Across the United States, Black parents experience infant loss at rates twice as high as their white counterparts. In California, Black infants die at nearly three times the rate of white babies, a disparity that persists in Kern County, where socioeconomic challenges leave infants dying at triple the rate of white babies as well.
As Earl Williams drove through a historic Black neighborhood known as Dewey City in his hometown, he hardly recognized what he saw.
With just over three months before the midterm elections, the NAACP at its 117th annual convention in Chicago announced an unprecedented $20 million voter registration campaign ahead of the midterm elections.
For much of the developed world, childbirth has become safer with each passing generation. Medical advances, better prenatal care, and stronger public health systems have dramatically reduced the chances that bringing a child into the world would cost a woman her life.
Clara Ester, an activist who as a 20-year-old college student rushed to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s side when he was shot, has died.
Howard University has successfully reenrolled 46 incoming freshmen following a significant enrollment crisis that initially left more than 500 students without a spot at the historically Black university. The situation has raised broader concerns about the school’s enrollment management processes and whether adequate resources exist to support students navigating complex financial and administrative requirements.
For most Americans, owning a home has long been considered a cornerstone to building and preserving generational wealth. A home purchase often symbolizes more than just securing a place to live – homeownership can help anchor families, support long-term financial stability and fuel local economic growth.
The Black Leadership Council (BLC) honored Assemblymembers Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) and Dr. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) during its annual Legislative Awards Luncheon for their leadership in advancing racial justice, economic opportunity and community investment.
Music filled the air as families danced through the crowd, children gathered around activity stations, and community members explored wellness resources from local organizations. Black-owned businesses lined the streets while people stopped for chair massages, conversations, and moments of connection inside the wellness suite.
It appears that every week, there is a news story or event that leaves us even more tired and weary of the political climate we live in. At a time when we should be paying increased attention to evolving events, we also face the personal need for emotional and mental breaks from the chaos. Taking that mental off-ramp to recharge and receive the temporary relief we need is critical.
For 25 years, Uptown Music Theatre (UMT) has helped young people across New Orleans discover their talents, build confidence, and develop a love for the performing arts. This summer, the organization will once again open its doors to aspiring performers through its Annual Summer Camp Program.
By Cecil Egbele | Contributing Writer | California Local News Fellow A fast-moving wildfire broke out Sunday afternoon in East Bakersfield, quickly growing into one of
“For Treana Adams, Lexus Block, Nu’Ponica Barker, and a growing number of Black mothers in Bakersfield, a doula was the difference between being heard and being ignored, between a birth plan honored or overridden. Between a greater likelihood of a mother who comes home, and one who doesn’t.”
Jasmine Young wasn’t sure what she had signed up for when a friend from church encouraged her to attend a Monday night Healing Circle in Victorville.
Homeownership has long been one of the most dependable ways for everyday families to build wealth—not through speculation, but through the steady accumulation of equity in a place they call home. For Black Californians, this path has always been narrower because of historical barriers to wealth building.
Eight Kern County high school students were honored for leadership, academic achievement and community service during the 2026 Miss Fashionetta and Gents Program in Bakersfield, where Madisynn Brown and Abdur Clark were crowned this year’s top honorees. The longstanding initiative continues to invest in youth through mentorship, scholarships and personal development.
While the evidence is clear that pre-K makes a meaningful difference for children in the short and long term, children need access to high-quality programs to experience these benefits. Access, however, remains unequal, particularly to programs that provide high-quality experiences.“An Updated Look at Pre-K in Large American Cities,” research findings include:
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Dr. Butch Ware is the Green Party representative running for Governor of California.
When Gov. Gavin Newsom released his memoir, Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery, on Feb. 24, it was presented as a personal story about childhood, dyslexia and the experiences that shaped his path into politics.
