WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.) in introducing the Restoring Overtime Pay Act to expand and strengthen overtime protections for nearly 30 million workers. This legislation was introduced amid President Trump’s efforts to advance “No Tax on Overtime” while simultaneously denying the…
By Christopher Alam SAN FRANCISCO — When it comes to food, there is perhaps no more iconic or indeed universal ingredient as tomatoes. They’re a staple, essential to everything from pizza to pico de gallo, from Middle Eastern wraps to your favorite Indian curries. And they are getting expensive, in the Bay Area and nationally,…
By April D. Lee Financial emergencies can happen when a household faces a sudden expense, income loss, medical bill, car repair, housing issue, or family crisis. Access to responsible lending matters because it can provide a safer bridge when savings, insurance, or community help are not enough. A broken transmission, surprise medical bill, job loss,…
By Amy Kang To compete and grow, service-based businesses need a consistent flow of potential clients. Quality marketing attracts the correct customer base and generates inquiries from potential clients. Through well-structured marketing strategies, service-based companies can build trust with their clients and turn curiosity into booked appointments. The most recent Small Business Check Up Survey…
By Amy Kang As you enjoy your youth, you should think about retirement income planning. Many retirees face financial suffering because of some planning errors they made in their younger years, such as not considering longevity, ignoring inflation, or claiming Social Security too early. If you aren’t too careful, these mistakes can make it hard…
by Victoria Mejicanos With the rising costs of living, economic pressures and longer life expectancy, many who are preparing to retire must think about what retirement would look like while still financially supporting legal dependents, young adult children or their parents. According to experts who spoke with the AFRO, retiring with dependents has become either…
By BlackPressUS It’s often the businesses that don’t realize they’re underinsured until it’s too late. Rather than putting yourself at risk, it’s better to reassess your policy and make sure that there are no glaring gaps that can result in major losses. From operational changes to rising costs, there are many ways a once-foolproof policy…
What You Need to Know: Following the recent release of the Weekly Wage Reporting Tool, the Employment Development Department has made it easier for customers to certify for unemployment benefits online. The Department reviewed the full process from start to finish and used customer feedback to make improvements. This includes clearer questions and simpler instructions…
by Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer For many older adults, financial wisdom didn’t come from the dinner table or classrooms, it came from experience and hard-learned lessons. Now, women like Verlincia Roach, 62, and Carol Fillmore, 79, are sharing what they wish they had known about saving, spending and building financial stability with the younger…
ONTARIO, CA — The Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce (SCBCC) announces the return of the Unity in Diversity Business Summit, taking place May 7–9, 2026 at the Delta Hotel in Ontario, California. This three-day event brings together entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, investors, and government partners from across Southern California for business education, networking, and community…
The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against OkCupid and its affiliate Match Group Americas over allegations OkCupid deceived users of its dating app by sharing their personal information, including photos and location information, with an unrelated third party, contrary to OkCupid’s privacy promises. As part of a settlement, OkCupid, operated by Dallas-based Humor Rainbow,…
As economic headwinds push more Black professionals toward business ownership, Famous Amos and U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. bolster commitment to entrepreneurs’ success. [CHICAGO] March 31, 2026 – Ferrero North America has launched the sixth annual Famous Amos Ingredients for Success (IFS) Entrepreneurs Initiative, in partnership with U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC). Each year, IFS…
Supporting seniors’ access to food assistance in the IE Riverside, CA – March 24th, 2026 – Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) is proud to be part of Enterprise Mobility’s Fill Your Tank® Program, which is helping to end hunger by supporting local food banks. This incredible $50,000 from Feeding America, a key partner…
Agency alleged Air AI made deceptive claims about business growth, earnings potential, and refund guarantees Air AI will be banned from marketing business opportunities as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over charges the company misled many entrepreneurs and small businesses with deceptive claims about business growth, earnings potential, and refund guarantees….
By BlackPressUSA Detroit, MI — PMG Agency has launched Cohort 2 of the PMG Journey Fellowship in partnership with Cranbrook Horizons-Upward Bound (HUB), supported by the Flagstar Foundation, which has funded the fellowship since its inception. The Journey Fellowship equips students with tools to understand how narratives shape perception, opportunity, and identity, with post-program evaluation…
By D. Kevin McNeir | Special to The AFRO Shanna Ward, the owner of a publishing company and insurance agency located in Columbus, Ohio, said the elders in her family often say she inherited her entrepreneurial spirit from one of their ancestors – a formerly enslaved child from Virginia whose freedom came through manumission in…
Tanu Henry | California Black Media Tiffany Duvernay-Smith went from knowing the harsh realities of homelessness to owning her first home – made possible by the California Housing Finance Agency’s (CalHFA) Dream For All program, which is reopening applications this month with up to $150,000 in down payment assistance for first-generation buyers. “I feel like…
Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media In step with its commitment to drive economic growth, equity, and wealth creation for African American businesses in the Golden State, the California African American Chamber of Commerce (CAACC) held its third annual California American Economy Summit at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel in Sacramento on Jan. 28. …
By Damenica Ellis | Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Black-owned businesses across Minnesota participated in a general strike to protest ICE operations. Owners say closing their doors is an act of economic resistance and community solidarity. Hundreds of businesses across Minnesota participated in a statewide general strike Friday, urging residents not to shop, work or attend school in…
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved recovery fee waivers to help eligible property owners repair and rebuild following severe winter storms that started on Dec. 23. The storms delivered more than 17 inches of rain to some areas, causing flooding, mudslides and debris flows, impacting mountain and high desert communities including…
Long-term commitments across education and culture reflect a unique approach to enduring impact. LOS ANGELES, Dec. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Acclaimed artist, investor, philanthropist, and SUPERCHARGED® CEO, Kwanza Jones, advances access to education and elevates culture through landmark institutional commitments over the past year, reinforcing a long-term approach to impact across education, culture, and community….
By Stacy M. Brown There are moments in history when a single act of generosity reveals the moral decay of an entire nation. MacKenzie Scott’s $38 million gift to Alabama State University, the largest in its 158-year history, is such a moment. It is not merely a financial transaction, nor the casual benevolence of the…
By Nicole Chang Heightened ICE enforcement accelerates student losses. Falling international enrollment raises broader concerns for higher education and the economy. LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second-largest school district in the United States, is experiencing a steep decline in newcomer student enrollment. Educators say the trend has been sharply…
Edward Henderson | California Black Media On Nov. 20, the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC) hosted an online forum with ethnic media outlets across the state to highlight two statewide programs that benefit all Californians: the CalAssist Mortgage Fund, which provides disaster-related mortgage relief, and Check to Protect, a vehicle-safety campaign…
Reginald S. Webb Jr. | California Black Media This interview has been edited for clarity and length. In January 2025, the NAACP and the law firm Singleton Schreiber filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison Company and Edison International on behalf of Altadena residents whose homes and businesses were destroyed in the Eaton Fire. The…
