Features - Observer News Group

UPDATE: PepsiCo Meets with Sharpton Over DEI Rollbacks, Future Action Pending

by Stefi Mar | Apr 22, 2025 | African Americans, Bakersfield, Economy, Features, Los Angeles, Urban News, Valleys | 0

Rev. Al Sharpton met Tuesday morning with PepsiCo leadership at the company’s global headquarters in Purchase, New York, following sharp criticism of the food and beverage giant’s decision to scale back nearly $500 million in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

California Holds the Line on DEI as Trump Administration Threatens School Funding  

by Stefi Mar | Apr 22, 2025 | Bakersfield, Donald Trump, Education K-12, Features, Los Angeles, State, Valleys | 0

California education leaders are pushing back against the Trump administration’s directive to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in its K-12 public schools — despite threats to take away billions in federal funding.

Oakland Mayoral Race: Barbara Lee Accepts Victory With “Responsibility, Humility and Love”

by Stefi Mar | Apr 21, 2025 | African Americans, Bakersfield, Features, Los Angeles, Valleys, Voting | 0

As a candidate for mayor, former U.S. Representative Barbara Lee released a “10-point plan” last week to reassure residents that she will tackle Oakland’s most pressing challenges.

Black Babies Are Still Dying—And America Let It Happen

by Stefi Mar | Apr 21, 2025 | African Americans, Bakersfield, Features, Los Angeles, National, Valleys | 0

A sweeping new analysis of U.S. mortality data over the past 70 years reveals that Black children in the United States have consistently faced significantly higher mortality rates than their white peers, with no improvement in relative disparities since the 1950s. The study, published March 25 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, documents more than half a million avoidable infant deaths and nearly 690,000 childhood deaths among Black Americans between 1950 and 2019.

The Black Economy

by Stefi Mar | Apr 15, 2025 | African Americans, Bakersfield, Economy, Features, Los Angeles, Valleys | 0

“We are in the midst of a storm,” according to Allan Boomer, Chief Investment Advisor for Momentum Advisors, who discusses Black Americans wallets amid this downward economic spiral created by President Donald Trump. The president’s economics include the proposed 10-year budget, massive tariffs, and the firing of federal workers.

Michelle Obama: ‘I’m Not Divorcing Barack — I’m Choosing Me’

by Stefi Mar | Apr 15, 2025 | Bakersfield, Features | 0

Former First Lady Michelle Obama is setting the record straight about her marriage, brushing off rumors of a split from former President Barack Obama and calling out the sexist assumptions that fueled them.

Harris, Obama, and Booker Step Up as Resistance Against Trump Takes Shape

by Stefi Mar | Apr 15, 2025 | Bakersfield, Features, Los Angeles, Urban News, Valleys | 0

Is the resistance finally taking form? As Kendrick Lamar asked during his powerful Super Bowl performance, “Are we really about to do it?” That question now echoes in the political arena as former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris have entered the public fray, joining voices like New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett in confronting President Donald Trump and his administration’s sweeping changes head-on.

Asm. Isaac Bryan’s “Wakiesha’s Law” Wants Key Protections for Incarcerated People

by Stefi Mar | Apr 15, 2025 | Bakersfield, Features, Los Angeles, Politics, State, Valleys | 0

Assembly Bill (AB) 1269, also known as Wakiesha’s Law, a California bill authored by Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), passed out of the Public Safety Committee on April 8 with a 7-0 vote.