ORLANDO ADVOCATE — Inspired by his grandmother Lucille “Big Mama” Allen’s financial wisdom, the author examines the intersection of grief and money following a close friend’s family funeral planning. He details how emotions, vulnerability, and a desire to honor a loved one can lead to excessive spending, noting how wants can easily be mistaken for…
Next June marks 60 years since Loving v. Virginia. My parents did not wait for it. By Ben Jealous This month my parents are beginning their seventh decade of marriage despite a law that tried to stop them. Sixty years ago they were married in a church in Washington, D.C. They had to leave Maryland…
Celebrating Excellence. Honoring Service. Inspiring the Next Generation. The Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce – Inland Cities East Chapter, in partnership with YouthBuild Inland Empire and LUE Productions Community Umbrella Services, proudly invites the community to submit nominations for the 7th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service Gala Awards. This prestigious event recognizes…
On Sunday, September 6, 2026, at approximately 4:03 a.m., deputies from the Victorville Station, along with personnel from the Victorville Fire Department and American Medical Response (AMR), responded to the area of Silica Drive and First Avenue in Victorville for a vehicle that had collided with a pedestrian. The preliminary investigation revealed a black Mercedes-Benz…
By Laura Rearwin Ward, founder California Independent News Alliance | publisher, Ojai Valley News News outlet owners, journalists and coalitions of organizations that have come together to support the nation’s most important journalism legislation to date were still in scramble mode this week, even as supermajorities in the California Legislature passed the Community NEWS Act,…
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Alton Garrett, Founder and Managing Partner of Garrett Management Group LLC, will receive a Black Rose Award at the 34th Annual Black Rose Award Celebration on Saturday, September 12, at Cal State San Bernardino. When he heard he had been nominated for a Black Rose Award, Garrett said, “It is an honor to be nominated for this prestigious…
If you’ve ever checked your credit score online, chances are you’ve used Credit Karma. It’s a popular, user-friendly platform that promises free credit scores and reports. But you might have heard a common piece of advice: “Don’t trust the score you see on Credit Karma.” So, what’s the deal? Is Credit Karma accurate, or is…
Dr. Brenda Pratt, PhD founder and CEO of Health Heart and Kidney First a non-profit organization that provides Health Education for Heart and Chronic Kidney Disease. The organization promotes awareness to help prevent the progression of chronic health conditions, both heart and end stage renal disease. Health Heart and Kidney First assists individuals, families and…
Edward Henderson | California Black Media More than five decades ago, a tragedy at a Sacramento ice cream parlor exposed a critical gap in the region’s ability to care for people suffering from severe burns. Today, that tragedy remains part of the origin story of the Firefighters Burn Institute (FFBI), a Sacramento-based organization whose work…
By Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. Every month, mothers in Southeast Washington, DC, as well as other mothers from across the nation, open their electric bill. They do the math they have done a hundred times before: What gets paid, and what gets pushed to next month. Throughout this country, in underserved Black, Brown,…
Reginald Scott Webb Jr. | California Black Media Dolly Parton leaves a lasting legacy in the hearts and homes of California’s children through a literacy program that has delivered nearly 3 million free books across the state. Parton, the internationally celebrated singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist, died Aug. 25 at age 80 after a brief…
Free performances weekly on the Artsakh Paseo celebrate music, connection and community spirit GLENDALE, CA –– The Jewel City Concert Series returns this fall with five consecutive Saturdays of free live music on the Artsakh Paseo, located at 127 Artsakh Avenue in Glendale’s Downtown Arts & Entertainment District. From September 26 through October 24, the…
By John Fensterwald, EdSource The California County Superintendents organization failed to persuade legislative leaders to intervene in its dispute with State Superintendent Tony Thurmond. The county superintendents had sought to introduce emergency legislation to thwart Thurmond from carrying out a threat to take over oversight of financially stressed Sacramento City Unified from the Sacramento County…
Hardy Brown | Special to California Black Media Publishers Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson is my friend. An outspoken advocate for equity, fairness, public health, and social service resources for our Inland Valley community, I have come to admire and respect Jackson’s grit and his work as a legislator. However, I don’t always agree with his…
Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media The Truth in Disclosure Act, the bill that proposes forcing private corporations to report their historical ties to chattel slavery, passed out of the California Legislature and has now moved to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for his signature or veto. Authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), Assembly…
California Puts Black Girl Joy on the Calendar Every Aug. 10 Bo Tefu | California Black Media California has designated Aug. 10 as Black Girl Joy Day, an annual statewide celebration of Black girls’ achievements, talents and potential. Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 226, authored by Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson, D-Suisun City, was chaptered by the…
Wanda Haynes-Certified Sommelier What exactly is Non-Alcoholic Wine? Non-alcoholic wine contains little to no alcohol. It has similar flavor profiles, varieties, and smells, just without the alcohol. And may still contain small amounts of alcohol. Because of this, if you’re trying to avoid alcohol completely, you may want to also avoid these products. How is…
Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media Black voting rights advocates in California convened virtually Aug. 28 after a federal court temporarily blocked new U.S. Postal Service restrictions on mail ballots, a ruling civil rights leaders described as an important but temporary victory ahead of the November election. The restrictions are tied to President Donald…
By Derrick Lane Spots and dots, being a freckled-faced person I am no stranger to these kinds of beauty marks. But, understanding the difference between unique beauty features, and dangerous moles can be difficult, yet so very important to our health. Our bodies can have a strange way of expressing themselves, and often times (unbeknownst…
Riverside, CA, September, 1st, 2026 – This September, during Hunger Action Month (HAM), Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) is joining the nationwide Feeding America network in calling on the Inland Empire (IE) community to Play Your Part. As the cost of essentials like groceries and energy continue to put pressure on household budgets,…
By Jenny A. Casiano A swollen foot after a long day may be nothing more than temporary fluid buildup. But when an arm or leg suddenly becomes larger, painful or unusually warm, the swelling could be a warning sign that needs prompt medical attention. Swelling occurs when fluid collects in the body’s tissues. This is…
Gretchen A. Peck | E&P Magazine California lawmakers have sent Gov. Gavin Newsom a sweeping new plan to bolster local journalism, approving the Community NEWS Act (AB 2222) with bipartisan supermajorities in both chambers. The “NEWS” in the Community NEWS Act is an acronym for “Newsroom Employment and Workforce Sustainability.” The bill was first introduced…
By Dominic Boston As a young Black man, this topic is personal to me. When people discuss mental health, they usually don’t picture someone who looks like me. Instead, Black men are often seen as strong, tough, or able to handle anything life throws at us. Growing up, I was taught exactly that. My elders…
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. Because Medicare plans and coverage options can change each year, it’s important for beneficiaries to review their coverage and make sure it still meets their needs. Across California, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling to help older adults,…
