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The San Diego Monitor than whites, even though use of the drug was roughly equal among both populations.
Aubry Stone; President of The California Chamber of Commerce
If Cannabis is Legal in California, Why are so Many Minority Businesses Considered Illegal? By Aubry Stone special to California Black Media partners
One of the great advantages of Proposition 64 – the 2016 ballot initiative that legalized adult use cannabis – was the idea that it could start to address the disproportionately negative impact of marijuana arrests among communities of color. This disparity is well documented. Just a few years ago, the American Civil Liberties Union reported that African Americans were nearly four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession
Prop 64 not only promised to reduce or expunge certain past convictions, it also presented employment opportunities in the newly legalized cannabis industry as a gateway to the middle class for many underserved communities. As the head of a statewide organization that supports many minority-owned cannabis businesses, I know firsthand that communities of color are not seeing the promised opportunities of this new marketplace being realized. Since Prop 64 was implemented back in January of this year, less than 15% of California cities are operating functional, licensed cannabis markets. There’s more: Recently, the State’s Bureau of Cannabis Control has notified more than 900 cannabis-related businesses across the state to cease operation because they are unlicensed. These dispensaries, delivery services, cultivators, brands and farms – many of them owned by or employing people of color – were perfectly “compliant” for decades before January 1. But because state and local jurisdictions have been slow to issue the proper paperwork to them, the expectation is that they should close down until the bureaucrats finally get their act together. Cont. pg. 4
Try to use that as an excuse when you can’t pay your rent, health insurance, or credit card bill.
The San Diego Monitor
VIRGIE HAZEL McCAIN & WILLIAM HENRY CARTER PARK A landmark that tells a story of good people! It's just a friendly quiet park, and like the swings that cradle its youth, it has a story that nurtures the people of City Heights ensuring they have simple fun in this wonderful piece of history! "Ms. Virgie was adamant about getting this done, William Carter says." "She never had any doubt that it would get done. She believed in me, so I had to show our community how people can effect change." The co-namesake is myself and Ms. McCain, she lived long enough to see the park named after her & I, in this wonderful ceremony, though she has now transitioned on, she gave the park her spirit of life and a sense of perseverance before she passed on. Mayor Kevin Faulconer presented the park with a proclamation and it reads WHEREAS, Virgie Hazel McCain has been a resident of the City Heights Community since 1954; and
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WHEREAS, Virgie Hazel McCain has been a resident of the City Heights Community since 1954; and WHEREAS, Virgie Hazel McCain has made numerous contributions to the City Heights community including being a founding member and serving as President of the City Heights Community Development Corporation; and WHEREAS, Virgie Hazel McCain's vision and advocacy was crucial in securing funding for the City to purchase, develop and establish the original City Heights Mini Park in 1972; and WHEREAS, William Carter is a third-generation resident of City Heights and has lived a life of service to ensure a safe neighborhood for children and future generations. WHEREAS, William Carter trained females for non-traditional jobs while honorably serving in the San Diego Police Department, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department; and WHEREAS, William Carter is a retired employee of the San Diego School District working for the "Integration Programs", as well as a high school wrestling coach ultimately being recognized by the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park as a "Coaching Legend"; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Kevin Faulconer, the 36th Mayor of the City of San Diego, do hereby proclaim June 4, 2015, to be "VIRGIE HAZEL MCCAIN AND WILLIAM HENRY CARTER PARK DAY" in the City of San Diego. Next page
The San Diego Monitor 4
what an uphill battle people of color can face. But there’s a solution. Our communities must hold elected officials accountable and make the promise of legal cannabis a reality for people of color.
Certificate Recipients: Roosevelt Brown, Kristen Carter-Snell, William Carter, Jr., ABC BOXING, Trudy Sulpacio Gomes, Linda Pennington, Elizabeth Tate and more. Sponsors are: Walmart, Cost Co., Northgate, Target and Albertsons. Aubry Stone Story continued from pg. 2 This is particularly problematic given that the ACLU has also noted that opportunities for racial minorities to establish businesses are significantly less likely to occur as compared to white entrepreneurs. Just say “cannabis” in some business settings (yes, even here in California) and you will see
The first step is for local leaders to open up the cannabis markets in their communities. We must write, call, and confront local elected leaders and ask: Why haven’t they issued more licenses? When do they plan to do it? Will they make sure that small businesses have a chance? Will they make sure that the licensing fee structure doesn’t prevent small businesses from participating? The barriers of entry to licensure are incredibly high, whether it be fees or unduly high state and local taxes. Combined with local bans, this is leaving no path for small, minority-owned and -operated businesses to get a foot in the legal market. Breaking down these walls will be key to ensuring more diversity of applicants and allowing the licensed market to triumph over the illegal market. Back in 2016, Californians overwhelmingly told the state that we supported legal cannabis. Now it’s time to remind our local leaders of that – and for them to make it really happen. Aubry Stone is President and CEO of California Black Chamber of Commerce.
The San Diego Monitor 5
Most Influential Makena Hayes- Gargonnu
No longer hiding her gifts
Previously printed by Life by Design Magazine Photo by Barrera photography Makena has been a celebrity event producer for 12 years. In addition, she consults with high profile entrepreneurs, is an event marketing strategist, and a social media influencer. In 1998, Makena first got started in event production when she worked closely with an executive producer, as her registration manager, who produced conferences to empower women on everything from culture to how to deal with conflict management to finances – essentially everything that a woman has to deal with. Before that, she put on community workshops for young girls to help them with self-esteem issues. Believing that comedy is a healthy part of life and that it's time for audiences to see more positively influenced comedy shows that are clean, classy, and uplifting, Makena created her own production called “Conscious Comedy Explosion!” This is a production that shares the positive and conscience side of comedy. Being able to teach other women how to become entrepreneurs themselves and have a viable business is Makena's greatest passion. She feels fortunate to be able to inspire women through her own business and immensely enjoys encouraging others to find their entrepreneurial passion as well. Live Love Laugh – that's Makena's drive in life, what she lives by. She feels that people need to fill their lives with love and laughter; that's why she loves comedy. She also gets great satisfaction from making people feel good. Read entire story www.sdmonitornews.com
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The San Diego Monitor
The San Diego Monitor
Rising Star Shyra James Goes for the Goal By Amaya Jones
Although the sports industry has always been male-centric and it seems athletic women have been swept under the rug and left out of today’s sports industry, vigorously active women are now improving in the sports market. Whether it’s a four-time gold medalist Simone Biles, or Serena Williams winning her 23rd title these women are a part of a tremendous movement bringing more acknowledgment to females in competitive athletics. The impact of athletic women not being celebrated enough can diminish their chances in certain circumstances. This puts a divide between male and female outcomes, success in sports or
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leagues mean notoriety and fortune in greater instances for male athletes as amateurs and professionals. A broaden visibility in advertising or campaigning can provide a powerful symbolic representation of strong female role models for the youth that leads to similar advantages. Shyra James an Olympic hopeful, began playing soccer at the age of 4, she excelled tremendously and was put on a local organization with girls that were three years older than her. As the only freshman on Varsity soccer at Preuss, her previous high school, she set the record with an astonishing 52 goals. Shyra now as an 11th grader, attends Helix Charter High School and continues to play soccer at an intense level while also participating in extracurricular activities such as varsity volleyball for a third year. For instance, Shyra plays travel soccer at an exceptional level with San Diego Surf Soccer Club helping her team become 2nd overall in the nation by scoring a total of 16 goals, in the 2017 season. Shyra was selected to join an elite team which is connected with her club called Development Academy, the objective of this program is to practice almost every day in order to help transition these athletes into world class players. Shyra is particularly dangerous with the ball at her feet in her position as forward. Read the entire story on www.sdmonitornews.com
