Category: Women

African Americans
Stefi Mar

NaTesha “T” Johnson Breaks 110-Year Barrier as First Black Chair of the Kern County Fair Board

There was a time when NaTesha T. Johnson knew the Kern County Fair the way a lot of Black kids from Bakersfield knew it, as a rare treat carved out of a tight budget. Her mother, a single woman raising four daughters while putting herself through school, would gather just enough to give each girl about $20 in ride tickets. When the money ran out, they found other ways to stretch the day: the free stages, the livestock pens, the gospel celebration that drew the African American faith community together.

Entrepreneurs
Stefi Mar

Pretty & Powerful Takes Girl Power to the Next Level Success and Fellowship

Photographer and native Jaxon Felicia Anderson hosted her 2nd annual “Pretty & Powerful” soirée, bringing together in her studio a diverse gathering of women for a day of networking, inspiration, and connection. The event welcomed attendees eager to build relationships, exchange business insight, and gain knowledge from a panel of experts in influencing, entrepreneurship, and professional growth.

African Americans
Stefi Mar

State of Black California: New Data Shows Black Californians Falling Behind as Leaders Convene at UCLA to Confront Crisis


New data showing rising unemployment and widening economic gaps for Black Californians framed a statewide conference at UCLA, where more than 200 advocates, policymakers, elected officials, scholars, entertainers and community leaders gathered to examine the conditions facing Black Californians and to push solutions for a thriving Black California.

African Americans
Stefi Mar

Bonta and Weber Pierson Lead on State Health Policy as Disparities Persist

Nearly 6 in 10 Californians delayed or skipped medical care in the past year because of cost, and 4 in 10 reported their conditions worsened as a result — trends that disproportionately affect communities already facing disparities, including Black Californians.

Women
Kathleen Untalan

A DREAM COME TRUE: Angel Reese is traded to the Atlanta Dream

Atlanta’s own, Taylor Rooks, took to Twitter/X to report the Chicago Sky would be trading Angel Reese, a two-time WNBA All-Star, to the Atlanta Dream. The news would later be confirmed by multiple outlets. The Dream acquired Reese in exchange for Atlanta’s first-round picks in 2027 and 2028. The Dream also receives the right to swap second-round picks with the Sky in 2028. 

Front Page
Stefi Mar

“Senior-itis” Carries UCLA to Title

UCLA delivered a commanding performance in the 2026 women’s national championship game, overpowering South Carolina 79-51 with a dominant showing on both ends of the floor. From the opening tip, the Bruins set the tone—building an early lead and never allowing the Gamecocks to find their rhythm.

African Americans
Stefi Mar

How Resilient Black Women Turn Job Loss into New Ventures

In the aftermath of mass layoffs in 2025, many Black women are turning uncertainty into opportunity by launching businesses, strengthening professional networks and being innovative. Through resilience, creativity and community support, they are carving paths to stability and success in a shifting economy.

African Americans
Stefi Mar

A Head Start Administrator’s Story

My name is Marcia Claggett. I reside in Calvert County, Maryland , and work at the United Planning Organization’s (UPO) Office of Early Learning in Washington, D.C. As a child at the age of 3, I was enrolled in the Head Start program located at the Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee. The year would be 1970. I completed two years of Head Start with the program and I have to add that my mother was introduced to much-needed services that assisted her in making ends meet. 

African Americans
Stefi Mar

Bakersfield Links Inc. Hosts Fourth Annual Black Family Wellness Expo

Free health screenings and vendor exhibits draw a broad cross-section of residents; Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, Rep. 35th District, warns Kern County has been a designated health care shortage area “for decades” with no remedy in sight.

African Americans
Kathleen Untalan

Stay Healthy with Free Preventive Care Services

Maintaining health coverage plays a critical role in protecting your long-term health and your family’s well-being. Preventive care — including routine screenings, wellness visits, and age-appropriate checkups — can detect health issues early, support chronic disease management, and help you stay healthier year-round. Covered California health plans include preventive services that are available at no additional cost when you see an in-network provider, even before you meet a deductible. Taking advantage of these benefits and keeping your coverage active are important steps in staying healthy.

Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

Barbados – PM Mia Mottley Sweeps to Victory in Elections, Third Time

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley became the second Caribbean politician to win all the seats in a national Parliament on three occasions as she led the Barbados Labor Party (BLP) to yet another whitewash of her opponents in the Barbados general election.