Vol. 64 No 23 Thursday, June 06, 2024

The Death of America As We Know It

By Dr. John E Warren, Publisher

By now most Americans, but not all, have either heard of Project 2025 or seen some reference to it. But too many still don’t know how this radical blueprint will change life in this country as we know it. The sad truth of the matter is the plan is hidden in plain view where we all can see it, but few are paying attention, other than those who have planned the changes.

The plan is called Project 2025, known as the Presidential Transition Project. This project will make widespread changes

across our entire government in economic and social policies and the role of the federal government and its agencies. The main idea behind these proposed changes, as put out by the Heritage Institute, is what is called an Executive Theory which asserts that the president has absolute power over the executive branch of our government under what is called, “A Unitary Executive Theory interpretation of Article II of the Constitution of the United States.”

See AMERICA page 2

CITY OF SAN DIEGO PAY EQUITY REPORT IS OUT:

Disappointing but not surprising

By Macy Meinhardt

Existing pay gaps for women and people of color continues to be the status quo for the City of San Diego’s workforce, according to the 2023 Pay Equity Study.

“Black employees feel their experience, education and dedication is devalued,” said Greg Woods, a spokesperson for the City of San Diego Black Employee Association.

The report on pay equity, presented to the city council on May 20, showed that women were paid on average 16% less than men in 2022. People of color made 19% less than white employees.

“I think it is both expected, but still disappointing to see the disparities, and in some cases how drastic they can be,” said Kent Lee, District 6 Councilmember.

By Emily Kim Jenkins

Amid a tumultuous hiring process, San Diego Board Chair

Despite women making up 33% and Black people 57% of the city’s current workforce, underlying societal factors and group disparities continue to create barriers for these demographics to move up into higher earning positions, data from the report

result, councilmembers such as District

Henry Foster argue that concrete policies aimed to address the disparities should have already been implemented.

REPORT page 2

SHELTON’S CALL INTO TOP SAN DIEGO COUNTY LEADERSHIP:

First African American female in San Diego history to hold highly regarded CAO position

announced Wednesday that Ebony N. Shelton is the new selected Chief Administrative Officer, making her the first African American woman to hold this position within the county.

“I’m so proud that our Board

unanimously agreed upon the hiring process that allowed us to find such a highly regarded and eminently qualified candidate from our own community to be the next CAO of San Diego County,” said Chairwoman Vargas.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL INTEGRATES NEGRO LEAGUES STATS

Elevating longoverlooked stars to major league status

By Stacy M. Brown

PHOTO: Ebony Shelton via LinkedIn

ARTICLE CONTINUATION

AMERICA

Continued from cover

This plan is designed for a “Republican President” such as seen with the Donald Trump Presidential candidacy for 2025. Under this plan the following changes would take place, some immediately: (1) Slashing funding for the Department of Justice (DOJ); (2) Dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); (3) Eliminating the Department of Commerce and ending the independence of various federal agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC); (4) Abolishing the Department of Education; (5) Removal of protections against discrimination based on sexual or gender identity; and (6) Termination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs as well as affirmative action.

REPORT

Continued from cover

The study does not point to “direct evidence of deliberate gender and racial bias” on behalf of the city of San Diego. Instead, the report states, “90% of San Diego’s gender and ethnic pay gaps can be explained by group disparities in: occupation, the effect of children; overtime; and demographics. ” The city commissioned Analytica Consulting to prepare the report for a $250,000 fee.

“Occupational sorting” was the term described to have the largest impact in driving the gaps in pay between gender and race. This means that people end up in different jobs because of a mix of social pressures, obstacles to getting certain jobs, how companies hire, and personal decisions.

The three jobs that reflect the largest pay gaps are police officers, firefighters, and administrative support. Men overwhelmingly make up the majority of public safety positions, which pays an average of $140,000. Women, especially Black women, are more likely to work in the administrative support field, with a take home pay of $66,000 — less than half of what male public safety employees earn.

“Equity is a culture change, we are not going to solve this overnight,” said District 5 Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, noting that “clearly we need to do better.”

The study recommends that the City focuses on recruiting more women within firefighting

shelton

Continued from cover

The announcement of the candidate closes out a hiring process impacted by years of scandal, lawsuits, and a strong demand from the public for transparency in the appointment of the county’s most powerful position. With the final decision landing on Shelton, the choice underscores the significance of now having two Black women wielding top positions in the county.

Shelton, who currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer has been in service to San Diego County since 1997. Throughout her three decade tenure within the county, Shelton has held various human resource and financial positions across county business groups and departments. As the chief financial officer since 2020, Shelton was responsible for administering the County's fiscal and financial functions and monitoring the annual County budget. Her role also involved assistingformer CAO Helen Robbins-Meyer

baseball

Continued from cover

For decades, Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb were celebrated as the greatest figures in baseball, with Ruth hailed as the best player and Cobb as the premier hitter. However, these narratives often excluded African American athletes whose contributions were underreported or dismissed. This exclusion persisted despite the talents that led to Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in 1947 as the first Black player in the modern Major Leagues.

MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred announced this significant change three years ago, emphasizing the league’s commitment to correcting a historical wrong by elevating the Negro Leagues to “Major League” status. John Thorn, an MLB historian, and the Negro Leagues Statistical Review Committee have

Project 2025 advises the future president to immediately deploy the military for domestic law enforcement and to direct the DOJ to pursue Trump's adversaries by invoking the Insurrection of Act of 1807. It recommends the arrest, detention, and deportation of undocumented immigrants across the country. It promotes capital punishment and the speedy “finality” of such sentences.

Although the project does not promote a specific candidate, many contributors have close ties to Donald Trump and his presidential campaign. This project is proposed under what the Heritage Foundation calls its “Mandate for Leadership” and has been publishing this list of proposed changes to run parallel with each presidential election since

and law enforcement.

“We do need to find a way to get more women in the fire fighting force,” said Wilpert, suggesting that they add more funding into the recruitment efforts.

However, during discussion, Council President Sean Elo-Rivera questioned whether lower paid positions that women tend to fill are not being valued enough.

“I just think it’s worth noting that there are opportunities for us to value all work more, rather than simply shuffle the way that folks are placed within the workforce,” Elo-Rivera said, during the May 20 council meeting.

Another disparity highlighted in the report is the impact of the “parenthood penalty” where fathers are more likely to take on the breadwinner role within their families, and mothers are more likely to feel like family obligations impact their career advancement. The cost of childcare in California is currently at a record high, averaging $1,200 a month, according to statements made by District 7 Councilmember Raul Campillo.

Based on the report’s findings, women of color with children earn less than women of color without children. In contrast, white men are rewarded with a “fatherhood bonus” as they earn more than men without children on average.

in administrative leadership and supervision of County business and performing functions assigned by the Board of Supervisors. Ms. Shelton is responsible for managing all financial, personnel, and operational functions of the Finance and General Group, and coordinates the Group initiatives in accordance with the CAO's strategic plan and County goals.

A native San Diegan and Afro-Latina of Black and Salvadoran ancestry, Shelton “understands the impacts of history on Black and Latino communities. This is at the foundation of her commitment to the health and economic prosperity and overall well-being of the county,” Supervisor Chair Nora Vargas said in a statement on the appointment.

The County’s CAO position is argued to be one of the most important and powerful positions in local government. As the nation's fifth largest county, The CAO manages the county's

1981. It calls this Mandate its “Policy Bible”. Project 2025 has been developed in collaboration with over 100 partners. The Heritage Foundation president, Kevin Roberts, established Project 2025 in 2022 to provide the 2024 Republican presidential nominee a personnel database and ideological framework after civil servants refused to support Trump during his attempt to institute a Muslim travel ban, and his effort to install a new attorney general to help with his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Clearly the issue is not just Donald Trump, rather those who would use him or like-minded candidates for the Presidency to overthrow the United States government as it now exists with

In an attempt to address this gap, the city has doubled the amount of hours for maternity leave for city employees and launched a child care subsidy program in 2023.

The report argues that factors like the parenthood penalty and pay gaps contribute to the city’s high staff turnover rate — recorded at 59 percent last year. Annually over 1,000 employees leave the city’s 12,000-employee workforce.

“San Diego faces the same challenges as most cities in our country, when it comes to ensuring that we promote equity and address pay gaps among our workforce. However, unlike other cities, we are the first to strive to quantify these differences and make strides toward changing employees’ lives for the better” a spokesperson for the City said.

Results from surveys conducted by the City in 2022 show that a majority of Black employees believe that the promotion process is unfair and report that they did not receive meaningful feedback when denied a promotion.

Officials from Human Resources maintain that providing oversight to ensure diversity on hiring panels and promotions is a practice already in place. However, based on data and responses from Black employees, Councilmember Foster says, “I think we can all say that we have not done a good job in terms of equity.”

Beyond the practices already in place, Foster

$8 billion dollar budget, oversees San Diego counties 20,000 employee workforce, and implements the policies and programs of the County.

“This unelected individual wields significant power and authority to achieve much-needed changes in our County. Further, given that the current CAO has served for more than 25 years, this hire has the potential to affect the future of the San Diego region, and everyone who lives and works here, for generations,” said the Center for Policy Initiatives, in their call for a transparent hiring process to the Board of Supervisors.

The position of CAO is not an elected one, it is appointed by the five member Board of Supervisors.

“Ebony N. Shelton brings with her decades of experience in financial and administrative

a Constitutionally based separation of powers. The only safeguard against this concrete plan to destroy America as it now exists is for “We the People” to prepare now to vote in the November election. We can no longer count on the United States Supreme Court which appears to have abandoned the very rule of law it was empowered to protect. It appears we can no longer depend upon the United States Congress which appears to have abandoned its legislative duties and oath of office by which the Republican members swore to “protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic” and substituted that oath with a commitment to a convicted felon. The question is: Where do we stand and for what will we fight?

been responsible for the meticulous process of officially incorporating Negro Leagues stats into MLB records. The team has been reviewing thousands of box scores and other historical data to integrate the statistics of the seven Negro Leagues into MLB’s database.

Josh Gibson, a standout in the Negro Leagues, will now lead multiple batting categories. His career batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS surpass those of Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth. While some of Gibson’s legendary feats, such as the nearly 800 home runs mentioned on his Hall of Fame plaque, will not be included, many of his official stats will now be recognized.

Thorn hailed the decision as “not only righting a social, cultural, and historical wrong,

it’s defining baseball as a game for Americans without exclusion.” He emphasized that baseball is a sport of tradition, but its capacity for profound change is equally significant.

To honor the Negro Leagues, MLB will host a tribute game on June 20 at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama—the oldest professional baseball park in the U.S. Players will don period uniforms and pay tribute to legendary center fielder Willie Mays, an Alabama native. With the integration of these statistics, players like Buck Leonard, Buck O’Neil, Cool Papa Bell, Doc Sykes, Monte Irvin, Leroy Satchel Paige, and Gibson will finally receive their due recognition. Fans will now appreciate the true scope of their talents and achievements.

asked whether there “have been any significant steps or put any policies in place to start addressing items such as oversight with appointing authorities for positions?”

“There is not a specific policy that has been crafted to date, but we are currently working on a talent equity strategy as a cohesive group in order to identify and address concerns and disparities that exist,” a spokesperson for human relations said.

The spokeswoman said an update on the upcoming talent equity strategy would be coming soon, but did not clarify a date.

Other recommendations the report presented is to explore randomized experiments that test for discrimination in recruitment, hiring and promotions, and consider implicit bias training for all appointing authorities.

Officials from Personnel and Data Analytics, Human Resources, and the Office of Race and Equity maintain that the ball is rolling on implementing a strategic policy that would address pay gaps and provide more oversight in the hiring processes. In closing remarks, District 1 Councilmember Joe LaCava states: “there is no better time than now to start doing things differently than we've done in the past.”

leadership, along with a deep understanding of our community and working families. I know she is the right person to oversee county operations and execute the Board's vision, and I look forward to working with her in this new leadership role," said Vargas.

The last person of color to hold this position was Clifford Graves in 1985. On average, the CAO runs for as long as 10-25 years, and has an average salary around $375,000, according to Transparent California.

Ms. Shelton holds an Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and an Executive Master Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Public Sector Leadership from California State University at Northridge.

Sean Gibson, the great-grandson of Josh Gibson and executive director of the Josh Gibson Foundation, expressed the family’s excitement over this acknowledgment. “We always considered him a major leaguer; he just didn’t play in the major leagues,” Sean Gibson told NBC Sports. He is eager to see how his great-grandfather’s stats compare to those of other MLB legends.

Reflecting on this milestone, he added, “If Josh Gibson was alive right now, he’d be honored. He’ll probably wonder why it took so long. He’ll be happy for all the other baseball players, and more importantly he’ll be excited for his family to carry on his legacy.”

PAY EQUITY, BLACKS, AND THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO

By Dr. John E. Warren

Last week, the City of San Diego “2022 Pay Equity Study” was presented to the San Diego City Council and the public. The $250,000 Study revealed what many of us have known and continue to know about hiring opportunities in the City of San Diego. While women make up 32% of the City’s workforce, on average, their pay is 16% less than White employees; and while people of color make up 57% of the City’s workforce, on average, their pay was 19% less than White employees. Blacks reportedly make up 11% of the workforce compared to Whites making up 43%, but Blacks receive 26% less in terms of pay.

Blacks must be singled out here because the lumping of them with “people of color” hides the extent of the disparity in both pay and employment. While the Police Department, Fire Department, and Administrative positions in the City were cited as the main areas of employment, the reality is that recruitment has never been fully inclusive in terms of Black hires for any of the positions in the departments cited here. The very idea of recruitment is the often referred to use of “ Due Process”. Due Process

Black Community:

Supervisor Nora

Vargas

Dear Members of the San Diego County Democratic Party,

We are writing with a deep sense of urgency and concern regarding County Supervisor Nora Vargas and the racist and derogatory remarks she made about African Americans and labor organizations headed by African Americans. These remarks were not an isolated incident, as she claims. Supervisor Vargas has a history and pattern of racist behavior. As members of this community and dedicated supporters of the Democratic Party, we find it profoundly troubling that someone with such a record of insensitivity to the Black community remains in a position of influence within our party.

Supervisor Vargas’s troubling history dates back to her tenure on the Southwestern Community College Board, where she was frequently associated with numerous incidents of racial discrimination. These allegations are well-document-

is both Notice and Opportunity. According to the California Administrative Procedures Act, notice includes publication in newspapers of general circulation, adjudicated under the California Government Code. This principle is based on the idea that all public positions are paid or funded with public dollars.

While many are making the internet the instrument of choice in terms of giving notice for contracts and often jobs, the pandemic demonstrated that almost 50 percent of San Diego residents are not online. This was one of the reasons for the Access 4 All created to provide more wifi services to households in San Diego. Our local newspapers and media outlets do not get job vacancy or recruitment ads from any of the three Departments named here. As a matter of fact, the San Diego Fire Department has never advertised a job announcement during the last 40 years, no matter who led the department. The recruitment Method of Operation remains by word of mouth, or brief announcements at public gatherings. The Police Department spends thousands of dollars with Publication Relations firms, and transit signs, but no outreach through local media print or online.

And, of course, the City of San Diego between its Personnel Department and H.R. Departments give no notice other than occasional job fairs. Otherwise everything is online on the City’s Website, but not accessible to all residents.

Such practices are by design to maintain the “good old boy” system of getting jobs to family and friends. One should remember that the bureaucratic guarding the system and its practices are well entrenched and have outlasted elected administrations at City Hall. One should also remember that all the Departments of San Diego City government are under Eric Dargan, as Chief Operating Officer for the City. He reports directly to the Mayor. Let’s hold Mr. Dargan accountable for changes on his watch. If we have unfilled jobs as was reported, then where are the ads and invitations to apply, and who is monitoring the application process so that those who are really interested are either turned away or their application’s lost. These are some of the reasons that Blacks must be looked at separately and not lumped in with “people of color” or “diversity” where they get lost in the numbers.

Letter to the Editor

ed and cannot be ignored any longer. Additionally, her involvement in a recent lawsuit by an applicant who was racially abused further underscores a consistent pattern of discriminatory behavior. It is unconscionable that our party, which prides itself on promoting equality and justice, continues to support an individual who has so clearly failed to embody these values.

Moreover, the silence from key figures within the San Diego Democratic Party, including Chair Becca Taylor and the CDP Chair Rusty Hicks, is deeply concerning. The lack of response to inquiries about Supervisor Vargas’s appointment to the CDP Affirmative Action Committee—an appointment that has resulted in disproportionately fewer Black delegates from California—signals a troubling indifference to the issues at hand. This silence speaks volumes and suggests a tacit endorsement of abhorrent behavior that is fundamentally at odds with the principles of our party.

It is imperative that we, as a party, take a firm stand against racism in all its forms. We must demonstrate our commitment to justice and

BROKEN RECORD

By Tom H. Hastings COORDINATOR AT PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

In 2016, Donald Trump ran as an outsider, as someone who was able to criticize the political record of his primary opponents (although he primarily used insults and lies rather than real policy analysis). He of course attacked Hillary Clinton in the general election.

Again, he didn’t point toward her legislative actions as a Senator but rather he recklessly extrapolated from the equally reckless Wikileaks digital dumps. He claimed hundreds of times that he loved Wikileaks, but then later said he knew nothing about them. He also thanked Russia for helping Wikileaks!

But now, in 2024, he has a personal, political, and, historically, a criminal record.

• His radically irresponsible downplaying of Covid-19 led to hundreds of thousands of Americans dead by the end of 2020.

• He still brags about appointing Supreme Court “justices” that have now taken away women’s control over their own reproductive rights, over their own bodies.

• He deregulated key environmental protections, making our air, food, water, and soil more polluted, more toxic, and more dangerous to Americans.

• His 2017 Trump Tax Law delivered a bonanza of new unearned wealth to those who are in the very top one percent of America’s wealthy, and almost nothing but new massive national deficit and debt to working Americans.

• Trump recklessly reversed a positive nuclear weapons’ reduction trend begun by Ronald Reagan—the arch conservative who signed the first nuclear weapons’ reduction treaty with Moscow in 1987. Trump took us out of that important treaty and several other crucial treaties that safeguard against nuclear war. His actions have made it much more likely that Iran now has nukes, that Russia is actively prepping for nuclear war, and that new classes of Euromissiles are being deployed that radically rachet up chances of accidental nuclear war.

• Virtually all US presidents have told one or more lies, but Trump’s documented, provable record number of them is not just shattering total US president falsehoods, it shattered any trust any independent fact-seeking citizen (of the US, but also everywhere else) might have in him and in the US in general. Increasingly, the failure of his base and his political allies to challenge or even question his buck-naked lying is seen as demonstrating that he uses them at least in part as a loyalty test—to require his base and allies to now only believe him, but to then take action on his behalf based on what any reasonable person could easily see is a lie.

So now, with a verified record, anyone can plainly see and decide for themselves—is this a leader good for America? May we all decide that we value our ability as free Americans to make informed choices and to seek a diversity of views to inform those choices. It is important to test all claims, to spend at least a bit of time seeking honest, truthful confirmation of claims made by anyone.

Then we will make an informed choice when we vote.

equality by ensuring that our representatives reflect these core values. Therefore, we call upon the San Diego County Democratic Party to take immediate action by removing Nora Vargas from her position as a voting member of the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee. This is not only a matter of upholding our party’s integrity but also of standing in solidarity with the communities that have been marginalized and disrespected by her actions.

Our community deserves leaders who genuinely represent and uphold the values of inclusivity, respect, and equality. Supervisor Vargas has repeatedly demonstrated that she does not meet these standards. We urge you to act decisively to restore trust and integrity within our party.

We will share our concerns with elected leaders throughout the state and the National Democratic Party and urge them to take a stand in support of the Black community in San Diego that continues to suffer discrimination. We urge you to demand accountability and responsibility from the California Democratic Party by de-

manding the resignation of Supervisor Vargas.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. We look forward to your prompt response and action.

Democratically Submitted,

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Democratic Club of San Diego Count y

How to reach us

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Include your name, signature, address and a phone number we can use to verify your letter. Keep it short and email or mail it to: Letters to the Editor

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint P.O. Box 120095 • San Diego, CA 92112 news@sdvoice.info

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CHURCH DIRECTORY

IN MORE NEWS

Biden and Harris Launch Aggressive Push to Engage Black Voters

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris launched an aggressive campaign to engage Black voters during a visit to Philadelphia on Wednesday, May 29. They pledged significant investments in Black student organizations, community groups, and faith centers across the country. Despite a rocky start with Black-owned media outlets, the event aimed to solidify their support among Black Americans for the 2024 election.

In a rare dual event, Biden and Harris highlighted Black voters’ crucial role in their 2020 victory and vowed to prevent former President Donald Trump from reclaiming the White House. “Because Black Americans voted in 2020, Kamala and I are president and vice president of the United States. Because you voted, Donald Trump is the defeated former president,” Biden declared. “With your vote in 2024, we’re going to make Donald Trump a loser again.”

Harris echoed that sentiment. “In 2020,

Black voters in Philadelphia and across our nation helped President Biden and me win the White House,” she asserted. “Yes, you did. And in 2024, with your voice and your power, we will win again.”

Biden outlined his administration’s achievements in promoting racial equality, including appointing Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black Supreme Court Justice, appointing more Black women to federal circuit courts than all previous presidents combined, maintaining low unemployment rates, reducing the racial wealth gap, addressing housing appraisal disparities, removing lead pipes, increasing access to affordable high-speed internet, and expanding Obamacare.

Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Biden reminded the audience of the administration’s efforts to manage the crisis, contrasting it with Trump’s handling. “When I came to office, I promised we’d do everything we can to get us through that pandemic,” Biden noted. “And that’s what we did. That, folks, was a promise made and a promise kept.”

Harris also emphasized the admin -

istration’s healthcare achievements, such as lowering the cost of insulin for seniors to $35 a month and giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices. She addressed efforts to tackle student debt, noting that over $65 billion was forgiven for roughly 5 million Americans, including nurses, firefighters, and teachers, despite a Supreme Court setback.

The Philadelphia stops, including a visit to Girard College and a meeting with the Black Chamber of Commerce, marked the beginning of an eight-figure, summer-long initiative to engage Black voters. The effort includes substantial investments in advertising, engagement efforts, and culturally competent content.

However, the Biden-Harris campaign faced criticism for not prioritizing Black-owned media in their outreach strategy. Roland Martin, a prominent figure in Black media, reported being blindsided by the event’s coverage, first reported by The Washington Post. Martin, whose network Roland Martin Unfiltered remains highly influential, later aired a live stream of the visit.

Biden’s support among Black voters has shown signs of erosion, with approval ratings dropping from 94% at the start of his term to 55%, according to an AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll published in March. Black-owned media have been awaiting partnerships with the BidenHarris campaign for outreach and advertising, which are crucial for engaging Black voters, particularly those feeling isolated or undecided.

“Our campaign believes that Black voters deserve to hear from Team Biden-Harris, and they deserve to have their vote earned, not assumed,” the campaign stated.

ACLU Releases Report on California Public Schools More segregated than Deep South

Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

The 2024 State of Black Education: Report Card was recently published by the American Civil Liberties Union California Action (ACLU California Action).

It states that California is the third most segregated state for Black students.

Co-author of the report, policy counsel Amir Whittaker from ACLU Southern California explained the criteria the ACLU used to rank California during the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the landmark 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision Brown vs. Board of Education held at the State Capitol the day after the Memorial Day holiday.

“For every state in the Deep South, California (schools) are more segregated,” Whittaker said. “People often think that California is not segregated or unequal as Deep South states and others. The inequalities here (in California) are actually wider.”

New York and Illinois are ahead of California regarding the racial diversity of their student bodies. According to a report May 2022 report by Stanford Graduate School of Education, the Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York City school districts are in the top 10 most racially segregated districts for White-Black, White-Hispanic, and White-Asian segregation based on the average levels from 1991-2020.

In bigger school districts, segregation between low-income (students who are eligible for free lunch) and non-low-income students increased by 47% since 1991, according to the Stanford Graduate School’s report.

es like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, the urban areas are a lot more segregated than the south. That’s a big part of it.

A number of factors contribute to the segregation of schools in California such as parents sending their children to private schools, others optioning for homeschooling, and other reasons, Whitaker said.

The Brown v. Board of Education case declared that sep arating children in public schools based on race was unconstitutional. However, Whitaker pointed to cases after the landmark decision that circumvented that federal law.

According to a 2014 report by the Civil Rights Project, in the 1990s, decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court decision ended federal desegregation orders in San Francisco and San Jose. In addition, court decisions in the state that ordered desegregation in the 1970s were overturned by the 1990s. Legally, California has no school integration policy to adhere to.

“This is why we did this report. There needs to be a report just on this issue (of school segregation),” Whitaker told California Black Media. “Right now, there’s no task force or anything addressing it. I have never seen the California Department of Education talk about it. This is a pandemic (and) a crisis.”

Linnea Nelson, ACLU Northern California Senior Staff Attorney in the Racial and Economic Justice Program co-authored the eight-page report.

Bettye Louise

Titus SUNRISE 05/30/1929 SUNSET 04/09/2024

ARRANGEMENTS BY ANDERSON RAGSDALE MORTUARY

Bettye Louise Titus was born on May 30, 1929, to Hampton and Annie Avery in El Paso, Texas. She was the oldest of three siblings. Bettye became a Christian at an early age. She remained faithful until her passing on April 9, 2024.

A graduate of Douglas High School, Bettye met and married Joe P. Titus on November 12, 1947. From this union, seven children were born. The family settled in California, but they would continue to return to Texas every year.

Bettye was a Girl Scout leader until her youngest decided she no longer wanted to participate. Once her youngest children became teenagers, Bettye began to pursue her passion for education. She began her career working as a teacher assistant, working her way up to becoming a Resource Specialist, with an emphasis in ESL. Upon retirement, she would continue to provide educational assistance to the neighborhood children.

In her free time, Bettye enjoyed fishing, bowling, sewing, and going to and watching sports.

Bettye leaves to cherish her memory; Charlotte, Sheryl, Beverly, Marvin, and Malvin, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and friends.

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

(D-Alameda) and Sen. Steven Bradford were the guest speakers. Parents, students, educators, and Black education advocates from all over the state attended the 90-minute presentation at the State Capitol.

School segregation is the No. 1 issue listed in among the report’s “24 areas of documented inequality,” along with problematic trends of racial harassment, a continuous decline of Black student enrollment, school closures, connection with school staff, chronic absenteeism, low Black teacher representation, and parent participation.

Educator John Hughes alluded to the Black exodus and the decreasing Black student population in California. Hughes, one of the panelists for ACLU’s event at the State Capitol, taught at Warren Lane Elementary School in the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD)for 20 years.

“That’s why it’s important to look at this data,” Whitaker said. “When you have millions of people living in plac -

The organization hosted an overview of the report and panel discussion at the State Capitol on May 29.

California Black Legislative Caucus member Assemblymember Mia Bonta

According to IUSD’s 2021 Progress Report, the student population has fallen from approximately 18,000 in 2003-2004 to about 7,950 in 20202021. The report predicts that the decrease will continue, with the loss of approximately 400 to 500 students each year. The nearby Los Angeles Unified School District student enrollment has declined by 40% in the last 18 years. “I believe fear comes into play because of the age-old discriminatory and racial practices that our students have been victims of,” Hughes said.

PHOTO: Courtesy of NNPA

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Seated left to right, Carl Pinkston (Sacramento Black Parallel School Board, Jessica Black (Black Organizing Project of Oakland), and Amir Whitaker (Policy Counsel for ACLU Los Angeles) lead the panel discussion about the State of Black Education in California. PHOTO: Antonio Ray Harvey/CBM

LOCAL NEWS

COUNTY COOL ZONES OPEN AS TEMPERATURES HEAT UP

The County of San Diego opened its annual Cool Zones program on June 1st, designed to give older adults, people with disabilities, and people with health concerns free, safe air-conditioned shelters to visit to escape extreme heat.

What You Need to Know:

• The program will run from Saturday, June 1 through Oct. 31.

• A complete list and map of Cool Zone sites, their hours and locations are located online.

• People can also call 2-1-1 to find a location, and—if they cannot get to a Cool Zone site—ask for help with free transportation.

In addition to the Cool Zone sites, the County and San Diego Gas & Electric work together to provide free electric fans to eligible older or disabled people living on limited incomes countywide.

Eligibility Requirements:

• County residents must be 60 years of age or older, or disabled, living on limited income, must not have access to air-conditioned space at their home or apartment, and unable to travel to a Cool Zone site.

To learn more about the Cool Zone fan program or to request a fan, call 2-1-1 or visit www.coolzones.org to complete a fan eligibility survey.

NINE THINGS YOU CAN DO AT THE COUNTY LIBRARY

Here are nine things you might not know you can do at a County library!

1. Graduate High School!

Library High School offers adults 19 years old and older the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and a career certificate— for free—through an 18-credit curriculum. Go to https://www.sdcl.org/libraryhighschool/.

2. Get Ready to Become a Citizen!

You can take 10-week-long citizenship classes to prepare to take the U.S. citizenship test for free. Summer day and evening classes are scheduled to start June 18 and run to August 22 at four library branches. Registration is re-

quired. Call or text (858) 637-3282 or (619) 753-1630, or email rudyf@jfssd.org to enroll.

Here’s the summer schedule:

• El Cajon: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays: El Cajon Library, 201 E. Douglas Ave., El Cajon.

• Imperial Beach: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays: Imperial Beach Library, 810 Imperial Beach Blvd., Imperial Beach.

• San Marcos: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursdays: San Marcos Library, 2 Civic Center Dr., San Marcos.

• Spring Valley: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays: Spring Valley Library, 836 Kempton St., Spring Valley.

3. Discover & Go

Your County Library card is a ticket into local museums, sporting events and recreational activities—with free passes and discounts— through the Discover & Go program. To browse what’s available and reserve passes, log in to sdcl.discoverandgo.net.

4. Read on the Go–in Multiple Languages

The Libby app allows readers to read their material in any one of 15 languages. The app should automatically change text to the language on an iPhone, iPad or other Apple devices.

5. Learn About Your Family History for Free with “My Heritage”

You can discover, share and preserve your family history for free by using your County Library card to access My Heritage Library edition.

6. Learn a New Language for Free Through Rosetta Stone

You can use Rosetta Stone, free of charge, to learn a new language with your County Library card. For more instructions on how to do so visit sdcl.org.

7. Grow Your Garden with the “Seed Library”

Eleven County branch libraries offer starter seeds through the County’s Seeds and Sustainability program to promote gardening and access to home-grown food! The 11 branch libraries that carry seeds include the Alpine Library, El Cajon Library, Fallbrook Library, Julian Library, La Mesa Library, Lemon Grove Library, Lincoln Acres Library, Rancho Santa Fe Library, San Marcos Library, Valley Center Library, and the Vista Library.

8. Experience Different Cultures; Broaden Your Horizons

The County’s 33 branch libraries feature hundreds of events and programs, including cultural events and arts programs. For more info, visit the County Library’s events pages.

9. Give Back and Keep Connected!

The library also offers lots of opportunities to volunteer—for adults and teens. Adults interested will undergo background checks, then meet with library staff to match their interests with available opportunities.

SAN DIEGO DISTRICT ATTORNEY RELEASES 2023 ANNUAL REPORT

The annual 2023 report on behalf of San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan and her staff of more than 1,000 employees across 22 divisions was released on May 29.

The report highlights the attorney’s office accomplishments as well as a detailed look at the type of crimes that were prosecuted. The District Attorney’s office represents all 18 cities and 39 unincorporated communities that make up San Diego County and takes on the responsibility of prosecuting felony crimes committed in the county.

The report states that each year, more than 300 prosecutors in the DA’s office handle about 40,000 criminal cases on behalf of the county’s nearly 3.3 million residents.

“In this 2023 annual report you will read about the many initiatives upon which our team embarked on behalf of victims of crime and about community-based programs that embrace public health, public safety and crime prevention,” said DA Stephan.

The top three prosecutions by crime in 2022 included assault, 2,478 cases, drug related offenses, 1,257 cases, and theft, 1,024 cases. Other topics explored throughout the report include:

• A breakdown of prosecutions by crime type

• A description of notable and high-profile criminal cases

• An account of services provided to crime victims

• Stories of hope from users One Safe Place – the North County Family Justice Center

• Facts and figures of our outreach in the community

The mission of the District Attorney’s Office is to pursue fair and equal justice for all and to build safe neighborhoods by ethically prosecuting crime, protecting victims, preventing harm and partnering with the community.

To learn more about the office, and the types of crimes and initiatives the team handled this year, visit: sandiegodaannualreport.com

VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE

VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE

VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE

PHOTO: Courtesy of the County News Center

PHOTO: Courtesy of County News Center

Southeastern Little League’s CLOSINGDAY

Cerem onies

By Darrel Wheeler Contributing Writer

The Southeastern Little League's regular season officially came to a ceremonious conclusion last Saturday, June 1st, at the newly recognized Shelley Curtis White Field.

The whole community was invited to celebrate with the entire Southeastern baseball family and some local dignitaries to enjoy the Southeastern Little League’s closing day ceremonies.

The ceremony included free food, laughs, high fives, award presentations, and gratitude filled speeches reflecting on the challenging and complicated logistics of running the Little League association.

"It's definitely not easy putting a season together and making everything run according to plan, but we manage to navigate through the challenges, fortunately we have some parents who collectively share the same vision, it's about the kids first,” Southeastern Little League associate James Trosdell shared.

With El Presidente, Ceser Lopez at the steering wheel, Southeastern Little League appears to be headed in a positive direction.

Lopez didn't miss an opportunity to thank Public Relations officer, Dwayne Hill, for his relentless hard work and tireless dedication to the Southeastern Little League experience.

After thanking their many valuable sponsors, donors, and supporters Dwayne shared.

“We have big plans for next year, we want to make the next season bigger and better than this year. We are looking for more kids and more coaches and we will get them,” said the positive thinking strategist, Hill.

After three months of slugging it out against Encanto, Las Palmas, San Diego American, and Twin Hills, Southeastern Little League successfully wrapped up another season of hit and run baseball!

PHOTOS: Darrel Wheeler

KINDA SHAKESPEARE, SIDEEQ HEARD

By Barbara Smith CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Good theatre amplifies, activates and entertains. And this is exactly what director, Sideeq Heard, sees happening with Fat Ham, James Ijames’ 2022 groundbreaking Pulitzer Prize-winning, Tony-nominated show that has been keeping audiences howling with laughter and at the same time digging deep into big life questions.

Headed by an all-new cast with Sola Fadiran in the title role, Fat Ham opened May 30 at the Old Globe’s Shiley Stage after a successful run on Broadway and performances in theatres throughout the U.S.

“It’s Shakespeare, but kinda,” says director Heard, describing the bones of the play, which is loosely based on the bard’s timeless classic Hamlet. But instead of a castle in Denmark, this modern-day adaptation takes place during a backyard BBQ in the South and the Hamlet character is a black queer man named Juicy. As in the original, a murderous plot keeps the storyline gripping, adding much more that keeps the joint jumping with plenty of smack talk, music, ghosts, and hijinks.

Should audience members who are not familiar with Hamlet be worried? Heard chuckles with the question. “I think it’s perfect if you don’t know anything about Hamlet. There are two clear levels to the show,” he explains in a recent conversation at the Old Globe. “On one level it’s simply a story about family in the South having a barbeque. We get to understand their family and go on that journey with them. On the other hand, the story loosely follows the plot line of Hamlet. But you don’t need to know about either experience when you step into the theatre because playwright Ijames work is so clever.” True, an added benefit is having familiarity with

CDC Director VisitS San Diego Family Health Center

By Emily Kim Jenkins CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Willard Stroud Jr. had a soft smile as he thought about how to answer the question posed to him. At first, he could only nod as tears brimmed in his eyes. The question was deceptively simple– “Are you satisfied with the care you’ve received?”

He had been invited to speak with Dr. Mandy Cohen, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who was visiting the San Diego Family Health Center of City Heights last month. Cohen toured the existing offices and spoke about the importance of mental health in anticipation of the Family Health Center’s new behavioral health facility, now under construction but expected to open sometime in June.

“What's great about [the new facility] is obviously, dedicating a resource to mental health, but they embedded housing in it as well, and we know the link between stable housing and improvements in mental health is really strong,” Cohen told the Voice & Viewpoint. “And so I love that. Thinking about the whole person — how do we wrap around all the services that they need,” she said.

The National Institute on Minority Health (NIMH) reports that one in five Americans experience mental illness during any given year, and percentages of those who pursue treatment range dramatically depending on ethnicity. Only one in three Black Americans living with a mental health condition actually receive treatment, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found in 2020. African-Americans are 20 percent more likely to experience serious psychological distress than White Americans, the NIMH says, and several factors may prevent the seeking

seeking professional help means you’re not taking care of your self. Born and raised in San Diego, Stroud struggled as a young man in the 80s and 90s before attending San Diego City College, where he decided to study psychology. That became the foundation for Stroud’s interest in protecting his own mind. That education, he says, is what helped him break through that stigma.

“If I would have known more about [mental health] in my younger years, I could have gotten some help sooner,” he said.

of treatment, especially in men. These factors may include a lack of access to health insurance, cultural stigmas around depression and trauma or living at or below the poverty line.

“[Mental health care] is a stigmatized ideal that Black folks have especially,” Stroud said. He says the stigma comes from the idea that

To help combat these disparities, organizations like the NIMH have put together campaigns such as Brother, You’re On My Mind or Sista Afya’s Community Care to help provide information and gender-specific resources to encourage those in need to seek help.

While pondering how to discuss how much his time with the Family Health Center has

meant to him, through misty eyes, Stroud proudly shared his strength.

“Since coming here, I’ve been able to share, open up about my life, things that I have faced in my life since childhood,” he said. Since seeing a counselor at the center, he says he is growing as a person and learning about how to set appropriate boundaries.

“Having more self esteem or self worth is so important. I study psychology, but that doesn’t stop or limit what I [deal with in] my own personal life. And so in order to study more to help others, I want to be healthy. And so that’s why I come here and look forward to

said.

Sola Fadiran as Juicy in Fat Ham.

PHOTO: Rich Soublet II

Sideeq Heard. PHOTO: Courtesy of Old Globe

coming here,” he

Willard Stroud, Jr. speaks with CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen about his experiences with the Family Health Center in City Heights.

Fran Butler-Cohen, CEO of the Family Health Centers of San Diego, shows CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen the new behavioral health facility set to open in City Heights sometime this summer.

The City Heights Family Health Center provides services in many languages. The building’s directory is posted in English, Spanish and Somali.

The Family Health Centers of San Diego is one of the nation’s largest federally qualified health centers (FQHC).

SHAKESPEARE, KINDA MAGIC: HEARD ON FAT HAM

Shakespeare and Hamlet. “But for folks who have no experience, it’s fun to just latch on to the story of this black family in the South. There is karaoke, games, absurdity, connections. It’s a good time to be a human when you’re in the theater watching Fat Ham because there is so much to relate to.”

his credits abound for film ( Here is a Man ), recording (“Fatal Attraction”) and assisting Carl Cofield at the Classical Theatre of Harlem’s adaptation of Twelfth Night. Directing the show is exhilarating for Heard. The Howard University and NYU grad is a deep thinker with a big purpose. Mentored by original director Saheem Ali during the show’s Broadway run, Heard sees magic in the show, adding to the current dynamic explosion of theatre works that challenge traditional narratives, driven by a diverse array of voices. “The Black experience is woven through the play as is the queer experience,” says the New Jersey native, who identifies as queer. He sees the power of storytelling as transformational, a way to start conversations and lead to deeper understandings of the humanity that connects us all.

“I love embodying and creating big stories,” he says, reminiscing on his youth in the church in Georgia where he first glimpsed how storytelling could change people’s hearts. Now that passion has opened for him the gift of storytelling in different ways to different people. “Whether I’m onstage acting or in a studio writing or directing a film that elevates a queer or underdog experience, that is my passion. That makes me feel like I’m living a life that’s worth living. Because ultimately, I believe storytelling changes people.

“This show will ask you to fully engage with the characters,” he offers. They may go in the aisle. The show may ask you to jump up on your feet, to clap your hands. It’s like being in a black church. The pastor just preaches. They don’t ask you to participate, but they’ll rile you up and give you what you need. That’s what this show does. It asks, ‘How can we coexist when we have different identities?’ And the answer is, for me, to tell stories about each other, gain an understanding about the other person. Then you can empathize with them. And then we can move forward as a society.” Fat Ham runs through June 23 at the Old Globe.

Sola Fadiran as Juicy in Fat Ham.

PHOTO: Rich Soublet II

Playwright James Ijames. PHOTO: Courtesy of Old Globe

COMMUNITY

VOICE & VIEWPOINT’S GUIDE TO 2024

About Juneteenth

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Liberation Day, is an American holiday celebrated annually on June 19. It is the oldest national commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S.

This year marks the 159th anniversary of when Union Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, Texas, with the news that the Civil War ended and that enslaved people were now free. This announcement was more than two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Here’s a guide to Juneteenth Events happening in San Diego Communities near you!

1

Juneteenth at Chollas Lake

Date/Time: June 22 / 10am-5pm

Location: Chollas Park Gloria Mesa Amphitheater FREE EVENT

2

Cooper Family Foundation

Date/Time: June 15 / 11am-6:30pm

Location: Dolores Memorial Park 2975 Oceanview Blvd., San Diego FREE EVENT

5 6

Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors

Date/Time: June 19 / 11:30am-1:30pm

Location: 1150 Broadway, El Cajon, CA Tickets: $15

Juneteenth X Fashionteenth

Date/Time: June 15 / 1-7pm Location: 2600 Laning Rd. San Diego Tickets: $75-$125

7

Civil Rights Forum

Date/Time: June 20 / 5:30-7:30pm

3

Location: California Western School of Law 225 Cedar St., San Diego Tickets: $25; Students: FREE

4 4th Annual Juneteenth Charity Golf Tournament

Date/Time: June 17 / 10am-7pm

Location: Lomas Santa Fe Country Club FREE EVENT

"We've Come This Far by Faith: The Black Church –Past, Present & Future"

Date/Time: June 17/ 11:30am-1pm ONLINE EVENT Register: blink.ucsd.edu

8

SD Melanin’s 7th Annual Juneteenth

Date/Time: June 15 / 12-9pm

Location: Waterfront Park Tickets: $30

10

9

Third Annual La Mesa Juneteenth & Friends

Date/Time: June 16 / 12-4pm

Location: MacArthur Park; 4975 Memorial Dr., La Mesa, CA FREE EVENT

Book Distribution in Celebration of Juneteenth

Date/Time: June 15 / 12-1pm

Location: Oak Park Library 2082 5h St., San Diego FREE EVENT Black Arts & Culture District Music Festival

Date/Time: June 29 / 11am-8pm

Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Park; 6041 Skyline Dr., San Diego FREE EVENT

11

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

South Africa's Election Results are Expected

Why the President will be chosen later

By Gerald Imray Associated Press

So uth Africa held a national election on May 29 that could be the country's most hotly contested in 30 years, with the long-ruling African National Congress party facing a stern test to hold onto its majority.

The ANC has been the majority party and in government ever since the end of South Africa's apartheid system of white minority rule and the establishment of democracy in 1994 and has held the presidency since then.

Under the South African political system, people vote for parties and not directly for the president in their national elections. The two processes are separate, even though they are linked: Voters choose parties to decide the makeup of Parliament and lawmakers then elect the president.

Election

The election took place on May 29, with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 9 p.m. across the country of 62 million people, which has nine provinces. Nearly 28 million South Africans were registered to vote to decide the makeup of their national as well as provincial legislatures.

South Africans can choose parties, or for the first time independent candidates, to go to Parliament. Parties get seats in Parliament according to their share of the vote.

Counting starts immediately after the polls

close and the final results are expected by Sunday, according to the independent electoral commission that runs the election.

Choosing A President

The president is elected in Parliament after the national vote's results are announced. South Africa's Parliament has two houses and it's the lower house, or National Assembly, that chooses the president.

There, the 400 lawmakers vote for one of them to be the head of state and it needs a simple majority of 201. Because the ANC has always had a parliamentary majority since 1994, every president since then has been from the ANC, starting with Nelson Mandela.

Why This Year Could Be Historic

It has been almost procedural over the last three decades for the ANC to use its parliamentary majority to elect its leader as president of the country. This year may not be so simple.

Several polls have the ANC's support at less than 50% ahead of the election, raising the possibility that it might not have a parliamentary majority. It is still widely expected to be the biggest party, but if it goes below 50% it would then need an agreement or coalition with another party or parties to stay in government and get the 201 votes it needs from lawmakers to reelect President Cyril Ramaphosa for a second and final five-year term.

The new Parliament must meet for its first

session within 14 days of the election results being announced to choose the president. Should the ANC lose its majority, there would likely be a feverish period of bargaining between it and other parties to form some sort of coalition before Parliament sits.

It's possible that several opposition parties could join together to oust the ANC completely from government and Ramaphosa as president if they don't have a majority. That's a very remote possibility, though, considering the two biggest opposition parties — the centrist Democratic Alliance and the far-left

A Synthetic Drug Ravages Youth in Sierra Leone

There's little help, and some people are chained

craving.

In Sierra Leone, a cheap, syn thetic drug is ravaging youth. Trashstrewn alleys are lined with boys and young men slumped in addiction. Healthcare services are severely limited. One frustrated community has set up what it calls a treatment center, run by volunteers. But harsh measures can be used.

The project in the Bombay suburb of the capital, Freetown, started in the past year when a group of people tried to help a colleague’s younger brother off the drug called kush. After persuasion and threats failed, they locked him in his room for two months. It worked. He has returned to university and thanked them for setting him free.

The volunteers then expanded the effort and took over an abandoned building. They seize people at families' request and sometimes chain them to prevent them from escaping — an echo of a practice the West African country's only psychiatric hospital previously used. There's little padding against the concrete floor and walls, and little to do beyond confronting their

So far, the Bombay Community has treated 70 to 80 people, volunteers said. One showed the chains used in extreme cases, although no one was chained at the time. The youngest held was a 13-year-old boy sent there by his father.

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio this year declared a war on kush, calling it an epidemic and a national threat. He has launched a task force on drug and substance abuse, promising to lead a government approach focused on prevention and treatment involving law enforcement and community engagement.

“We are witnessing the destructive consequences of kush on our country’s very foundation, our young people," Bio said in April.

People rarely know what they're getting with kush, a derivative of cannabis mixed with synthetic drugs like fentanyl and tramadol and chemicals like formaldehyde. In some communities, civil society workers say, people have dug up graves to grind bones to cut with the drug, seeking chemicals used in embalming.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s director in Sierra Leone, Daphne Moffett, said one challenge in responding to the crisis is the drug's changing composition. “Before appropriate interventions can be developed, we need to know what materials are in Kush,” she said in an email.

Konneh, director of mental health at the Ministry of Social Welfare, heads Sierra Leone’s first public drug rehabilitation center, which opened in Freetown in February. He said kush has affected Sierra Leone like no other drug.

“It’s making young people drop out of college, and it’s having a physical effect on their health. You can see they have swollen feet, they have multiple organ failures, they’re involved in crimes,” he said. “It’s a very serious situation. It’s creating family disintegration, problems in communities, and they’re dying every day.”

The Social Linkages For Youth Development And Child Link (SLYDCL), a nonprofit organization that seeks to fight drug use, relies on former users of the drug to help educate young people about its toll. The organization had lobbied the government for years to allocate more resources to fighting addiction.

“Overcoming the addiction wasn’t easy. It was one of the hardest steps of my life,” said Ephraim Macaulay, a peer educator who came across kush in college and soon was paying less than a dollar for a day's supply. “It’s like you're trying to get out of water and there’s water all around you.”

Habib Kamara, the executive direc

tor at SLYDCL, said law enforce

ment needs to do more to target manufacturers at the top of the supply chain instead of chasing buyers and low-level sellers. The government has said it wants to help, not punish, those who use the drug.

Economic Freedom Fighters — are as critical of each other as they are of the ANC and are seen as unlikely to work together. The DA is part of a pre-election agreement to join forces with other smaller parties, excluding the EFF, in a coalition but they would all have to increase their vote considerably to overtake the ANC.

The ANC has given no indication of who it might work with if South Africa needs an unprecedented national coalition government. Ramaphosa said Wednesday after voting that he was confident the ANC would win an outright majority.

By Evelyne Musambi Associated Press

An advance team of Kenyan police officials who were assessing preparedness before a multinational force is deployed to quell violence in Haiti is heading back home after the planned deployment was delayed over logistical issues.

The team is due to arrive back from Haiti on Monday, May 27 after recommending a deployment delay that was later announced by the president.

A senior Kenyan official who declined to be named as they are not the official spokesperson said the bases are still under construction and crucial resources including vehicles are needed before deployment of the first 200 police officers from Kenya can take place.

The deployment was due to start last week, but President William Ruto said it would be delayed for three weeks.

The base where the police will operate from is about 70% done and there is need for secure stores

for the armory, according to the senior official, who was in the advance team.

The officials arrived in Haiti on May 28 , met the Haitian police on May 30 and the transitional presidential council on May 31.

U.S President Joe Biden on May 30, expressed deep appreciation to Ruto, who was on a state visit, for the deployment to help quell gang violence in Haiti.

The United States has agreed to contribute $300 million to a multinational force that will include 1,000 Kenyan police officers and others drawn from Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda and other countries.

Haiti has endured poverty, political instability and natural disasters for decades. International intervention in Haiti has a complicated history. A U.N.-approved stabilization mission to Haiti that started in June 2004 was marred by a sexual abuse scandal and the introduction of cholera, which killed nearly 10,000 people. The mission ended in October 2017.

PHOTO: Pexels

PHOTO: Pexels

By Kemo Cham Associated Press

PHOTO: africanews.com via X

HEALTHY LIVING EDUCATION

Health Disparities for Black People are Linked to Past

To day's health and health care dispar ities are rooted in a long history of U.S. policies and events and reflect the ongoing impacts of racism at multiple levels, including in systems, structures, policies, and interpersonal interactions. Understanding this past and how it shapes present-day disparities can help inform and guide efforts to address them. It also is important to recognize the resilience of marginalized people in the face of these challenges and disparities and to consider how to build on their strengths by prioritizing community engagement and leadership to mitigate disparities and improve overall health and well-being.

Today, Black people face persistent disparities in health care and health outcomes.

These include higher uninsured rates, being more likely to go without care due to cost, and worse reported health status. Their life expectancy is nearly five years shorter compared to White people (72.8 years vs. 77.5 years). Black infants have a more than two times higher infant mortality rate than White infants (10.6 per 1,000 v. 4.4 per 1,000 as of 2021), and Black people are nearly three times more likely than White people to die due to pregnancy-related reasons.

Although science has since disproven these theories, these beliefs continue to permeate the U.S. healthcare system today.

This history also continues to be reflected in people’s experiences seeking health care. A 2023 KFF survey found that Black adults are more likely than their White peers to say they were treated unfairly or with disrespect by a health care provider due to their race and ethnicity and to report certain negative experiences, including being refused pain medication they thought they needed or having a request or question ignored (Figure 2). Over half of Black adults say they feel they must be very careful about their appearance to be treated fairly during health care visits, and roughly three in ten say they prepare for possible insults from providers or staff during health care visits.

Today’s housing patterns continue to reflect these past discriminatory policies and leave Black people facing increased health risks.

Looking ahead, Black people could disproportionately benefit from new medical advancements given higher rates of many health conditions, but they face increased barriers to accessing them. One contributing factor to this disparity is underrepresentation in clinical trials. This underrepresentation reflects structural access barriers such as more limited access to trials sites, less access to transportation or technology, and limited eligibility for trials, if being uninsured or having an underlying condition excludes individuals from participation. Black people also face disparities in accessing new drugs and therapies when they come to market. New drugs often have high out of pocket costs, which may create more financial barriers for Black people due to underlying inequities in coverage and income.

Source: KFF.org, Samantha Artiga, Latoya Hill, and Marley Presiado, Feb 22, 2024

Integrating Black History Builds Better Education

By Aziah Siid Word in Black

For months, Republican presidential hopefuls like Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis have doubled down on whitewashing history, all while colleges and universities ditch their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

Helping lead the charge is Sonya Douglass, professor of education leadership at Teacher’s College, Columbia University. In 2017, she launched the Black Education Research Collective, creating a powerful alliance of scholars and researchers dedicated to enhancing and improving the educational experiences and outcomes for Black students.

limit their curriculum.”

As the director, Douglass helped lead the charge in the development of the first-ever PK-12 interdisciplinary Black Studies Curriculum being integrated into the classrooms across New York City.

“Our hope is that the children of New York City, and by extension, across the country, will be able to have access to a deeper and fuller understanding of the history of this country — because we’re including a Black perspective, and that, as a result of that, it will, I think, really improve cross-cultural understanding,” Douglass said.

Since 2021, at least 18 states have passed laws restricting or banning the teaching of supposed critical race theory, the current code word for teaching about Black history.

On the flip side, 12 states — Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington — currently mandate the teaching of Black history, although, as The 74 reported, “several of the 12 states have new laws on the books that

There’s growing recognition that teaching Black studies in schools is part of ensuring students achieve academically — and plenty of other things need to change in public education for that to happen.

A Collective Effort Is Needed

To elevate student achievement, Douglass emphasizes the importance of community support for overburdened teachers. Given the alarming data on students’ learning gaps and academic decline, teachers face significant challenges, often without sufficient support. Douglass advises teachers to practice self-compassion, acknowledging the overwhelming demands placed on them.

Douglass says society puts a “heavy weight” on teachers in a system that “has been struggling for a very long time to do what’s right by children, and it’s going to take a collective effort among teachers and parents and community members, business industry, media, politics, everyone to decide again, what we want our public education system to look like.”

This article originally appeared on Word in Black.

PHOTO: Freepik

Women Business Owners are Optimistic and Confident

Women and men who own small and mid-sized businesses are typically more aligned than they are different in their viewpoints about the economy. Now – more than ever – this is especially true as it relates to their optimism about running their businesses, according to PNC’s latest Economic Outlook Survey.

Survey results show that 69% of women and 73% of men are highly optimistic about their business prospects. But women appear to have the edge when it comes to confidence –69% say they are confident about running their businesses compared to 57% of men. This trend is consistent with last year’s survey responses. In 2022, 8 in 10 women business owners reported feeling very confident in their business success and nearly half credited their confidence to their own hard work and drive.

“It stands to reason that those sentiments, together with a few key resources – professional networks, improved access to credit and the agility to navigate the economic landscape – all contribute to a level of confidence that is driving continued optimism this year,” says Beth Marcello, director of PNC Women’s Business Development.

Engaging in Networks

According to the survey, women-owned businesses are more likely to be engaged with the Small Business Administration, chambers of commerce and other professional groups. In fact, 83% of women business owners participate in business development organizations compared to 64% of men.

“Women often credit the benefits of a strong network to winning new business and finding new and better ways of doing business,

and we’re supporting that network-building through our relationships with organizations such as global nonprofit Coralus and the Women Presidents Organization,” says Marcello.

Decisions for the Economic Landscape

The optimism of women business owners comes through in the survey in specific areas of their enterprises, as 64% expect to see an increase in demand, 65% anticipate an increase in sales, and 56% predict an increase in profits in the next six months. While 57% also have plans to moderately increase prices.

“These are just a few indicators of how women are thinking as they make business decisions heading into 2024,” Marcello says. “While some of their optimism may be tested by continued high inflation and a potential recession, there is strong evidence that they are prepared.”

Seeking Credit

When PNC began surveying women business owners in 2014, men were more likely to seek credit in the near term. The 2022 survey showed for the first time, women overtaking men when considering a new loan or line of credit to support business growth. This trend continued in 2023, with 26% of women saying they are likely to seek a near-term business loan or line of credit compared to 23% of men.

“While this data could simply reflect changes in the way women are conducting business, it’s evidence that fewer women are intimidated by the traditional process of gaining access to credit for their businesses,” Marcello says. “This is really encouraging.”

Statepoint

How Much Should You Have Saved for Retirement at Every Age?

By

There’s a popular meme floating around on social media that states, “I have enough money saved to live comfortably for the rest of my life. If I die by Thursday.”

The average person is grossly under saving for retirement. According to Vanguard’s “How Americans Save 2023” report, the average retirement savings in the U.S. by age are as follows:

Under age 25 – $5,236

Ages 25-34 – $30,017

Ages 35-44 – $76,354

Ages 45-54 – $142,069

Ages 55-64 – $207,874

Ages 65+ – $232,710

Based on the average retirement saving figures stated above, are you below average or above average for your age?

In your 20s: This is a great time to start building your savings habit. It’s generally recommended to save at least 10–20 percent of your income, if possible. Additionally, it’s a good idea to work towards building an emergency fund that can cover 3 to 6 months’ worth of living expenses.

By age 30: Aim to have saved the equivalent of your annual salary in a retirement account. This can include contributions to employer-sponsored plans like 401(k)s or individual retirement accounts (IRAs). If you’re 30 years old, earning $45,000 per year, you’d want to have approximately $45,000 saved for retirement.

By age 40: Aim to have three times your annual salary saved for retirement. This may include contributions to retirement accounts as well as other investments. If you’re 40 years old, earning $50,000 per year, you’d want to have approximately $150,000 saved for re-

tirement. ($50,000 x 3)

By age 50: Aim to have six times your annual salary saved for retirement. Take advantage of catch-up contributions in retirement accounts if you are eligible. Catch-up contributions allow people age 50 and up to save over and above the standard threshold for retirement contributions in a given year. If you’re 50 years old, earning $55,000 per year, you’d want to have approximately $330,000 saved for retirement. ($55,000 x 6)

By age 60: Aim to have eight to 10 times your annual salary saved for retirement. Evaluate your retirement plans and make any necessary adjustments to meet your retirement goals. Between ages 45 and 47, you’re within 20 years from retirement. When it comes to retirement planning, age 45-47 puts you in the red zone. At age 60, you can see the goal line. If you’re 60 years old, earning $65,000 per year, you’d want to have approximately $650,000 saved for retirement. ($65,000 x 10) Tally up how much income you can expect from pension, social security, and other income monthly. Let’s assume that number is $2,500 per month. Let’s further assume that $5,000 is what you need monthly to maintain your desired standard of living. You have a $2,500 monthly gap. In this scenario your retirement savings need to generate $2,500 per month for you to be comfortable and maintain your desired standard of living.

In order to get an approximate of how much you need your retirement savings to be, multiply your monthly gap by 12 months. ($2,500 x 12 = $30,000) This is the amount you need to draw down from your retirement account yearly. Then take $30,000 (annual amount needed) x 25 ($30,000 x 25 = $750,000) In this scenario, $750,000 is how much should be saved for retirement to meet desired goals.

How much should you save for retirement? Answer: As much as you can. Little to no funds in your retirement savings equal little to no fun for you during retirement.

PHOTO: Freepik

PHOTO: Freepik

Damon Carr

The Pittsburgh Courier

CLASSIFIEDS / LEGAL NOTICES

Black C.R.E.E.D Apprenticeship Program

Black C.R.E.E.D Scholarship Fund

Black C.R.E.E.D Industrial Cooperative Education

Black C.R.E.E.D Architectural

Engineering Institute Located at: 6904 Federal Blvd. Lemon Grove, CA 91945

County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

A Corporation

The first day of business was: 04/04/2024

This business is hereby registered by the following:

The Black Creed Institute Of America INC. 6904 Federal Blvd. Lemon Grove, CA 91945

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 01, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 01, 2029 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9009865

Fictitious business name(s):

Newbegin Funding

Newbegin Realty

Newbegin Property Management

Newbegin Construction Located at: 1561 Law Street San Diego, CA 92109 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 05/08/2024

FICTITIOUS

This business is hereby registered by the following: Noah Newbegin 1561 Law Street San Diego, CA 92109

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 08, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 08, 2029 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9010840

Fictitious business name(s): ChiroVibe Located at:

660 Bay Blvd. Suite 211 Chula Vista, CA 91910 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 05/21/2024

This business is hereby registered by the following: Lora Jane Urig

660 Bay Blvd. Suite 211 Chula Vista, CA 91910

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 21, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 21, 2029 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9010068

Fictitious business name(s): Hyundai Of El Cajon Located at: 1155 Graves Ave. El Cajon, CA 92021 County of San Diego PO Box 25309 Eugene, OR 97401

This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company

The first day of business was: 05/11/2020 This business is hereby registered by the following: JKC SD2 LLC 1155 Graves Ave. El Cajon, CA 92021 State of Incorporation/ Organization: CA

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County

This fictitious business name will expire on May 09, 2029 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9011358

Fictitious business name(s): ReKre8 Apparel

ReKre8 Universal ReKre8 Cafe Located at: 828 S. 47th St. San Diego, CA 92113 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

A Limited Liability Company

The first day of business was: 05/29/2024

This business is hereby registered by the following: ReKre8 Apparel LLC 828 S. 47th St. San Diego, CA 92113 State of Incorporation/ Organization:

CA

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 29, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 29, 2029 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9009180

Fictitious business name(s): Garden To Go Located at: 11830 Waterhill Rd. Lakeside, CA 92040 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

An Individual

The first day of business was: 04/20/2024

This business is hereby registered by the following: Laura Lee Brown 11830 Waterhill Rd. Lakeside, CA 92040

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 29, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on April 29, 2029 5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9011120

Fictitious business name(s): Side Of Change Consulting

Still We Rise Consulting Located at: 4867 Collwood Blvd. Unit A San Diego, CA 92115 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: A General Partnership The first day of business was: 04/01/2022

This business is hereby registered by the following: Brittnie E Bloom 4867 Collwood Blvd. Unit A San Diego, CA 92115

Marissa M Salazar 5878 Lance Street San Diego, CA 92120

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 24, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 24, 2029 5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9009618

Fictitious business name(s): California Honey Co.

Mikolich Honey

Located at: 1580 Union Street 402 San Diego, CA 92101 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company The first day of business was: 06/01/2019 This business is hereby registered by the following: California Honey Company LLC.

1580 Union Street 402 San Diego, CA 92101 State of Incorporation/ Organization: CA This statement was filed with

the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 03, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 03, 2029 5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9009708

Fictitious business name(s): Apex Alliance Holdings LLC Located at: 3400 Cottage Way STE G2 Sacramento, CA 95825 This business is conducted by:

A Limited Liability Company

The first day of business was: 05/01/2024

This business is hereby registered by the following: Apex Alliance Holdings LLC 3400 Cottage Way STE G2 Sacramento, CA 95825 State of Incorporation/ Organization:

CA

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 06, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 06, 2029 5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

2024-9011113

Fictitious business name(s): TCP Media Located at:

3985 Wabaska Dr. #16

San Diego, CA 92107 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

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

This business is hereby registered by the following: Thomas Plunkett

3985 Wabaska Dr. #16 San Diego, CA 92107

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 24, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 24, 2029 5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9011017

Fictitious business name(s): Lemon Grove Thai Food Located at: 7975 Broadway Lemon Grove, CA 91945 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: A Married Couple

The first day of business was: 05/10/2024

This business is hereby registered by the following: Cidora Yun 739 Baylor Ave. Bonita, CA 91902

Sambo Mao 739 Baylor Ave. Bonita, CA 91902

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 23, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 23, 2029 5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9010985

Fictitious business name(s): Alterations Pretty Woman --Pretty Woman Located at:

8233 Station Village Ln. Unit 2101 San Diego, CA 92108

County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: Mercedes Niner

8233 Station Village Ln. Unit 2101 San Diego, CA 92108

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 22, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 22, 2029

5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9010147

Fictitious business name(s):

Citrine Consulting Located at: 8174 Rose Quartz Cir San Diego, CA 92126-1055 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

An Individual

The first day of business was: 04/01/2024

This business is hereby registered by the following: Jennifer K Cho 8174 Rose Quartz Cir San Diego, CA 92126-1055

State of Incorporation/ Organization: CA

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 10, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 10, 2029 5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9010605

Fictitious business name(s):

Brain Body Regulation Located at: 6766 Brooklyn Ave. San Diego, CA 92114

County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

A Limited Liability Company

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

This business is hereby registered by the following: Uzoma Wellness LLC 6766 Brooklyn Ave. San Diego, CA 92114

State of Incorporation/ Organization: CA

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 17, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 17, 2029 5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT 2024-9010884

Fictitious business name(s): Young Women Conference San Diego

YWCSD Located at: 1245 Elkelton Blvd Spring Valley, CA 91977 County of San Diego

P.O. Box 153843 San Diego, CA 92195

This business is conducted by:

A Joint Venture Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above

This business is hereby registered by the following: Rachael A Russell

P.O. Box 153843 San Diego, CA 92195

CBNC In-Action

P.O. Box 153843 San Diego, CA 92195

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 22, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 22, 2029

5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9010377

Fictitious business name(s):

Legends Real Estate Located at: 1420 Kettner Blvd. Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92101 County of San Diego

260 Palladio Parkway Suite 1005

Folsom, CA 95630 This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: John F. Pope

1420 Kettner Blvd. Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92101

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 14, 2024 This fictitious business name will expire on May 14, 2029 5/23, 5/30, 6/6, 6/13

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9010749

Fictitious business name(s): Power Legal Docs & Notary Services Located at: 709 Sunningdale Drive Oceanside, CA 92057 County of San Diego 4225 Oceanside Blvd. STE. # PMB120 Oceanside, CA 92056

County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

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

This business is hereby registered by the following: Chimere Trumone Williams 4225 Oceanside Blvd. STE.- # PMB120 Oceanside, CA 92056

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 20, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 20, 2029 5/23, 5/30, 6/6, 6/13

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9010538

Fictitious business name(s): Fuller Homes LLC A Fuller House Located at: 2879 Jamacha Rd. #1026 El Cajon, CA 92019 This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above

This business is hereby registered by the following: Fuller Homes LLC 2879 Jamacha Rd. #1026 El Cajon, CA 92019 This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 16, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on May 16, 2029 5/23, 5/30, 6/6, 6/13

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9010536

Fictitious business name(s): Aspire Visitation Services

Aspire Visitation Center Located at: 2879 Jamacha Rd. #1026 El Cajon, CA 92019 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above

This business is hereby registered by the following: Keyauna Shinae Foster 2879 Jamacha Rd. #1026 El Cajon, CA 92019 This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on

May 16, 2024 This fictitious business name will expire on May 16, 2029 5/23, 5/30, 6/6, 6/13

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9009212

Fictitious business name(s): Sayaka Tea Located at: 6353 El Cajon Blvd. STE 134 San Diego, CA 92115 County of San Diego This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: Tina Sakasegawa 6353 El Cajon Blvd. STE 134 San Diego, CA 92115 This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 29, 2024 This fictitious business name will expire on April 29, 2029 5/23, 5/30, 6/6, 6/13

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9010216

Fictitious business name(s): Starlight Liberation Therapy Located at: 3424 47th St. San Diego, CA 92105 County of San Diego This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: Andina Aste-Nieto 3424 47th St. San Diego, CA 92105 This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on May 13, 2024 This fictitious business name will expire on May 13, 2029 5/23, 5/30, 6/6, 6/13

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2024-9010442

Fictitious business name(s): Bright Care Home Located at: 6334 Varney Dr. San Diego, CA 92114 County of San Diego This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability

statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 08, 2024

This fictitious business name will expire on April 08, 2029 5/16, 5/23, 5/30, 6/6

NAME CHANGE

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA

330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101

37-2024-00023059CU-PT-CTL

Petitioner or Attorney: Kevin Kristopher Kimbrew

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Kevin Kristopher Kimbrew filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME: Kevin Kristopher Kimbrew

PROPOSED NAME:

Kalev Kelil Kasher

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: July 02, 2024 Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61 (To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)

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

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

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

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

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

Changing Name and Order

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

A certified copy of Decree

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

Changing Name and Order

Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate

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

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

If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the

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

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

The address of the court is: 330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA 330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Central Division Hall of Justice

37-2024-00022688CU-PT-CTL

Petitioner or Attorney: Jessica Alvidrez Marble

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Jessica Alvidrez Marble filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME: Jessica Alvidrez Marble

PROPOSED NAME: Jessica Ann Alvidrez

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: July 03, 2024 Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61

(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

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

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

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

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

program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.

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

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

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN

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

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

The address of the court is:

330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA

330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Hall of Justice Civil Division 37-2024-00013182CU-PT-CTL

Petitioner or Attorney: Deborah Hosein

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Deborah Hosein filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME: Deborah Hosein

PROPOSED NAME: Deborah Mary Claret Hosein

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: July 17, 2024 Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A RESPONDENT

OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN

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

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

The address of the court is: 330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 5/23, 5/30, 6/6, 6/13

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Aurora Totanes Saini

Case Number: 24PE001001C

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of Aurora Totanes Saini Aka Aurora Lamsis Totanes

Aka Aurora Totanes SainiNichols

A Petition for Probate has been filed by Weygan Lamsis Totanes in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego

The Petition for Probate requests that Weygan L Totanes be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

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

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: on June 26 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 Probate

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

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

You may examine the file

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

A REQUEST FOR SPECIAL NOTICE form is available from the court clerk.

Petitioner: Weygan L Totanes 1810 E Alvarado St. Fallbrook, CA 92028

(760)-626-9865

5/30, 6/6, 6/13

SPORTS

Meet Akili Smith, San Diego’s Next Elite High School Recruit

By Michael West Contributing Writer

Or egon commit Akili Smith Junior is a rare breed. One of few San Diego high school players ever to be committed to a powerhouse college football program, Smith is bringing national interest to San Diego. The soon to be senior is highly regarded, well known, and expected to excel at the next level. Rated a Four Star commit by every major recruiting service, he is considered one of the most talented players in the country.

He completed 68% of his passes, threw 25 touchdowns, and passed for 2431 yards. Smith’s efforts landed Lincoln High into the coveted San Diego Section Open Division Title game, and the Hornets entered the contest with a 21 consecutive win streak.

Although the Hornets lost to Granite Hills 27-26, the game was a thriller as Smith led Lincoln high on a final drive that stalled inside the 10-yard line in the final minute of the gamedue to a bad snap.

All four Recruiting Services

above rank the talented quarterback as one of 150 most talented players in the entire country, as well as a top 10 QB, and easily one of the most talented players in California. Smith recently earned an invitation to the Elite 11 finals-which is considered the most prestigious national 7-on-7 contests attended by High School Seniors.

Smith gained national attention early, as he became a starting quarterback his sophomore year at Vista Murrieta High School. He threw 29 touchdowns, and passed for 2432 yards, and the budding star quickly earned high praise. But he was only getting started.

Smith moved to San Diego his junior year. The emerging star took the helm at Lincoln High School-an astonishing accomplishment because the Hornets were reigning Division 1-AA champions. The talented quarterback did not disappoint.

Smith led Lincoln high to anoth-

Smith is known for his throwing delivery, his arm strength, and his mobility. He is an effective passer, and he executes well in critical situations. The 6 foot five 215-pound dual threat quarterback also earned division 1–AA All CIF honors his junior year, and the Silver Pigskin underclassmen of the year.

The senior hopes to follow in his father's footsteps. Akili Smith Sr. led the 1998 Oregon Ducks to an eight and four record his senior season – and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Smith’s prospects are high, as Oregon boasts one of the most explosive offenses in college foot-ball. The Ducks historically develop quarterbacks well –more than 10 Oregon quarterbacks have been drafted by the NFL. If Oregon offensive coordinator (Will Stein) remains at the school, Smith Junior could be developed into a Heisman contender.

Sources: Maxpreps.com; si.com;

PHOTO: (Right) Akili Smith via X

AROUND TOWN

Fourth District Seniors Resource Center Proudly Presents

CELEBRATION”

“Juneteenth is the Oldest Known Celebration Commemorating the Ending of Slavery in the United States Back in 1865 ”

Wednesday, June 19, 2024 (11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

George L. Stevens Senior Community Center

570 So. 65th Street, (Off Skyline Drive) San Diego, CA 92114

Admission $8.00

RSVP By Friday, June 14th A MUST!!

For tickets or more information, please phone (619) 266-2066 FEATURING

1939

BLACK HISTORY

MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN IS BORN

Marian Wright Edelman, born on June 6 in South Carolina, attended Spelman College in Atlanta (B.A., 1960) and Yale University Law School (LL.B., 1963). After registering African American voters in Mississippi, she moved to New York City as a staff attorney for the Legal Defense and Educational Fund of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) becoming the first African-American woman to pass the bar in Mississippi.

In 1971, Edelman was the director of Harvard University’s Center for Law and Education, and in 1973, she founded and became president of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) in Washington, D.C.

Her honors include a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship (1985) and several humanitarian awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian award, and the Robert F. Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award for her writings. Although Edelman stepped down from the CDF, she still continues to publish today!

1939

MAE JEMISON IS CHOSEN FOR NASA

Mae C. Jemison, born on October 17, 1956 in Alabama, spent much of her time in libraries reading about all she could get her hands on. Mae graduated high school with honors and entered Stanford University and graduated in 1977 with a degree in chemical engineering and African American studies.

Jemison then attended Cornell University’s medical school graduating in 1981.

Jemison decided she wanted to be an astronaut and on June 6, 1987 she joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) program. In September of 1992, she became the first African American woman in space during her flight on the STS-47, Spacelab-J, She resigned from NASA in 1993. Mae Jemison is currently the director of the Jemison Institute for Advancing Technology in developing countries.

Marian Wright Edelman(1994)