Vol. 64 No.16 Thursday, April 18, 2024

New Report Deems UCSD ‘Deficient’ in Combating Antisemitism

appropriations. See

of Black applicants being rejected.

April is National Fair Housing Month. In observance of it, the CRD and housing advocacy organizations across the state are highlighting fair housing practices and Black home ownership.

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) won a $10,000 fair housing settlement last November against a property management company, CIM Group LP, a global real estate company headquartered in Los Angeles, and property owner, RACR Sora, LLC, for implementing a blanket ban on renting to tenants with criminal histories at Sora Apartments in Inglewood. That illegal policy led to a number

Three months earlier, the department, which enforces California’s civil rights laws, won another $20,000 civil rights settlement against a Lemon Grove property manager, who had targeted a Black tenant with a series of racist actions and threats of violence.

CRD Director Kevin Kish said the department investigates cases of apparent racial bias in housing and sometimes more subtle acts of prejudice like nuisance-free or crime-free housing policies or holding tenants to different standards based on their race.

See HOMEOWNERSHIP page 2

Geisel Library, a famous landmark of UC San Diego, was vandalized with swastikas in May 2022. PHOTO: Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego

IMAGE: bunchecenter.ucla.edu CLTRE Keeper Program Director Ashley Garner speaking to audience. PHOTO: Courtesy of CBM

PHOTO: Courtesy of CBM

ARTICLE CONTINUATION

HIGHLIGHTS

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Budget Process

The annual operating budget is developed in conjunction with the Mayor, City Council, City departments, Independent Budget Analyst, and the public. The Budget Development Process consists of three main phases: Budget Development, Budget Review, and Budget Adoption.

The Budget Development phase began with the Fiscal Year 2025-2029 Five-Year Financial

CONFERENCE

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The attendees were welcomed by UCLA Chancellor Dr. Gene D. Block, Dr. Lorrie Frasure, Director, UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies, and CLBC Chair Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City).

The report, presented by Dr. Michael Stoll, Professor & Faculty Director of the Black Policy Project, paints a complex picture: While Black Californians have seen modest socioeconomic gains over the past two decades, a significant racial gap compared to White residents persists. The 2024 report builds on the original State of Black California report published in 2007.

Report Details Mixed Progress

The report utilizes an “Equality Index” to show

Antisemitism

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UCSD has faced enormous challenges addressing student concerns since the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel. Tensions continue to rise on campus as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish students demonstrate different perspectives on the war. In March, SJP organized the largest march in UCSD history calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, which attracted over 2 thousand demonstrators. Jewish faculty and students continuously approach the Associated Student Council (ASC), asking them to take action, saying they feel unsafe and alienated on campus.

While SJP faces some controversy on other campuses across the country, Tazheen Nizram, Executive Director of the Council for American Islamic Relations in San Diego, says it’s a false equivalency to conflate pro-Palestinian activity with antisemitic activity.

HOMEOWNERSHIP

Outlook (Outlook) in the Fall of 2023, which is prepared each year as a long-range fiscal planning guide and serves as the framework for the development of the Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget for the General Fund. The Outlook projected a Fiscal Year 2025 General Fund baseline deficit of $136.8 million. City departments submitted budget requests and operational efficiency reductions to the Department of Finance in January 2024, which City Management analyzed, reviewed, and prioritized in February 2024 and presented to the Mayor in March 2024 for further evaluation, discussion, and approval.

During the Budget Review phase, the City Council will hold a series of public meetings

a 21.7% improvement in Black Californians’ outcomes. However, this progress is overshadowed by the fact that Black Californians still have the lowest index score among all racial groups, lagging 30% behind White Californians.

There were some bright spots. Education showed the most significant improvement, likely due to policies that expanded access to universities. Criminal justice reforms also had a positive impact.

Challenges Remain, Particularly Housing

A concerning trend highlighted in the report is the shrinking Black population in California, down from 2.2 million to 2.1 million. High housing costs are pushing Black residents out of urban centers, with only the Inland Empire and Sacramento show -

“Our job as activists and community members has become educating citizens on the difference between being antisemitic and critiquing a foreign government,” she said.

The ADL report cites several incidents of antisemitism in the last two years as a factor in the score, including swastika vandalism, verbal harassment and the Associated Student Council (ASC) refusing to apologize for endorsing a letter which referred to Israel as an “apartheid state.” The ASC publicly condemned antisemitism in the following month, but only approved the motion after removing an apology for the endorsement of the letter.

“The University of California unequivocally condemns antisemitism in all its forms. We are alarmed by the disturbing uptick in antisemitism nationwide and locally, and by the pain it inflicts on students, faculty, staff, and others across the UC system,” said a spokesperson for the University of California. The UC listed several actions it has taken to combat hate,

in April and May 2024 to obtain the public’s input on spending priorities. The Mayor and City Council use the information presented to recommend changes to the Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget through the Mayor’s May Revision and City Council modifications. The City Council will modify and adopt the budget in June 2024, which is then enacted into law via the Appropriation Ordinance.

General Fund Overview

Departments within the General Fund provide core community services such as public safety (including police/fire protection and life safety), parks and recreation, library services, and refuse

ing growth. Homeownership among Black Californians has also declined, while rents have risen significantly.

Conference Tackles Pressing Issues

The conference addressed these challenges through a series of panel discussions. Participants in the panels included members of the CLBC, local and state officials, community leaders, and academics. Topics included:

• Community solutions to Los Angeles’ challenges, featuring local leaders.

• A conversation with Los Angeles City Mayor Karen Bass on her efforts to promote equity.

• The intersection of artificial intelligence and its impact on Black Californians.

including increasing funding allocated towards battling discrimination, launching a systemwide Office of Civil Rights and expanding their partnership with Hillel.

The report graded 85 universities across the country based on 21 criteria, which the ADL sorted into three categories: administrative action and policies, incidents on campus and Jewish student life on campus. Colleges were asked to self-report which of these criteria they had fulfilled or pledged to fulfill by 2024, after which the ADL researched incidents on campus and campus policies. Then profiles of each school were written with input from campus representatives such as Chabad or Hillel directors.

“We hope UC San Diego will use [the Report Card] as an additional tool in their efforts to address campus antisemitism and look forward to working with them and other partners to improve their grade,” ADL San Diego told the Voice & Viewpoint.

collection, as well as vital support functions such as finance, legal and human resources. These core services are primarily supported by major revenue sources that include property tax, sales tax, transient occupancy tax, and franchise fees. These four major General Fund revenue sources account for $1.5 billion, or 72.0 percent, of the revenue in the Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget.

For more information on Mayor Gloria’s Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget, and for a copy of the report, visit www.sandiego.gov/finance/ proposed.

We will be discussing the City’s proposed cuts in the weeks ahead.

• Legislative solutions with members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).

• California’s leadership in reparations and its potential for national reconciliation. Secretary of State, Dr. Shirley Weber, author of California Assembly Bill 3121 that established the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans was a participant.

The conference also provided opportunities for attendees to engage in meaningful dialogue and brainstorm solutions through breakout sessions on topics like civic engagement, criminal justice, and education.

More about the conference can be found at the event website — (https://sobc2024.com/ #homepage)

In California, the highest grade given to a school was a ‘C’ held by University of Southern California. Across the country, the only schools to receive ‘A’ grades were Brandeis University in Massachusetts and Elon University in North Carolina. 76 percent of schools graded received a ‘C’ grade or lower.

If you have been a victim of a hate crime or hate incident, the San Diego County District Attorney’s office can help. Visit sdcda.org/ helping/hate-crimes to fill out an online form, call your local police department, email hatecrimes@sdcda.org or call (619) 515-8805.

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate.org/.

“You see no crime ordinances used in a discriminatory way,” he explained. “People will get evicted if they call the police. This can negatively impact victims of domestic violence. We

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Earlier this month, the Assembly Committee on Health voted 12 to 2 to advance Assembly Bill (AB) 2319, the California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act, legislation crafted to address the high infant mortality among Black women.

Opposing that decision last week, a person claiming to be a member of two racist, White Supremacist organizations sent a letter to the office of Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). Wilson, Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), is the author of AB 2319.

“I submit this letter in strong and vehement opposition of AB 2319,” the letter obtained by California Black Media stated. “We believe that every non-White birth in this state is a drain on the taxpayers and that any miscarriage or complication that results in death or defect of the mother, or the child, is God’s way of ensuring population control among Blacks and other minorities.”

Wilson said she and her staff were shocked by the raw hatred expressed in the letter.

“The recent racist opposition to our efforts to secure equitable health care for every Californian is not only offensive but deeply concerning,” stated Wilson. “As the Chair

also see these no crime ordinances, or no crime policies, used in racially discriminatory ways. If there is some kind of incident, and the police are called and it involves a Black family, then they get evicted, but other folks aren’t necessarily evicted.”

April 11 marked the 56th anniversary of

of the California Legislative Black Caucus, I unequivocally condemn these views, which are steeped in hate and ignorance. The language used in this letter is not only disgraceful but dangerous and has no place in our society or legislative discourse. I want to make it unequivocally clear: there is no place for hate in California.”

Wilson said she and other colleagues opposed to bigotry — including Republican members, who have also condemned the letter — “are committed to moving forward together, ensuring that our legislative efforts embody our unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the safeguarding of human rights for everyone.”

California Assembly Passes Bill to End Digital Discrimination

On April 10, the California Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee voted to approve Assembly Bill (AB) 2239 after a hearing at the State Capitol.

The bill that aims to close the digital divide for low-income residents in the state.

Authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), the legislation calls for prohibiting internet service providers from implementing policies and practices that have a negative and unequal impact in low-income communities.

The bill, “addresses a critical issue in our dig-

President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, religion, and nationality. Johnson signed the act into law one week after civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

After more than half a century, Kish said

instances of biased housing practices still happen.“A lot has changed obviously,” he said. “Nobody is going to say the world that we live today is the world our grandparents and great-grandparents confronted, but some of what we see is exactly the same.”

Read the full story online at www.sdvoice.info.

ital age, ensuring equitable access to broadband internet services for all Californians,” Bonta said.

This law protects consumers from “digital discrimination of access” that disproportionately affects communities of color. The bill adopted rules from the Federal Communications Commission that defines “digital discrimination of access” as “policies or practices, not justified by genuine issues of technical or economic feasibility, that differentially impact consumers’ access to broadband internet access service based on their income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion, or national origin, or that are intended to have a differential impact.”

Bonta was backed by dozens of community-based organizations that are advocates for digital equity. More than 40 partners of the California Alliance for Digital Equity showed up to support AB 2239 at the hearing.

The bill, however, faced opposition from other community-based organizations. Opponents stated that the legislation would negatively affect small businesses and overlap with anti-discrimination laws that already exist.

Assemblymember Mia Bonta. PHOTO:CBM

THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL BUDGET AND YOU

By Dr. John E. Warren PUBLISHER, THE SAN DIEGO VOICE & VIEWPOINT

Last week, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria presented his Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. A summary highlight is presented starting on the front page of this issue. This budget contains a $473 million increase over last year with millions of dollars of cuts in order to balance it by final passage of the City Council. The issue for you and me as citizens is what will we say about where the cuts should be made to balance this budget.

One of the key steps in balancing the budget involves public input which will come in the form of a number of hearings and opportunities to object to some cuts or offer alternatives. Too often in the past, those who will be hurt the most are the least active in the speak up and speak out process. This year must be different. While the Mayor has expressed the protection of libraries, parks and recreation and the fight for more homeless shelters, cuts in some other areas important to community interest, such as citywide WiFi are on the chopping block.

The total budget is over 1500 pages, available on the internet and often available in libraries. This process will be completed by June so the time to look at the whole document is now.

Perhaps you can form small groups that will look at specific areas. You should also make sure that those who speak out on these cuts are themselves registered voters because those are the only opinions that really count. Above all, be prepared to talk to at least 5 members of the City Council because it takes five votes to make a change and don’t forget the Mayor is up for reelection in November as well.

This budget is bigger than personal interest, so many voices will be heard. The question is, will your voice and concerns be among them?

Black-Owned Media:

Key to A 2024 Biden-Harris Campaign Victory

By Charles Cantu and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.

President Joe Biden wouldn’t have won the 2020 presidential election without the Black vote. The 2024 national elections will be the most consequential elections in American history. The Black Press and the Black Vote will be determinative factors in the outcome of the elections this year.

Insider Intelligenc e predicts that campaigns will spend more than $12 billion on advertising during this election cycle, a new record. Dollar for dollar, the biggest ROI the Biden campaign can get is by advertising in Black-owned and -operated newspapers and media. Specifically, this means the Black Press—the more than 200 Blackowned newspapers and their respective websites. There are also more than 1000 other kinds of Black-owned media that include websites, podcasts, CTV channels, and radio stations.

Black Americans, such as criminal justice reform, economic empowerment and debt reform, overseas wars, and access to affordable, quality healthcare.

Historical Context: Black-owned newspapers have a rich history of advocating for civil rights and social justice. Advertising within these platforms reinforces Democratic commitment to equality and progress for all Americans.

Solidarity: Advertising in the Black Press sends a powerful message of unity. It shows that Democrats value Black voices and are committed to uplifting marginalized communities.

By Maya Mackey

[Two months] removed from Black History Month, I find myself pondering what Black Culture is, in modern times. There’s a running joke on X/Twitter that “we are losing recipes!” whenever young Black people (Gen Z) don’t know a Black classic, like a movie, song or “rule.” And while we mean no harm in teasing our younger kinfolk (cause you know, we’re all cousins), it does beg the question: Why are we losing recipes? And what recipes do we even want to keep?

As with all traditions in all cultures, it is up to the elders to pass down the rituals, food, language, and customs that identify a group. So, if your auntie, uncle, mom, and so on didn’t teach you how to play Spades, well, that’s a recipe lost. So what is bonding us in the present?

As racism against African Americans soared in the 50s and 60s, alongside it, a cultural movement of pride aimed to juxtapose it. “Black is beautiful” was a slogan, a campaign, and a mission in the 1960s and 1970s. Black people began to embrace, or rather, re-embrace their natural hair–sporting afros, braids or other non-chemically treated styles. James Brown upped the ante with his iconic song, “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud.” The 70s brought us Soul Train, a cultural mosaic of music, fashion, and the hottest dance moves to TV screens across America.

The 80s launched B.E.T., the first solo Blac- centered channel of relevance today. The 80s gave way to Black entertainers in particular, breaking color barriers and fighting to be “legitimized” by mainstream media.

When the 90s and 2000s came around Blackness was at the height of popularity (at least on TV). From “Martin” to “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Living Single.” followed “Girlfriends,” “The Parkers” and “One on One.”

Black people got to see themselves reflected on screen in di-

verse ways. Then the cultural pendulum swung back and Black people were sorely missing from programming in the first half of the 2010s.

Cord Jefferson, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of 2023’s “American Fiction”, gave rousing speeches both when he accepted his Academy Award and when he was later interviewed off-stage. He urged Hollywood to financially back more diverse, lower-budget films. It was a reasonable and much-needed ask. Yet, Black Twitter was divided today on whether Jefferson was perpetuating a culture war against “Hood Blacks” and “Suburban Blacks.”

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

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

This commentary first appeared in Inglewood Today.

It’s not just the Biden-Harris campaign. Democrats down the ticket and around the country will see immense advertising amplification by advertising in Blackowned media.

Here are a few of the unique qualities and advantages of advertising in Black-owned media.

Targeted Reach: Black-owned newspapers and websites have a dedicated readership within the African American community. By advertising there, Democrats will directly engage with a crucial voting bloc.

Increased Visibility Beyond Urban Centers: Advertising in the Black Press provides deeper visibility beyond the mainstream media. Moreover, national polls may not capture the diversity of Black communities among urban, suburban, and rural areas. Black-owned newspapers reach readers in small towns, big cities, and beyond.

Community Connections: These publications serve as vital sources of information for Black communities. The ad buy itself demonstrates that the candidate is doing more than paying lip service to Black issues.

From Polling to Policy: The Black Press plays a critical role in shaping public opinion within diverse Black communities. Advertising in Black-owned media will allow Democratic candidates to highlight specific policies that affect

Local leading to National Impact: The cliché that all politics is local happens to be true. Many Blackowned newspapers focus on local news and issues that then gain national attention.

WHY THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN SHOULD INVEST IN THE BLACK PRESS IS A CULTURAL SHIFT ON THE HORIZON?

Fighting Misinformation and Disinformation: Russia has already started intense election interference in the U.S. and other democracies facing 2024 elections, including websites masquerading as local news outlets. Blackowned newspapers are established and reputable within their communities.

Getting out the Black Vote: Recently, the DNC announced a historic Get-Out-the-Vote (GOTV) campaign in Nevada and South Carolina. These are paid ad campaigns. Directing media investment for such campaigns in the Black Press can increase turnout for this key voting bloc.

Battleground States: Black voters are influential in key battleground states. Advertising in the Black Press can help sway opinion and mobilize voters in critical regions.

The amount of money that advertisers of all sorts spend on Blackowned media comes nowhere close to that percentage.However, Democratic candidates shouldn’t advertise in the Black Press just because it’s the right thing to do. It’s also the smart thing to do.

Charles Cantu is the founder and CEO of RESET Digital, the first Black-owned DSP.

Dr. Benjamin Chavis is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA).

Dennis Earl

Thornton, Jr.

SUNRISE 11/08/1986

SUNSET 02/27/2024

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Dennis Earl Thornton Jr. was born on November 8, 1986, in San Diego, California, to the parents of Rachel Wofford and Dennis Earl Thornton, Sr. Dennis lived in San Diego for most of his life. Dennis also lived in Oceanside, California, for a short time. He started his educational journey at Reynolds Elementary School in Oceanside, CA. Later, he moved back to San Diego, CA. Dennis attended Audubon Elementary School, Keiller Middle School, and graduated from Eastlake High School with a 4.0 on the Honor Roll. Dennis was a bright student who excelled academically, gaining multiple achievement awards in math and other subjects. Dennis enjoyed learning and using numbers. He also valued forming genuine connections with people. His demeanor was open, loving, and inviting. It would not be unusual for him to strike up a conversation with a perfect stranger. His magical energy drew in others from diverse backgrounds of all ages, forming long lasting friendships. It is safe to say he was truly a people's person.

Dennis had various jobs throughout his life. He was ready to take on the next level, even sometimes settling for less. Dennis valued growth in life so much that his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish his own business, Dennis L. Thornton, LLC. This is where Dennis thrived based off a dream.

Dennis also valued his role as a father. His devotion, sacrifice, love, protection, and care for his children was exceptional. There is nothing he would not do for his children and leaves to cherish his memory, his two children with Tori Smith; Sanaya Thornton and Samaj Wilson. Dennis also valued family.

Dennis had a loving relationship with his Lord and Savior. He was baptized at an early age and was brought up in the church with his grandmother, Bobbie Wofford, who preceded him in death. Dennis also had a special bond with his grandfather, Raymond Wofford, who also has preceded him in death. Dennis was also preceded in death by his grandmother Christina Thornton, grandfather Raymond Thornton, uncle Ray Thornton, and his special uncle Matthew Thornton. He would always say, "Uncle Matthew Thornton was special." He was also preceded in death by his big cousin, Richard Thornton. Dennis passed away on February 27, 2024.

Dennis leaves to cherish his memories, mother Rachel Wofford, father Dennis Thornton, Sr., a special niece Keari Jones, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family and friends.

LaVion Anquan

Estridge

Joyce Mae

SUNRISE 11/15/1999 SUNSET 03/01/2024 Collins

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LaVion Anquan Estridge, 24 years old, of San Diego, California, passed away on March 1, 2024. LaVion was born on November 15, 1999, to Cora and Joseph in the bustling city of San Diego.

LaVion was a star in Pop Warner Football for the V.P. Hornets ages 7 through 14. He attended Lincoln High School, from 9th grade to 12th grade. After high school, LaVion found a career in the security field. He worked in the security field for 6 years. He enjoyed what he did to make a living.

LaVion was a kind hearted, loving, loyal, smart young man. He was a ladies man. He was a passionate young man, and inspired to be a fashion model/ designer. That man could dress to impress and put an outfit together and have everyone turning their heads to check him out. And that smile was out of this world.

LaVion loved the L.A. Lakers basketball team and the Las Vegas Raiders football team. He enjoyed playing video games and loved his dog Mason. He always said Mason was his son. LaVion enjoyed different forms of art, like tattoos and rap songs. He made a couple of rap songs himself. Most of all, LaVion loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed working out, watching sporting events, going to amusement parks, and the family BBQ's.

LaVion is survived by Mom and Dad; Cora and Julius, brothers and sister; Davion, Molesia, and Julius, Father Joseph and his children; Azhane, Lil Joseph, Joviyonna, Anisa, Kaiyana, Bonnie, Joshua, Clyde, and DaCodis, grandfathers; Donald Estridge and Julius Fuller, aunt and uncle; Daniella and Gabriel, cousins; Antonio and Marcus, and a slew of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and co-workers.

I get up every day and take a breath.

And start another day without you in it.

To honour you...

I laugh and love with those who knew your smile

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Joyce Mae Collins was born in Midland, Texas, on December 26, 1943, to Frank Williams and Johnnie-Mae Jenkins. Her mother died when she was 9 years old, and she and her sisters were adopted by their mother’s sister, Mrs. Peggy Williams of Vernon, Texas. Raised in Vernon, Joyce graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1962.

Joyce accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. As a young girl, Joyce joined and was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Vernon. As an adult, Joyce came under the watch-care of Pastor Ernest C. Brown at St. John Missionary Baptist Church (SJMBC) in Springfield, Ohio. While at SJMBC, she participated in a small group study of Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life. On July 12, 1963, Joyce married James E. Collins and embarked on a journey as a Military spouse, where she raised two sons at various locations around this country and the globe. She took great pride in being a military spouse and was formally recognized by the U.S. Air Force for her contributions to various base volunteer organizations. She enjoyed traveling and attending her son’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.

Joyce passed away on March 13, 2024.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; Frank Williams and Johnnie-Mae Jenkins, Peggy Williams, her two sisters; Mary L. Jones and Thelma Brown, and grandson Dennis-Michael.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband James of 60 years, two beloved sons; Shawn (Marife) and Erick (Sabrina), three sisters; Peggy Fulton and Almeda Griffin of Houston, Texas, and Judy Reese (Bennie) of Waxahachie, Texas, sisterin-law Doris Lynette Johnson (Jeffrey), grandchildren; Ebone’, Princeton, Reacel, Anthony, Adrian, Erick (Jazmin), Braylin, and RieNoel (Maricel), great-grandchildren; David-James, Evelynn Rae Marie, Remington, Taliyah-Elise Marie, and Shiloh, maternal brother and sisters; Marilyn Smith of Vernon, Texas, Leo Richardson, Arsenia Woodard, and Mary Baylock Stampline Richardson of Odessa, Texas, and Brenda Richardson of Midland, Texas, along with a whole host of loving nieces and nephews.

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Eugene Dent

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PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL

Eugene Dent Webb was born January 11, 1937, in Newton, Georgia, and peacefully departed this life on March 15, 2024. He was born to the union of Philip Smith Webb and Henry Mae Washington Webb. Eugene graduated from Newton’s East Baker High School in 1955. The following year he joined the US Navy.

In 1958, while stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, he married Viola Irene Hall, the love of his life. They were stationed at bases in Washington state and Okinawa, Japan, before making San Diego their home for over 48 years.

In 1961, before becoming parents themselves, Eugene and his young wife took on the responsibility of raising Viola's three younger siblings: Blanche, William and Richard. A few years later they were blessed with the births of a daughter (Eugenia) and a son (Reginald).

In 1973, Petty Officer Webb was assigned to Patrick AFB in Cocoa Beach, FL, and was instrumental in reviewing, overseeing, and implementing policies for race relations throughout the United States Military. Eugene dedicated over 20 years of his life in service to his country as a proud member of the United States Navy.

Eugene is preceded in death by his loving wife Viola, his darling daughter Eugenia, his parents, and four of his siblings.

He leaves to mourn his beloved son Reginald Webb (Debbie), a sister Rosalind McBride, his youngest brother Charles Webb (Corrine), granddaughter Chaunteal Webb-Candler, grandsons; Eugene Webb and Reginald Webb (Katherine), eleven great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews, family, and friends.

In his retirement years, Eugene continued to impact the lives of those around him in as many positive ways as possible, and he had a passion for lifelong learning. He leaves behind a multitude of fond memories and lives touched by his generosity and wisdom. Eugene Dent Webb will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Though he may no longer be with us in person, his spirit will live on in the hearts of those he touched. May he rest in eternal peace.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

To Honour You

By Connie F. Kiefer Byrd

To honour you...

I take the time to appreciate everyone I love, I know now there is no guarantee of days or hours spent in their presence.

To honour you...

And the way your eyes twinkled with mischief and secret knowledge.

I listen to music you would

have liked, And sing at the top of my lungs, with the windows rolled down

To honour you...

I take chances, say what I feel, hold nothing back, Risk making a fool of myself, dance every dance.

You were my light, my heart, my gift of love, from the very highest source.

So every day, I vow to make a difference, share a smile, live, laugh and love. Now I live for us both, so all I do, I do to honour you.

Mary Frances

Bradley-Owens

SUNRISE 10/09/1939

SUNSET 03/24/2024

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Mary Frances Bradley-Owens, great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, sister, auntie, mother-in-law, and beloved friend passed peacefully on March 24, 2024, at home in San Diego, California, surrounded by her five children and family.

Mary was born to Henry Hodges and Frances Calista Ussery Hodges on October 9, 1939, in Eldorado, Texas. She was the fifth daughter born to that union. While attending Blackshear High School, Mary met and married her high school sweetheart, Jake Bradley. Five children were born to that 25-year union. Several years later, she attended San Angelo Business College and became a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

Mary was baptized in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She served on many boards and commissions as a Lay Leader at 17th. Street Independent Methodist Episcopal Church and remarried during those years. With her spouse, Oliver Owens, she was a proud founding member of San Angelo Greater Independent Methodist Episcopal Church where she enjoyed singing in the choir, serving as Choir President and being active in various other roles in the church. She loved spending precious moments with her family and took delight in being a surrogate mother, opening up her heart and home to all. She welcomed the opportunity to raise her two nieces, Jacquelyn Collins-Powell and Veronica Collins as her own. Mary valued helping those who were in need of hope and healing – this led her to a career of over thirty years in nursing, many of which were at St. John’s Hospital in San Angelo, TX, as a Psychiatric Nurse. Mary was preceded in eternity by her parents; Henry and Frances Hodges, 4 sisters; Glenn Collins, Bertha Spears, Louisiana House, and Bennie Jo Perryman, spouses; Oliver Owens and Jake Bradley, goddaughter-niece Veronica Collins and her dear godmother & mentor, Queenie Crenshaw. She leaves to cherish her memory her five children who she dearly loved; Gregory Bradley (CA), Jakie Bradley (CA) (Elis Garcia Bradley), Sabra Bradley (CA), Julian Bradley (TX), and Monica Bradley (CA), one loving goddaughter-niece Jacquelyn Collins-Powell (MD), her precious grandchildren, adored great-grandchildren, treasured nieces and nephews, special cousin Mary Ussery-Chappell (TX), sister-in-law Maxine Bradley-Woods (AZ) and a host of relatives and friends.

Mary will be missed dearly but never forgotten. She will forever be in the hearts and minds of her loved ones.

Josephine

Murphy

SUNRISE 01/01/1931

SUNSET 03/22/2024

ARRANGEMENTS BY ANDERSON RAGSDALE MORTUARY

We celebrate the beautiful life of Josephine Murphy, affectionately known as "Jo", Mama Jo" and "Grammy Jo", was born on January 1, 1931 in Dallas, Texas. She was one of seven children born to Johnnie and Frankie Jackson. She accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. She attended Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas.

In 1950, Josephine married Willmon Murphy. In 1952, they moved to San Diego, California. As a wife, she shared a deep and enduring love with her spouse that was an inspiration to all who witnessed it. As husband and wife, they were the most elegant couple in the world. They traveled the world together – taking many trips. They knew how to enjoy life to the fullest. No children were born to this union. They were married for 56 years until Willmon's death in 2007. Josephine always kept God as the head of her life during her 17 years as a widow.

Josephine worked for Illinois Tool Works (ITW) for 10 years and General Dynamics for 10 years in the electronic field. Her dedication and willingness to go above and beyond were qualities that set her apart.

Josephine deeply cherished her love for God-Son Edward Griffith, GodDaughter Fernetta Gresham, Niece Glenda Murphy, and many others. As a Godmother, Josephine's love knew no bounds. She poured her heart and soul into teaching the values of kindness, integrity, and perseverance. Though she loved her God given children and family, she was a woman who knew what she wanted in life and demanded respect. She was a true boss to all and lived up to Frank Sinatra's statement "I Did It My Way". Her favorite quotes were: “You Will Do It My Way”, “I'm the Best Person I Know”, and “Every Day is My Birthday.”

Josephine was an elegant lady who dressed in the finest garments and carried herself as a Royal Queen. Josephine had a zest for life that was infectious. Her warm smile and gentle spirit touched the many lives who knew her. She had a way of making everyone feel loved, whether it was through her acts of kindness, her words of encouragement, or simply her presence. QVC was her best friend. She earned the title "The QVC Queen."

On Friday, March 22, 2024, at the age of 93, Josephine Murphy was touched by angels and passed away peacefully in her sleep. Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, Four brothers & two sisters.

Herbert Charles

Travenio

SUNRISE 02/28/1933

SUNSET 03/23/2024

ARRANGEMENTS BY

ANDERSON RAGSDALE MORTUARY

Herbert Charles Travenio was born February 28, 1933 to Napoleon Bonaparte and Mattie Bell Battle Travenio in Dallas, Texas. He was the brother of two sisters, Lucy and Shirley. He was known as "Tree" and "Herb" to many. Herb attended Phyllis Wheatley Elementary School, Artesia High School in Artesia, New Mexico, and Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas. He was always strong willed and shortly after high school and the passing of his mother, he immediately enlisted in the military. While training others, he began playing football with the Marine Corps Recruit Depot team that would play games against other major universities.

Herb met his loving wife and friend, whom he adored, Jewel Faye. They were united in holy matrimony on October 4, 1958. They loved having a house full of relatives around. They enjoyed traveling the world and filming their adventures together. "You only live once" was one of his favorite sayings.

During Herb's time in the military, the MCRD often saw former college and even pro players, as they would play tightly contested games against other military teams as well. A handful of players would make their way to the pros after playing for the team.

Herb started with the Kansas City Chiefs, but was traded as a kicker for the San Diego Chargers. He was among one of first Black kickers in pro football playing for the Bolts in the AFL in 1964 and 1965 under Sid Gillman, who is a member of the Chargers Hall of Fame. He was an important trailblazer in the sport of football.

As a member of the Marines in early adulthood, Herb returned during the Vietnam War to help and train other troops. He is one of 29 NFL personnel who served in the military during the war. After retirement from his professional football career, he worked for American Airlines and later retired.

Herb passed away on March 23, 2024.

Herb was preceded in death by parents; Mattie Bell Battle and Napoleon B. Travenio, wife Jewel Faye Travenio, grandparents; Maggie and Erskin

County Supervisors Vote to Increase Behavioral Health Services at Housing Developments

Supervisor Lawson-Remer’s Policy Passes 4-0

Increased levels of mental health and addiction treatment at future housing developments is the goal of a policy the San Diego County Board of Supervisors passed on April 9th. Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, the author of the policy, issued the following statement after the 4-0 vote.

“This policy will have a positive, long-term effect on the people we’re helping with behavioral health services, and the communities where the housing is located,” said Supervisor Lawson-Remer. “I truly appreciate receiving the support of the other Supervisors. We agreed that increasing the level of care and security will be better for everyone.”

Now that the policy has passed, County staff is being asked to:

• “...explore all options and opportunities to maximize on-site and referral based behavioral health services...”

• “...analyze all options and opportunities to increase the level of services and hours of on-site case management services...when residents are more likely to need extra help connecting to services and adjusting to a new environment...”

• “...develop a plan for utilizing No Place Like Home operating reserve funds to add supplemental security personnel for Windsor. Advocate to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, requesting the State to maximize funding flexibility of Capital Operating Reserve funds for the Windsor Pointe project.”

The City of San Diego is one of nine cities nationwide selected to join the Early Learning Nation Capacity Building Initiative led by the National League of Cities. This 17-month initiative will provide the City’s Office of Child and Youth Success (OCYS) with in-depth support and guidance from subject matter experts to advance efforts on its early learning and child care objectives covered in the draft Child and Youth Plan.

What You Need to Know:

• This initiative aims to create equitable cross-generational solutions and address the lack of investment that exists in child and youth support systems, as well as support the strategies identified in the City’s Strategic Plan.

• Includes access to quality child care services and equitable early learning

• Includes access to resources and highquality programs for children and families

Celebrate Earth Month with the County

Earth Day, which is celebrated on Monday, April 22, connects people to the public spaces where wildlife and nature thrive. The global theme this year is Planet vs. Plastics

Below is a list of events happening in San Diego in celebration of Earth Month.

• Earth Fair at County Operations Center; 11am-1pm on April 22

• Tree Planting and Park Beautification Opportunities; 9am-2pm on April 20

• Self-led Activities

• Nature Discovery Tables

• Step foot on a story trail: April 20–27

0 Adams County Park(Valley Center)

0 Flinn Springs County Park (El Cajon)

0 Lake MorenaCounty Park (Campo)

0 Lincoln Acres County Park (National City)

0 Louis A. Stelzer County Park (Lakeside)

0 Otay Lakes County Park (Chula Vista)

0 San Dieguito County Park (Del Mar)

Other fun activities:

• Color, play games, solve mysteries, and create your own science experiments at home.

• Grow your own food at one of San Diego County’s community gardens.

• Take a virtual hike of San Diego trails and discover your local ecosystem.

• Discover how the County is restoring equity in our communities.

• Explore museums, visit global landmarks, and admire artwork.

To learn more, visit www.sandiegocounty.gov/ earthday, www.sdparks.org, or send an email to ParksVolunteer@sdcounty.ca.gov.

SAN DIEGO AREA NEWSBYTES

City of San Diego Selected to Participate in National Early Learning Initiative

Aims To Reduce Child Care Scarcity, Enhance Early Learning Opportunities And Support Child Care Workforce

• The OCYS will gain staff support and coaching to further its work on strengthening child care systems

Support will be Provided By:

• The City’s Economic Development Department

• Parks and Recreation Department

• Two Employ and Empower interns enrolled in early education courses

• San Diego County Office of Education

• YMCA Childcare Resource Service

• Child Development Associates

• Community partners and stakeholders including Children First Collective members

• Early learning providers and child care providers

The program runs through June 2025 and is supported by the Bezos Family Foundation. For more info visit, sandiego.gov/child-youthsuccess/master-plan.

San Diego Recruitment for Nation’s Largest Service Force Announced

On April 5th, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and Assemblymember David Alvarez announced the recruitment of hundreds of service members in the San Diego area for the California Service Corps. This program offers a unique opportunity for individuals to gain meaningful work experience while making a positive impact in their communities and earning a paycheck.

What You Need to Know:

• Over the coming year, California Service Corps programs will be over 10,000 strong and members will serve nearly five million hours.

• Service members will help communities by taking climate action, tutoring and mentoring students to help them succeed, supporting communities impacted by disasters, and working to end hunger and connecting vulnerable people to vital resources and services.

• These programs will pave pathways for

prosperity, propel progress on most pressing issues, and promote unity to help unravel the crisis of social isolation and division.

California Service Corps is administered by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor and consists of four paid service programs: #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, California Climate Action Corps, #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps and AmeriCorps California.

What You Need to Know:

• California Service Corps members gain skills and experience while connecting with others and making a positive difference.

• Service experiences also foster a positive sense of connection and belonging.

• Offers people of all ages the opportunity to serve their communities and learn new skills.

Those interested in finding a paid service opportunity in public service can learn more and apply at CAServiceCorps.com.

VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE

VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE

IMAGE: Courtesy of County News Center

PHOTO: Pexels

San Diego County’s Health and Human Services Agency honored 12 individuals and organizations on April 5th at their 23rd Annual Public Health Champion Awards during National Public Health Week. The awards were created to honor the role of public/private collaborations that advance optimal health and wellness in the diverse populations of San Diego County. Those nominated and selected were recognized for their extraordinary achievements in San Diego County in areas of public health services that protect and promote the health of the local population.

County Board Chairwoman Nora Vargas, Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Interim Director Dr. Eric McDonald, and County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma

J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., hosted the event, offering pertinent remarks.

“We have the mission of making the lives

of 3.3 million San Diegans healthier, safer, and more self-sufficient, and we do that by giving direct services to over a million San Diegans, and we indirectly affect everyone here in the County,” said Dr. McDonald. “We know that the government can’t do this work alone, which is why our partners like you, and an opportunity like this is so important—because of the work we do together.”

The award categories included the Live Well San Diego Public Health Champion Awards for an individual, an organization, six HHSA regional awards, Independence Services, Medical Care Services and the HHSA Director’s Awards. The first event was held in 2002 and has expanded significantly over the years. Amongst the 12

recipients honored were Ms. Rosemary White-Pope, executive director of the George L. Stevens Senior Center who received the Independence Services award, and Tinesia Conwright, founder of DETOUR Empowers, a mentoring program for girls of color, who received an organizational award.

By Aryka Randall

On Wednesday April 10th, various leaders from the Black community in San Diego gathered together in Balboa Park to discuss The Missing Pieces Project.

Led by the San Diego History Center in partnership with The County of San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce, Community Collector

Consultant Wendy McKinney opened the floor to attendees who share an interest in collecting and archiving Black history in San Diego.

During the meeting, Mrs. McKinney shared information on how The Missing Pieces Project plans to pull together the community to archive Black history within San Diego. The project started in February 2024 and will end with a culminating event in February 2025, just in time for Black History Month.

One of the major questions raised was how locals can become more involved with sharing overlooked Black history in San Diego, and why a project like The Missing Piece Project is important to begin with. Why is it important for the Black community in San Diego to know about the history of the community locally?

A number of attendees shared their point of view on how being educated on the history of San Diego has enriched their lives. They also spoke about how to maintain momentum while bringing in new groups of people to help spread the word and collect data and artifacts.

“The first step we want to take to collecting missing pieces is to reactivate the African American Advisory Council which you’re all a part of now whether you realize it or not,” Wendy joked. “Together we can bring together locals and community

leaders to make sure our history is preserved here in San Diego.”

The future of The Missing Pieces Project looks promising! If you or someone you know is interested in submitting artifacts to the museum for The Missing Pieces Project or getting in touch with Wendy McKinney, you can do so by contacting the San Diego History

PHOTOS: Aryka Randall

Community Leaders to Public Health

Joined by many family and friends, Ms. White-Pope shared, “I am humbled, honored, and in awe receiving such a prestigious award. I will continue to advocate for equity and inclusion for the minority elderly.”

The numerous honorees recognized weren’t the only ones surprised by the tremendous acknowledgments of their service to the

County of San Diego. As a parting gift, Dr. Wooten was recognized as the event’s sole Director’s awardee for her decades of service.

“She’s had a profound dedication to addressing disparities and addressing health equity,” shared Dr. McDonald. Additionally, some of the awards will be named after her. “Under Dr. Wilma Wooten’s tenure, a total of 468 public health champions have been recognized over the 23 years we’ve been doing this, and I’m

thrilled to announce from this time forward, the awards being given for the theme, individual, and organizational awards will be named the Dr. William J. Wooten awards,” shared Dr. McDonald.

“This is just a small token of the impact you’ve had over your 20 years of service.” Dr. Wooten is slated to retire from the County of San Diego this summer. “Thank you I’m very humbled. I appreciate it,” Dr. Wooten shared.

Department of Africana Studies 45th Annual Black Baccalaureate Ceremony

By Dwayne Hill

In the serene back courtyard of the Black Resource Center, Mr. Spurgeon Thomas stands confidently adorned in his Kente cloth. He is excitedly preparing for the upcoming San Diego State University Department of Africana Studies 45th Annual Black Baccalaureate Ceremony on Thursday, May 9, 2024 from 7-9pm at Lincoln High School.

This ceremony was established in 1979 by Dr. Shirley Webber, the former San Diego State University Department of Black Studies Chairperson, to celebrate the excel lence of Black students. Unlike the traditional university commencement, the Annual Black Baccalaureate Ceremony is more intimate, allowing graduates to share this momentous occasion with their loved ones while honoring the richness of Black heritage and culture.

The Kente cloth is a traditional fabric worn by Kings, Queens, and other high-ranking officials in Ghana during ceremonial events and special occasions. Black graduates wear it to honor their

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INCLUDING BUYING INSURANCE TO COVER AN ACCIDENT AFTER IT HAPPENS DON'T CRASH, BUY, AND LIE!

heritage as part of the Asante tribe of Ghana and as a symbol of respect for their ancestors.

Dr. Adisa A. Alkebulan, Chair and Associate Professor of the Department of Africana Studies, continues the ceremony tradition to honor the achievements of individual Black students like Mr. Spurgeon Thomas, who is a shining example of the success stories celebrated during this ceremony. He

graduated from SDSU in 2006 with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Information Systems.

After pursuing a career as a Business Systems Analyst in Information Systems, he realized his true passion for writing. He returned to SDSU in 2021 to pursue a master’s degree in creative writing, culminating in his 360-plus-page thesis fiction book, “The Pullover.” This novel tells the story of a young Black police officer who saves her city from a race riot following a series of unjust police shootings.

Mr. Spurgeon Thomas was determined to pursue his true passion and calling as an author and writer. He diligently sought out top-quality editors and publishers to help bring his book to life, fulfilling his lifelong love of journalism and writing. His decision to set aside his thriving career and business as a Business Systems Analyst is an inspiring testament to following one’s dreams.

Left: Ms. Rosemary White-Pope, executive director of the George L. Stevens Senior Center, receiving The Independence Services Award.

PHOTOS: Courtesy of Mrs. Rosemary Pope

PHOTOS: Courtesy of Dwayne Hill

(L to R) Mr. Dwayne Hill and Mr. Spurgeon Thomas in April 2024.

BUSINESS NEWS

Expert Advice: How to Protect Yourself From Bias and Backlash at Work

By Edward Henderson CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA

As reports of antisemitic and Islamophobic threats and acts of hate and violence increase in California and across the country, the California Commission on the State of Hate (Commission) and California Civil Rights Department (CRD) continue to encourage Californians to take advantage of anti-hate resources available statewide.

“We recognize what is happening in the Middle East has devastated communities in California. Unfortunately, when these horrific events occur, instances of hate tend to rise as well. No person, whether they are Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, Israeli, or perceived as members of any of these groups, should be subject to prejudice or violence,” said Commission Chair Russell Roybal in a statement. “If you experience or witness hate in California, we encourage you to contact CA vs Hate to report the incident and get connected to support and resources,” he added.

Sentiments about the conflict in the Middle East have unfortunately spilled over in workplaces across the state in the form of backlash and discrimination. According to experts, microaggressions can foster a hostile work environment leaving many employees uncertain about their rights and protections.

What You Need to Know about the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964:

• Prohibits discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoffs, training, fringe benefits,

and any other term or condition of employment.

• Extends to discrimination based on religion, national origin, and race.

• Adverse treatment due to the individual’s actual or perceived association with a person of a particular religion, national origin, or race.

• Adverse treatment to actual or perceived participation in civic, cultural, or religious organizations that are closely aligned with particular religions, national origins, or racial groups.

• Differential treatment of individuals of different religions, national origins, or races when they engage in similar speech or conduct.

The California Civil Rights Department hosted a webinar to discuss Antisemitism and Islamophobia in the workplace. Maha Elgenaidi and Karen Stiller, Muslim and Jewish speakers from ING’s Interfaith Speakers Bureau shared their thoughts on how open discourse and understanding can

By Stacy M. Brown

In a development reshaping the real estate industry, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) finalized a historic settlement late last year following a multibillion-dollar antitrust ruling. This $418 million settlement, expected to go into effect by July pending judicial approval, marks a significant shift in loosening the powerful trade group’s grip on America’s housing market.

The settlement comes after a Missouri lawsuit challenged the decades-old system requiring the agents of home sellers to split the commission on sales with the agents of home buyers. Most commissions range between five and six percent of home sale prices. Under the settlement, home sellers and their agents can no longer outline compensation for agents representing buyers within their MLS listings. They can, however, negotiate outside of the official listing.

be key steps to finding common ground. “We have completely different narratives about the conflict, but if you sit down and actually talk with them, you realize you’re not that far apart and work on common grounds,” said Elgenaidi. “By doing these panels we’re modeling how to bridge gaps amongst differences and really how much we have in common,” Stiller added.

The UCLA Center for Equity and Inclusion recommends four tactics to respond to workplace bias or hate: Interrupt Early, Use or Establish Policies, Go Up the Ladder, and to Band Together.

Reports can be made anonymously by calling (833) 866-4283, or 833-8-NOHATE, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT or online at any time. Hate acts can be reported in 15 different languages through the online portal and in over 200 languages when calling the hotline. For individuals who want to report a hate crime to law enforcement immediately or who are in imminent danger, please call 911. For more information on CA vs Hate, please visit CAvsHate.org.

Historic Antitrust Settlement

Reshapes Real Estate Landscape

NAREB Prepares for Industry Shift

Still, the agreement effectively ends decades of the NAR’s profound influence, with its 1.5 million agents shaping industry practices. Central to the lawsuit was the standard commission structure, typically around 6% of a home’s sale price, split between the seller’s and buyer’s brokers. Critics argued that specific NAR rules have artificially inflated these commissions, maintaining them at levels far above international standards.

Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose, President of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), acknowledged the profound implications of the settlement on the organization’s members, particularly those representing buyers. “Our members often represent Black families and individuals who struggle to raise money for the down payments needed to purchase homes due to decades of discrimination and a lack of generational wealth,” Rose stated.

To address these challenges, NAREB has outlined a series of initiatives:

• Special Task Force: A dedicated task force will analyze the settlement’s impact and recommend strategies to assist members and promote Black homeownership.

• Realtist Toolkit: A comprehensive toolkit providing members with essential information and resources.

• Black Developer Academy: Expansion will offer training and support to members interested in real estate development, diversifying revenue streams and increasing housing inventory in communities of color.

• Community Engagement: Leveraging national initiatives such as the Building Black Wealth Tour aims to strengthen connections between members and their com-

munities while educating consumers on homeownership.

While the settlement promises increased transparency, concerns persist regarding potential burdens on buyers, especially first-time buyers. Moreover, the anticipated commission reduction could precipitate a significant upheaval in the brokerage industry, potentially prompting a mass exodus of brokers.“NAREB is committed to the advancement of Black real estate professionals, increasing Black home ownership and our enduring pursuit for Democracy in Housing,” Rose said.

Nvidia CEO Unveils AI Processing System Named for Black Mathematician

By Tanu T. Henry

MEDIA

Nvidia, the third largest corporation in the world valued at $2.3 trillion, held its annual Global Technology Conference and expo at the Convention Center in San Jose from March 18 to 21. An estimated 17,000 guests attended.

During CEO Jensen Huang’s Keynote address, he unveiled a new groundbreaking Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) system developed by the company. This cutting-edge platform is named

in honor of the renowned African American mathematician and statistician David Blackwell.

Blackwell, who was born in Centralia, Illinois, earned a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Illinois. He was the first African American inducted into the National Academy of the Sciences. A former professor at the University of California at Berkeley, Blackwell passed away in 2010 at 91 years old.

Blackwell, who was awarded a Rosenwald Fellowship at Princeton, also taught at three HBCUs:

Southern University of Baton Rouge, Clark Atlanta University and Howard University, where he served as chair of the Department of Mathematics.

During the conference, Nvidia organized a panel discussion titled Bridging the AI Divide: Expanding Access and Training to Nontraditional Talents and Underserved Communities.” During that discussion, panelists talked about what companies can do to make AI Technologies — and the industry, more broadly — accessible to Black Americans and other minorities, particularly those who live in areas with limited digital infrastructure and opportunities.

Louis Stewart, Head of Strategic Initiatives, De-

veloper Ecosystem, NVIDIA, welcomed panelists and guests to the session and talked about the critical role of diversity in shaping the future of AI. The “Bridging the AI Divide” panelists were three African Americans who are advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion in AI: Kieran Blanks, Vice President of Workforce Systems, Cortex Innovation District; Angie Bush, Founder, Black Women in Artificial Intelligence and Abran Maldonado, Co-Founder, Create Labs. The panelist unanimously emphasized that because technology is evolving rapidly, there is so much to learn, and individuals should find an area of interest and dive in. Read

PHOTO: Pexels

PHOTO: NNPA

CALIFORNIA BLACK

African Churches Weigh Their Future

A landmark United Methodist gathering approaches

By Peter Smith Associated Press

The United Methodist Church lost onefourth of its U.S. churches in a recent schism, with conservatives departing over disputes on sexuality and theology. Now, with the approach of its first major legislative gathering in several years, the question is whether the church can avert a similar outcome elsewhere in the world, where about half its members live.

The question is particularly acute in Africa, home to the vast majority of United Methodists outside the U.S. Most of its bishops favor staying, but other voices are calling for regional conferences to disaffiliate.

At the upcoming General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, delegates will tackle a wide range of proposals – from repealing the church’s ban on same-sex marriage and ordaining LGBTQ people, to creating more autonomy for regional conferences to set such rules, to making it easier for international churches to leave the denomination.

Delegate Jerry Kulah of Liberia said he believes it’s time for African churches to leave.

He said that when he first attended a General Conference in 2008, he was shocked by proposals to liberalize church rules. Since then, he helped mobilize African delegates to vote with American conservatives to create ever-stricter denominational rules against

same-sex marriage and ordaining LGBTQ people.

But progressive American churches have increasingly been defying such rules and now appear to have the votes to overturn them.

“We know that we are not going to the General Conference to necessarily win votes,” said Kulah, general coordinator of the advocacy group UMC Africa Initiative. “So our goal is to go and articulate our position and let the world know why it has become very necessary to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, because we cannot afford to preach different gospels.”

But Jefferson Knight, also a delegate from Liberia, opposes disaffiliation. He said a schism would amount to forsaking the rich spiritual legacy of the UMC in Africa and would sever its valuable international bonds.

“Liberia was the birthplace of the United Methodist Church on the continent of Africa in the 1800s,” said Knight, of the advocacy group United Methodist Africa Forum. The church has developed leaders in education, health care and evangelism across the continent, said Knight, who also works as a human rights monitor for the church.

Knight said schism isn’t necessary.

He shares the widespread opposition in Africa to liberalizing policies on marriage or ordination, but he favors a proposal that would allow each region of the church –from America to Africa to Europe to the

Crisis Foreseen

national park late last year because of waterholes drying up in the drought.

Philippines – to fit rules to its local context.

“The best way out is to regionalize and see how we can do ministry peacefully and do ministry within our context, our culture,” Knight said.

The United Methodist Church traces its roots to 18th century revivalist John Wesley and has long emphasized Christian piety, evangelism and social service. It has historically been present in almost every U.S. county.

But it’s also the most international of the major U.S. Protestant denominations. Generations of missionary efforts brought Methodism across the world. Local churches took root and grew dramatically, particularly in Africa. Today, members from four continents vote at legislative gatherings, serve on boards together, go on mission trips to each others’ countries and are largely governed by the same rules. U.S. churches help fund international ministries,

such as Africa University in Zimbabwe.

More than 7,600 U.S. congregations departed during a temporary window between 2019 and 2023 that enabled congregations to keep their properties – held in trust for the denomination – under relatively favorable legal terms, according to a UM News count.

That provision applied only to American churches. Some say the General Conference – running April 23 through May 3 – should approve one for other countries.

“Our main goal is to ensure that African and other United Methodist outside the U.S. have the same opportunity that United Methodists in the U.S. have had,” said the Rev. Thomas Lambrecht, vice president of the conservative advocacy group Good News.

Read the full story online at www.sdvoice. info.

Young Ugandans Tangle In The Mud

They Dream Of Becoming Professional Wrestlers

By Patrick Onen Associated Press

In a forested area outside Uganda's capital, a few dozen youth gather around a makeshift ring to watch two amateur wrestlers tangle in the mud.The training sessions, complete with an announcer and referee, imitate the pro wrestling contests the teens regularly see on television.

A severe dry spell in southern Africa linked to the El Nino weather pattern is crippling the nations of Malawi and Zambia. Zimbabwe has seen much of its crops decimated, underlining concerns by the U.N. World Food Program that numerous nations in southern Africa are on the brink of a hunger crisis.

Malawi declared a state of disaster over the drought in 23 of its 28 districts. President Lazarus Chakwera says they urgently need more than $200 million in humanitarian assistance, less than a month after neighboring Zambia also appealed for help.

According to the World Food Program, nearly 50 million people in southern and parts of central Africa are facing food insecurity as one of the driest spells in decades devastates the region.

Mozambique and parts of Angola have also had severe rainfall deficits. Humans aren't the only ones affected. Conservation officials in Zimbabwe are reporting the rare occurrence of at least 100 elephants dying in a

Malawian President Chakwera said he had been on a tour of his country to discover the extent of its drought crisis, and a preliminary assessment by the government found about 44% of Malawi's corn crop had failed or been affected, and 2 million households were directly impacted.

Malawi has been repeatedly hit by weather extremes in recent years, emphasizing how some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable countries are feeling the worst effects of climate change even as they contribute the least to global emissions.

With this year’s harvest scorched, millions in Zimbabwe, southern Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar won’t be able to feed themselves well into 2025. USAID’s Famine Early Warning System estimated that 20 million people would require food relief in southern Africa in the first few months of 2024. Many won’t get that help, however, as aid agencies also have limited resources amid a global hunger crisis and a cut in humanitarian funding by governments.

Ugandan enthusiast Daniel Bumba, known in the wrestling community as Bumbash, hopes that some of these wrestlers, many of them orphans, can do well and long enough to go professional. It is the glimmer of a dream, with little else in place. The ring is made of bamboo poles lashed together with rope. And yet the youth pay 100,000 shillings ($26) as a commitment fee for a chance to leave the poverty of this farming region. That's the rough equivalent of 10 days' work by an average construction laborer, a significant amount.

aspiring to make it widely popular. The community Bumba has created, known as Soft Ground Wrestling, has won the attention of some professional wrestlers with its YouTube channel, which broadcasts some bouts. A first step is a planned wrestling academy. Many of the youth in or around the ring in this village 20 kilometers (12 miles) outside the Ugandan capital, Kampala, have

Now he's a pioneer, known only to a small group of fans in Uganda who follow pro wrestling on TV but aspiring to make it widely popular.

The 35-year-old Bumba said he has been a wrestling fan since childhood. He became what's known as a video jockey after college, offering lively commentary and translating WWE matches into the local Luganda language for fellow viewers. Now he's a pioneer, known only to a small group of fans in Uganda who follow pro wrestling on TV but

long dropped out of school. Ugandan authorities have taken note, at first with suspicion. Arthur Asiimwe, co-founder of Soft Ground Wrestling, said security officials visited the community in March and questioned him and Bumba about their objectives. The army officers wanted to know if the group was engaging in “dubious activities” and left after watching some bouts, he said.

Many of the 100 trainees don’t have a clear idea of where wrestling might lead, though they hope to represent Uganda on a global stage. They include some aspiring female wrestlers. They said they saw no obstacles to wrestling.

Daphine Kisaakye, a young woman who wrestled one recent morning, said she was first exposed to it in 2019 as a domestic worker watching WWE televised fights.“It was very amazing," she said.

Bishop John Wesley Yohanna of the United Methodist Church delivers a message to church members Dec. 10, 2023, at the church's headquarters in Jalingo, Nigeria, during a celebration of 100 years of Methodism in the country. PHOTO: Ezekiel Ibrahim Maisamari/UM News via AP

9 Ways to Support Mental Wellness

Wh en it comes to overall wellness, focusing on mental health is critical, especially for older adults, according to experts.

“As people age, they may experience stressors such as serious illness, losing close friends and family members, managing life on a fixed income, and coping with concerns about their own mortality. While seniors may show resilience to these dimensions of vitality, when they’re compounded, these losses and stressors can result in a myriad of behavioral health issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia,” says Dr. Lindsay EvansMitchell, board certified adult psychiatrist and behavioral health medical director for Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage business.

Dementia, which includes memory loss and language difficulties, is another issue often more pronounced with age, and in earlier stages, it can often mimic some symptoms of depression.

Fortunately, Dr. Evans-Mitchell says making healthy choices can improve your quality of life, includ -

ing your overall mental well-being, and potentially reduce your risk of both depression and dementia:

Practice good nutrition: There is evidence that plant-based diets are associated with better health, including better emotional health. That’s another reason to add more green, leafy vegetables to your diet.

Exercise: Regular exercise can positively affect cognitive ability. If you have a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan offering access to a fitness program at no extra cost, then make sure to take advantage of it. You can learn about Cigna Healthcare’s MA plans at cignamedicareinformation.com.

Hydrate: Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can negatively affect cognitive performance. Even mild dehydration can drain energy and cause fatigue.

Enjoy some sunshine: Sunlight provides needed vitamin D. Getting sunshine may increase your serotonin and help you stave off depression caused by Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Also, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, ex-

posure to vitamin D can lower dementia risk by as much as 40%. Of course, make sure to take proper precautions, such as wearing a hat, using sunscreen, and wearing eye protection that shields against UV light.

Get plenty of rest: Older adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night, according to the National Institutes of Health. People who get six hours of sleep or less a night are at greater risk of developing dementia later, the organization says. Additionally, poor sleep could be a sign of depression and should be discussed with your doctor.

Stay away from harmful substances: Dealing with behavioral health issues in unhealthy ways, such as abusing prescription or illicit drugs or alcohol, will only worsen the situation. According to the National Institutes for Health, research shows heavy alcohol use can increase the risk of both dementia and depression.

Pick up a hobby: Hobbies like gardening, cooking and solving puzzles can help improve your memory and your physical and mental health.

Be social: Isolation can lead to depression, which only worsened for many during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reach out to friends and family in person, via video chat, or over the telephone.

Find help if you need it: Keep your regular medical appointments, and don’t hesitate to seek additional help from your network, if you need it. This may take the form of a financial advisor, a clergy member, or a mental health professional. Medicare generally covers the cost of behavioral health services, including depres-

sion and addiction treatment, as well as talk therapy. Virtual services are often available to those living in rural areas. And if you’re experiencing a crisis that includes suicidal thoughts, call 988 immediately.

“For some older adults, seeking help can be difficult,” says Dr. EvansMitchell. “But getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness. There’s no benefit to suffering in silence when help to improve your life is within reach.”

What Families With College-Bound Students Need to Know This Spring

Perhaps even more nerve-wracking than waiting for your child’s college acceptance letters is learning whether they’ve been awarded financial aid. Recent changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) designed to simplify the process have led to unforeseen hiccups and technical glitches, causing academic institutions to delay sending out financial aid award letters. However, once you finally get the results, it can give your family a better idea of what to do next.

“Our research shows that for a majority of parents, figuring out how to pay for college was the ‘road to college’ activity that caused them the most stress. By making a financial plan and prioritizing it, you can be well prepared to avoid the most common bumps in the road,” explains Angela Colatriano, chief marketing officer, College Ave. Colatriano recommends using the spring to teach your child these valuable financial skills: how to set up a budget, how to pay bills and how to manage credit. If your family will potentially be borrowing to finance college, students should

also gain an understanding of how loans work, and how the different terms of the loan will affect their monthly payments and overall loan cost.

Speaking of budget, you should set a realistic budget for yourself.

A recent College Ave survey found that in addition to helping pay for tuition and housing costs, parents also contribute to their child’s

New CDC Updates On How To Protect Yourself And Others

Core Prevention Strategies

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.

• Practice good hygiene (practices that improve cleanliness)

phone bill (65%), health insurance (61%), food and groceries (42%), cable and internet bill (35%) and transportation (32%). Be realistic about which expenses you can afford and where you want to ask your child to chip in.

Decode Award Letters

Financial aid award letters can look different for each school. Famili-

• Take steps for cleaner air

When you are sick:

arize yourself with their components so that when they arrive, you’ll be ready to decipher them. Here’s what to look for:

1. Free money: The award letter will list whether your student is eligible for scholarships and grants (sometimes called Merit or Gift Aid). This is money you typically don’t need to pay back.

2. Federal Work-Study: Your child might be eligible for Federal WorkStudy jobs. While jobs aren’t guaranteed, they can be a good opportunity to help cover educational expenses.

3. Student Loans: Schools will list any federal loans your child is eligible to receive. Helpful hint: They may be grouped with scholarships and grants. You should also note whether the loan is subsidized or unsubsidized. Because unsubsidized loans accrue interest while your student is enrolled and during deferment periods, this will affect the overall loan cost.

4. Other factors: Check if awards being offered are for all four years and understand what your child will need to do to continue being

• Use precautions to prevent spread; stay home and away from others

• Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness.

Additional Prevention Strategies

• Wearing a mask and putting distance between yourself and others

• Test for COVID-19 to help you decide next steps

Key Times for Prevention

Using these prevention strategies can be especially helpful when:

• Respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, are causing a lot of illness in your community

• You or those around you have risk factors for severe illness

• Y ou or those around you were recently exposed to a respiratory virus, are sick, or are recovering

Check Your Community

The CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance provides strategies you can use to help protect yourself and others from health risks caused by COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.

Source: CDC

eligible for them, year-to-year.

To get an apples-to-apples look at the offers, calculate the net direct cost of each school by subtracting offered scholarships and grants from the cost of attendance (tuition, room, board, textbooks and fees). If applicable, you can subtract workstudy aid too. You should also factor in expected increases in tuition, room, board and other fees.

Fill in the Gaps

If after doing the math, you find you have a financial gap to cover, look into private scholarships. You may also want to consider a private student loan or parent loan. Look for a lender with great rates, flexible repayment terms, and the opportunity to customize the loan to fit your budget.

“The important thing is not to panic. If you filled out the FAFSA, financial aid award letters are on the way. And once you receive them, you and your student can get to the fun part of planning for the future,” says Colatriano.

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CA 92081 North County 37-2024-00014216CU-PT-NC Petitioner or Attorney: Marina Aleksandrovna Irodova

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Marina Aleksandrovna Irodova filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME:

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

PRESENT NAME:

Marc Hyman

PROPOSED NAME: Marc Harmony

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: May 06, 2024

Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. C-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)

ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR NAME CHANGE (JC FORM #NC-120)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which poses a substantial risk to the health and welfare of court personnel and the public, rendering presence in, or access to, the court's facilities unsafe, and pursuant to the emergency orders of the Chief Justice of the State of California and General Orders of the Presiding Department of the San Diego Superior Court, the following order is made:

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

2. GENDER AND SEX IDENTIFIER CHANGE

a. Petitioner(name of petitioning adult): Gretchen Anne Davis, Michael Andrew Davis filed a petition on behalf of (name of minor): Molly Chapin Davis requesting a decree recognizing that minor's gender and sex identifier is changed to (3) nonbinary and an order for issuance of a new birth certificate reflecting minor's changed gender and sex identifier.

b. THE COURT ORDERS that any living parent or, if all parents are deceased or cannot be located, all living grandparents show cause, if any, why the petition should not be granted by filing a written objection that includes any reasons for the objection within six weeks of the date this order is issued. If no written objection is timely filed, the court will grant the petition without a hearing.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PETITIONER

1. This request is being made by (minor's present name): Molly Chapin Davis

a. parent or parents (names): Gretchen Anne Davis, Michael Andrew Davis

2. Petitioning minor either is a California resident or seeks a change to a California birth certificate.

REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION OF CHANGE OF GENDER AND SEX

1. LEGAL RELATIONSHIP: We are married

2. RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Petitioner has been a resident of this state for at least six months and of this county for at least three months immediately preceding the filing of this Petition. (For a divorce, unless you are in the legal relationship described in 1b., at least one of you must comply with this requirement.)

3. STATISTICAL FACTS

(1)Date of marriage (specify): August 11, 2011

(2)Date of separation (specify): October 01, 2019

(3)Time from date of marriage to date of separation (specify): 8 years 2.5 months

4. MINOR CHILDREN There are no minor children

5. LEGAL GROUNDS (Family Code sections 22002210, 2310-2312): a. Divorce of the marriage or domestic partnership based on 1.irreconcilable differences

8. SPOUSAL OR DOMESTIC PARTNER SUPPORT

b. Terminate (end) the court's ability to award support to Petitioner & Respondent

9. SEPARATE PROPERTY Confirm as separate property

the assets and debts in Property Declaration (form FL -160)

10. COMMUNITY AND QUASI- COMMUNITY PROPERTY

b. Determine rights to community and quasicommunity assets and debts. All such assets and debts are listed in Property Declaration (form FL -160)

11. OTHER REQUESTS

b. Petitioner's former name be restored to (specify): SUSANA VALLIN

Date Filed: March 6, 2023

in the will or estate, or both, of George Winstead Johnson, Jr.

A Petition for Probate has been filed by Frank Winstead Johnson in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego

The Petition for Probate requests that Frank Winstead Johnson 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 May 21 2024, at 10:30 AM in Dept. 504 located at the Superior Court of California County of San Diego 1100 Union Street San Diego, CA 92101 Central Division, Central Court House

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 hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: on May 01 2024, at 1:30 PM in Dept. 502 located at the Superior Court of California County of San Diego 1100 Union Street San Diego, CA 92101 Central Division, Central Court House

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.

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 petition requests the decedent's will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

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

Alexander Palmer Haley was born in Ithaca, New York on August 11, 1921. Haley’s first major work, The Autobiography of Malcolm X (1965) was popularized due to Malcolm’s assassination earlier that year and is recognized as a literary classic. After over a decade of exhaustive genealogical research, Haley published Roots:The Saga of an American

Family (1976), which sold six million copies in over 30 languages. Haley was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for literature on April 18, 1977.

ALICE WALKER AWARDED PULITZER PRIZE

Alice Walker, born on February 9, 1944 as the eighth child of sharecroppers, was the first