Dr. Irma Carson, a barrier-breaking public servant whose decades of work helped widen doors in local government, law enforcement, education, and community health, has died. Her passing marks the loss of a historic figure whose life of service reshaped civic leadership in Bakersfield and inspired generations within the Black community.
For nearly three decades, the Rev. Wesley Crawford Sr., a longtime civil rights advocate and Kern County leader, has carried the torch of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy in Bakersfield, organizing annual MLK Day Breakfasts that serve as both celebration and call to action for the community.
America no longer wakes up to news. It wakes up to damage reports, and the reports keep piling up faster than the country can absorb them.
Let’s talk about real dollars and real opportunity in the new year. At OIC of America, we like to say, “Skills pay bills.” And in this moment — when employers across the country are scrambling for trained workers — the people who hold the right certifications are the ones writing their own ticket. If you’re trying to increase your income without the cost or time commitment of a four-year degree, skill-based certifications might be the smartest investment you can make.
California’s 2026–27 budget debate opened on Jan. 9 with Finance Director Joe Stephenshaw presenting the budget proposal.
Classrooms should be places of opportunity, not obstacles. But for many students with disabilities, especially students of color and English learners, school often reinforces the inequities it’s supposed to erase.
facebooktwitterinstagram Gnae Dismuke experienced a miscarriage at 11 weeks in 2017 and later gave birth to three children, now ages six, four, and one month.
In December, incoming California Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) announced her leadership and committee appointments for the 2025–2026 legislative session, including several members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).
The winning streak continues at Hard Rock Casino Tejon, where two guests hit life-changing jackpots totaling more than $226,000 within a day of each other, over the holiday weekend.
The U.S. labor market showed further signs of strain in November, with new federal data revealing rising unemployment, steep losses in government jobs, and worsening conditions for Black workers, particularly Black men, according to an analysis of the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report and a review by the National Women’s Law Center.
facebooktwitterinstagram More than 5,000 Los Angeles residents were served this weekend as First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles (FAME) hosted its beloved Annual
The Center of Hope courtyard was transformed into an intimate concert venue for a wonderful celebration of jazz music, benefiting a good cause, on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 12:00-6:00 pm.
First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles (FAME), the city’s oldest African American–founded church, will host its Annual Christmas Giveaway on Saturday, December 20 at 9:00 a.m., continuing a more than 40-year tradition of holiday giving to support thousands of families facing financial hardship across Los Angeles.
With more than 25 years of experience spanning public affairs, community engagement, strategy, marketing, and communications, Kellie Todd Griffin is recognized across California as a leader who mobilizes people and policy around issues that matter.
When children struggle emotionally, it can affect every part of their lives — at home, in school, with friends, and even their physical health. In many Black families, we’re taught to be strong and push through. But our kids don’t have to struggle alone. Medi-Cal provides mental health care for children and youth, with no referral or diagnosis required.
et ready to experience the magic of the season at “Swingin’, Singin’ & Givin’: Winterfest ’25”, a vibrant winter fundraiser hosted by HOPE ACADEMY for Scholarship and Innovation in partnership with the Center of Hope Community Development corporation. This joyful outdoor holiday festival brings together live music, art, food, and giving— all in support of building an innovative educational and learning community for HOPE ACADEMY Scholars.
The Baldwin Hills Crenshaw team-up once again with Project Pit for a special community event. The special occasion included a meet-and-greet with Santa, Photos with Santa, arts and crafts, and story time. The event was held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:30 pm.
Shortly before Thanksgiving weekend, three major organizations in Kern County ramped up efforts to distribute turkeys, food boxes, and meals to hundreds of families facing food insecurity during the holiday season.
Popular outdoor retailer Sports Basement opened a new store in the South Bay in October 2025 and hosted a Grand Snowpening, Snow Fest, on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The South Bay store (located at 14351 Hindry Ave, right off the 405 freeway, in the “City of Good Neighbors”- Hawthorne, CA).
“I’ve heard it said. That people come into our lives for a reason…” That poetic lyric is from the song “For Good,” arguably the second most famous tune from the Broadway musical Wicked. The words hint at the theme of this final half of the Wicked duology, which has been magically created by screenwriters Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox and manifested brilliantly by director extraordinaire Jon M. Chu.
