Winter 2024 THE HUB Magazine

WOOD

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NAVIGATING THE HORIZON: HAPPY NEW YEAR AND PREPARING FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR 2024

Happy New Year everyone! As we stand on the cusp of a year filled with promise, challenges, and the potential for transformative change, it’s crucial to acknowledge that 2024 is not just any year—it’s a Presidential Election Year. The democratic heartbeat of our nation quickens, inviting us to engage, deliberate, and actively participate in shaping the future of our democracy.

The dawn of a new year often brings with it a sense of renewal and a commitment to progress. In the context of 2024 being a Presidential Election Year, this sentiment takes on added significance. It is a year that holds the power to redefine our national trajectory, reaffirm our values, and set the course for the years to come. On a local level, we are also in the year of Sacramento Mayoral Election. The California Primary Election is March 5, 2024. And, the U.S. Presidential Election Day is November 5, 2024.

As citizens, we play an integral role in the democratic process. Happy New Year serves not just as a greeting but as a call to action—an invitation to be informed, engaged, and proactive in our civic duties. Preparing for the upcoming election involves more than just marking a ballot; it’s about understanding the issues, evaluating candidates, and actively participating in the conversations that shape our collective future. ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?!!! registertovote.ca.gov

Education is the cornerstone of an informed electorate. Take the time to delve into the policies, stances, and visions of the candidates vying for leadership roles. Attend town halls, engage in debates, and seek out diverse sources of information to form a well-rounded perspective. In the digital age, information is at our fingertips, empowering us to be discerning and critical consumers of political discourse.

In the spirit of a new beginning, let us foster a political environment characterized by respectful dialogue and constructive engagement. Embrace the diversity of opinions that enrich our democracy and contribute to a vibrant political landscape. Remember that our shared commitment to democratic principles unites us, even in the face of differing perspectives.

2024 is an opportunity for us to reflect on the values we hold dear and the direction in which we want our nation to move. It’s a call to unite in our common goals and aspirations, transcending partisan divides for the collective good. As we say Happy New Year, let us also pledge to make it a year of active citizenship, where our voices shape the narrative and our votes determine the future. Democracy is not a spectator sport; it requires our active participation. This New Year, let’s embark on a journey of civic responsibility, with the understanding that our individual actions contribute to the broader tapestry of our nation’s democratic fabric

As we navigate the ever-changing currents of the world, we hope this special edition issue of articles serve as beacons of knowledge and catalysts for positive change. Thank you for joining us on this exploration, and may the wisdom gained here propel you towards a year filled with growth, understanding, and meaningful impact. Until our next issue, happy reading and a prosperous year ahead!

True Blessings!

Pleshette Robertson CEO and Founder Sac Cultural Hub Media Company and Foundation facebook.com/pleshettemarie

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Who have you lost from tobacco use? It is sad to say, but we all know someone who smoked, chewed and even vaped and then later became ill. How many of us have taken care of sick relatives or how long have they suffered from lung diseases like COPD or Emphysema, which last for decades, as we watch them slowly suffocate because they can’t breathe?

Now close your eyes and imagine a world without harmful tobacco! Our loved ones would most likely still be with us. Instead of tobacco, store shelves would have healthier foods or other products we use. We don’t have to imagine it anymore. We can act now and eliminate tobacco being sold so our children and future generations don’t have to imagine this world.

CALIFORNIA HAS A GOAL TO END COMMERCIAL TOBACCO SALES BY 2035. We do not have to wait. We can start in our own communities and join cities like Beverly Hills, Brookline, Massachusetts, and the country of New Zealand who have already accomplished this.

Saving Our Legacy, African Americans for Smoke Free Safe Places is educating decision makers who are considering the tobacco endgame in the City of Sacramento. Learn more at www.thesolproject.com

WELCOME HOME, PRESIDENT OF CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO

DR. J. LUKE WOOD

By Michael P Coleman, Freelance Writer

I’m privileged to be in this role and help serve as a visible example that people can accomplish whatever it is that they want to accomplish in their lives.”

If you Google “The Power of Attraction,” I wouldn’t be surprised if a picture of Dr. J. Luke Wood popped up.

Wood was sworn in as California State University, Sacramento’s ninth president last summer, about 20 years after first declaring, as a teenaged undergraduate at the institution, that he would lead the organization one day. The 41 year old visionary is a former fifth grader who had been suspended dozens of times during that single academic year. He went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degree at Sac State, then a Masters of Education and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Arizona State University.

Today, Wood is the youngest president in Sac State’s history.

“I certainly had people here [at Sac State] who didn’t think I could amount to anything, and [they] communicated that to me,” Wood confided, after I asked about a rumor that suggested the same. “But the worse thing you can do with me is tell me I can’t do something. Someone told me I couldn’t box, so at 38 years old, I picked up boxing and competed. I have a ‘prove them wrong’ kind of ethos.”

BECOMING LUKE WOOD

If anyone ever had an opportunity to hone that ethos in the school of hard knocks, it’s Wood. After being born in Oakland, California to a mother who struggled with mental health and substance use and was incarcerated, he and his twin brother entered the foster care system. They settled in a home in McCloud, a town of fewer than 1,000 people located at the foot of Mt. Shasta in far northern California. The future Sac State president told me that his high school was home to about 100 students.

“Growing up was a very oppositional experience,” Wood recalled. “I was in this home of very diverse children who were all in the

system — either foster or long term care, guardianship, adoption. Across the street, there was a group home, and the rest of the town was nothing like that. When I was in fifth grade, I had a teacher who saw me as a black foster kid. That teacher suspended me 42 times.”

While that experience would have set back other students for the rest of their lives, it led Wood to later focus his research on school suspensions as they relate to foster youth. But more on that in a minute! You’re probably wondering how a foster kid who had been suspended 42 times turned it around and became the president of one of the nation’s leading universities.

At the risk of giving you a clichéd answer, it’s in the book…one of the 16 tomes that Wood has published during his distinguished career.

(Spoiler alert! The next year, Wood’s sixth grade teacher really saw Wood, and instilled in him a lifetime love of learning.)

“Years later, I wrote a study highlighting high rates of disproportionality for black students in California, as it related to foster youth,” Wood continued. “We did a really big webinar on the topic, and afterward a state legislator asked whether we had recommendations on what needed to be done. I wrote that foster youth should have access to their court appointed attorney or social worker when they’re in the expulsion hearings, so that they have someone in the room who is advocating for them.”

rated high schoolers from across the state to campus for a political camp that lasts a week, during which they live in the residence halls, visit the state capital, learn about policy, and learn about the political process. My original plan when I was young was to work in the political arena. I came to Sac State for that camp, and I fell in love with Sacramento, being close to the capital, and the park-like campus with trees and nature.”

“I also fell in love with the diversity. It was something that I wasn’t used to, but I saw as so beautiful,” Wood shared.

“I never looked back, and decided when I was a junior in high school that I was coming to Sacramento State. I had the ability to go to pretty much any campus that I wanted to, but I chose Sac State because I felt comfortable and at home.”

I WANT TO ... MAKE SURE THAT THE MESSAGES THAT THEY WOULD SEND TO AN 18 YEAR OLD KID TODAY ... ARE THE MESSAGES THAT ARE BUILDING THAT KID UP AND MAKING THEM STRONGER, NOT TEARING THEM DOWN

As Wood walked me right up to those Sac State facility and administrators who had told him that he would “never amount to anything,” I asked him to tell me about those first few semesters on campus.

“For four years I was in student government,” Wood recalled.

“A lot of times, those youth are easy to suspend and pick off because they don’t have the family there advocating for them,” Wood continued. “A lot of the suspensions, like the ones for me, are bogus. They’re just the way for a teacher with poor classroom management skills to manage other children: by using somebody as an example.”

The resulting bill, AB-740, was based on Wood’s personal experience in the foster care system. It was signed into state law in 2022.

A few other of Wood’s early experiences also inform him as president of Sac State.

“When I was a kid in high school, the American Legion put on a program called Boy State. Now it’s called Boys and Girls State,” Wood remembered. “They bring top

“During that time, I was really critical about what I saw the campus was doing to support, particularly, black and African American students, and students of color in general. I would tell everyone “I’m going to be president of Sacramento State.’ Since last summer, there have been hundreds of people who’ve walked up to me and said ‘I remember when you used to say that!’ It wasn’t for the title. It was for the impact that I could have, and seeing something different.”

“When you walk and try to do something good, a lot of people will say ‘No’ or ‘That can’t be done,’ Wood continued. “Where [some] people see walls, I see bridges. I was put on a path, and I’m trying to walk in that purpose to create the experience that [our] students deserve.”

This writer spent the first half of my career working in higher education. I’ve been on a first-name basis with the leaders of some of the country’s top universities. I have never met a university president more passionate about the students he serves, or more impressive, than Dr. Wood. I’m not a Sac State alumnus, and I’m proud of him! So I could only imagine the pride that members of the campus community have felt since last summer when Wood was sworn in as president.

“I’ve noticed two things,” Wood reflected. “Many of the faculty and staff who supported me and taught me over 20 years ago are still doing work here, so it’s a full circle moment for me, but it’s also a full circle moment for them, because I’m what they produced.”

“From the students’ perspective, I’m a younger president,” Wood continued. “I’m black. I’m a former foster child. I’m a first generation college student. I have had students tell me that seeing me in this role makes them think they can do whatever they want in their lives. The response from those who are former foster youth, as well as from black and African American students, gives me chills every time. I’ve had students walk up to me and ask if they can shake my hand or give me a hug, and they start crying because of what it means to them.”

“I carry that on my shoulders. I’m privileged to be in this role and help serve as a visible example that people can accomplish whatever it is that they want to accomplish in their lives.”

WOOD’S FIRST MONTHS AS PRESIDENT

I was curious about what Wood’s first few months as president of Sac State had been like — even as I wished I were a student there! I also wondered what his biggest challenge had been so far.

“We’ve been doing 100 days of listening,” Wood said. “I think we’ve done 75, 75-minute sessions with the community and the campus — students, faculty, and staff — and community members, and religious institutions. It’s been really good just getting to know and hear about the things that people are talking about within our community, and some of the things they want to see for the future.”

TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST QUALITY SERVICE TO OUR STUDENTS, AND TO SUPPORT THEM AND ENSURE THAT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WALK ACROSS THE STAGE

Before I asked Wood about his first few months in the president’s chair, and the future of Sac State, I had to ask him whether, just as he has encountered those who had been in his corner 20 years ago, he had bumped into any of the people who told him that he would “never amount to anything” as he strolled across campus.

“Yes, I have,” Wood said slowly, gathering his thoughts. “That was a long time ago. Those conversations were key developmental moments in my personal life. What I hope is that, as I have grown in my life, and changed the way that I think about the world, and how I approach other people, my hope is that they have similarly grown, as well. And so, I hold nothing against them, and only wish the best for them.”

“And at the same time,” Wood added, “I want to create systems of accountability within our organization to make sure that the messages that they would send to an 18 year old kid today, who [might be] from the middle of nowhere, are the messages that are building that kid up and making them stronger, not tearing them down.”

That “thump” that you may have just heard was Wood dropping the mic.

“I think that one of the challenges that we’ve had is we have limited resources as a state institution, and the goal to provide the highest quality service to our students, and to support them and ensure that every single one of them has an opportunity to walk across the stage. Figuring out how to make very important efforts and initiatives work in a resource-strained environment is one of the challenges.”

Wood told me that, already, he had begun to envision big changes for Sac State’s campus.

“You’re going to see us have more of a residential campus feel in the future,” Wood promised. “I was fortunate that when I was a student here, I lived in the residence halls. That’s not the most common experience that our students have. Right now, we’ve got 2,100 beds on campus, and I want to have 5,000-7,000 students who are living here, because it will help us with a number of issues all at once.”

As a former non-traditional student who commuted to and from campus, this writer leaned in.

“First, it will help us with enrollment. Taking a full course load is important, and we know that residential students take more classes, because of proximity,” Wood said. “It helps with food insecurity, housing insecurity, transportation concerns, employment barriers — all of those issues are mitigated when the student knows where they’re going to be laying their head at night and where their next meal is going to come from.”

“It also helps with graduation rates,” Wood continued. “When a student goes home to live off campus, they go

home to a place to lay their head. When they go home here, they also go home to academic advising, tutoring, supplemental instruction, [and] resident hall advisors who are working with them. They don’t really leave the institution…so the learning continues. It just creates a well-rounded student who is ready to go out and be able to transform the lives of their families and their communities.”

“Another of my goals is to expand the reach of our Guardian Scholars Program, which serves former foster youth,” Wood added. “My goal is to have the largest program in the country serving former foster youth, and to be known for the kind of support that we provide. I’m also focusing on building up mental health support for our students. One of the first things that I did was hire seven more therapists to focus on and provide support for our students. Coming out of the pandemic, we have students who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mental health pressures at an astounding rate. Of course, that has a disproportionate impact on minority communities, and is even more adversely impacted by cultures within our minority communities that oftentimes don’t seek out mental health support because of stigmas associated with it, and the lack of cultural responsiveness that oftentimes is given to them by providers.”

On the early December morning that I sat down with Wood, the country was reeling after having heard the news of a shooting on a college campus in Las Vegas the day before. Sadly, that type of news story has become all too common over the last two decades. I asked Wood what he was doing to protect students, faculty, and staff at Sac State.

“My background is in student affairs, so those are issues that I’m very familiar with,” Wood said. “When I came in, it was on the heels of other issues that had happened at Sac State that had been dealt with under President Nelson, some pretty recurrent issues with anti Semitism and, of course, ongoing issues that we hear about from students who identify as Muslim and students who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We’re a microcosm of society. Society’s messed up, and so there are going to be things that happen on campus that are concerning.”

“I established a presidential task force on campus safety to give me recommendations on what we can do,” Wood continued. “But I also told folks: establishing a task force is not action. That’s a plan for reaction. We’re installing video monitors so that we can communicate in real time when issues come up. We’re working on developing a

better text-based system to communicate with students.”

“So we’re doing a lot around it, because this is a campus just like any other in the country. These are regular experiences. It’s not about if it’s going to happen. It’s really not even about when it’s going to happen: it’s about how often.”

WOOD’S TAKE ON THIS YEAR’S SACRAMENTO MAYORAL RACE

Before I let Wood get back to work — it had already been a particularly busy day for him, as Sac State faculty had started a strike just hours before we sat down to talk — I had to ask him about the upcoming mayoral race in Sacramento, as I wondered whether he had a perspective about the kind of person who should next lead our city. Wood was, after all, originally interested in politics. As I asked the question, I wondered whether Wood, if he had taken that path, would have succeed President Barack Obama in the White House. Wood is that impressive.

“I just hope that we have a mayor who understands the importance of a university in serving as an engine for economic development for the local region,” Wood said. “Sacramento State has 278,000 living alumni, and the vast majority of them are living in this region. I want a mayor who understands the importance we play in helping the city accomplish its goals, and creating a better future for Sacramento.”

After spending almost an hour with Wood, I couldn’t envision a more engaged or committed leader for Sac State, and pondered what the institution might do if he were to move on.

If Wood has anything to do with it, we won’t have to worry about that for quite some time.

“This may sound like a political answer, but it’s the truth: this is it,” Wood said, when I asked him about his next professional step. “I plan on being here. Sacramento State has a history of very long serving presidents — 12 years, 19 years, 20 years. I plan to be here for the rest of my career.”

Welcome home, Dr. Wood. In this writer’s estimation, Sac State is in excellent hands. n

Learn about California State University, Sacramento at csus.edu.

BECOME A PART OF THE END OF TOBACCO

Source: WBZ-News Staff (Mar 8th, 2024)

CALIFORNIA HAS A GOAL TO END COMMERCIAL TOBACCO SALES.

Save generations now. Let’s join cities like Beverly Hills, Brookline, Massachusetts, and the country of New Zealand who already did it.

Tobacco companies say they plan to stop selling cigarettes, but it’s not true. They’re just trying to trick people into thinking they care about your health while getting smokers addicted to new products with nicotine, synthetic, plant-based and chemical enhancers. This industry keeps selling poison to our people because its currently legal to make money on disease and death. Let’s fix this problem by saying NO more and NOT in my community! Twlia Laster

Don’t

Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix February 8–10, 2024 | 7:30 pm

Cory Wong featuring Monica Martin

February 21, 2024 | 7:30 pm

A.I.M

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF HATE: MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY FORUM COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF HATE: AUGUST 25TH, 2023

By Contributing Writer, Jamal Robinson

The Commission on the State of Hate was established to strengthen California’s efforts to stop hate and promote mutual respect among California’s diverse population. This initiative includes forums, like this one, and other resources and information.

This forum The Mental Health Impact of Hate was facilitated by Regina Cuellar, Commissioner and chairwoman of the Shingle Springs band of Miwok Indians. It was held at Sacramento State University on August 25th, 2023. The purpose of the event was to discuss the mental health impact of hate crimes with presenters who explore that impact within various communities.

The forum begins positively with everyone introducing themselves, their roles or positions, giving compliments, and introducing the presenters. The event began with the land acknowledgment. Since this was also a public forum, they went through the participation process for both in-person, online, and dial-in commenters. Public comments were limited to three minutes per person.

Agenda Items included:

• Hate as a risk for health in the LGBT population

• Hate crimes as a public health matter

• The impact of hate on the disability community

• Mental health resources

• Public Comments and Discussion

Hate as a risk for health in the LGBT population by Ilan H. Meyer Ph.D.

There has been a resurgence of antiLGBT rhetoric and violence nationally, including in California. There was a recent shooting of a store owner in California for having a rainbow flag in their window and also a shooting at a club in Colorado last year, along with many other public events. The LGBT community is an extremely small community, of about 1.3 million, so the commonplace anti-trans and homophobic culture has a great physiological impact.

The LGBT community experiences frequent occurrences of bullying as a youth, as well as rejection from friends and family, and has high rates of violence and other forms of abuse. This maltreatment can lead to adverse mental and physical health outcomes, including mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicidal behavior. Additionally, negative socialization creates self-hate.

There are ways to support and assist in methods of prevention and intervention.

• Gender affirmation

• Mental health services in schools

• Global social, legal, and policy initiatives to create a more tolerant society.

• An example is California with its Fair Education Act, which is a positive movement towards changing learn homo/transphobia.

Hate crimes as a public health matter by

Dr. Erica Bath.

Her approach is to explore intersectionality between forms of hate and violence, spotlight racism and white supremacy, and emphasize anti-Black racism. The basis of the presentation demonstrates how hate crimes and hate-motivated behavior are rooted in bias and discrimination, misinformation, and exist along a continuum.

Among the other forms of hate, structural bias and discrimination are rooted in prejudice. This prejudice is the foundation of hate-based violence and is the mistaken belief in “othering” someone with that “othering” based on assumed inferiority due to a certain assumed identity. A lack of comprehensive legislation such as the issues in passing the Anti-Lynching Act contributes to the prevalence of societal and structural violence.

Hate-motivated behavior is a public health threat with structural, interpersonal, and individual impacts. To combat this, there needs to be interdisciplinary, multilevel research to better understand the causes of such behavior and to test prevention strategies and interventions.

Hate-based violence impacts communities negatively, causing negative mental impacts, including conditions like PTSD and other disorders. The complex impact of this form of hard and abuse crosses populations, and generations, and also has epigenetic effects. Negative health effects are exacerbated by structural racism and will impact those more marginalized – those whose multiple minority identities intersect. Multiple jurisdictions have agreed that racism is a threat to public health and requires proper attention. The American Medical Association and the National Institute of Health both recognize racism as such.

She highlights a study into one of the most egregious forms of racialized violence – lynchings. A group of scholars looked at lynching, tied to modern mortality rates, and found a correlation. They found that communities that had higher rates of lynching between 1877 and 1950 had higher mortality rates between 2010 and 2014. She discussed the mental health impact of unjust police killings on Black Americans and how that negatively impacted the families and communities, showing a clear relation to the communal effects of lynching. The negative mental health outcomes include mental, physical, and emotional and extend to housing, employment, and interpersonal relationships. This correlation applies to hate crimes against sexual minorities as well.

Racialized mistreatment is different from other forms of discrimination in the way it impacts the surrounding communities and future communities. Along with negative mental health outcomes like PTSD, depression,

and other behavioral issues, there are impacts on brain development, where the children raised in these environments have a revert development – meaning the focus becomes survival vs cognition. Another negative effect is “weathering” where the continual discrimination deteriorates the health of those impacted, taking years from their lives prematurely.

Interventions and solutions should have a public health approach and be multi-sectoral and data-driven. Dr. Bath also highlights the concept of “Revolutionary Love” as coined by Valerie Carr whose uncle was murdered after 9-11, as well as learning from past generations of civil rights figures such as Martin Luther King Jr, Gandhi, Caesar Chavez, Mandela, and writer Maya Angelou.

The impact of hate on the disability community by Eric Harris.

For context, Eric Harris was born with a physical disability and has used a wheelchair for most of his life. He works with Disability Rights California, which is a statewide nonprofit protection and advocacy program, advocating for all people with disabilities and providing free legal services for them throughout the state of California.

He first discussed the prevalence of disability in California. One in four people in California have some form of a disability, but that could range given the undercounted, misdiagnosed, or those from environments that lack access. The numbers could be closer to one out of three or even higher when you account for people who don’t want to accept or disclose their disabilities due to stigma.

The data shows that disabled people are twice as likely to be victims of violent crimes with a quarter of nonviolent crime victims being disabled. These numbers grow higher when you account for the intersectionality of those victims belonging to different marginalized groups. As discussed previously, disabled people are often “othered,” which contributes to the mistreatment and subsequent mental trauma. The treatment and trauma can be so extreme as to cause symptoms similar to PTSD, shame, and anger.

Some solutions he listed were to make reporting hate crimes easier, alternate forms of public safety such as mobile crisis and cultural peer responses, and for disability organizations to become safe spaces for disabled people to create a sense of community. This especially helps those who are newly disabled.

NAMI 101 Mental Health Resources by Traute Winters, Executive Direction of NAMI.

This was a presentation highlighting NAMI. NAMI is the National Alliance of Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. It is peer-run, and members include family, friends, and people living with any type of mental illness.

NAMI connects people and aims to provide HOPE and HELP. They offer confidential, no-cost, support groups. They offer hotlines for those who seek support as well as Speaker Nights with distinguished guests to offer expert assistance. Spanish assistance is available as well. Offered Programs:

• Family-to-Family, which is an 8-week class for families, friends, or significant others of people with mental health conditions.

• Basics, which is a 6-week class for parents and guardians of a youth 22 and younger who lives with a mental health condition.

• NAMI Peer-to-Peer is an 8-session educational program for adults with mental illnesses.

• Other programs include Our Voice, Ending the Silence, and NAMI on Campus Clubs which offer different ways to end the stigma and encourage education, community, and support.

• Additional initiatives are NAMI in the Lobby, Family and Parent Voice, and Law Enforcement Training.

They are expanding and adding programs to reach diverse communities.

NAMI.org for more information.

Public Comments and Discussion

This portion was for topics that weren’t discussed. There were a few comments of praise and personal sharing. There was an acknowledgment by a UCLA PhD student. She discussed the normalization of hate speech, and her question was about how we get to a place where this is understood and acknowledged. Eric responded by saying, the hate language should be called out immediately like any other form of derogatory speech. He also suggested that disabled people in higher positions should speak out as well against negative speech and “othering” as well as advising and further advocating.

This forum and discussion were well received, involved multiple presentations, and provided a wealth of information both on the topics and additional resources. n

The Stop The Hate campaign is made possible with funding from the California State Library (CSL) in partnership with the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA). Learn more about the Stop The Hate campaign at: https://capiaa.ca.gov/stop-the-hate/

For more info call (916) 234-3589 or contact@sacculturalhub.com.

The 2023 Playback

JANUARY 21

JANUARY 21

‘Women’s Empowerment: Vision to Success Networking Conference” presented by visionary, Dominique Poydras owner of Sisters Inspiring Sisters

The TASTE was exquisite...food was sooo scrumptiously delicious - YUM.YUM. - such a nice spread of so many wonderful tasty foods, and we absolutely loved the music and spoken word entertainment by all especially hearing from our very own Ms. Cleo Cartel.

JANUARY 28-29

DAY 1 of 2: FIRESIDE CHAT with BWOPA President Dezi-Woods Jones at Statewide Meeting for BWOPA-Black Women Organized for Political Action

WERE YOU THERE?

JANUARY 28-29

Day 2 of 2: FIRESIDE CHAT with BWOPA President Dezi-Woods Jones at Statewide Meeting for BWOPA-Black Women Organized for Political Action

FEBRUARY 3

First Fridays National Red Wear Red Day Business Mixer

FEBRUARY 9

Day 2 of 4 : Mother/Daughter Winter Reset Vacay to Puerta Vallarta

FEBRUARY 9

Day 1 of 4 : Mother/Daughter Winter Reset Vacay to Puerta Vallarta

FEBRUARY 9

Day 3 of 4 : Mother/Daughter Winter Reset Vacay to Puerta Vallarta

FEBRUARY 9

Day 4 of 4 : Mother/Daughter Winter Reset Vacay to Puerta Vallarta

The 2023 Playback

FEBRUARY 23

Birthday dinner celebration for my nephew

Big Boy Cyrus Cinque-Cuffee - turned 15

FEBRUARY 25

Day 2 of 3 at Black Expo 2023 in Sacramento

FEBRUARY 25

Day 3 of 3: Gospel Sunday at Black Expo 2023

MARCH 18

#4BestFriends Only >> THANK YOU for a FABULOUS event. Thank you for the Community Ambassador award.

MARCH 11

Pleshette MARKED SAFE in Tahoe ...what it do FAM!!!! #blackoutweekend2023 #southlaketahoe #pleefitandfab #sachubmedia WERE

MARCH 19

Conscious Vibes, MarkeyTown, Blueprynt Entertainment for recognizing me/Sac Hub with the Soul of Sac Honor Award in Arts & Journalism...THE BUILDING WAS LIT WITH HEARTFELT LOVE IN HARLOW’S TONIGHT

APRIL 2

Sharing moments with the NALLS Family with the Homegoing Celebration services in Loving Memory of Richard “Doc” Nalls - grandfather to Shaniya, Stephanie and Starr ...a beautiful service of tributes and love for a man who served receiving military honors!

APRIL 19

APRIL 7

GOOD FRIDAY everyone! SO GLAD to be in house with great folks for the annual Sac NAACP Prayer Breakfast...HALLELUJAH FOR THE WAKE UP

#SacNAACP #theSOLproject #SacHubMedia #goodfriday

‘Women’s Empowerment: Vision to Success Networking Conference” presented by visionary, Dominique Poydras owner of Sisters Inspiring Sisters

APRIL 21

Experience the The Sky Garden in London with US!

APRIL 22

FULL day - SATURDAY - in LONDON and now we headed home folks.

APRIL 27

Congrats to you Bennie & Theresa Laster on your 55th Wedding Anniversary and to you Bennie also on your 75th Birthday celebration

The 2023 Playback

MAY 4

California Black Health Network-CBHN’s 40th Anniversary Celebration. CONGRATS to all of the 2023 Health Equity Leadership Awardees

MAY 6

Keynote presentation at the Women’s Expo today presented by Samantha Wall Laidler owner of Unlimited Fashions. I spoke on the “Secret Sauce to Success” with providing Pleshette’s several essential P’s that I’ve poured into my personal secret sauce for succeeding in Sac Cultural Hub Media Company/Foundation

YOU THERE?

MAY 8-9

GREAT EXPERIENCE at the Information and Education (I&E) Days at the Capitol May 8-9 - meeting with the legislators on the many concerns and issues

MAY 25

Meet ‘n Greet for the project teams and peer groups of the Heluna Health family

MAY 14 Mothers Day Worship Weekend 2023

MAY 27

Beautiful celebration for Marlett’s 50th Birthday Extravaganza

MAY 27

The Wilson’s Backyard Boogie ‘90s party was POPPIN’

JUNE 4

Congrats to my friend Justin Ward on 20 year anniversary celebration as an Attorney ...pool party

MAY 28 Best NEW line up at Stone Soul 2023 starting with Robin Thicke.

JUNE 8

AMAZING stage play monologue production, “3: Black Girls Blues” is a MUST-SEE ...I absolutely forgot who Danielle Truitt was during her stage performance!

JUNE 11

“Black Girls Who Garden” ...Dig & Sip outdoors with Event Host Candice Wilder

JUNE 13

Congrats to my twin grandsons, Jakeem & Jedediah on being promoted to 1st grade!

The 2023 Playback

JUNE 14

Sacramento’s 20th Annual Juneteenth Festival Reception presented the Juneteenth Community Soldiers Award to Sandy Holman, Founder of The CultureCo-Op.com and Betty Davis, Owner of Culture Collection.

JUNE 27

Happy Birthday Starzy...my baby girl who is now Ms. 26

WERE YOU THERE?

JUNE 29

WE ARE RUNNING FOR MAYOR OF SACRAMENTO! Join us in supporting the PEOPLE-POWERED Campaign - Dr. Flojaune Cofer for Mayoral Candidate 2024 of Sacramento

JULY 2

FUN TIMES at the Throwback Fest @ Thunder Valley

JULY 8

FWG Summer Bonfire in the Bay Area was POPPIN!

JULY 22

When RON ISLEY comes to town, the entire city of Sactown and beyond comes out! Outstanding show...Ron is HANDSOME, AMAZING, and AGILE at 82 years-old ...THANK U for bringing US this forever feel good soul fire music! The dancers and band were fire @theisleybrothers #RonIsley #mynewboo #catdaddy #statefair #sacramento #california #TravelwithTwlia #pleefitandfab #sachubmedia #thehublive #thehubmagazine

WERE YOU THERE?

JULY 23

Celebrating our gurrlfriend, Sharon Nichols Sargeant 26th birthday again

AUGUST 3

DAY 2 in Houston was everything BLACK EXCELLENCE and more with dynamic wealth speakers, Women’s Council in shades of pink affair to the top 100 Realtist awards at the annual NAREB Black Realtist Convention

AUGUST 2 DAY 1 of NAREB Black Realtist Convention in Houston

AUGUST 4

DAY 3: Another fun filled day of #NAREB activities with learning about how to build a successful online training academy, attending the Past President’s Luncheon and eatin’ at the Turkey Leg Hut

WERE YOU THERE?

AUGUST 5

Spending time with FAM - sissy Raisha and her beautiful mom Sharon in Houston

AUGUST 6 Last DAY in #Houston

The 2023 Playback

AUGUST 31

Sac Cultural Hub at the Ethnic Media Awards & Expo! CONGRATS to Genoa Barrow on 1st place award in Investigative Journalism

SEPTEMBER 2

10th Annual R&B Festival presented by the Sac NAACP

WERE YOU THERE?

SEPTEMBER 5

Beyonce Renaissance Tour Birthday Concert in LA

SEPTEMBER 22

KARYN WHITE at Harlow’s

SEPTEMBER 16

50th Anniversary Celebration & Vows

Renewal Ceremony of Bobby & Carolyn Adams

OCTOBER 5

Annual “A Women’s Forum: Connecting The Dots” presented by the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce.

OCTOBER 6

Monthly CBCC Business Mixer @ Seasons 52

OCTOBER 15

Photodump from Birthday Weekend activities celebrating with family my 56th and my mom’s 75th Birthday in LA!

OCTOBER 8

CONGRATS to my friend Justin Ward on being in business as an Attorney#TheWardFirm for 15 years

OCTOBER 26-28

USHER! We PARTIED and now the “55 is a VIBE” crew is in full recovery mode OMG the USHER EXPERIENCE was beyond what I imagined...it’s multiple shows in one spectacular show production...go watch me and Twlia’s IG story - SO LIT & FUN time! Keep watching our adventures as we continue to take Vegas for a ride for Twlia Birthday today - she is 25 plus Dime2x

NOVEMBER 3

DAY 1: AATCLC Annual Meeting kicking off with a Year In Review, Where are we and where do we go from here in our Strategic Plan, discussing the new non-menthol flavors and changed landscape, addressing the plague of issues with the heavy tobacco influence and targeting of youth when it comes to vaping, hookah, little cigars.

NOVEMBER 11

Happy 5th Birthday to my grandson Noah WERE YOU THERE?

I love you Yoland Richards-Perez and your family. I was sad and SO SORRY to hear the sudden death of your precious son, Donnell Matrice Dudley.

NOVEMBER 10

WHO’S WHO of Black Sacramento was certainly out tonight at The Observer’s 60th Anniversary Celebration! Congrats Larry Lee and all the Observer Staff!

NOVEMBER 18

NOVEMBER 23

LIVIN’ FOR THE CULTURE!!! Giving THANKS & HIGH PRAISES to the Lord for the WAKE-UP and grateful for all my family and all this good soul food we ‘bout to eat! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

NOVEMBER 25

I joined friends of Jay King for The Club Nouveau video for their new single, It’s Alright, releasing January 2024

Greater Sacramento Financial Literacy Group (GSFLG) was created to educate, support and empower each other for the economic wealth and growth of our community and to help shape the future generation of wealth.

Financial literacy is the possession of the set of skills and knowledge that lets a person make informed and efficient choices with their financial resources. All people touch money and the manner in which an individual uses it is up to him or her but not being properly informed on how to make, save and invest can spell disaster.

For the Black community, it is necessary to change the habits of being consumers to becoming investors and entrepreneurs. Learning financial skills such as investing, stock trading, saving and what it takes to start a business, you are better preparing for the future and securing a financial legacy for your family.

Learn more about virtual meetings held via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.

www.facebook.com/GSFLG18

www.gsflg.org

WERE YOU THERE?

DECEMBER 14

Celebration 1 of 2 events tonight in the Capitol City ... Sac Hub on the scene at Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s 38th Annual 2023 Installation & Business Awards Gala.

DECEMBER 14

Celebration 2 of 2 events tonight, Dec 14th ...Sac Hub Media Squad on the scene of the Christmas Party hosted by the California Black Chamber of Commerce.

The 2023 Playback

DECEMBER 23

Me and my mom always enjoy The Wilson’s Ranch Christmas Party

Foods to Feel Your Best in 2024

This year, focus on an array of healthpromoting foods to help boost your energy, repair your gut and rev your metabolism.

BY KAYLA BUTTS (reprinted from The Bend)

The start of the New Year is prime time to be intentional about what we put into our bodies. We often begin our next trip around the sun with lofty weight loss resolutions or a new gym membership. Instead, make this year your time to feel your best with these healthy recipes.

It can be challenging to bring renewed energy and focus to healthy choices after the hectic holiday season. The fear of not bouncing back to healthier, pre-holiday habits can lead to food shame, negative self-talk and even self-sabotage. Learning to balance the holiday season’s celebratory food and drink with a more mindful New Year is key to enjoying the most wonderful time of the year while also starting the next year off on a healthier note. Stocking your food arsenal with an array of health-promoting foods can help boost your energy, repair your gut and rev your metabolism.

Adequate hydration is the first key to regulating your body’s temperature in cold winter months, flushing wastes from the body and maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier. With this in mind, try a hot tea aimed at holistic wellness. Antioxidant-rich green tea can boost levels of detoxifying enzymes in the body. The citric acid in lemons protects the liver, helps regulate blood pressure and prevents oxidative stress. Turmeric added to tea, frothed milk or savory dishes, can fight bacteria, viruses and inflammation. And finally, by adding in freshly grated ginger, you can aid digestion after a meal and support waste elimination.

Thrive this year by enjoying the colorful fruits and vegetables of winter. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage are high in chlorophyll pigment, which boosts toxins’ excretion. The soluble fiber in apples helps lower cholesterol, heavy metals and food additives. Beets are high in betaine antioxidants to help lower blood pressure and fight inflammation. A grapefruitbased dressing for salad contains enzymes that help shed unwanted pounds. Combined, this powerhouse-packed slaw makes for a great side or lunch entrée.

After the feasting of yesteryear’s festivities, start this year off by finding joy in honoring your body with nourishing, healthy recipes.

source: www.thebendmag.com/foods-to-feel-your-best-in-2024-healthy-recipes

Turmeric Green Tea

Makes one 10-ounce cup

Prep time: 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 bag organic green tea

• 10 ounces hot water

• 1 heaping teaspoon ground turmeric

• 1 teaspoon grated ginger

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1/2 freshly squeezed lemon juice

• Optional: 2 ounces coconut milk, hot and/or frothed

• Directions

Add a tea bag to your favorite tea cup or mug and cover with nearly boiling water. Add remaining ingredients and let steep for 3-5 minutes. Strain the mixture and add coconut milk or enjoy as is.

Chopped Winter Salad with Grapefruit

Vinaigrette

Makes 12 ounces or 4 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 10 ounce bag of shaved

• Brussels sprouts

• 1 medium crisp apple, chopped

• 1/2 sweet potato

• 1 large beet

• 2 large carrots, chopped

• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

• 1/4 cup almonds, slivered’

• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

• 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, salted and roasted

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Grapefruit Vinaigrette:

• 1/2 cup grapefruit juice

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 clove garlic, grated

• 3/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Place beets and sweet potato in a medium-sized pot and add enough water to cover the vegetables. Place over high heat and boil for 10-15 minutes, until crisp and tender. Remove from the heat and let sit until cool enough to handle.

Chop cooked beet, sweet potato, apple and carrots to a similar size as the pieces of shaved Brussels sprouts. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and season with salt and black pepper.

In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the vinaigrette and pour over the salad before serving.

Photo by Rachel Benavides

Photo by Rachel Benavides

How to Avoid the Costly Probate Process!

As a Real Estate Broker, I’ve observed a rise in clients seeking assistance with probate matters. With the aging population, a greater number of individuals are passing away, resulting in an increase in estates that necessitate navigating the probate process.

Individuals who do not engage in proper estate planning may leave their assets without clear instructions for distribution. In such cases, probate becomes necessary to determine how assets are distributed among heirs.

Probate can be a complex and time-consuming legal process that follows the death of an individual. It involves the court-supervised distribution of a deceased person’s assets to their heirs or beneficiaries. While probate serves a crucial purpose in ensuring the orderly transfer of assets, many individuals seek ways to minimize or entirely avoid it due to its associated costs, delays, and lack of privacy.

California law sets the maximum fees that attorneys can charge for probate services based on the value of the estate.

These fees are calculated on a sliding scale. 4% of the estate’s value for the first $100,000. 3% of the estate’s value for the subsequent $100,000. 2% of the estate’s value for the next $800,000.

Example: $700,000 Estate: _____________________

$100,000 @ 4%: $4,000

$100,000 @ 3%: $3,000

$500,000 @ 2%: $10,000 _____________________

$700,000 = $17,000

While probate is a natural part of the legal process designed to facilitate the transfer of assets for some, it may not be the ideal solution for everyone. Individuals can potentially avoid or minimize the impact of the probate process by seeking professional advice from estate planning attorneys and financial experts to tailor these strategies to your unique situation and ensure a seamless transfer of assets to your heirs.

Avoiding probate involves careful estate planning to streamline the transfer of assets after your death. There are other ways to avoid probate, one of the most common that I see is creating a “Living Trust”.

I’ve partnered with estate planning Attorney, Theresa Geoffrey to conduct a series of zoom webinars titled “How to Avoid Costly Probate” or “Where There’s a Will…There’s Probate”.

PS: Grab a copy of my FREE E-book: “Probate Real Estate and You ... Avoiding the 7 Biggest Mistakes Made in Probate Real Estate!”

Sign up at: www.ZorithaKnowsProbate.com

Zoritha Thompson

CEO/Broker

Goree and Thompson Real Estate, Inc. 916-601-7653

ZorithaSellsREO@gmail.com

Dre Lic #01077927

Campus Equity and Inclusiveness among Black Student Unions

By Contributing Writer Lesley Leatherwood

In recent years, one keyword heard within school districts is “Equity”. School districts have conducted various surveys with different cultural and ethnic groups, gathering data on what changes we’d like, looking to be more inclusive with employees, volunteers, families and our youth. They ask the same questions and get similar answers. While they check off the boxes, meeting the criteria of surveying as well as inviting subjects’ participation in African American projects, very little real change takes place. This lack of efficacy has become a great concern. In contrast, non-black organizations, sports and clubs within school districts are run like welloiled machines, with plentiful monies donated from sponsors, alumni, Boosters, PTSA’s, some school sites and district funds. LBGTQ+ organizations, clubs, and staff have received unprecedented support within the last several years, although that community still have hills to climb. There are many more struggles being African American & part of the LBGTQ+ community.

Meanwhile, several multicultural student clubs struggle with underfunding each year. These groups, including Latinos Unidos, Native Americans, Middle Easterners, and African Americans, grapple each year with starting, running and funding clubs. They must compete for funds from their school sites and districts. These funds are necessary for finding advisors, traveling on field trips, purchasing miscellaneous supplies and receiving accessible support. The lack of equity in funding for these groups makes it difficult for them to sustain healthy and vibrant extracurricular organizations.

Thankfully, some progressive districts have found a way to tackle these hurdles. For example, the San Juan Unified School District (SJUSD) has made strides in recognizing African American families and youth. The San Juan Youth Voice Advocacy (SJYVA) groups, supported through the districts Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) have allowed multicultural students to flourish, providing them with ample opportunities to share their voices in a safe space. They have created a rare but strong path to proper multicultural support and representation.

SJUSD High Schools BSU Clubs at the 1st Annual “Black Renaissance Day” at Mira Loma-2023

In the second half of the 2022-23 academic school year, Mira Loma High School achieved a similar win, when it hosted the first “Black Renaissance Day.” This activity was not confined to a small portion of the day, as is often the case. It spanned the entire academic school day and included African American curriculum in the classrooms. The event included multicultural food, Poetry, music and historical vendors, followed by a block party, after school. The next “Black Renaissance Day” is scheduled for February 16, 2024 and will be led by Miss Elroe Kumalo a senior at Mira Loma, she is the BSU President. Elroe was one of the first youths to participate in an interview regarding equity & inclusiveness with the newly appointed superintendent, Melissa Bassanelli. The interview was shared at Sacramento State University in an Urban Education class.

Additionally, in the 2023-24 school year, SJUSD had its first BSU Kickoff. Members and officers of each BSU club from middle and high schools were invited, along with district staff, BSU advisors, middle school dancers, and a California BSU organization partner. The BSU Kickoff espoused aspirational qualities such as the importance of honor, integrity, and leadership, as well as the significance of learning history. Furthermore, SJUSD is partnering with California BSU organizations to assist with advisor growth, youth knowledge and additional grants to fund these clubs.

Likewise, on December 2, 2023, the United Black Student Unions of California (UBSUC) hosted the 50th anniversary of their Northern California Region Leadership Conference. Four schools from SJUSD were in attendance, including El Camino

El Camino BSU club at the 50th year anniversary UBSUC

El Camino BSU Club 2023-24/middle row, 4th from the left, Desiraye Boulware-President

Fundamental High School, Encina Preparatory High School, Mira Loma High School and Casa Roble Fundamental High School. One of the goals of the UBSUC is to assist with having a BSU club at “every” high school. Also, students interested in running for a BSU officer position with the UBSUC are encouraged to give a speech in front of all the Northern California Black Student Union attendees, who will then vote them in. Jayden Lamar Jamerson, a freshman at El Camino High School, took that step and was elected as the 2023-24 Parliamentarian. Jayden’s “leadership bug” grew after he attended the SJUSD BSU kickoff. He now plans to run for state Parliamentarian. The El Camino BSU President is Desiraye Boulware. Miss Boulware, a senior, has received scholarships to attend HBCUs at the U-CAN college fair, which is a district event that was hosted at El Camino High School.

A senior at Encina High School, Dons Ray Hicks lll, is President of his BSU club, an Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT) leader and a part of the district strategic youth planning committee, along with Jayden from EC. Dons plays on the varsity basketball team and enjoys photography. Dons recently spoke with the Superintendent of SJUSD and discussed his views on equity and inclusion.

The SJUSD have assisted for over 3 years in purchasing Kente stoles for BSU graduating seniors. Ms. Leatherwood and Mr. Joel Carson are BSU Co-Advisors at El Camino. They share knowledge, news and events with BSU members, other BSU advisors and staff at SJUSD.

Ms. Leatherwood says, “As the BSU support is progressing through the district and the individual sites, clubs are growing, the YLC newsletter highlighting advisors and the youth of all clubs and many other supports, you can feel the energy growing within

First picture of the newly elected 2023-24 No. CA UBSUOC Officers

the clubs and with their advisors, students wanting to share their voice and culture with their peers, teachers and coaches, for everyone to take time and listen, to learn and ‘just understand!’ The BSU clubs are growing with enthusiasm each year; the growth and the pride is phenomenal!”

Fostering equity and inclusion in campus multicultural organizations is challenging but is not an insurmountable task. These success stories light the way for a brighter future for student organizations that have been historically excluded from adequate funding and support. With this equitable and inclusive vision, we can provide students with the necessary tools to thrive n

For more information, contact Parent Family Support Ambassador, Lesley Leatherwood, at (916) 971-7454, and visit www.sanjuan.edu/face.

Jayden Jamerson-(center) El Camino Freshman-Parliamentarian

Dons Ray Hicks III (far left), President of the BSU club at Encina High School & his team Mira Loma at UC Davis, Senior Elroe Kumalo (standing 4th from the right) BSU President

PHOTO CREDIT: ROBERT BRILEY

PHOTO CREDIT: ROBERT BRILEY

PHOTO CREDIT: ROBERT BRILEY

PHOTO CREDIT: ROBERT BRILEY

NAVIGATING BLACK CALIFORNIA

Directory of Black MEDIA News Groups

in California

Bay Area Registry www.bayarearegistry.com

BlackNLA www.blacknla.com

Black Cultural Events www.blackculturalevents.com

Black Voice News blackvoicenews.com

California Black Media cablackmedia.org

The Gospel Vine www.thegospelvine.com

Inland Valley News inlandvalleynews.com

LA Focus ourweekly.com

West Side Story Newspaper westsidestorynewspaper.com

Bakersfield News Group facebook.com/bakersfieldnewsobserver

Inglewood News Today inglewoodtoday.com

L.A. Sentinel lasentinel.net

L.A. Watts Times lawattstimes.com

The Oakland Post oaklandpostonline.com Compton Herald comptonherald.org

OnMe News onmenews.com

Pace Newspaper pacenewsonline.com Pasadena Journal pasadenajournal.com

BLACK RADIO STATIONS

• Los Angeles - KJLH 102.3 FM kjlhradio.com

• Bay Area - KBLX 102.9 FM kblx.com

• Sacramento - KDEE 97.5 FM kdeefm.org

• Central Valley - 1001.FM Mega 100 mega100fm.iheart.com

• Essence.com

• TheGrio.com

Precinct Reporter precinctreporter.com

Sacramento Observer sacobserver.com

San Bernardino American sbamerican.com

San Francisco Bay View sfbayview.com

Sun Reporter sunreporter.com

Tri County Sentry tricountysentry.com

• BlackDoctor.org

• HelloBeautiful.com

• Huffpost.com/Voices/Black-Voices

• Sisters from AARP - sistersletter.com

• The African History Network facebook.com/TheAfricanHistoryNetworkFanpage

NAVIGATING BLACK CALIFORNIA

Directory of BLACK ASSOCIATION GROUPS in the Greater Sacramento Valley Region and Beyond

100 Black Men of Sacramento 100bmsac.org

African-Americans for Balanced Health aabh.net

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. norcal-alphas1906.com

Black American Political Association of California (BAPAC) bapacsd.org

Black Sistahs Making Friends facebook.com/groups/1091392134541999

Black Small Business Association of California facebook.com/BSBACA

Black Women for Wellness bwwla.org

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) bwopatileleads.org

California Black Chamber of Commerce calbcc.org

California Legisative Black Caucus blackcaucus.legislature.ca.gov

Centers for Fathers & Families cffsacramento.org

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Sacramento Alumnae Chapter sacramentoalumnaedst.org

Elk Grove Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. dstegac.org

Eta Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Sacramento Chapter etagammaomega.org

Greater Sacramento Urban League gsul.org

National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Sacramento Chapter sacramentoncbw.org

National Council of Negro Women, Sacramento Chapter svsncnw.org

Neighborhood Innovation https://www.neighborhoodinnovation.com

Roberts Family Development Center robertsfdc.org

Sac Black Biz www.sacblackbiz.biz

Sacramento ACT sacact.org

Sacramento Area Black Caucus facebook.com/sacramentoarea.blackcaucus

Sacramento Area Black Golf Club sabgc.org

Sacramento Area Black Caucus facebook.com/sacramentoarea.blackcaucus

Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce sacblackchamber.org

Sacramento Chapter of The Links sacramentolinksinc.org

Sacramento Chapter of the NAACP facebook.com/SacNAACP

Sacramento Kappa Psi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta sacramentozetas.org

Sacramento Realtist Association sacramentorealtist.com

Sacramento Sister Circle facebook.com/groups/TheSisterCircle

Sojourner Truth African American Heritage Museum sojoartsmuseum.org

Voices of Youth voiceoftheyouth.com

BLACK HAIR SALON & BARBERSHOP DIRECTORY IN AND AROUND SACRAMENTO

E-mail contact@sacculturalhub.com with any additions or corrections to the list of Black-owned salons and barbershops (composed by BSBA-Black Small Business Association of California - bsba-ca.org/)

24K Salon & Spa

5031 Stockton Blvd Sacramento, CA 95820 (916) 579-6284

Another Look Hair Salon and Barber Shop

6666 Valley Hi Dr Sacramento, CA 95823 (916) 688-7505

Ashley Jayes Beauty Bar

5211 Elkhorn Blvd Sacramento, CA (916) 420-8208

Axis Barber Shop

2850 Northgate Blvd Sacramento, CA 95833 (916) 800-3233

Bohemian Aesthetic Atelier

106 L St # 1 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 822-2646

Charmed Lashes & Beauty Bar

621 L St Capitol Mall Alley Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 936-2015

Crystal’s Hair Salon 9117 E. Stockton Blvd Suite 100 (916) 549-8972

Darryl’s Hair Studio & Spa 6801 Fair Oaks Blvd (916) 600 3736

Design R Touch Hair Salon 1510 16th St #106 (916) 968-8935

Diva Glam Spa Parties 2425 20th St (916) 272-5609

Double Take Hair Gallery 1007 12th Street Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 451-4600

Dominick’s Family of Industries Salon and Barber 3400 Bradshaw Rd A3 Sacramento, CA 95827 (916) 346-4616

Dream Girls Fine Hair Imports Salon 9090 Elk Grove Blvd Elk Grove, CA 95624 (916) 686-5030

Dutch’d Couture Extension Studio 621 Capitol Mall (Inside Sola Salons) (916) 821-4747

E Z Style & Supply Barbershop 3731 Stockton Blvd Sacramento, CA 95820 (916) 822-5081

Exclusive Hair Design 930 Alhambra Blvd #150 Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 498-8374

Express Weave Bar 3526 Stockton Blvd Sacramento, CA 95820 (916) 823-5770

Exquisite U Beauty Boutique

2550 Valley Rd. #9 Sacramento, CA 95821 (916) 338-1137

Fadem Up Barbershop 3824 Stockton Blvd Sacramento, CA 95820 (916) 544-4062

Fadez on 20th 2423 20th St Sacramento, CA 95818 (916) 457-7913

Hair Eco Salon

6845 Five Star Blvd Ste E Rocklin, CA, 95677 (916) 242-9939 www.hairecosalon.com

Hasheem The Barber 1510 16th Street Ste 124 Inside Phenix Salon Studios Sacramento, CA 95814 (703) 200-2780

Immaculate Cuts Barbershop

U.S. Bank Tower, Suite#2 (Inside Sola Salons) 621 Capitol Mall Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 271-3639

J Style in Co. Wellness & Beauty 6720 Fair Oaks Blvd Suite 103 (916) 346-7203

J. Rosé Hair Salon

6720 Madison Ave Ste 6 Fair Oaks, CA 95628 (916) 967-7673

J’s Remixed Hair Design 2740 Arden Way Ste 224 Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 822-2825

Kajmir Hair Studio/I Twist Sacramento 1910 16th St Sacramento, CA 95811 (916) 444-9370

Keela Hair Studio & Extension Boutique 2527 J St Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 376-7906

Kingofcurls 4751 Freeport Blvd, ste B Sacramento, CA 95822 (916) 736-0808

Kings Joint 1900 Terracina Dr Ste 120 Sacramento, CA 95834 (916) 571-5711

Margarets Hair Gallery 1610 Fulton Ave Sacramento, CA 95825 margaretshairsalon.com

Marichal Salon, Barber Shop & Suites 2648 Del Paso Blvd Sacramento, CA 95815 (916) 226-7099

Mo Better Hair Salon & Barber 10401 Folsom Blvd Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 (916) 364-3400

My Beauty Bar & Spa 9108 Laguna Main St Elk Grove, CA 95758 (916) 684-8111

Naturalistic Salon Spa 2031 Yale St Sacramento, CA 95818 (916) 594-7274

Posh Extension Bar 1115 21st St Sacramento, CA 95811 (916) 539-8762

Rockin kidz kutz 9010 Fairway Dr Suite 113 Roseville, CA 95678 (916) 633-9392

Royal Cuts Barbershop 4400 47th Ave #102 Sacramento, CA 95824 (916) 424-2887

The Next Episode Hair Salon 2201 Northgate Blvd Sacramento, CA 95833 (916) 519-9045

Tisha’s Braids

8245 Florin Rd, Ste A2 Sacramento, CA 95828 (916) 381-8894

Urban Beauty Salon & Spa 4444 Manzanita Ave #2 Carmichael, CA 95608 (916) 891-5984

PROTECT & NOURISH: OUR BEST WINTER HAIRCARE PRODUCTS

The winter season can be particularly challenging for our hair, especially for women of color with unique hair care needs. Natural curls, relaxed hairstyles, or color-treated hair demand specialized products to maintain their health and vibrancy. This article aims to guide you through the essential haircare products for winter available at trubalancehaircare. com. We focus on high-quality products designed to moisturize, strengthen, and repair your hair, ensuring it remains healthy and lively even in the coldest months. Join us as we explore the top solutions for protecting and nourishing your hair this winter.

RE-Vitalize Liquid Leave-In Vitamin Hair Mist: This product is a harmonious blend of vitamins that enhances hair growth and strengthens damaged hair. It contains natural ingredients like keratin, wheat, and soy amino acids, boosting hair strength and elasticity. Its low pH value seals in moisture and color, making it suitable for all hair types. This vegan, non-GMO formula is also free from parabens and formaldehyde, making it ideal for revitalizing hair and maintaining its healthy state in the winter months

Bloom Healthy Hair Oil: A powerful yet gentle multi-vitamin scalp and hair growth oil, Bloom is perfect for daily use. It promotes hair growth, prevents hair shedding, and nourishes hair follicles. Made with organic oils like sunflower, soybean, and grape seed, it’s great for transforming hair into a healthier, longer, and thicker state. Bloom Healthy Hair Oil is cruelty-free and free from harmful ingredients, making it an excellent choice for winter hair care.

Zinc & Peppermint Elixir: This leave-on scalp serum, featuring zinc and peppermint essential oil, supports hair growth and strengthens hair follicles. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and free from parabens and petroleum. Zinc & Peppermint Elixir combats DHT effects, unclogs follicles, and reduces scalp buildup. Peppermint oil stimulates the scalp, promoting healthy hair growth. It’s an ideal solution for reducing hair loss during winter

Hair Smoothie with Aloe Vera and Vitamin B-5: This dualaction leave-in and detangling product is enriched with vitamins and nourishing oils. It’s perfect for wash days and daily use, reducing frizz and making styling easier. Hair Smoothie protects hair from thermal heat and UV damage, leaving it shiny and manageable. It’s suitable for all hair types, including natural hair, braids, and extensions, and is particularly useful for winter hair care.

Moisture Plus Shampoo & Conditioner: This biotin-enriched shampoo and conditioner duo gently cleanses, restores moisture, and adds shine. It’s paraben-free, sulfate-free, and cruelty-free. Moisture Plus shampoo removes sebum and product buildup, balancing the scalp’s pH level. Moisture Plus Conditioner deeply moisturizes, detangles, and strengthens hair, making it ideal for all hair types and especially beneficial during the dry winter months

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

From the moisturizing RE-Vitalize Hair Mist to the nourishing Bloom Hair Oil, the scalp-friendly Zinc & Peppermint Elixir to the protective Hair Smoothie and Moisture Plus Shampoo & Conditioner, each product is specially formulated to ensure optimal haircare from scalp to ends. Incorporating these products into your winter haircare routine will ensure your hair stays hydrated, strong, and help with growth and maintaining length throughout the winter season.

THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO GO

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ADVERTISER INDEX OF HUB PARTNERS

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ANOTHER LOOK HAIR SALON www.anotherlookhairsalon.com

CALIFORNIA BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.calbcc.org

CALIFORNIA STOP THE HATE CAMPAIGN www.cavshate.org

CAPSITY www.capsity.com

COLEMAN COMMUNICATIONS www.michaelpcoleman.com

CRYSTAL’S HAIR SALON 916.549.8972

DOUBLE TAKE HAIR GALLERY www.facebook.com/tavia.jenkins

GOREE & THOMPSON REAL ESTATE www.goreeandthompson.com

JAMES THE BARBER AND STYLIST (916) 514-2539

KDEE 97.FM www.kdeefm.org

MIXED INSTITUTE OF COSMETOLOGY www.mix-ed.com

MONDAVI CENTER mondaviarts.org

SACRAMENTO CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU www.visitsacramento.com

SAVING OUR LEGACY, AFRICANS AMERICANS FOR SMOKE FREE SAFE PLACES www.thesolproject.com

SPOKER www.spoker.com

THE GOSPEL VINE www.thegospelvine.com

TRAVELWITHTWLIA www.instagram.com/travelwithtwlia