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Category: Local

Local
Stefi Mar

Celebrating 30 Years of All That Jazz & More on Central Avenue

The 30th Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival is one for the history and record books. The Central Avenue Jazz Festival was presented by Los Angeles City Councilman Curren D. Price, Jr., in conjunction with the Coalition for Responsible Community Development and Concerned Citizens of South-Central Los Angeles. This free, family-friendly festival celebrated a milestone on Saturday, September 20, 2025. The party on the block was held on Central Avenue between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the north and Vernon Avenue to the south.

Stefi Mar September 24, 2025
African Americans
Stefi Mar

Meet Cecil Egbele, the News Observer’s Newest Reporter Telling Bakersfield’s Black Stories, One Voice at a Time

When I first walked the streets of Bakersfield as a California Local News Fellow with the Bakersfield News Observer, I wasn’t sure what to expect beyond what I had read online. The drive from the San Francisco Bay Area to Bakersfield left me in awe of the beauty of the place I will now call home, stunning landscapes of the Central Valley, vast farmlands, and a desert-like climate where the air grew warmer with every mile. Still, I wondered if my time here would be easy or filled with challenges. Only the weeks ahead would tell. What I did know, though, was that to truly settle in, I had to “dance” with the community by introducing myself – “Hi, I’m Cecil Egbele, your new Bakersfield reporter” — and asking one essential question: What stories matter to you?

Stefi Mar September 23, 2025
Local
Stefi Mar

Keeping the Blues Alive in the Heart of the South Bay

It’s that time of year again when the spotlight shines brightly in the City of Lawndale. The blues community and other music lovers from all walks of life came together for the 12th Annual Lawndale Blues Festival, Saturday, September 13, 2025, on this beautiful, overcast day with a slight breeze. The weather was a nice respite from the warm weather experiences during the month of August.

Stefi Mar September 16, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

The Black Vote, Polling, and Redistricting

As California enters the redistricting battle over control of the U.S. House of Representatives, it is very interesting to observe the lineup for and against Proposition 50, which would place Redistricting on the November Ballot. From the moment the Governor signed the legislation, the opposition immediately started direct mail campaigns. The supporters of the measure, mainly the Democratic Party, began to gather and spend money on Radio and television Ads and the polling of the people in the state to see where Support could be found. As usual, the African American community, which largely votes democratic, has not been included in the early stages of this campaign on either side.

Stefi Mar September 16, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

The Lasting Impact of Bedtime Stories

One of the joys of parenthood is the peaceful, soothing experience of reading a bedtime story to your child. Your comforting voice can help lull them into a sleepy state as you read aloud melodic nursery rhymes and other enchanting stories.

Stefi Mar September 16, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

Estate Planning Seen as Survival for Black Families

Constance Carter, the founder of California’s largest independent Black-owned real estate firm and bestselling author, put the spotlight on the basics that protect Black wealth: life insurance, wills, and living trusts. “Estate planning isn’t just paperwork.

Stefi Mar September 16, 2025
Local
Stefi Mar

Something’s Cooking at SoFi Stadium

SoFi Stadium has quickly become one of the West Coast’s premier landmarks. Home to both the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, the Inglewood venue has also hosted major concerts and world-class events. But beyond the games and music, there’s something new drawing attention this season: the food.

Stefi Mar September 9, 2025
African Americans
Stefi Mar

Why Black people should be concerned about the Jeffrey Epstein case

The voices of victims in the Jeffrey Epstein case to “end secrecy” are loud outside of Capitol Hill. They’re telling their stories and demanding action from Congress. As the victims are speaking out, Democratic sponsored legislation is moving in the House that would release materials in the Epstein case in 30 days.

Stefi Mar September 9, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

Mental Illness Linked to Higher Heart Disease Risk and Shorter Lives

A sweeping review published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe has drawn a direct line between mental health disorders and cardiovascular disease (CVD), showing that individuals living with psychiatric conditions face not only a higher risk of heart problems but also a shorter life expectancy.

Stefi Mar September 9, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

Remembering Katrina

Today, twenty years ago, George W. Bush was president of the United States, and Ray Nagin was the mayor of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina barreled into the Gulf Coast, creating one of the worst natural disasters in the nation’s history.

Stefi Mar September 2, 2025
Local
Stefi Mar

Compton Fest ’25-Compton To The World

The award-winning Compton Fest, presented by Divine Media Group, was held on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Charles R. Drew University of Science and Medicine was the host venue for the Compton Fest ’25- a phenomenal celebration of culture, community, and global impact in South L.A.

Stefi Mar August 26, 2025