Raven Jones-McKinney Across California, at least 5,000 school employees received preliminary pink slips this spring as districts scramble to close budget gaps caused by falling enrollment and rising costs. Oakland Unified plans to eliminate counselors, case managers and attendance clerks as part of sweeping layoffs to address a $103 million deficit. Counselors and mental health…
By Sunita Sohrabji Black, Latino, and Native American households face greater food uncertainty than the population at large, according to data from the Congressional District Health Dashboard. During a period marked by soaring food prices, more than 3 million people have lost access to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — SNAP — over the…
The region’s biggest source of copper and zinc pollution operates entirely beyond the reach of enforceable clean-water mandates June 1, 2026 (Ontario, Calif.) — Today, California Coastkeeper Alliance, Inland Empire Waterkeeper, and Orange County Coastkeeper filed a petition with the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board to reduce stormwater pollution from privately-owned commercial, industrial,…
Sacramento — Caltrans announced today it has awarded $23.6 million in planning grants to 58 local projects statewide that will enhance climate resiliency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and increase natural disaster preparedness throughout California. The projects selected focus on multimodal transportation and help improve mobility options for under-resourced communities. Nearly…
Supporters of an athlete boycott say schools in states accused of gerrymandering should not benefit from Black athletic talent without protecting Black voting rights. by Terrance Harris America — particularly Black America — is at a difficult crossroads that literally threatens the complexion of our nation. Last month’s Supreme Court ruling that blew up Section…
Harlem Renaissance Celebration of Black Artistry, Resilience & Joy RIVERSIDE, CA – Empower You Edutainment invites the community to step into the rhythm of freedom as it kicks off Juneteenth month with The Joint Is Jumpin’! A Harlem Renaissance-inspired showcase celebrating Black artistry, resilience, and joy. The event takes place on Saturday, June 6, 2026,…
ANAHEIM, Calif. (June 1, 2026) – The award-winning marketing team at Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties (PPOSBC) once again is honored for its tireless efforts to provide engaging information to patients and supporters in creative and new ways at the annual Health Care Communicators of Southern California (HCCSC) Finest Awards. The in-house…
By Monica Soni, MD Covered California Chief Medical Officer As we celebrate Black Music Month, I would like to share with you how I connect music to my family’s overall health and well-being. Since a very young age, music has always rocked my world. At the age of 4, I was already dancing to the…
By Aisha Winfrey | Los Angeles WAVE CHARLOTTE, N.C — A 16-year-old Black girl who had been missing since late April has been found dead hanging from a tree, according to police and media reports. Juliana Nzita, who recently moved to North Carolina from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was found earlier this month…
Historic gathering launched emerging national alliance to combat antisemitism, racism, and division through renewed Black-Jewish solidarity TV personality Van Jones and media executive and philanthropist Shari Redstone joined more than 100 leaders from across the United States in Miami this weekend for the National Convening on the Black-Jewish Alliance. It is the first national gathering…
Program powered by Gymshark provides a welcoming, Judgement Free environment for teens to prioritize physical and mental health HAMPTON, N.H. (May 20, 2026) – Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing fitness center operators with more members than any other fitness brand, announced the return of its annual High School Summer Pass® program. Now…
Wanda Haynes-Certified Sommelier Champagne isn’t just for celebrations, allow this magnificent wine to be a part of your regular adventures. Champagne is only from the region in France, and other sparkling wines are from other places with other names. Fermented twice using CO2 and during the second fermentation is when the millions of bubbles are…
New ‘Out of Bounds’ campaign launches By Caleb Pugh | Our Weekly The NAACP is calling on athletes to hold Southern states accountable for their radicalization of state maps, as many disfranchise black voters and leaders. While this has been an ongoing problem in various Southern states over the years, Louisiana recently made headlines after…
By David L. Horne, PhD, OPED Contributor | Our Weekly In the continuing battle for political respect and inclusivity that Black folks in the U.S. have been immersed in since the end of the U.S. Civil War, a little bright bulb of hope and redemption just appeared in the southern sky. A federal court in…
Liyah R. Belvins Miss Black Awareness Queen 2022 Liyah R. Belvins remained steadfast in accomplishing her goals and continued to grow through every season of her journey. Today, she shares these words of encouragement with all who have ears to hear: “Since being crowned, my journey has taken me across several regions of the world…
By Darlene Donloe, Contributing Writer | Los Angeles WAVE LOS ANGELES — Grammy Award-winning singer Ledisi, is showing off her talents in the Ebony Repertory Theatre’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” bringing her acting and vocal chops to the Tony Award-winning musical tribute to jazz legend Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller, currently playing at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center…
Milwaukee, WI — Losing weight doesn’t have to mean long gym sessions, intense HIIT classes, or spending hours exercising every week. The right kind of low-to-moderate activity can increase calorie burn, improve consistency, and help your body stay active without burnout. TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly SM), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization, with…
By NY Carib News A federal lawsuit filed by prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump alleges that two Black infants were used as subjects in a government-sponsored experimental vaccine study without their parents’ knowledge or consent, resulting in tragic consequences that continue to reverberate decades later. The complaint, filed on May 22, centers on the…
Oakland, CA — Following a statewide Memorial Day community conversation on May25th that engaged more than 150 Black women leaders, elected officials, advocates,educators, healthcare professionals, and community stakeholders from acrossCalifornia — including participants from Bakersfield, San Diego, the Inland Empire, LosAngeles, Sacramento, the Central Valley, and the Greater Bay Area — Black WomenOrganized for Political…
Craig J. DeLuz | California Black Media Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or editorial stance of California Black Media, its publisher, editors, or affiliates. Some politicians believe making any promise loudly and confidently is an adequate substitute…
By Pastor J. Edgar Boyd Long before the United States became a nation, Black people helped build its foundation. Black men and women, some free and many enslaved, cleared land, tilled soil, built roads and bridges, and helped construct the nation’s capital. Yet while Black labor helped build America, Black Americans were denied full participation…
SAN BERNARDINO, CA—Valdez Educational Services, headquartered in San Bernardino, recently recognized student achievement at a banquet highlighting academic progress and the impact of tutoring and mentoring, and awarded scholarships to four deserving students. The event brought together students, families, school district leaders, and community leaders to celebrate the importance of sustained tutoring and mentoring. The…
Vani Sanganeria Meta settled a major lawsuit on Thursday with a Kentucky school district over claims that its platforms are designed to be addictive and harm children, The New York Times reported. The settlement follows other settlements with TikTok, Snap and YouTube less than three weeks before the case was scheduled for trial in an…
By Shikha D Wealth-building strategies that Black investors need to consider are real estate, stock market investing, long-term strategies, and entrepreneurship. The investing world is rapidly changing to fit the growing needs of new investors. The great news is that in 2026, more and more Black investors are taking an active role in managing their…
By Dr. Damanpreet Jamarai, Medicare & Retirement Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare of California As we head into the warmer months, it’s a natural time to reevaluate our nutrition and fitness routines. There’s no better time than now to take stock of our daily habits and recommit to the healthy choices that support long-term well-being, starting…