Vol. 63 No. 8 | Thursday, February 23, 2023

63rd Anniversary Voice & ViewpoinT GALA Is a Triumph

Dept. of Treasury, Stanford Study Finds IRS DisproportionatelY Audits Black Taxpayers

By

The big banquet room was packed. So was the parking lot. San Diego Voice & Viewpoint’s 2023 Gala sold out days before the big night, Feb. 17, at the Jacobs Center.

An accomplished, glamorous roster of guests was there, replete with sequins, major hairdos, tuxedos and a bevy of gorgeous Miss Black San Diego winners, who aided the program, which was also live streamed to an audience of or 2,000. The emcees were none other than Dr. John Warren, long-time publisher of San Diego Voice & Viewpoint (now

in its 63rd year of continuous publication) resplendent in a tux, and his daughter, Latanya West, the paper’s brilliant managing editor, resplendent in a stunning, platinum-toned sequined gown.

An elegant dinner was served on artfully decorated tables by attentive waiters. This team was backed by media wizards M.A.N.D.A.T.E.

Records President and CEO, Dr. Leonard Thompson, and Chida

Rebecca Warren-Darby of Rebecca & Company, who produced the annual event that every February highlights Black History Month and the importance of a free press and, specifically, the Black Press. Well done!

See GALA page 10

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Sr. National Correspondent

According to Stanford RegLab, Black taxpayers receive IRS audit notices at least 2.9 times more frequently than non -Black taxpayers and possibly as much as 4.7 times more often.

The new study included research by Daniel E. Ho, the William Benjamin Scott

GODRadio1’s Michelle Thompson Receives Honorary Doctorate froM

and Luna M. Scott Professor of Law at Stanford Law School, faculty director of the Stanford RegLab, a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, Hadi Elzayn, a researcher at the Stanford RegLab, Evelyn Smith, Ph.D. candidate at the University of Michigan, and Arun Ramesh, a pre-doctoral fellow at the University of Chicago; Jacob Goldin, a See AUDITS page 2

The Fight To Remove Slavery Language From California’s Constitution

By Antonio Ray Harvey California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌

Sunday February 19, 2023, San Diego International

Bible College, a distinctive Pentecostal/Charismatic educational institution, held its 21st Annual Commence-

ment Ceremony at Christian Life Center of San Diego in See THOMPSON page 2

Samual Nathaniel Brown said he is not surprised that Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) picked up the baton to carry on the fight to eradicate the phrase “involuntary servitude except as a punishment to crime” from California’s Constitution. Brown, who contributed

to writing Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 3, the California Abolition Act, while he was incarcerated in prison, stood on the west steps of the state Capitol in Sacramento with Wilson when she reintroduced a new iteration of the legislation that failed to pass in the State Senate last year.

This time around, Brown,

Wilson and other supporters of the End Slavery in California Act say they are determined to retire the See REMOVE page 2

Helen O’Field Lemon Grove Historical Society

ARTICLE CONTINUATION

professor of tax law at the University of Chicago; and economists in the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Tax Analysis. The researchers concluded that the disparity “is unlikely to be intentional on the part of IRS staff.”

The team’s research showed that a set of internal IRS algorithms causes racial differences in audit selection. Goldin compared them to the recipe for Coca-Cola: “It’s completely secret.”

To better understand this audit selection bias, the research team modeled the racial impact that various alternative audit selection policies might have. The result showed how the IRS could change its secret algorithm to make it less unfair to people of different races.

“The IRS should drill down to

THOMPSON:

Continued from cover

Spring Valley. President Bishop Blair Holloway and Helena Holloway welcomed church mem bers, family and guests to a jubi lant celebration that awarded 13 graduates for their completion of the George D. McKinney L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Empowerment, and Development) School for Urban Ministry Program, a one-year internship that empowers the local church in leadership and develop ment. There were also two selected to receive Honorary Doctorates, Community Leader Tracy Thompson and M.A.N.D.A.T.E.

understand and modify its existing audit selection methods to mitigate the disparity we’ve documented,” Ho said. “And we’ve shown they can do that without sacrificing tax revenue.”

Although there have been longstanding questions about whether the IRS uses its audit powers somewhat, Ho said it was challenging to study because tax returns are private. The IRS’s approach to audit decisions was confidential. That changed when, on his first day in office, President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 13985. This order requires all federal agencies to examine how their programs affect racial and ethnic equity.

To apply that order to the IRS tax return audit program, economists at the Treasury Department worked with the Stanford RegLab team to analyze more than 148 million tax returns and about 780,000 tax

used anonymous data to do the analysis.

Even with all that information, the research team found that tax returns do not ask for a person’s race or ethnicity. So, the team adapted and improved on a state-of-the-art approach that uses first names, last names, and geography (U.S. Census block groups) to predict the probability that a person identifies as Black.

After finding that Black taxpayers were 2.9 to 4.7 times more likely to be audited than non-Black taxpayers, the team looked at why this might be the case. They suspected that the problem lay with an IRS algorithm’s use of the Dependent Database, which flags a potential problem and generates an audit letter to the taxpayer.

That instinct proved correct in that most racial differences were found in so-called “correspondence” audits. These audits are done by

mail rather than in person. The team also found that the IRS audits people more often who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

The EITC helps low- and moderate-income people.

The largest source of disparity occurs among EITC claimants. Indeed, Black taxpayers accounted for 21% of EITC claims but were the focus of 43% of EITC audits.

The racial disparity in audit rates persists regardless of whether EITC claimants are male or female, married or unmarried, raising children, or childless. Perhaps the most striking statistic is this: A single Black man with dependents who claims the EITC is nearly 20 times as likely to be audited as a non-Black jointly filing (married) taxpayer claiming the EITC.

Although the team does not know precisely what algorithm the IRS uses to choose audits, they thought of several possible reasons for high

Records owner and Program Director of Godradio1.com, Michelle Thompson (no relation). The ceremony was followed by a soul-stirring message from guest speaker Dr. Jack Sheets and many souls renewing their commitment in service to God in ministry.

WARNING:

Crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products can expose you to chemicals including toluene and benzene, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. These exposures can occur in and around oil fields, refineries, chemical plants, transport and storage operations, such as pipelines, marine terminals, tank trucks, and other facilities and equipment. For more information go to: www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/petroleum.

The foregoing warning is provided pursuant to Proposition 65. This law requires the Governor of California to publish a list of chemicals “known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.” This list is compiled in accordance with a procedure established by the Proposition, and can be obtained from the California Environmental Protection Agency. Proposition 65 requires that clear and reasonable warnings be given to persons exposed to the listed chemicals in certain situations.

SHELL OIL PRODUCTS US

PBF Energy Western Region LLC its affiliates and subsidiaries

PHILLIPS 66, including its divisions and subsidiaries (and under the trademarks 76)

AERA ENERGY LLC

EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION its affiliates and subsidiaries

VALERO Refining and Marketing Company, Ultramar Inc., and their affiliates and subsidiaries

Tesoro Refining & Marketing Company LLC (a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation) and its affiliates (and under the trademarks ARCO, USA Gasoline, Shell, Thrifty, and ExxonMobil)

For more information, please call: 1-800-523-3157

constitutional clause that allows labor imposed on felons as criminal punishment in California prisons.

“To be honest, we didn’t have to lure her in at all. She was a more-than-willing participant to pick up the baton,” Brown said on the Feb.19 edition of Abolition Today. “Championing the causes of Black people is something she has been doing for a long time and has done in almost every position she has held. It’s a no-brainer for her to continue this fight.”

Abolition Today is a weekly online radio program with specific focus on “modernday slavery” as it is practiced through the 13th Amendment of the US constitution. It is hosted by Max Parthas and Yusuf Hassan. California is among 16 states with an “exception clause” for involuntary servitude in its state constitution, Wilson said. Should the state legislature pass the End Slavery in California Act, voters will decide during the 2024 General Elections if it will become state law.

Three states — Colorado, Utah, and Nebraska – have voted to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude. Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont have approved similar ballot measures.

“I am introducing this legislation because in every position of leadership (I’ve held) from (parks) commission to councilmember, from vice mayor to mayor, and now a state legislator; one of my responsibilities was, and is, to end systematic racism and root out discrimination,” Wilson said on Feb. 15 at the State Capitol.

Wilson added, “We only make up 6% of the overall (California) Black population but we make up 28% of our incarceration population. The allowance of slavery in our prisons disproportionately impacts Black people.”

Article 1, Section 6 of the California Constitution currently allows involuntary servitude as a means of punishing crime.

U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager (D-CA-37) authored ACA 3 in 2020 as a California State Assemblymember.

Kamlager said involuntary servitude is “forced labor.”

“By removing this language from our Constitution, we are moving our state into the 21st century and taking steps to ensure that no Californian is ever put in a position of involuntary servitude again,” Kamlager said last year.

On June 23, the California Senate rejected ACA 3 with a 21-6 vote. It fell short of the two-thirds vote requirement, 27 or more, needed to move the bill to the ballot as a proposition for Californians to decide its fate.

audit rates. They found that an approach focused just on the likelihood that there’s underreporting of at least $100 would result in auditing more Black taxpayers (as was observed).

By contrast, focusing on the magnitude of underreporting (the amount of money unpaid by a taxpayer) would yield a result much closer to the oracle: More non-Black taxpayers would be audited than Black.

“The choice to focus on whether there is underreporting, as opposed to the magnitude of underreporting, is connected to broader structural sources of economic inequality and racial justice,” Smith said. Because far more Black taxpayers have lower income, they have less opportunity to underreport substantial amounts of income, the researchers concluded.

See AUDITS page 6

June 30, 2022 was the last day ACA 3 could have gained the votes it needed to have been placed on the 2022 November General Election ballot. It was not heard on the Senate floor that day. Five Republicans and one Democrat, Steve Glazer (D-Orinda), voted against the amendment.

“Slavery was an evil that will forever be a stain on the history of our great country. We eliminated it through the Civil War and the adoption of the 13th Amendment,” Glazer said in a statement. “Involuntary servitude – though lesser known – also had a shameful past. ACA 3 is not even about involuntary servitude –at least of the kind that was practiced 150 years ago. The question this measure raises is whether or not California should require felons in state or local jails and prisons to work.”

“I feel like this is something that not only needs to get done but must get done,” Parthas said during the Abolition Today podcast.

“How can you talk about freedom, reparations, economic equity, equality in law and education while state slavery is still legal?”  Brown wrote the language in ACA 3 while he was in prison. He was released in 2021 after serving a 24-year sentence. The language of the bill was brought to the attention of Kamlager by Sacramento activist Jamilia Land.

Land is a member of the Anti-Violence Safety, and Accountability Project (ASAP), an organization that advocates for prisoners’ rights. Wilson said she was “proud to carry on the work” of Brown and Kamlager and ensured that she is committed to striking the word slavery out of the United States constitution.

“This constitutional amendment is now a national movement,” Wilson said.

The chairperson of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), Wilson was the first Black female Mayor to serve in Solano County. First elected to the Suisun City Council in 2012, she served as Vice-Mayor for six years before winning the mayoral race in 2018.

Wilson was sworn into office to represent the 11th Assembly District after a special election last April following the resignation of former Assemblymember Jim Frazier.  She serves as the assistant Majority Whip and is chair of the Select Committee on Transportation and Emergency Preparedness.

Wilson has the support of several statewide organizations in favor of removing the involuntary servitude clause: the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Legal Services With Prisoners With Children, All Of Us Or None Of Us and the Anti-Violence, Safety, and Accountability Project. Sisters Warriors Freedom Coalition, and Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice are sponsors.

“California was founded as a free state,” Wilson said. “There is no room for slavery in our constitution. It is not consistent with our values.”

PHOTOS: Courtesy of M.A.N.D.A.T.E. Records

The Jim Crow Battle Against Black History

By Dr. John E. Warren Publisher, The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

e current battle to remove books and any discussion about slavery and the treatment of Blacks is not new. is is what we call “Jim Crow”, now presenting himself as “James Q. Esquire”, the legislator. For those who might have forgotten, Jim Crow was o en the name used to describe segregation; laws, customs, and rules that arose in the South after Reconstruction ended in 1877. “Reconstruction” is what e orts to rebuild the South were called a er the Civil War. It was an e ort to put the South back together, economically, without the bene t of slavery, which had been its most precious product.

Newly freed slaves were finding ways to buy land, start farms, run for o ce as was the case. During Reconstruction 16 African Americans served in the U.S. Congress, more than 600 were elected to the state legislatures, and hundreds more held local o ces across the South. White Southerners were not pleased with either the independence of Blacks nor their e orts to own land, get educated and achieve, at the very least, equal status with Whites.

The Revolutionary Act of Black Love

By Alexis Taylor Word In Black

“My eye soon caught her precious face, but, gracious heavens! at glance of agony may God spare me from ever again enduring! My wife, under the in uence of her feelings, jumped aside; I seized hold of her hand while my mind felt unutterable things, and my tongue was only able to say, we shall meet in heaven!”

While we celebrate Black History month, and hopefully the resurgence of a study and appreciation for Black History, it’s important that we use our knowledge of past e orts to suppress or erase us to fuel our present desire to do more and go further, collectively, than those who came before us. Whatever title the racist put on “Voter Suppression”, and the battle against “Critical Race eory” - which most can’t spell or de ne - we must recognize all e orts to curtail our freedom or to create a new legal “White Zone”, as the Mississippi legislature is attempting to do, all amount to “Jim Crow” e orts under new names and titles.

e good news is that we overcame past e orts at segregation and Jim Crow laws. With the knowledge, education and skills we now have at our disposal, we, the Black People of this country, born with rights of equality guaranteed under the Constitution, will neither abandon those rights nor have them taken from us. If we look at Black History everyday, we will recognize the revised e orts to suppress or eliminate us and we will prevail.

Big Business Must Stop Taking Big Tobacco Money

By Dr. Phillip Gardiner Co-Chair, African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council

It’s hard to believe that with the amount of damage that the tobacco industry has in icted on the Black community, that there are still Black organizations accepting their funding. By doing so, these Black organizations enable the tobacco industry to portray themselves as allies to our community. ey help silence our voices and e orts aimed at encouraging policymakers to take speci c steps to protect our people, thus becoming complicit in our death and disease. e problem with accepting these funds is the tobacco industry has a history of targeting and exploiting vulnerable communities, especially Black communities, through predatory advertising and marketing tactics. Our people must be aware that accepting money from the tobacco industry contributes to the ongoing exploitation of our people through their predatory practices of marketing menthol cigarettes and avored cigars.

e African American Control Tobacco Council is calling on Black organizations to be united in our ght against Big Tobacco and help save Black lives. Tobacco companies are actively opposing public health measures aimed at protecting Black Americans from the harm caused by their products.

THE BACKSTORY

A 1953 study by Roper, B.W. found that only 5 percent of African Americans smoked menthol cigarettes. A 1968 poll of People’s Cigarette Smoking Habits and Attitudes by Philip Morris showed that menthol use among Blacks had almost tripled to 14 percent. A report by Brown and Williamson in 1978 found that it had tripled again to 42 percent. By the 2000’s, over 80 percent of Black smokers used menthol cigarettes. Today, 85 percent of Black adults and 94 percent of Black youth who smoke are using menthol products. ese striking statistics arise from the success of the industry’s predatory marketing of these products in our community, where there are more adver-

Henry “Box” Brown knew it could lead to a lashing, but it would be worth every drop of blood.

ere was no price to be put on the nal moments he would ultimately ever spend with his wife, Nancy, and their children, who were sold on the auction block while he worked.

“My agony was now complete, she with whom I had travelled (sic) the journey of life in chains, for the space of twelve years, and the dear little pledges God had given us I could see plainly must now be separated from me for ever, and I must continue, desolate and alone, to drag my chains through the world,” recounts Brown in his autobiography, the “Narrative of the Life of Henry Box Brown.”

e year was 1848. And in a nal act of resistance, a nal act of love, Brown did the only thing he could do: he walked side-by-side with his wife, holding her hand as she moved closer to her fate on a North Carolina plantation.

“I went with her for about four miles hand in hand, but both our hearts were so overpowered with feeling that we could say nothing,” recounts Brown. “And when at last we were obliged to part, the look of mutual love which we exchanged was all the token which we could give each other that we should yet meet in heaven.”

Brown would go on to become known around the world as the formerly enslaved man who “mailed himself to freedom.” And while he never laid eyes on his family again, the love of his children and his wife is palpable to this day.

I o en wonder why people shy away from the stories that come from the period of chattel slavery in American history.

Is it troubling to read how our ancestors were brutally enslaved and transported during the Atlantic Slave Trade? Absolutely. Is it hard to watch Brown’s skin split under the crack of a whip on screen? Without a doubt. But woven through the tales of horror are unmatched sto-

tisements, and most disturbingly, menthol cigarettes are cheaper compared to other communities. In 2022, the use of cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos was highest among Black youth. ese practices, coupled with buying the silence of some Black spokespersons for the past 50 years, have led to Black Americans dying disproportionately from heart attacks, lung cancer, strokes and other tobacco related diseases.

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE

Across this country, tobacco companies are vigorously opposing public health policies that would protect Black Americans from these products, speci cally the proposed FDA ban on menthol products. ese same companies continue to strategically provide monies to Black institutions to create the illusion of being socially responsible and invested in our well-being. Black institutions must reject funding from or any form of partnership with tobacco and vaping companies and hold them accountable for the harmful e ects they’ve had and continue to have on public and mental health, the environment and social justice.

ries of bravery, perseverance, persistence, and, yes, even love.

Time and time again, we see this repeated throughout history — the courage of love, men and women risking their lives and even paying the ultimate price — to ful ll the basic human needs of connection and intimacy.

e Library of Congress went to extensive lengths during the 1930s to record personal accounts of slavery in America from the mouths of the people who survived it. “Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves” includes beautiful stories that show how love ourished during some of the darkest periods of American and human history.

“Hit wus in de little Baptist church at Neuse whar I fust seed big Black Jim Dunn an’ I fell in love wid him den,” reckoned Lucy Ann Dunn, of Raleigh, N.C. “He said dat he loved me den too, but hit wus three Sundays ‘fore he axed ter see me home.”

Dunn was 90-years-old when she told her love story on Aug. 4, 1937. What began as love at rst sight bloomed into a courtship.

“He come ever’ Sunday fer a year an’ nally he proposed. I had told mammy dat I thought dat I ort ter be allowed ter walk ter de gate wid Jim an’, she said all right i en she wus settin’ dar on de porch lookin’.”

Her love story takes place just two years a er gaining her freedom. I o en wonder what the ancestors would think of today’s “relationship goals.”

At a time when so many had their relationships controlled, many dared to love who they wanted — an act of de ance punishable by death. I o en fear we take so many things for granted — the right to unabashedly love who we want being one of them.

During this month of owers, chocolates, teddy bears, and whispered sweet nothings, I say let’s not forget those who went before us and dared to engage in one of the ultimate protests: the revolutionary act of Black love.

Alexis Taylor is the Managing Editor of the AFRO.

e National Museum of African American History and Culture is one of those institutions. ey currently list Altria as a member of their Culture’s Corporate Leadership Council. It should be noted that Altria owns a 35 percent stake in JUUL Labs, the e-cigarette company that malevolently popularized e-cigarette usage among America’s youth. We are calling upon the museum to divest their funding portfolio of all tobacco industry contributions moving forward.

e museum undertakes highly commendable work to document African American life, history and culture. However, we must bear in mind that American history is forever interwoven with the enslavement of African people on tobacco plantations. Unfortunately, traces of that exploitation continue to exist to this present day, principally taking the form of marketing menthol cigarettes and avored little cigars in the Black community.

e museum is not alone, it is only one example, and we are challenging all Black organizations currently accepting funding from the tobacco industry to divest.

See BIG BUSINESS page 16

Southeast San Diego Rotary Club Celebrates Black History Month

By Yvette Porter Moore Contributing Writer

In celebration of Black History Month, the South East San Diego Rotary Club invited Carolyn Smith, the daughter of Rev. George Walker Smith to share the history of the Catfish Club. Ms. Smith moderated a panel of long-time members of the Catfish Club that began in 1970.

The panel included Neal Arthur, Gil Johnson, Denis Morgan and Dr. Robert Brown.

The “Colored Folks” Club had its humble beginnings when three people informally met for lunch to discuss social, political, economic, and educational issues. When the group began to expand, and became inclusive of the greater San Diego Community, the name changed to the Catfish Club.

Concerned about climate change and how it affects your community?

TERN AT A IONAL

Get involved with the County’s effort to make a difference across our region.

Before the 4/5 Board of Supervisors meeting, you can comment on our Let’s Get There! Draft playbook for collective action until March 31. Learn more about the Integrated Decarbonization Framework and continue to stay involved after 4/5 at www.engage.sandiegocounty.gov/rdf

The Friday luncheon moved to Christ United Methodist Church where Rev. Smith was the pastor. The whole idea of the Catfish Club came about organically where local members would meet to discuss pressing issues of the day. It was a place where you might find yourself sitting next to the mayor, or sitting next to someone you might not normally meet during your day.

The panel of speakers agreed that there would never be another George Walker Smith and there would never be a Catfish Club exactly like the one that had served the community for over 50 years.

Rev. Smith was a man of civility. An example of the type of topics held at the meetings: the January 9, 2015 topic of the day was Civility. The description of the meeting: “We continue to see examples of incivility. It’s in our schools, where bullying is prevalent; in the workplace, where workers are stressed; in politics, where intolerance has taken the place of honest dialogue; and on the internet, where many hide behind the anonymity of technology. Please join as Dr. Carl Luna, Director of the Institute for Civil Civic Engagement and noted Professor at San Diego Mesa College leads a discussion, which takes a closer look at what civility means and why it matters.”

George Walker Smith was the first African American to be elected to the San Diego Unified School Board. He believed that if you sat down to speak with someone, you might like them.

The sentiment of the group is that there needs to be a rebirthing of something like the Catfish Club where all the people can come together, network, and discuss the issues of the day while getting to know each other.

Other members of the Rotary audience spoke about the impact that Rev. Smith had on San Diego and the importance of how he brought a community together.

“George Walker Smith had a great reach,” stated Neal Arthur, “We need to re-establish the interface. We need a voice.”

PHOTOS: Mike Norris

Ardell “Victor” Ross Sworn–In as National Black Contractors Association President

Na tional Black Contractors Association of U.S.A. held its Black Contractors Unity Luncheon and historic Inaugural swearing in ceremony for Mr. Ardell “Victor” Ross to serve as President of the local Black Contractors Association of San Diego on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at their headquarters on Imperial Avenue. The National Black Contractor’s Association of U.S.A., Inc. mission is to build Black Contractors’ Association (BCA) Chapters, throughout the United States, where its headquarters is based here in Southern California, in the City of San Diego.

Mr. Victor Ross’ leadership in the construction industry has exemplified the best of what our contractors can become, if they work hard with an unyielding attitude.

Victor Ross is a man of action and lives by the rule of “Get it done.” He is a pioneer, trailblazer and a living legend, who has built some of San Diego’s most renowned projects. His most recent and highest visible project is his Block Work on the new San Diego County Southeastern San Diego Live Well Center. Whereas today’s construction industry is going through a shift of power in the public works industry.

The San Diego Chapter of BCA was founded 40 years ago by a group of Black union contractors during the Reaganomics era of “trickle down economics” theory, that resulted in union

busting, leaving many BCA member contractors, who came out of unions as skilled and trained workers, the only option, which was to turn to the private sector construction industry.

Although some of BCA’s long time board members like Mr. Victor Ross managed to survive and stay as a union contractor, BCA’s founders, Abdur-Rahim Hameed and the late Mr. Charles A. Black, began to look at the option of building a united Black Contractors Association to support workforce development and a skills training workers program. This gave birth to the idea of having their own Federal and State Approved Apprenticeship program. In the meantime, 25-plus years ago, many of the startup contractors such as Cats Excavation and Grading gained momentum and growth in the private sector industry, becoming successful public works contractors today.

The local Black Contractors Association of San Diego is looking to its long time Union Board Member, contractor Mr. Victor Ross, who understands unions and how to navigate with them. He is being called on to help lead the San Diego Black Contractors Association, to the next chapter, which is made up of union and nonunion contractors who are united.

Mr. Ross, who is a man of action and few words, told the members that he will “work to build unity between the unions and the BCA and that the Carpenters Union needs to sit down with the BCA and sign an agreement on a job-by-job bases to allow the BCA apprentice to work and get trained on PLA projects, which they can do as a Union. This division has left

hard feelings on both sides, and it’s time to build unity in our construc tion industry, where there is more work

than we can do and everyone is needed,” stated the newly minted BCA President Mr. Victor Ross.

At this historic event Mr. Ross was greeted and congratulated by incoming National Vice President of the National Black Contractors Association of U.S.A, Inc., Mr. John Proctor, who is also the President of the Regional Black Contractors Association of Dallas Texas (RBCA). Ross was also welcomed by Mr. Wendell Stemley, National President of the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) based in Washington D.C., and a host of state and local leaders among BCA contractor members at the meeting.

Mr. Abdur-Rahim Hameed, the President and Founder of National Black Contractors Association of U.S.A. Inc. stood alongside of attorney Mr. Douglas Oden, who officiated the oath of office

swearing in ceremony to Mr. Ardell.

“Victor” Ross who will serve as President of the local Black Contractors Association of San Diego, where National President Mr. Hameed, vowed that he will continue to promote education on local and national issues of the construction industry division, to support equity!

Courtesy of Abdur-Rahim Hameed

(left to right) Vic Ross, BCA President 2023, and Mr. Abdur-Rahim Hameed, NBCA President and

Founder.

PHOTO: Mike Norris

PHOTO: Mike Norris

Mr. Victor Ross taking the NBCA Oath of Office.

PHOTO: Mike Norris

NBCA Chat-n-Chew at the BCA headquarters, the BCA Table of Opportunity.

PHOTO: Mike Norris

PHOTO: Mike Norris

Brian Ware, New BCA Member 2023.

PHOTO: Mike Norris(center left) Kevin Gilliam Trucking, New BCA Member. PHOTO: Mike Norris

New Assembly Bill Would Ban Use of Police Canines for Arrests

By Edward Henderson California Black Media

Last week, Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson (D-Riverside) introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 742, legislation that would prohibit the use of police canines for arrests, apprehensions and crowd control.

The use of police canines, supporters of the legislation say, is a throwback to the darkest days of legal slavery, Jim Crow segregation –and a reminder of America’s history of racial bias, aggression and violence against Blacks and people of color. Jackson says he wants to end the “deeply racialized, traumatic and harmful practice.”

“Since their inception, police canines have been used to inflict brutal violence and lifelong trauma on Black Americans and communities of color,” said Jackson at a press conference held to announce the bill. “It’s time to end this cruel and inhumane practice and instead work towards building trust between the police and the communities they serve.”

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) California Action, a co-sponsor of AB 742, echoed Jackson’s concerns. “The use of police canines has severe and potentially deadly consequences for bite victims, especially communities of color,” said Carlos Marquez III, Executive Director of ACLU California Action. “It’s time for California to take a stand and end this inhumane practice.”

Jackson says his stance on the use of canines in law enforcement is backed up by data. For him, it’s a “moral issue” as well.

“I let the data take me to where I need to go. And the data is clear that in some of the most consequential issues of our time right now – especially when it comes to the relationship between law enforcement and the African American community,” Jackson told California Black Media (CBM). “This was a no brainer for me. This is not a gotcha bill. Our own data in California shows that we have it wrong, and we have to fix it.”

“The fact that canines are harming people more than batons and tasers is astonishing to me. I would never have guessed that” added Jackson, who says he has already read three reports on the topic.

AB 742 does not call for banning the use of

police canines for search and rescue, explosives detection, and narcotics detection – all activities that do not involve biting.

“The use of a canine is sending a dog out that will inflict injury on a person before that person has been accused of a crime or formally convicted of one,” said Kat Carell, a member of the Sacramento Chapter of the ACLU. “So, you end up with lifelong disfigurement, or mental problems, or you could be killed before you have ever been in a court of law and proven guilty of anything.”

Reaction to the introduction of the bill by police dog handlers and some law enforcement organizations -- including the Western States Canine Association -- was swift, char-

acterizing the bill as misguided and going too far.

Ron Cloward, President for the Western States Police Canine Association and a veteran of the Modesto Police Department, said Jackson’s bill does not “make sense.” He argued that if AB 742 passes, it would take away one more non-lethal weapon law enforcement relies on to fight crime.

Cloward, who owns a canine training business, told ABC news affiliate in Bakersfield that while dog bites can be harmful and “disfiguring,” they do not cause death.

“Once you’ve deployed pepper spray, it’s been deployed. It’s gonna land. Once you use your gun, it’s gone,” he said. “Once you use a taser, it’s on its way. You’re not stopping it. The only thing you can stop is a K-9.”

Jackson was elected in November of 2022 to represent the 60th Assembly District. Before that, he served on the Riverside County Board of Education in 2020 and represented portions of the cities of Riverside, Moreno Valley, Perris, and the unincorporated community of Mead Valley.

Supporters say Jackson’s background in social work gives him a keen awareness and understanding of the microaggressions Black and Brown communities face.

AB 742 is one of many pieces of legislation Jackson has introduced (or plans to) that holds individuals and institutions accountable, creating room for even larger victories towards dismantling systematic racism. He calls the effort the ‘Antiracism Bill Package.’

EDUCATION Black Teachers Are Fed Up — and They’re Quitting in Droves

By Maya Pottiger Word in Black

Monise Seward is a middle school math teacher in Metro Indianapolis. She’s worked in schools for the last nine years, but has been in the field of education for a long time, including homeschooling her children.

And, thanks to her Twitter following of 17,000, she has a front row seat to the industry’s changing landscape. Through her online community, Seward has seen teachers quitting throughout the school year, even posting that they are resigning a month before the end of the academic year.

In its 2021 State of the U.S. Teacher Survey, RAND Corporation researchers found that about half of Black teachers reported they were “likely” to leave their jobs by the end of the school year, which was higher than other races.

As with so many aspects of life, Black adults serve multiple roles in schools — and not all of them are visible. Children of color are, widely, more academically successful when they have a Black principal, and that success continues down the ladder. Black students who learned from a Black teacher in elementary school are more likely to graduate from high school

and enroll in college — 13% more likely if they had one Black teacher, and more than double that at 32% if they had at least two.

Overall, the RAND survey found a lot of job-related stress among teachers. The percentage of teachers who reported “frequent job-related stress and symptoms of depression” was much higher than the general adult population. And, the survey found, the main stressors were the mode of instruction and their health. Teachers described experiencing depressive symptoms and burnout.

To help address and alleviate those problems, districts and school leaders need to find a way of understanding what teachers want to see in their jobs and what causes them stress, like interacting with parents, not having enough substitutes or the right curriculum.

Not only has the pandemic taken a huge toll on our mental health, but it’s also highlighted the importance of having mental health resources. Yet public schools often don’t have a full staff of counselors, social workers, or mental health professionals. And, Seward points out, mental health doesn’t stop when school lets out at 3:30. On her current salary, she doesn’t make enough to pay for therapy.

On average, Black educators are paid less than their white colleagues — they’re the racial group least likely to earn more than $15 an hour — and have higher student loan debt. Plus, there’s the workplace culture with discrimination, hostility, and feelings of isolation, or being given more responsibilities as the representatives of their race. A Donors Choose survey found that more than 30% of Black teachers were tasked with disciplining students of color, teaching their school communities about racism, and serving as the liaison between the school and families of color.

Seward says she doesn’t think most people would believe what a public school looks like on a typical day. Teachers are still spending their own money on classroom supplies. They’re still working off the clock. Seward has even cut back on her water consumption because, since she can’t leave a classroom unattended, she can’t go to the bathroom when she needs to.

Whether it’s from students, parents, school staff, or policymakers, teachers are looking for one thing: respect. The respect they’re seeking comes in many forms: compensation, public policy, and accountability. She also says the task of fixing public education also shouldn’t fall on teachers, who weren’t the ones

to break it.

The teacher shortage has been around for the better part of a decade, but it was exacerbated by the pandemic, Ingram says. And it stems from not having enough college graduates who are choosing teaching as a career. The numbers are “abysmally low,” Ingram says, so people can expect to see fewer Black teachers this upcoming school year.

To help reverse this, Ingram says kids need to start being encour-

to collect all the tax dollars due from someone engaged in some other form of tax evasion. Seventy percent of IRS audits happen through the mail, and 50% involve EITC claimants.

Continued from page 2

Finally, the team wondered if the racial disparity in audits springs from IRS and congressional concerns about refundable tax credits, including the EITC and several others. When someone claims one of these social security tax credits, they receive a refund even if they did not pay any taxes. And some in government think it’s more important to avoid paying money to someone who claims it inappropriately than

“Even holding fixed how many audits are devoted to EITC claimants who report business income, we still observe racial disparities,” Elzayn said.

The study’s authors have not made any formal recommendations for making the IRS audit selection algorithm more just. Instead, they have written about the possible effects of alternative policies. This allows the IRS to reduce the racial

aged to join the profession in middle school, and young African American men and women need to be taught that teaching is still a noble profession.

Half of Black teachers graduate from HBCUs, Ingram says, so those schools need funding for their education programs. This, he thinks, will help boost the number of Black educators.

Maya Pottiger is a data journalist for Word in Black. Read the full article at www.sdvoice.info.

impact of its system of choosing auditors.

Before Biden signed the Racial Justice Executive Order that engendered this research project, the IRS needed more impetus and the ability to do that. Now that they know the equity implications of how they select audits, Ho hopes they will tweak their confidential audit selection algorithm.

“Racial disparities in income are well known, and what the IRS chooses to focus on has big implications for whether audits complement, or undercut, a progressive tax system,” Ho said.

Photo: Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels

Assemblymember Cory Jackson (D-Riverside) speaks at a press conference at the State Capitol announcing the End K9 Force.

Photo: Felicia Rule/CBM

NIGERIAN CENTRAL BANK ON HOT SEAT AFTER SWEEPING BANKNOTE RECALL

By Lisa Vives GLOBAL INFORMATION NETWORK

Chaos!

It’s hard to find a better word to describe the confusion, frustration and anger felt by many Nigerians discovering that, in a surprise move by the Central Bank, their naira currency was being pulled from circulation and replaced by a redesigned version which was still unavailable in many banks.

Efforts to replace old banknotes with new ones before a February deadline were stymied by long lines, gas shortages, insecurity and a lack of water and electricity. People found themselves spending hours at the banks fruitlessly attempting to withdraw their money.

With elections coming up at the end of the week, it was an oddly ill-timed move by bank officials.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who is stepping down after the legal two term limit, defended the swap, saying the redesigned denominations of 200 (43 U.S. cents), 500 ($1.08) and 1,000 naira ($2.17) notes and new limits on large cash withdrawals would help curb money laundering and make digital payments the norm in Africa’s biggest economy.

But Nigeria’s main ratings agency called the process “rushed,” with commercial banks unable to supply new cash to customers.

“The two critical sectors of the economy — trade and commerce as well as agriculture — have been very badly affected because they do a lot of transactions in cash, especially in rural areas,” said Muda Yusuf, head of the Nigeria Center for Promotion of Private Enterprise. “This policy has brought their economic activities to a halt.”

“No ATM is giving money,” complained 21 year old Alexander Okwori. “I went to 10 banks, there are no new notes.”

“To get my PVC (voting card), I have to line up again. For what? They (politicians) are all the same,” he told a reporter.

The main candidates vying to replace Buhari are Bola Tinubu of the president’s governing party, Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition group, and Peter Obi of the largely unknown Labor Party of young social media-savvy supporters. “[This election] is the old against the new,” he told the BBC. Tinubu and Abubakar are old political hands, wealthy but also dogged by corruption suspicions in the minds of many voters, while followers of Obi, nicknamed “Obidients - said

UN CHIEF BERATES GLOBAL FINANCIAL SYSTEMS FOR DENYING DEBT RELIEF TO AFRICA

By Lisa Vives GLOBAL INFORMATION NETWORK

At the opening of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa this weekend, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres scolded an “unfair financial system” for denying many African countries the debt relief and concessional financing they need.

“Systems and structures, from health and education to social protections, job-creation and gender equality are starved of investment for lack of support,” he said.

Developing African countries are often left out when global investment lenders create their financial plans, he stated. “African countries cannot invest in these critical areas and climb the development ladder with one hand tied behind their backs.”

Guterres continued: “We need

By Lisa Vives

GLOBAL INFORMATION NETWORK

The military government in Burkina Faso announced this week that the burial of the country’s former president, Thomas Sankara, will take place in a private ceremony next week at the spot where he was assassinated in a coup more than three decades ago.

“The burial of Capt. Sankara and his twelve companions murdered on Oct. 15, 1987 will take place on Thursday, Feb. 23,” said Communications Minister Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo in a published statement.

Sankara’s remains will be reburied at the memorial erected in his honor in front of the place where he was assassinated at the Conseil de l’Entente. While the government had

a new debt architecture that provides debt relief and restructuring to vulnerable countries, including middle-income countries, while providing immediate debt suspension and write-downs to countries in need.”

The U.N. chief accused the international financial system of charging African countries “extortionate” interest rates –which he called “a raw deal.”

He also announced $250 million in crisis funding, including for famine risk on the continent.

Public debt ratios in subSaharan Africa are at their highest in more than two decades, the International Monetary Fund said last year.

The coronavirus pandemic pushed many poor countries into debt distress as they were expected to continue servic-

ing their obligations in spite of the massive shock to their finances.

Governments on the continent, including Ethiopia, sought debt restructuring deals under an IMF program to help them navigate the crisis, but conclusion of the process has been delayed.

Others, which have not sought to restructure their debt, like Kenya, have seen their debt sustainability indicators worsen after the pandemic hit their finances.

“Nearly all of us want to put our economies back on a growth trajectory but this will not happen without sufficient restructuring to make our external debt sustainable,” said Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Meanwhile, the U.N. will spend $250 million from its

SANKARA FAMILY REJECTS PLOT CHOSEN BY GOVERNMENT FOR HIS REBURIAL

announced reburial plans previously, no date had been specified.

The announcement came days after Sankara’s family said they would not attend the burial because they disagreed with the choice of the site.

“How can you bury such a hero in the place where he was murdered?” the family asked in a press release. “We believed and continue to believe that it is fundamental that a space be found that allows us to gather and appease hearts, and not divide and increase resentment.”

The government said the choice of burial site was “mainly based on sociocultural and security imperatives of national interest.”

After his murder in 1987 ordered by Blaise Compaore and his cronies, Sankara and

his comrades were buried in some common fields with no names. Later, their bodies were exhumed in 2015 for legal proceedings.

The 13 bodies were exhumed from a cemetery on the outskirts of the capital following Compaore’s downfall. An investigation that followed culminated in the trial of 14 people accused of plotting the assassination of Sankara.

In April 2022, Compaore, who was the main defendant, was handed a life term in absentia.

Nicknamed Africa’s Che Guevara, Sankara was a military officer and socialist revolutionary who served as the president from his coup in 1983 until his assassination in 1987. He remains highly regarded among leftwing Africanists for his antiimperialist stance.

they were hoping to remove the “same old people.”

Ogho Okiti, the managing director of BusinessDay Media Ltd. said the new policy, though profitable, is already showing signs of poor implementation.

Finally, activist and publisher Sowore Omoyele, endorsed by the Democratic Socialist Movement, has thrown his hat into the ring for a second time. At the launch of his campaign in Kano, Sowore publicly pledged to form “a socialist government focusing on workers’ welfare, free education, job creation, and pension reforms”.

emergency fund, the largest ever allocation, to respond to several crises around the world, including helping communities at risk of famine in Africa, Guterres later told a news briefing.

PHOTO: GIN

PHOTO: GIN

PHOTO: GIN

Family Budgeting Tips That Actually Work

By Kimberly Palmer NerdWallet

Successful family budgeting is all about staying flexible so you can handle those irregular costs as well as unexpected challenges, including sky-high grocery store prices or rising interest rates. Financial experts say that by using creative methods to dial in a budget and trim costs in some areas, you can often still find ways to spend on what is most important to you.

FOLLOW YOUR RHYTHM, NOT RULES

Severine Bryan , a personal finance educator and coach based in Atlanta, says a budget needs to stay flexible and constantly adjust to challenges. One of the biggest mistakes people make, she adds, is thinking they have to follow a set approach, such as the 50/30/20 budget.

Bryan, who holds a doctorate in business administration, likes to track her spending with spreadsheets, but her college-age daughter prefers a more creative approach with visuals and graphs. They each use their preferred method, then communicate about spending when necessary. ``It has to be a method you enjoy so you want to use it all the time,’’ she says.

FACTOR IN VARIABLE EXPENSES

``The default view of budgeting is annual, but I

think that can be frustrating because it’s really hard to have a perspective on your entire year in one sitting,’’ says Charlie Bolognino, a certified financial planner in Plymouth, Minnesota. Instead, he suggests starting with a month-bymonth approach, then taking time to layer in the less predictable costs such as holiday expenses. ``We’ll never catch them all, but we want to reduce surprises as much as we can.’’

Bolognino adds that while big expenses such as housing and child care payments are often fixed, other costs, especially food, fluctuate much more. While that means food costs can be high during months you are hosting dinners or going to restaurants, it also means you can trim them with shifts such as planning meals and shopping grocery store discounts.

TEAM UP WITH YOUR PARTNER

Being in sync with your partner is an essential part of the budgeting process, even though it can be one of the hardest parts. Instead of rehashing a money disagreement, plan your future together and get excited about joint goals, Bolognino suggests. Those conversations, he says, can strengthen a relationship b ecause ``it feels like we are aiming for the same thing.’’

In his case, he stopped criticizing his wife about her coffee-buying habit when he realized it

COVID-19 UPDATES

didn’t add up to a significant expense.

DECIDE WHAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT

Cara Macksoud, chief executive officer of Money Habitudes, a money personality assessment company, says she, her husband and five children first decide what expenses are ``nonnegotiable’’ together. In addition to food, that might include costs related to sports or private lessons, for example.

From there, Macksoud suggests creatively meeting those needs by choosing less expensive options. If going on vacation is important to you, perhaps what’s most critical is being together somewhere away from everyday demands. Her family, who live in Venice, Florida, opted for a road trip together, planned partly by her children based on places they’d seen on Instagram.

``We did crazy, off-the-beaten path things,’’ she says, and had a memorable (and Instagramworthy) day.

LEVERAGE COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Erin Voisin, a certified financial planner and managing director at EP Wealth Advisors in Torrance, California, says she has saved hundreds of dollars on toys for her children by picking up items from local moms groups and

``buy nothing’’ groups.

``I don’t want to pay full price, so I join groups that post flash deals or giveaways,’’ she says. Voisin has found her children’s holiday and birthday gifts from giveaways shared on those community social media pages, including a large Hot Wheels garage set that retails for over $100. She has also found ideas for free activities from Facebook groups, such as taking your kids to a pet store to look at the animals. For families struggling to buy essentials, the website 211.org can help them find local food banks as well as bill-paying assistance.

``Prioritize the roof over your head, food, a way to get to work and utilities,’’ Bryan says.

Healthcare Vaccine Mandate Remains As Some Push For An End

By David A. Lieb and Kavish Harjai Associated Press

At Truman Lake Manor in rural Missouri, every day begins the same way for every employee entering the nursing home’s doors - with a swab up the nose, a swirl of testing solution and a brief wait to see whether a thin red line appears indicating a positive COVID-19 case.

Only the healthy are allowed in to care for virus-free residents.

Despite those precautions, a coronavirus outbreak swept through the facility late last year. An inspector subsequently cited it for violating the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement for health care facilities.

Truman Lake Manor is one of about 750 nursing homes and 110 hospitals nationwide written up for violating federal staff vaccination rules during the past year, according to an Associated Press analysis of data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Most were given a bureaucratic nudge to do better - though some nursing homes also received fines, especially when they had multiple other problems.

One year after it began being enforced nationwide on Feb. 20, 2022, the vaccination requirement affecting an estimated 10 million health care workers is the last remaining major mandate from President Joe Biden’s sweeping attempt to boost national vaccination rates. Similar requirements for large employers, military members and federal contractors all have been struck down, repealed or partially blocked.

The health care vaccination mandate is scheduled to run until November 2024. But some contend it’s time to stop now, citing fewer severe COVID-19 cases, health care staffing shortages and the impending May

11 expiration of a national public health emergency that has been in place since January 2020.

``Their regulations are making it harder to give care - not easier,`` said Tim Corbin, the administrator of Truman Lake Manor who also doubles as a nurse, adding that ``the mandates need to end.’’

CMS said in a statement to the AP that ``the requirement for staff to be fully vaccinated has been a critical step in responding to the pandemic’’ and ``has saved Americans from countless infections, hospitalizations, and death.’’

The policy requires workers, contractors and volunteers at facilities receiving Medicare or Medicaid payments to have the full primary dosage of an original COVID19 vaccine, with exemptions for medical or

religious reasons. Though nursing homes can be fined for violations, CMS generally gave violating facilities additional time to update their policies and come into compliance.

The Republican-led U.S. House recently passed legislation that would halt the mandate, but the bill is unlikely to pass in the Democratic-led Senate. Meanwhile, the requirement continues with mixed results and - in some cases - widespread exceptions.

It’s hard to find workers willing to be vaccinated, Corbin said, because many local residents remain opposed to the vaccine or doubt its effectiveness. Just 42% of adults in St. Clair County are vaccinated against COVID-19 - a rate barely half the national average.

See HEALTHCARE page 16

SAN DIEGO COUNTY COVID-19 STATUS

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES 981,076

REPORTED TESTS

13,314,451

ICU

2,492

HOSPITALIZED

38,913

SOURCE: County of San Diego as of 2/23/23

Everyone is at risk for becoming ill with COVID-19, but some people are more vulnerable to serious illness due to age or underlying health conditions. San Diego County is currently subject to a declared local health emergency and a proclaimed local emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Governor of the State of California proclaimed a state of emergency. In order to slow the spread of COVID19, and prevent the healthcare system in San Diego County from being overwhelmed, it is necessary for the Health Officer of the County of San Diego (Health Officer) to require the quarantine of persons exposed to COVID-19.

Household contacts, intimate partners, caregivers, and any other person who have been in close contact with a person either diagnosed with COVID-19, or likely to have COVID-19 (COVID-19 Patient), are subject to this Order unless a specific exception applies. A “close contact” is someone sharing the same indoor airspace (i.e., home, clinic waiting room, or airplane), for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over 24 hours (e.g., exposed to three infected individuals, three 5-minute exposures, for a total of 15 minutes), during an infected person’s laboratoryconfirmed or clinically diagnosed infectious period.

This order requires persons to follow the quarantine periods and measures applicable to their unique situation. The length of the quarantine, and the measure to be taken, may be different based on factors such as vaccination status, health conditions, COVID-19 symptoms,

workplace setting, or school setting. Since these requirements may change based on new data, this Order incorporates detailed quarantine criteria and measures in the hyperlinks below. If the documents linked below are updated, those updates will automatically be part of this Order.

This Order does not prevent an employer, school, facility, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), or a licensing agency from imposing more stringent quarantine requirements.

The Health Officer therefore ORDERS pursuant to California Health and Safety Code sections, 101040, 101030, 120175, 120215, 120220, and 120225:

1. All Persons who are “close contacts” as stated above shall comply with the applicable quarantine measures set forth below.

a) Members of the general public who are close contacts shall follow all applicable quarantine measures identified in the California Department of Public Health’s most recent Guidance for Local Health Jurisdictions on Isolation and Quarantine of the General Public The currentversion is available here, and may be subsequently amended: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/ Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/ COVID-19/Guidance-onIsolation-and-Quarantine-forCOVID-19-Contact-Tracing. aspx

b) Qualifying health care personnel shall comply with the most

recent California Department of Public Health’s Guidance on Quarantine and Isolation for Health Care Personnel (HCP) Exposed to SARS-CoV-2 and Return to Work for HCP with COVID-19, the current version is available here, and may be subsequently amended: https:// www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/ CHCQ/LCP/Pages/AFL-21-08. aspx.

c) Schools may follow the quarantine guidance set forth in the most recent COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2021-22 School Year. The current version is available here, and may be subsequently amended: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/ Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/ COVID-19/K-12-Guidance2021-22-School-Year.aspx.

2. During critical staffing shortages, employers may use alternative quarantine/work exclusion guidance for their workforce or facility where specifically permitted by CDPH or an applicable State licensing agency (e.g., waiver from Cal/OSHA from the return- to-work requirements of the Emergency Temporary Standards).

3. For the purpose of meeting the negative COVID-19 test requirement to end quarantine, any US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved/authorized COVID-19 diagnostic viral test, including nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) tests (e.g., lab-based PCR, loop mediated amplification [LAMP] tests) or

antigen test, is sufficient for all settings including workplace settings.

4. Additional updates to quarantine periods, measures to be taken, and exceptions, may occur subsequent to the date of this Order. These updates will be posted adjacent to the section labeled “Quarantine Order” on the following County webpage: https://www.sandiegocounty. gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/ phs/community_epidemiology/ dc/2019-nCoV/health-order. html. Any such updates posted on this webpage will automatically become part of this Order, and will take precedence over any inconstant provision included in the sections above. Any person subject to this Order should regularly check this webpage for updates.

Home Quarantine Guidance for COVID-19 Close Contacts should be followed by those on home quarantine, because of exposure to a COVID-19 Patient. Guidance is found here: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/ hhsa/programs/phs/Epidemiology/ COVID-19%20Home%20

Quarantine%20Guidance.pdf

Unless otherwise authorized by this Order, or an applicable quarantine protocol incorporated into this Order, a person under quarantine may not come within 6 feet of any person, excluding a treating medi cal professional, a law enforcement officer enforcing this Order, a repre sentative of the Health Officer, any other person specifically authorized by the Health Officer, or a caretaker.

If you develop symptoms, please contact your medical provider. Signs and symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19 include cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, fatigue, fever or chills, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea orvomiting, or diarrhea. Based on guidance from your medical provider, you may need to isolate and get tested for COVID19. Public Health Officer’s Isolation Order is accessible through the following County webpage: https:// www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/ sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/community_epidemiology/dc/2019-nCoV/ health-order.html.

Violation of, or failure to comply with, this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment, fine, or both (California Health and Safety Code sections 120275 and 120295). This Order may be enforced by any law enforcement officer within an area subject to their jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing the spread of a contagious, infectious, or communicable disease (California Government Code sections 26602 and 41601, and California Health and Safety Code section 101029).

Photo: Elise Amendola/ AP

AUTHOR WENDY MCKINNEY’S INSPIRATIONAL “BUSY DOING WHAT?” BOOK SIGNING

By VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE

11 years in the making, Wendy McKinney’s book is finally finished and hitting the shelves. McKinney celebrated her book launch party for “BUSY DOING WHAT? Making Every Moment Count!” on February 9, 2023, which just so happened to be her birthday. The words in the title stand for the acronymn, “B.U.S.Y.”, as in “Believing Undeniably that Success is Yours”.

The event was held at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park, where Wendy was the Chief Development Officer. Wendy is a trusted leader in business, a co-pastor, and a mother and wife. She has mastered how to stay busy and be effective. Endorsed by leadership coach and author Ken Blanchard, in “Busy Doing What”, McKinney inspires her readers to live without regrets, reprioritize, and realize their dreams.

Friends, family, and loyal colleagues showed up not only to support her, but to also be inspired. The book launch included networking, a book signing and an interview conducted by Dr. Sheryl White, Senior Vice President of the Neighborhood House Association and host of the Leadership Matters radio show. During the interview, McKinney shared excerpts from several chapters, including anecdotal stories, real examples, and thoughts behind every word written.

“You are the artist of your own canvas, and you make the rules for your life,” Wendy says.

The book promises a chapter for everyone, because there’s always room for improvement in our lives. McKinney’s sage wisdom reminds all that it’s not too late to change the course of one’s life and achieve the success one desires.

“BUSY DOING WHAT? Making Every Moment Count!” is out now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Visit Wendy’s website at www.wendylmckinney.com for more information.

PHOTOS: Mike Norris

63rd Anniversary Gala of is a Triumph

Continued from cover

By Helen O’Field

From James Weldon Johnson’s Black National Anthem (“Lift every voice and sing”), to the Buffalo Soldiers Color Guard, to Carmelia “Toot” Bell, who brought down the house with a soulful rendition of Sam Cooke’s “Change is Going to Come”, to Dr. Warren’s moving prepared remarks, to the roll call of noble gala sponsors, to the adroit, insightful and touching comments of Mayor Todd Gloria, San Diego’s 37th and youngest mayor, to the who’s who roster of award winners, to Erisa Nicole, the cutest saxophone player ever; the audience was riveted from start to finish.

If you missed the above, well, there’s always next year. The stakes are high given the gala’s annual theme and the paper’s motto: A people without a voice cannot be heard. The story of America’s black press is nothing if not plucky, gutsy, rooted in the story of our nation and rife with writing and editing talent. Take West’s and Warren’s commemorative January issue about Martin Luther King, Jr.—it deserves a Pulitzer Prize, it’s that good, that wrenching, that historical; one for the ages.

This year, the Unsung Hero Award went to Chuck Ambers, college teacher, art history expert and founder/ curator of the Casa del Rey Moro African Museum. The Judicial Excellence Award ble Judge Roderick Shelton, impassioned about justice, youthful, and the first African American to be appointed to the California Superior Court. He thanked his wife of 25 years for her support.

The Publisher’s Award went to Regina Wilson, executive director of California Black Media (CBM), based in Sacramento. CBM is dedicated to advocating for AfricanAmerican-owned news outlets across California.

A trio of pastors received the Good Shepherd Award: Pastor Roland Slade, Meridian Southern Baptist Church; Pastor J. Linzie Whitmill, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church; and Pastor Nate Stewart, the youngest and now leader of Greater Life Baptist Church.

The Gerri Warren Humanitarian Award went to Gordon Brown for his decades of training countless children in the sport of golf, wherein they gain skills like concentration, coordination, goal-setting, patience and joy in the doing.

The Organizational Excellence Award went to the San Diego Community Foundation. Executive Director, Mark Stuart, accepted the award, which honored the foundation’s speedy and sensitive response to the community’s needs countywide, especially in the Age of Covid. Along the way, Dr. Warren praised other notables in the audience that night, including Nick Macchione, Director of San Diego County Health and Human Services; US Bank and Union Bank representatives Frank Robinson and Rockette Ewell; the Port of San Diego; and introduced his historian wife, Dolores Warren, whose biracial heritage led to her major contributions to the story of the Underground Railroad in New Jersey, including a stunning monument and recognition by the National You can see why nobody wanted to go home.

Lemon Grove Historical Society

Dr. John E. Warren, Voice & Viewpoint Publisher

PUBLISHER’S AWARDEE (right) Ms. Regina Willson, Executive Director, California Black Media

JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE AWARDEE (center) Judge Rod Shelton

UNSUNG HERO AWARDEE (left) Mr. Chuck Ambers, Casa Del Rey Moro African Museum

Instrumentalist, Erisa Nicole, electrified the crowd

Buffalo Soliders, at salute

Carmelia “Toot” Bell brought the house down with her soulful rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”

Left to Right: Voice & Viewpoint Managing Editor, Latanya West and Voice & Viewpoint Publisher, Dr. John E. Warren

PHOTOS: Mike Norris

Left to Right: Mark Stuart, President, The San Diego Foundation, Dr. Leonard Thompson, M.A.N.D.A.T.E. Records President & CEO, and Tim Stuart.

GERRI WARREN HUMANITARIAN AWARDEE (center) Mr. Gordon Brown, Sr. ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARDEE (2nd from left) The San Diego Foundation, President, Mark Stuart

THE GOOD SHEPHERD AWARDESS (left to right) Rev. J. Linzie Whitmill, Pastor Rolland Slade, and Pastor Nate Steward

Mayor Todd Gloria, addressing the assembled audience

Senior Resource Center Celebrates Black History Celebrates Black History

Over 150 guests attended the Four District Senior Resource Center’s (FDSRC) 17th Black History Celebration. This year’s theme, “In Partnership With You”, resonated throughout the event, from the marching of the Buffalo Soldiers, the deeply moving singing of the Negro National Anthem led by Ms. Carmelia Bell, to the poignant keynote address delivered by Rev. Dr. John Warren.

In addition to a great lunch, which obviously had been prepared with much love and care, the event was an occasion for the presentation of a number of awards. The Founders Award was presented to Dr. Charles R. Johnson; the

George L. Stevens Legacy Award went to Mr. William Glover; the Warren J. Simon Legacy Award went to Mr. Thomas Van, Chair of the FDSRC Board; the Community Service Award went to Mr. Winston L. Sloan, and the Social Advocate Equity Award went to Dr. Suzanne E. Afflalo, M.D. and Mrs. Samantha Williams, F,N.P JIREH Provider, Founder and CEO.

Many attendees wore beautiful African attire in celebration of Black History Month, which has become a part of the tradition of the celebration itself. There were a number of First Responders present as sponsors and participants. We extend appreciation and thanks to them.

Voice & Viewpoint Staff

PHOTOS: Courtesy of Wendy Shurelds, Tony Broyld, Suzanne Afflalo, MD., and Charos Lewis-Goodman

Our BLACK National Anthem Something That Everyone Should Know?

Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise

High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us, Facing the rising sun of our new day begun

Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,

Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears have been watered,

We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,

By James Weldon Johnson

God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, Our God, where we met Thee; Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand.

True to our GOD, True to our native land

FICTITIOUS

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on February 3, 2023

This fictitious business name will expire on February 3, 2028 2/23, 3/02, 3/09, 3/16

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT 2023-9003450

Fictitious business name(s): Creative Concepts Located at: 4851 73rd St. #3 La Mesa, CA 91942 County of San Diego

325 W. Washington St. #2308 San Diego, CA 92103 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above

This business is hereby registered by the following: Michelle Leon Von Quilich 4851 73rd. St. #3 La Mesa, CA 91942

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on February 14, 2023

This fictitious business name will expire on February 14, 2028 2/23, 3/02, 3/09, 3/16

FICTITIOUS

This business is hereby registered by the following: Lidia Kidane Abraha 5389 Santa Margarita St. #26 San Diego, CA 92114

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on January 24, 2023

This fictitious business name will expire on January 24, 2028 2/02, 2/09, 2/16, 2/23

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2023-9001646

Fictitious business name(s): So-Cal Solid Transportation Located at: 1490 Oro Vista Rd. #96 San Diego, CA 92154 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above

This business is hereby registered by the following: So-Cal Solid Transportation 1490 Oro Vista Rd. #96 San Diego, CA 92154

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on January 24, 2023

This fictitious business name will expire on January 24, 2028 2/02, 2/09, 2/16, 2/23

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2022-9027951

Fictitious

PROPOSED

Ray Wood THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition

without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: April 3, 2023

Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61

(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree

Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order

Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree

Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order

Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date

Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.

The address of the court is:

330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101

2/23, 3/02, 3/09, 3/16

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA

County of San Diego

330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101

Central Division Hall of Justice

37-2023-00006835-

CU-PT-CTL Petitioner or Attorney:

Joseph Wyatt Martinez

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner

Joseph Wyatt Martinez filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME:

Joseph Wyatt Martinez

PROPOSED NAME:

Joseph Wyatt Wood

COURT ORDERS that

why the petition for change of name should not be granted.

Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: April 3, 2023 Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61

(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree

Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order

Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date

Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.

The address of the court is: 330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 2/23, 3/02, 3/09, 3/16

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA County of San Diego 330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Hall of Justice Courthouse 37-2023-00005415CU-PT-CTL

minor child filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME:

Moses Ojulu Gezhgn

AKA

Moses Ojulu Gezahegn

PROPOSED NAME:

Moses Ojulu Gezahegn

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted.

Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: March 23, 2023

Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61

The address of the court is: 330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101

(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree

Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date

Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.

The address of the court is:

330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 2/16, 2/23, 3/02, 3/09

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA County of San Diego

330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101

Hall of Justice Courthouse 37-2023-00005420CU-PT-CTL

Petitioner or Attorney: Misipa Ojulu Gezhgn

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Misipa Ojulu Gezhgn filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME:

Misipa Ojulu Gezhgn

PROPOSED NAME:

Mizpah Ojulu Gezahegn

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

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: March 23, 2023

Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61

The address of the court is:

330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101

(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order

Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date

Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.

The address of the court is:

330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 2/16, 2/23, 3/02, 3/09

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA County of San Diego 325 South Melrose Dr. Vista, CA 92081 Superior Court North County Division 37-2023-00004179CU-PT-NC Petitioner or Attorney: Scott Alan McDonald Jr

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Scott Alan McDonald Jr filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

a. PRESENT NAME: Scott Alan McDonald Jr

PROPOSED NAME: Scott Alan Thora

b. PRESENT NAME: Alexandria Marie Geisler

PROPOSED

NAME: Alexandria Marie Thora

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

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: March 21, 2023 Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 25

The address of the court is: 325 South Melrose Dr. Vista, CA 92081

(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date

Any Petition for the name change of a

Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.

The address of the court is:

325 South Melrose Dr. Vista, CA 92081 2/09, 2/16, 2/23, 3/02

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA County of San Diego 330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Central Division Hall of Justice 37-2023-00005196CU-PT-CTL Petitioner or Attorney: Devika Prasanth Kumar

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Devika Prasanth Kumar filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME: Devika Prasanth Kumar

PROPOSED

NAME: Devika Prasanth

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

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: March 22, 2023

Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61

(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of

Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree

Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order

Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree

Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order

Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name

Notice

under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date

Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.

The address of the court is: 330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 2/09, 2/16, 2/23, 3/02

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA County of San Diego 330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Hall of Justice 37-2023-00004436CU-PT-CTL

Petitioner or Attorney: Farishta Abdul Latif

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Farishta Abdul Latif filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME: Farishta Abdul Latif

PROPOSED NAME: Farishta Latif

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

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: March 16, 2023

Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61

(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree

Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order

Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.

The address of the court is: 330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 2/09, 2/16, 2/23, 3/02

PUBLISH YOUR FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME WITH US TODAY!

You have 30 days from your filing date to publish with us.

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA

County of San Diego

325 S. Melrose Dr. Vista, CA 92081

37-2023-00004868CU-PT-NC

Petitioner or Attorney:

Vijayendrasinh Rathod

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner

Vijayendrasinh Rathod and Nimishaben V Rathod filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME:

Vhridhaansh Rathod

PROPOSED NAME: Vhridhansh Rathod

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted.

Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: March 21, 2023

Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 25

The address of the court is: 325 S. Melrose Dr. Vista, CA 92081

To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree

Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order

Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree

Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order

Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST

a future hearing date

Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court. The address of the court is: 325 S. Melrose Dr. Vista, CA 92081 2/09, 2/16, 2/23, 3/02

SUMMONS

AL DEMANDADO (Nombre): Rudy Borjas

Case number: 22FL012038C

You have been sued. Read the information below and on the next page. Lo han demandado. Lea la información a continuación y en la página siguiente.

Petitioner's name is: Nombre del demandante: Brenda Borjas

You have 30 calendar days after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-120) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter, phone call, or court appearance will not protect you.

If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your marriage or domestic partnership, your property, and custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs.

For legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. Get help finding a lawyer at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courts.ca.gov/selfhelp), at the California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpca.org) or by contacting your local county bar association.

NOTICE-RESTRAINING

ORDERS ARE ON PAGE 2:

These restraining orders are effective against both spouses o domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgment is entered, or the court makes further orders. They are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them.

FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party.

Tiene 30 días de calendario después de haber recibido la entrega legal de esta Citación y Petición para presentar una Respuesta (formulario FL120) ante la corte y efectuar la entrega legal de una copia al demandante. Una carta o llamada telefónica o una audiencia de la corte no basta para protegerlo.

Si no presenta su Respuesta atiempo, la corte puede dar órdenes que afecten su matrimonio o pareja de hecho, sus bienes y la custodia de sus hijos. La corte también le puede ordenar que pague manutención, y honorarios y costos legales.

Para asesoramiento legal, póngase en contacto de inmediato con un abogado. Puede obtener información para encontrar un abogado en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en el sitio web de los Servicios

Legales de California (www.lawhelpca.org) oponiéndose en contacto con el colegio de abogados de su condado.

AVISO—LAS ÓRDENES DE RESTRICCIÓN SE

ENCUENTRAN EN LA

PÁGINA 2: Las órdenes de restricción están en vigencia en cuanto a ambos cónyuges o miembros de la pareja de hecho hasta que se despida la petición, se emita un fallo o la corte dé otras órdenes. Cualquier agencia del orden público que haya recibido o visto una copia de estas órdenes puede hacerlas acatar en cualquier lugar de California.

EXENCIÓN DE CUOTAS:

Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al

secretario un formulario de exención de cuotas. La corte puede ordenar que usted pague, ya sea en parte o por completo, las cuotas y costos de la corte previamente exentos a petición de usted o de la otra parte. The name and address of the court are (El nombre y dirección de la corte son): Superior Court of California, County of San Diego Central Division, Central Courthouse, 1100 Union St., San Diego, CA 92101

The name, address and telephone number of the petitioner's attorney, or the petitioner without an attorney, are: (El nombre, dirección y número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante si no tiene abogado, son): Brenda Borjas

4544 Altadena Ave. Apt. 9 San Diego, CA 92115 (949) 763 0864

Date (Fecha): October 13, 2022

Clerk, by (Secretario, por)

M.Abad, Deputy (Asistente)

STANDARD FAMILY LAW

RESTRAINING ORDERS

Starting immediately, you and your spouse or domestic partner are restrained from:

1. removing the minor children of the parties from the state or applying for a new or replacement passport for those minor children without the prior written consent of the other party or an order of the court;

2. cashing, borrowing against, canceling, transferring, disposing of, or changing the beneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health, automobile, and disability, held for the benefit of the parties and their minor children;

3. transferring, encumbering, hypothecating, concealing, or in any way disposing of any property, real or personal, whether community, quasicommunity, or separate, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court, except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life; and

4. creating a nonprobate transfer or modifying a nonprobate transfer in a manner that affects the disposition of property subject to the transfer, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court. Before revocation of a nonprobate transfer can take effect or a right of survivorship to property can be eliminated, notice of the change must be filed and served on the other party.

You must notify each other of any proposed extraordinary expenditures at least five business days prior to incurring these extraordinary expenditures and account to the court for all extraordinary expenditures made after these restraining orders are effective. However, you may use community property, quasi-community property, or your own separate property to pay an attorney to help you or to pay court costs.

NOTICE—ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE: Do you or someone in your household need affordable health insurance? If so, you should apply for Covered California. Covered California can help reduce the cost you pay towards high quality affordable health care. For more information, visit www.coveredca.com. Or call Covered California at 1-800-300-1506.

WARNING—IMPORTANT INFORMATION California law provides that, for purposes of division of property upon dissolution of a marriage or domestic partnership or upon legal separation, property acquired by the parties during marriage or domestic partnership in joint form is presumed to be community property. If either party to this action should die before the jointly held community property is divided, the language in the deed that characterizes how title is held (i.e., joint tenancy, tenants in common, or community property) will be controlling, and not the community property presumption. You should consult your attorney if you want the community property presumption to be written into the recorded title to the property.

ÓRDENES DE RESTRICCIÓN ESTÁNDAR DE DERECHO FAMILIAR

En forma inmediata, usted y su cónyuge o pareja de hecho tienen prohibido:

1. llevarse del estado de California a los hijos menores de las partes, o solicitar un pasaporte nuevo o de repuesto para los hijos menores, sin el consentimiento previo por escrito de la otra parte o sin una orden de la corte;

2. cobrar, pedir prestado, cancelar, transferir, deshacerse o cambiar el nombre de los beneficiarios de cualquier seguro u otro tipo de cobertura, como de vida, salud, vehículo y discapacidad, que tenga como beneficiario(s) a las partes y su(s) hijo(s) menor(es);

3. transferir, gravar, hipotecar, ocultar o deshacerse de cualquier manera de cualquier propiedad, inmueble o personal, ya sea comunitaria, cuasicomunitaria o separada, sin el consentimiento escrito de la otra parte o una orden de la corte, excepto en el curso habitual de actividades personales y comerciales o para satisfacer las necesidades de la vida; y

4. crear o modificar una transferencia no testamentaria de manera que afecte la asignación de una propiedad sujeta a transferencia, sin el consentimiento por escrito de la otra parte o una orden de la corte. Antes de que se pueda eliminar la revocación de una transferencia no testamentaria, se debe presentar ante la corte un aviso del cambio y hacer una entrega legal de dicho aviso a la otra parte.

Cada parte tiene que notificar a la otra sobre cualquier gasto extraordinario propuesto por lo menos cinco días hábiles antes de realizarlo, y rendir cuenta a la corte de todos los gastos extraordinarios realizados después de que estas órdenes de restricción hayan entrado en vigencia. No obstante, puede usar propiedad comunitaria, cuasicomunitaria o suya separada para pagar a un abogado que lo ayude o para pagar los costos de la corte.

AVISO—ACCESO A SEGURO DE SALUD MÁS

ECONÓMICO: ¿Necesita seguro de salud a un costo asequible, ya sea para usted o alguien en su hogar? Si es así, puede presentar una solicitud con Covered California. Covered California lo puede ayudar a reducir el costo que paga por seguro de salud asequible y de alta calidad. Para obtener más información, visite www.coveredca.com. O llame a Covered California al 1-800-300-0213.

ADVERTENCIAINFORMACIÓN

IMPORTANTE De acuerdo a la ley de California, las propiedades adquiridas por las partes durante su matrimonio o pareja de hecho en forma conjunta se consideran propiedad comunitaria para fines de la división de bienes que ocurre cuando se produce una disolución o separación legal del matrimonio o pareja de hecho. Si cualquiera de las partes de este caso llega a fallecer antes de que se divida la propiedad comunitaria de tenencia conjunta, el destino de la misma quedará determinado por las cláusulas de la escritura correspondiente que describen su tenencia (por ej., tenencia conjunta, tenencia en común o propiedad comunitaria) y no por la presunción de propiedad comunitaria. Si quiere que la presunción comunitaria quede registrada en la escritura de la propiedad, debería consultar con un abogado 2/02, 2/09, 2/16, 2/23

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Earl Johnson Quarles 37-2022-00047483-PR-LACTL

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of Earl Johnson Quarles

A Petition for Probate has been filed by Denise Quarles in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego

The Petition for Probate

requests that Denise Quarles be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act.

(This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: on March 2, 2023 at 1:00 PM in Department 504 located at the Superior Court of California County of San Diego 1100 Union Street San Diego, CA 92101 Probate Division

If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a REQUEST FOR SPECIAL NOTICE (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A REQUEST FOR SPECIAL NOTICE form is available from the court clerk.

Petitioner:

BLACK HISTORY

1923

MURIEL BURRELL SMITH WAS BORN Muriel Burrell Smith, an international singer, was born on February 23, 1923, in Harlem, New York City. At age 14, Muriel got an artistic boost when she appeared on e Major Bowes Amateur Hour which.

In 1939, Smith was admitted for study to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a private conservatory for some of the world’s most talented young musicians. Smith was the rst African American to study at Curtis where no tuition is charged for students enrolled in the institution.

Smith made her debut on Broadway in December 1943 in the title role of Carmen Jones, a version of Bizet’s Carmen with an African American cast. Smith performed in the play for 14 months while she was still a student at Curtis.

1949

LARRY DEMPS OF THE DRAMATICS WAS BORN e Soul-funk R&B ensemble, known as the Dramatics and formed in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan, began as the Dynamics, a vocal sextet. e original members included Ron Banks born on May 10, 1951, Cleveland Larry Reed, born on October 17, 1948; and Robert Ellington, born on May 15, 1964. A year later, the other members joining were Elbert Wilkins, born May 1, 1947; Larry Demps, born February 23, 1949, Lenny Mayes, born April 5, 1952, and William Franklin Howard, born on July 13, 1950. Willie Ford Jr. was born July 10, 1950, and Rod Davis was born on December 4, 1946.

In the 1970s, the Dramatics experienced a string of hits that included “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get”(1971) o the album In the Rain, their single “In the Rain,” hit “Hey, You! Get O My Mountain,” and “Be My Girl.”

ARTICLE CONTINUATION

HEALTHCARE

continued from page 8

Though deaths are down significantly from their peak in January 2021, older adults and people with underlying health problems remain more susceptible to serious cases of COVID-19. Because of that, some medical professionals believe the vaccine mandate should continue at nursing homes and hospitals.

“ is is an important requirement,’’ said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. “Not only does it protect the health care worker themself, but it also protects the patients.’’ Nationwide, about 5% of the over 15,000 nursing homes caring for Medicare or Medicaid patients have been cited for violating the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and about 2% of the 4,900 hospitals, according to the AP’s analysis. But those citations haven’t been evenly spread among states and occurred less o en during the latter half of 2022.

Twenty-four states cited no hospitals for COVID-19 vaccination violations. Deficiency citations reported to CMS are categorized by code numbers. For nursing homes, violations of the COVID-19 staff vaccination requirements are listed as F0888 deficiencies. For hospitals, those violations are listed as A0792 deficiencies. California is one of the five states with the greatest number of nursing homes cited for such deficiencies: Michigan, 66; Pennsylvania, 64; California, 59; Illinois, 55; and Louisiana, 50.

Big Business

continued from page 3

If current e orts to protect present and future generations are not realized, African Americans will continue to pay the disproportionate price of death and disease for generations to come.

A NEW ROAD FORWARD

by mail of

In 2021 the AATCLC was joined by the Action on Smoking and Health, the American Medical Association, and the National Medical Association when we sued the FDA to compel them to take menthol off the U.S. market. Imagine our nation’s medical doctors joining with us to sue our own government to take these deadly addictive products off the market. This August, the FDA is slated to make a final ruling to take all menthol and flavored products off the market. Now is the time to take a stand and be a part of the solution: Stop taking tobacco industry money.

Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church

Eagles Nest Christian Center

CAN NOW EXPERIENCE EAGLE’S NEST TEACHINGS ON YOUTUBE!

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.

“We are waiting for You”

Washington “Remawn”

Washington Waddell, better known as “Remawn,” was born on February 3, 1972, in San Diego, California to Washington Waddell and Diane Waddell. He was the oldest of two children. Remawn was raised in San Diego and he attended Holmes Elementary, Albert Einstein Middle, and Madison High School. In 1995, he graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration.

Remawn accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He was baptized at Mount Sinai Baptist Church. In his young years, Remawn would attend church and sit on his grandmother’s lap and enjoy the services. He was a God-fearing man. His legacy includes his motto “Choose to be Blessed.”

Remawn held many honors and awards. As a teacher’s assistant for San Diego Unified School District, he tutored students who were at risk academically. He was also a math tutor for students attending SDSU. He received the honor of being a San Diego Chapter LINKS Achiever. He volunteered on many community service projects.

After graduating from SDSU, he began his career at COX Communications. He worked his way up to Lead and later Team Manager. He enjoyed being a Digital Telephone Manager at the Customer Care Center.

In 1997, Remawn was blessed with a baby girl, Jaslyn Waddell. He devoted his life to his daughter Jaslyn. Remawn loved and cherished his daughter and family. Remawn was also a die-hard Chargers fan. Remawn was called home to be with our Heavenly Father on Friday, January 27, 2023. To celebrate and honor the life he lived, Remawn leaves one daughter, Jaslyn Waddell; his mother Diane Waddell; sister Diane (Dee Dee) Waddell; and two nephews Noah and Jaceyon. He also leaves a host of other relatives and many, many treasured friends.

Bruce Ellis Michael L.

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL MORTUARY

Funeral Services were held on February 15, 2023. Final arrangements were entrusted to Preferred Cremation & Burial Mortuary.

Bruce Ellis Barron was born on January 5, 1969, to Helen Jean Pugh and Alex Barron, Jr. of Humboldt, Tennessee.

Bruce began his education at Thomas Elementary School and later attended Carbondale High School, where he was enrolled in honor classes. He loved learning.

After graduating Bruce began his career at Nutrition Headquarters in Carbondale, Illinois. He moved on to Budweiser Beer Company but found his passion when he moved to San Diego, California in 1997. Soon after his arrival in San Diego, he started working for Bioserv Corporation as a Material Associate III where he worked for 14 years.

He was a bright and talented shining star at home, work, and in his community. He was kind and caring and always made time to help others whether it was through conversation, a meal or financial help.

Bruce loved to cook and often made meals for those in need – family, friends and strangers alike. Once you met Bruce you became like family to him. He would see a need and do his best to facilitate or help to guide those he helped on the right path to find the answers they sought.

On January 19, 2023, at age 54, Bruce heard the voice of the Lord and went home. He will truly be missed and remembered for the great person that he was.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, his brother James Pugh, and niece Leteisha Pugh. He is survived by his wife; Bobbie Barron; children, Jalessia Winston, Bruce Barron, Jr. Jason Dentmon, and Brittney Fair; siblings, Augusta Barron of Detroit, MI, Charles Pugh Jr., Mary (Pugh) Lyes and Terry Lyes (spouse), Ray Pugh, David Barron; and a host of other family and loved ones: Kimberly Rivers (sister-in-law,) Travis Biglow and Mona Biglow (brother-in-law and sisterin-law,) Rita Rivers (sister-in-law,) and many nephews and nieces. The family of Bruce Barron extends warm and grateful expressions to all who prayed, called and showed love during this difficult time. Your thoughtfulness is truly appreciated and has helped to ease their grief.

Sakaria Muhammad

SUNRISE 09/13/1938

SUNSET 02/02/2023

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL MORTUARY

Funeral Services were held on February 14, 2023. Final arrangements were entrusted to Preferred Cremation & Burial Mortuary.

In the Name of Allah The Beneficent The Merciful.

Sister Sakaria Muhammad was born on September 13, 1938, to Mitchella Frizzell and Nathaniel Cargill in Birmingham, Alabama. From a very young age, Sakaria Muhammad was always inquisitive, she liked to ask questions concerning the well-being of her people. Her mother enrolled her in Catholic school where she would make inquiries to her instructors, like, “Why aren’t there any black angels or black people portrayed in the Bible?” and make statements like, “I know that God loves us too.”

At a young age, Sister Sakaria left her hometown seeking to make a change, which led her to work with Huey P. Newton and some of the other founding members of the Black Panther Party, before they were widely known. Soon after, Brother Jabril Muhammad (formerly known as Bernard Cushmeer) invited her to hear Malcolm X speak at a venue in San Francisco. That led her to the Nation of Islam where she stood up and became a registered believer of the Nation of Islam in 1965, San Francisco Temple #26.

By the early 1970s, she was already an accomplished loving wife and mother who cared for her family very deeply. She taught us all how to love which came straight from her heart. She also taught Islam to her children and family.

When the Nation of Islam fell in 1975, she and her family left the Temple but continued to practice the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad. By 1978 she knew and understood that the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan was the one to rebuild the Nation of Islam and the work of The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and thus, with his permission, worked hard in the rebuilding of the N.O.I. in San Diego from the late 1970s through the 90s. She became the local M.G.T. Captain of the women in the Nation of Islam.

Sister Sakaria Muhammad knew how to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Even when she was feeling down, her spirits were always bright. Bringing so much joy and sunshine to the hearts and souls to all whom Allah had blessed to get to know her.

Allah blessed Sister Sakaria Muhammad, she had the Spirit of a True Follower and True Believer! She passed February 2, 2023, and is survived by many family and friends who loved, cherished, adored, and cared for her dearly!

May Allah be pleased.

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL MORTUARY

Funeral Services were held on February 16, 2023, at North Park Apostolic Church.

Final arrangements were entrusted to Preferred Cremation & Burial Mortuary.

Michael Labaron James was born September 3, 1954, in Mobile, Alabama. He was the eldest of four children. Born to Julia Hunter and Johnnie Longmire. His father preceded him in death.

Michael graduated from W. P. Davidson High School in 1972. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps right after graduating high school. After he completed his term in the Marine Corps, in 1975, he moved to San Diego to start a new life. He began working with the “Brother House” in Little Africa. He was given the name Sadiki Mumina, which means trustworthy, faithful, and one who completes what he starts. Michael was an advocate in the community for brotherly love. From 1979 to 1980 he worked as a teaching assistant at Gompers High School, teaching and assisting with Chemistry, English and Math classes. Michael was enrolled at City College taking courses to become a psychologist, but God had other plans for him.

On March 27, 1982, Michael married the love of his life, Carol Denise Braxton. They were blessed with four beautiful, amazing children: Fadila James, Fikira James, Hashimu James and Haki James.

In 1982 Michel started his own business, Doc’s Tree Service and Landscaping. He was well known throughout the National City area delivering mulch to beautify the communities in San Diego.

Michael always tried to inspire others to do their best. In 1994, Michael worked under the leadership of Mother Winne, Mother Florence Holmes and Mother Opal West in helping the less fortunate. They prepared hot meals for the homeless and provided several needed items to help. In 1995, Michael became a member of the Greater Israelite Church of God in Christ under the leadership and watchful care of the late Pastor Harvey W. Jessie.

In later years, Michael was the drill instructor for the Joy Express Drill team and later became president of the organization.

Elder Michael James transitioned from labor to reward on January 30, 2023. He leaves to cherish his legacy and memory his loving wife of 41 years, Carol (Sweets), and a host of loving and supportive family, extended relatives, and friends.

So with you: Now is your time of grief, but will see you again and you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22 (NIV)

“

Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.