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Category: Features

African Americans
Stefi Mar

Treated as Suspects, Not Patients: How Systemic Racism Harms Black Male Gun Violence Survivors

A disturbing new report reveals that Black men who survive gun violence are often treated as suspects rather than patients, exposing systemic racial biases in healthcare and law enforcement practices. The findings, compiled by Dr. Cherrell Green, a non-residential fellow at the Violence, Inequality, and Power Lab, examine the structural inequalities that shape how Black men experience trauma, recovery, and medical care.

Stefi Mar February 18, 2025
Health
Stefi Mar

Equity, Empowerment and Action: Combating STI’s In Our Communities

Let’s talk about something real. In our community, sexual health is about love, respect and trust, not just health. However, all too often, Black men and women are navigating relationships where their health takes a back seat to the expectations or desires of their partners.

Stefi Mar February 11, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

The Climate-Driven Insurance Crisis

The climate crisis is costing all of us a lot of money in our everyday lives. Higher utility bills. Higher healthcare costs. Housing prices skyrocketing in some areas and home property values nosediving in others. Climate change – as well as the pollution that causes it and the natural disasters caused by it – is exacting a steeper and steeper financial toll on American households.

Stefi Mar February 11, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

NFL Drops’ End Racism’ from Super Bowl Field, Bows to Trump’s Anti-DEI Agenda

The NFL has confirmed that it will remove the phrase “End Racism” from the end zones at Caesars Superdome ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl, replacing it with the neutral “Choose Love.” The move comes as Donald Trump and his allies escalate attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and major corporations—including the NFL—bend to right-wing pressure. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy defended the decision, claiming the change was tied to recent national tragedies, including wildfires in California, the terrorist attack in New Orleans, and fatal plane crashes in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. “‘Choose Love’ is appropriate to use as our country has endured in recent weeks wildfires in Southern California, the terrorist attack here in New Orleans, the plane and helicopter crash near our nation’s capital, and the plane crash in Philadelphia,” McCarthy said.

Stefi Mar February 11, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

Little Tracking, Wide Variability Permeate the Teams Tasked With Stopping School Shootings

President Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer with no formal medical or public health expertise, as secretary of Health and Human Services. Two Senate committees will question Kennedy this week on how his disproven views of science and medicine qualify him to run the $1.7 trillion, 80,000-employee federal health system.

Stefi Mar February 4, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

In Fire’s Wake, a Community Comes Together to Prevent Future Disasters

“As we address the aftermath of the wildfires, let us resolve not just to build back better but also smarter, with a commitment to the environment and future generations. As a pastor, I am guided by the principle that caring for creation is an integral part of our faith. Let us take inspiration from the teachings of love and stewardship, embracing the role of being good caretakers of God’s earth. Without a shadow of a doubt, community solidarity is crucial in the fight against climate change.”

Stefi Mar February 4, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

Harvard Under Fire for Slashing Slavery Initiative Staff as Black History Faces Nationwide Attacks

Harvard University abruptly terminated staff contributing to the research component of its Slavery Remembrance Program on January 23, leaving employees without notice and sparking outrage about the institution’s commitment to its $100 million Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery Initiative. The decision comes during a national wave of setbacks to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) efforts, widespread layoffs of minority employees, and actions by states and schools to diminish the teaching of Black history.

Stefi Mar February 4, 2025
Features
Stefi Mar

How Clippers Ivica Zubac’s Game has Grown

If I asked you who the most senior player is on the Los Angeles Clippers, how long would it take you to answer? If you said Ivica Zubac, you are likely the biggest Clippers fan your family knows, or you’re an above-average fan of the National Basketball Association.

Stefi Mar January 28, 2025
** FEATURED STORY **
Stefi Mar

Time Is Running Out: Black Californians Encouraged to Enroll in Covered California by Jan. 31

The opportunity to secure quality, affordable health coverage through Covered California is coming to a close, with open enrollment ending Jan. 31, 2025. For Black and African American Californians, this is the moment to take charge of your health and access the care you deserve. Whether renewing your plan or signing up for the first time, Covered California offers affordable options that meet the needs of individuals, families and communities.

Stefi Mar January 28, 2025
African Americans
Stefi Mar

New Research Shows African Americans Face Sharply Higher Dementia Risks

A new study reveals that Americans over the age of 55 have a 42 percent chance of developing dementia, a figure more than double that reported in previous research. The significant increase in estimated risk means that roughly 514,000 Americans could develop dementia this year alone, with projections rising to approximately 1 million new cases annually by 2060.

Stefi Mar January 28, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

Nancy Leftenant-Colon, Trailblazing Army Nurse and Air Force Veteran, Dies at 104

Nancy Leftenant-Colon, the first Black woman to join the U.S. Army Nurse Corps after the military was desegregated in the 1940s, has died at the age of 104. She passed away earlier this month at a nursing home in New York. Known for quietly breaking barriers during her remarkable military career, Leftenant-Colon enjoyed a legacy of resilience, excellence, and service.

Stefi Mar January 28, 2025