Department of Public Works May 14, 2020 5/21/20 CNS-3364323# VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWS

We Remember.

LEGAL NOTICES

Request for Proposals (RFP): SOL552601 San Ysidro/Otay Mesa Northbound Border Wait Time System The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is seeking proposals from qualified firms with the expertise, experience, capacity, and resources to design, install and maintain a border wait time system to monitor real time wait times for cross border traveling into the U.S. from Mexico at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa land ports of entry.

Proposal Due Date: Proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. (PDT) on Monday June 8, 2020 via SANDAG webbased vendor portal, BidNet. A copy of the Request for Proposals (SOL552601) and related informational documents and forms can be accessed from the SANDAG website at www.sandag.org/contracts.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2020-9008317 Fictitious business name(s): CirCle K Mobil

Located at: 10496 Clairemont Mesa Blvd San Diego, CA 92124 County of San Diego --14316 Bourgeois Way San Diego, CA 92129 County of San Diego The 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: HJD Investments II, LLC 12146 La Casa Lane Los Angeles, CA 90049 County of Los Angeles This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 12, 2020 This fictitious business name will expire on May 12, 2025 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11 -----------------------------------FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2020-9008309 Fictitious business name(s): FAAT DUDe inC.

Located at: 2801 B Street #117 San Diego, CA 92102 County of San Diego The business is conducted by: An Individual The first day of business was 10/01/2019 This business is hereby registered by the following: William Thomas 2801 B Street #117 San Diego, CA 92102 County of San Diego This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 12, 2020 This fictitious business name will expire on May 12, 2025 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11 -----------------------------------FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2020-9008084 Fictitious business name(s): The Gillespie proDUCTion GroUp --blesseDUp CloThinG

Located at: 1414 Roosevelt Ave #5 National City, CA 91950 County of San Diego The business is conducted by: An Individual The first day of business was 01/01/2020 This business is hereby registered by the following: Marcel Dior Gillespie 1414 Roosevelt Ave #5 National City, CA 91950 County of San Diego This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 06, 2020 This fictitious business name will expire on May 06, 2025 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11 -----------------------------------FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2020-9007967 Fictitious business name(s): Mission Driven MADe

Memorial Day - May 25, 2020

Located at: 5575 Magnatron Blvd Ste E San Diego, CA 92111 County of San Diego The business is conducted by: An Individual

Deadline is Tuesdays by NOON to run that week.

•Name Change:$85.00 (4 weeks) •Standard Classified: $3.75 a line •Summons: $130.00 (4 weeks) •Fictitious Business Name: $25.00 (4 weeks)

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Include the following information: • Full Name • Billing address • Date(s) you want the ad to appear • Contact phone number

Registrant Has Not Yet Begun To Transact Business Under The Name(s) Above This business is hereby registered by the following: Jacob, Michael, Straub 4029 43rd St Apt 310 San Diego, CA 92105 County of San Diego This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 01, 2020 This fictitious business name will expire on May 01, 2025 05/14, 05/21, 05/28, 06/04 -----------------------------------FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2020-9007938 Fictitious business name(s): niKKi leGros --nlG & CoMpAny

Located at: 1414 Roosevelt Ave. #5 National City, CA 91950 County of San Diego The business is conducted by: An Individual The first day of business was 01/01/2020 This business is hereby registered by the following: Dominique Legros-Gillespie 1414 Roosevelt Ave. #5 National City, CA 91950 County of San Diego This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 30, 2020 This fictitious business name will expire on April 30, 2025 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28 -----------------------------------FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2020-9007863 Fictitious business name(s): Del MAr live sCAn

Located at: 3830 Calley Centre Dr., Ste 705 San Diego, CA 92130 County of San Diego The business is conducted by: A Corporation The first day of business was 05/10/2007 This business is hereby registered by the following: Z & R Investments, Inc 4808 Riding Ridge Road San Diego, CA 92130 County of San Diego This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 28, 2020 This fictitious business name will expire on April 28, 2025 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28 -----------------------------------FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2020-9007290 Fictitious business name(s): Desires DesiGn

Located at: 6016 Rock Island Road San Diego, CA 92139 County of San Diego The 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: Désirée Monique Samone Grier 6016 Rock Island Road San Diego, CA 92139 County of San Diego This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 08, 2020 This fictitious business name will expire on April 08, 2025 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28

TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY May 21st

1848-Death of Agrippa Hull Agrippa Hull is one of the unnoticed African Americans of the revolutionary era. He was born free in Northampton, Mass. in 1759, and at the age of six was sent to Stockbridge. He enlisted in the Colonial army in 1777 and served for six years and two months, which Agrippa Hull earned him a badge of honor. He served directly under General John Patterson, before personally assisting Tadeusz Kosciuszko.

After the war, Hull returned to Stockbridge.

Hull was known as a man of great dignity, pride, character and biting wit. A well known adage claims that once, after Hull had accompanied his white employer to hear a "distinguished mulatto preacher," the man asked Hull, "Well, how do you like nigger preaching?" to which Hull replied, "Sir, he was half black and half white. I like my half, how did you like yours?"

Hull died on May 21, 1848 and is buried in the Stockbridge Congregational Church cemetery.

1881-Blanche Kelso Bruce becomes Register of The U.S. Treasury

Born a Virginia slave, Blanche Kelso Bruce was the second African American to serve in the United States Senate, the first to be elected to a full term, and the first to preside over the Senate. He was also the first African American presence on U.S. currency.

Blanche K Bruce

Blanche Bruce escaped to Kansas during the Civil War. Near the war’s end, he moved to Missouri and organized the state’s first school for black children in 1864. He moved to Mississippi in 1869, and during an 1870 trip to Jackson, Bruce caught the eye of white Republicans. In 1871, he was elected to the joint office of Sheriff and Tax Collector of Bolivar County. The following year, the Mississippi State Board of Education appointed him Bolivar County Superintendent of Education, where Bruce managed to secure equal funding for both black and white schools. By the mid–1870s, Blanche K. Bruce was well-known throughout the state.

In January 1874, the Mississippi state legislature met to both fill an unexpired U.S. Senator term, and select someone for the following term. The legislature elected Bruce nearly unanimously. He served in the 44th through the 47th Congresses.

Bruce’s advocacy for African Americans was most evident in issues affecting black veterans.

He was a staunch defender of black servicemen, promoting integration of the armed forces and fair treatment. On April 10, 1878, he unsuccessfully attempted to desegregate the U.S. Army, citing the U.S. Navy as a precedent. Two years later, Bruce delivered a speech asking the War Department to investigate the brutal hazing of black West Point cadet Johnson C. Whittaker. The following year, he supported legislation that prevented discrimination against the heirs to black soldiers’ Civil War pensions. He also submitted a bill in 1879 to distribute money unclaimed by black Civil War soldiers to five African-American colleges.

After leaving the Senate, Bruce accepted the position as Register of The U.S. Treasury on May 21, 1881. Bruce was the first African American

to be represented on US currency, in the form of his signature as Register of the Treasury.

He resided in Washington D.C. until dying of complications from diabetes on March 17, 1898.

1969-The official start of

the Greensboro Uprising

Students at Dudley High School, upset about poor conditions, unfair rules, and faculty interference with student elections, had NC AT&T archives been protesting for almost 20 days with the help of students from nearby AT&T University. Community activists had tried to speak with school faculty, but were ignored.

On May 21st, school officials called the police to eject protestors. Students agreed to leave if police would withdraw. Fifteen minutes later, students ran back to the school, throwing rocks and shattering school windows. Police followed closely, wearing riot gear and throwing tear gas. The violence boiled over into surrounding neighborhoods. Greensboro Mayor Jack Elam went on TV and asked the governor to send in the National Guard. Initially, 150 soldiers arrived in jeeps and armored vehicles. More arrived daily.

Over the next several days, dozens were wounded by gunfire and debris. More than 300 people were arrested as 600 National Guard troops shot up and stormed two AT&T dorms.

A 1970 report to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights laid the majority of the blame on the public school officials who ignored Dudley’s students.

It also cited white city and school officials who made key decisions without consulting black leaders, as well as police and the National Guard for excessive force and far too much tear gas.

1975-Lowell W. Perry Confirmed

as 6th chairman of the EEOC

Lowell Wesley Perry was the first African-American assistant coach in the National Football League (NFL), the first African American to broadcast an NFL game to a national audience, and Chrysler's first AfricanAmerican plant manager. He joined the United States Air Force, Lowell W Perry where he achieved the rank of second lieutenant.

Perry received a law degree from the Detroit College of Law in 1960. He became a member of the Michigan State Bar Association, as well as being a lifetime member of the NAACP, and a member of the Urban League. In April 1966, Perry was hired as a sport analyst (or “color commentator”) for CBS Television, alongside play-by-play man Joe Tucker.

Perry was nominated by President Gerald Ford to serve as commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on May 12, 1975. The Senate confirmed Mr. Perry on May 21. He served until May 15, 1976. Perry died of cancer at a hospital in Southfield, Michigan, in January 2001.

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The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

• Thursday, may 21, 2020

15

Full Transcript: President Barack Obama’s #ShowMeYourWalk HBCU Commencement Speech On Saturday, May 16, President Barack Obama addressed HBCU graduates with a special commencement speech for #ShowMeYourWalk HBCU Edition.

Here are President Obama’s remarks: Hi, everybody. Congratulations to H.B.C.U. class of 2020. Michelle and I are so proud of you.

Graduating from college is a big achievement under any circumstances. And so many of you overcame a lot to get here. You navigated challenging classes, and challenges outside the classroom. Many of you had to stretch to afford tuition. And some of you are the first in your families to reach this milestone.

So even if half this semester was spent at Zoom University, you’ve earned this moment. You should be very proud. Everybody who supported you along the way is proud of you — parents, grandparents, professors, mentors, aunties, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins, second cousins, cousins who you aren’t even sure are cousins. Show them some gratitude today.

Now look, I know this isn’t the commencement any of you really imagined. Because while our H.B.C.U.s are mostly known for an education rooted in academic rigor, community, higher purpose — they also know how to turn up. Nobody shines quite like a senior on the yard in springtime. Springfest at schools like Howard and Morehouse, that’s the time when you get to strut your stuff a little bit. And I know that in normal times, rivals like Grambling and Southern, Jackson State and Tennessee State, might raise some eyebrows at sharing a graduation ceremony.

But these aren’t normal times. You’re being asked to find your way in a world in the middle of a devastating pandemic and a terrible recession. The timing is not ideal. And let’s be honest — a disease like this just spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with in this country. We see it in the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on our communities, just as we see it when a black man goes for a jog, and some folks feel like they can stop and question and shoot him if he doesn’t submit to their questioning.

Injustice like this isn’t new. What is new is that so much of your generation has woken up to the fact that the status quo needs fixing; that the old ways of doing things don’t work; and that it doesn’t matter how much money you make if everyone around you is hungry and sick; that our society and democracy only works when we think not just about ourselves, but about each other.

More than anything, this pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing. A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge.

If the world’s going to get better, it’s going to be up to you. With everything suddenly feeling like it’s up for grabs, this is your time to seize the initiative. Nobody can tell you anymore that you should be waiting your turn. Nobody can tell you anymore “this is how it’s always been done.” More than ever, this is your moment — your generation’s world to shape.

In taking on this responsibility, I hope you are bold. I hope you have a vision that isn’t clouded by cynicism or fear. As young African Americans, you’ve been exposed, earlier than some, to the world as it is. But as young H.B.C.U. grads, your education has also shown you the world as it ought to be.

Many of you could have attended any school in this country. But you chose an H.B.CU. — specifically because it would help you sow seeds of change. You chose to follow in the fearless footsteps of people who shook the system to its core — civil rights icons like Thurgood Marshall and Dr. King, storytellers like Toni Morrison and Spike Lee. You chose to study medicine at Meharry, and engineering at NC A&T, because you want to lead and serve.

And I’m here to tell you, you made a great choice. Whether you realize it or not, you’ve got more road maps, more role models, more resources than the civil rights generation did. You’ve got more tools, technology, and talents than my generation did. No generation has been better positioned to be warriors for justice and remake the world.

Now, I’m not going to tell you what to do with all that power that’s in your hands. Many of you are already using it so well to create change. But let me offer three pieces of advice as you continue on your journey.

First, make sure you ground yourself in actual communities with real people — working whenever you can at the grass-roots level. The fight for equality and justice begins with awareness, empathy, passion, even righteous anger. Don’t just activate yourself online. Change requires strategy, action, organizing, marching, and voting in the real world like never before. No one is better positioned than this class of graduates to take that activism to the next level. And from tackling health disparities to fighting for criminal justice and voting rights, so many of you are already doing this. Keep on going.

Second, you can’t do it alone. Meaningful change requires allies in common cause. As African Americans, we are particularly attuned to injustice, inequality, and struggle. But that also should make us more alive to the experiences of others who’ve been left out and discriminated against.

So rather than say, “What’s in it for me?” or “What’s in it for my community? And to heck with everyone else,” stand up for and join up with everyone who’s struggling — whether immigrants, refugees, the rural poor, the L.G.B.T. community, low-income workers of every background, women who so often are subject to their own discrimination and burdens and not getting equal pay for equal work; look out for folks whether they are white or black or Asian or Latino or Native American. As Fannie Lou Hamer once said, “nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”

And on the big unfinished goals in this country, like economic and environmental justice and health care for everybody, broad majorities agree on the ends. That’s why folks with power will keep trying to divide you over the means. That’s how nothing changes. You get a system that looks out for the rich and powerful and nobody else. So expand your moral imaginations, build bridges, and grow your allies in the process of bringing about a better world.

And finally, as H.B.C.U. graduates, you have to remember that you are inheritors of one of America’s proudest traditions. Which means you’re all role models now — whether you like it or not. Your participation in this democracy, your courage to stand up for what’s right, your willingness to forge coalitions — these actions will speak volumes. And if you are inactive, that will also speak volumes. Not just to the young folks coming up behind you — but to your parents, your peers, and the rest of the country. They need to see your leadership — you’re the folks we’ve been waiting for to come along.

That’s the power you hold. The power to shine brightly for justice, and for equality, and for joy. You’ve earned your degree. And it’s up to you to use it. So many of us believe in you. I’m so proud of you. And as you set out to change the world, we’ll be the wind at your back.

Congratulations Class of 2020, and God bless all of you.

HBCU's By State Alabama Alabama A&M University- Huntsville Alabama State University- Montgomery Concordia University-Alabama- Selma (closed 2018) Birmingham-Easonian Baptist Bible College- Birmingham* Gadsden State College- Gadsden J.F. Drake State Technical CollegeHuntsville Lawson State Community CollegeBirmingham Miles College- Fairfield Miles School of Law- Fairfield * Oakwood University- Huntsville Selma University- Selma Shelton State Community CollegeTuscaloosa Stillman College- Tuscaloosa Talladega College- Talladega Tuskegee University- Tuskegee H. Councill Trenholm State Community College- Montgomery Arkansas University of Arkansas at Pine BluffPine Bluff

Arkansas Baptist College- Little Rock Philander Smith College- Little Rock Shorter College- North Little Rock California Charles Drew University of Medicine & Science*- Los Angeles Delaware Delaware State University- Dover District of Columbia University of the District of Columbia Howard University Florida Bethune Cookman University- Daytona Beach Edward Waters College- Jacksonville Florida A&M University- Tallahassee Florida Memorial University- Miami Gardens Georgia Albany State University- Albany Carver College*- Atlanta Clark Atlanta University- Atlanta Fort Valley State University- Fort

Valley Interdenominational Theological Center- Atlanta Johnson C Smith Theological Seminary*- Atlanta Morehouse College- Atlanta Morehouse School of MedicineAtlanta Morris Brown College**- Atlanta Paine College- Augusta Savannah State University- Savannah Spelman College- Atlanta Kentucky Kentucky State University- Frankfort Simmons College of KentuckyLouisville Louisiana Dillard University-New Orleans Grambling State University- Grambling Southern University and A&M College- Baton Rouge Southern University New OrleansNew Orleans Southern University-ShreveportShreveport Xavier University- New Orleans

Maryland Bowie State University- Bowie Coppin State University- Baltimore University of Maryland- Eastern Shore- Princess Anne Morgan State University- Baltimore Michigan Lewis College of Business- Detroit (Closed 2013) Mississippi Alcorn State University- Lorman Coahoma Community CollegeClarksdale Hinds County Community CollegeUtica Jackson State University- Jackson Mississippi Valley State UniversityItta Bena Rust College- Holly Springs Tougaloo College- Tougaloo Missouri Harris-Stowe State University- St. Louis Lincoln University- Jefforson City North Carolina Barber-Scotia College**- Concord Bennett College- Greensboro

Elizabeth City State University- Elizabeth City Fayetteville State University- Fayetteville Hood Theological Seminary*- Salisbury Johnson C. Smith University- Charlotte Livingston College- Salisbury North Carolina Central UniversityDurham North Carolina A&T State University- Greensboro Shaw University- Raleigh St. Augustine's University- Raleigh Winston-Salem State UniversityWinston Salem Ohio Central State University- Wilberforce Payne Theological Seminary*- Wilberforce Wilberforce University- Wilberforce Oklahoma Langston University- Langston Pennsylvania Cheyney University- Cheyney The Lincoln University- Lincoln

University South Carolina Allen University- Columbia Benedict College- Columbia Claflin University- Orangeburg Clinton College- Rock Hill Denmark Technical College- Denmark Morris College- Sumter South Carolina State UniversityOrangeburg Voorhees College- Denmark Tennessee American Baptist University- Nashville Fisk University- Nashville Knoxville College**- Knoxville Lane College- Jackson LeMoyne Owen College- Memphis Meharry Medical College Tennessee State University- Nashville Texas Huston-Tillotson University- Austin Jarvis Christian College- Hawkins Paul Quinn College- Dallas Prairie View A&M University- Prairie View

Southwestern Christian CollegeTerrell St. Philips College- San Antonio Texas College- Tyler Texas Southern University- Houston Wiley College- Marshall US Virgin Islands University of the Virgin Islands- St. Thomas & St. Croix Virginia Hampton University- Hampton Norfolk State University- Norfolk Saint Paul's College- Lawrenceville (closed 2013) Virginia State University- Petersburg Virginia Union University- Richmond Virginia University of LynchburgLynchburg

West Virginia Bluefield State College- Bluefield West Virginia State University- Institute *Not recognized by US Department of Education as an HBCU* ** Not currently accredited **

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Thursday, MAY 21, 2020 • The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

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