Category: Uncategorized
Explore Promising Careers in Trades Jobs Today
By Billie Pollisotto Trades jobs offer stable income, hands-on work, and strong long-term demand, making them one of the most practical career paths available today. From electrical and plumbing to HVAC and construction, these roles combine skill development with real earning potential without the need for a traditional four-year degree. A high school graduate watches…
More Meat, Less Tomato — Inflation Hits a Culinary Staple
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,…
Q&A With Steven Bradford: Why He Wants Your Vote for California Insurance Commissioner
Edward Henderson | California Black Media As California confronts rising insurance costs, market instability, and growing concerns about access and equity, the race for the state’s top insurance regulator is drawing increased attention. Among the candidates is Steven Bradford, a veteran public servant with more than two decades of experience in government, including eight years…
There are several styles of sake you can enjoy!
Wanda Haynes-Certified Sommelier What is sake? Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. It consists of four ingredients: rice, water, yeast, and a mold called koji. Primarily sakami rice is used for making sake. Koji is the mold that is distributed over the rice that convert the starches into sugar. This process…
More and More, Black Californians Are Worried About Rising Costs of Housing, Energy, Food and Gas
Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media Housing, energy, food and gas are four essential household expenses, and their rising costs are forcing residents—especially lower-income households—to make difficult trade-offs, Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton) said at a conference on affordability last week in Sacramento. Ransom, a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), noted a…
California must step up to protect programs that engage and support students
Pedro Noguera California students need more than instruction to succeed. They need consistent support from trusted adults who can help them stay engaged, attend school regularly and navigate the challenges that can interfere with learning. That is why California should continue funding the Student Success Coach Learning Network in the 2026-27 state budget. Without action…
Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed
Bo Tefu, Antonio Harvey and Edward Henderson | California Black Media California Launches Free Diaper Program for Newborns Statewide Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that California will launch a first-in-the-nation programproviding free diapers to families with newborns, part of a broader effort to lower costs for parents and improve infant health outcomes. The initiative, called…
The Reality of Financial Emergencies: Why Access to Responsible Lending Matters
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,…
Marketing Strategies for Service-Based Businesses Looking for More Leads
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…
Hantavirus: The Rare But Dangerous Disease Making Headlines
By Aria Ellise, BDO Special Contributor It seems like everyone is talking about the Hantavirus. There have been people questioning if it’s like the coronavirus that plagued us years back. Some say it’s just an over-hyped flu. But what’s the truth? Luckily, BlackDoctor has you covered. Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly virus that…
Ruthie Hopkins, Pioneering Black Publisher and San Gabriel Valley Community Leader, Passes at 83
PASADENA, CA — Ruthie Hopkins, co-founder and publisher of The Pasadena/SanGabriel Valley Journal News and one of the San Gabriel Valley’s most celebratedcommunity voices, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2026. She was 83.Born October 16, 1942, in Oakland, California, Hopkins relocated to Altadena in 1969,where she would spend the next five decades building a…
Retirement Income Planning Mistakes That Leave Seniors Scrambling in Their Golden Years
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…
Asm. Jackson Bill Requiring Anti-Hate Speech Training for Calif. Public Officials Sent to “Suspense File”
Bo Tefu, Antonio Harvey and Edward Henderson | California Black Media After a hearing on May 6, the Assembly Appropriations Committee ordered Assembly Bill (AB) 1578to the Suspense File, delaying action on legislation that would require California public officials to complete anti-hate speech training. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), would add…
Breaking the Mental Health Stigma of “What Happens in this house Stays in this House”
By Ms. Wanda Radio Host, Full Circle KDEE-FM There are lots of reasons why people don’t seek assistance when it comes to mental health, especially in our community and it’s time we break those barriers. For far too long, we have had this saying in our community of “What happens in this house stays in…
College Students and Young Adults Face Ongoing Mental Health Challenges
By Dr. Nicole Brady, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Student Resources Mental health challenges among young people remain persistently high, and many students and families are still trying to understand how best to respond. UnitedHealthcare’s fourth annual Young Adult and College Student Behavioral Health Report found that more than 6 in 10 (62%) college students and…
California Youth Groups Participate in Legislative Advocacy Days at the State Capitol
Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media Various youth organizations and youth-led initiatives participated in legislative advocacy days last month at the California State Capitol to amplify the voices of Black communities and help cultivate the next generation of leaders. Among the organizations, the NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference youth councils and young people sponsored by…
Black school counselors are a necessity–we don’t have enough
By Alvin Buyinza Word in Black Gabrielle Brundidge knew she wanted to be a school guidance counselor since she was a teenager. The idea first came to her while discussing college plans with her guidance counselor, Ms. Garcia, during her senior year at Northview High School in Johns Creek, Ga. “She was Hispanic, and it…
A new reality: Retirement while supporting young adult children or parents
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…
Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed
AKAs, Zetas and Sigmas Rally at State Capitol to Advocate for Legislative Priorities On April 27, members of two Black sororities and one fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma – all members of the Divine Nine (D9) — visited the California State Capitol for a day of legislative advocacy, including presentations on the Senate and Assembly floors…
Menifee native supported Artemis II recovery mission in the Pacific
By Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach MILLINGTON, Tenn. – When NASA’s Artemis II crew splashed down in the Pacific upon their return to Earth from their flight around the moon, U.S. Navy sailors stood ready to welcome them home. Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicholas Mercado, from Menifee, California, was among the sailors who…
Early detection of maternal sepsis is critical for survival
by Special to the AFRO In today’s contentious climate, we often hear political debates about maternal healthcare. Readers may be surprised to learn that maternal sepsis – a condition many are unaware of – is the U.S.’s second leading cause of maternal mortality. Maternal sepsis is the body’s overwhelming response to any infection that occurs…
Why Most Businesses Don’t Realize They’re Underinsured Until It’s Too Late
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…
Spring and summer are rosé glory days
Wanda Haynes-Certified Sommelier Rosé is a dry pink wine made from red grapes. The color of a rosé depends on the grape varietal and the time the skins of the grape made contact. Colors can range from a pale coral to that of a Siam ruby. Expect to enjoy classic tastes of ripened strawberries, citrus,…
They cancelled the election: The Voting Rights Act: Part One of a Five-Part Series
By Portia Wood Special to the AFRO On April 29, 2026, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Louisiana v. Callais. The 6-3 ruling, written by Justice Samuel Alito who was joined by every member of the conservative supermajority, effectively dismantled Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act — the last remaining enforcement mechanism…
California Bill Models ‘Buy Local’ Journalism Strategy With Focus on Ethnic Media
By Julian Do For millions of Californians, ethnic and community media are more than a patchwork of local news sources. These outlets are “trusted messengers,” part of an expansive information network connecting otherwise hard to reach communities across the state. A new legislative proposal would, if approved, shift how California communicates with its residents leveraging…