Years
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Vol. 65 No. 15 | Thursday, April 10, 2025
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Serving San Diego County’s African & African American Communities 65 Years
INSIDE
POLITICAL PLAYBACK:
THIS WEEK'S ISSUE:
NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED By Bo Tefu CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA
YOUNG WOMEN’S CONFERENCE SEE PAGE 8
MAXCINE STEPHENS’ 95th BIRTHDAY! SEE PAGE 9
OFF-LEASH DOG PARK AT GOMPERS PARK SEE PAGE 7
THOUSANDS RALLY DOWNTOWN FOR “HANDS OFF!” PROTEST Questions raised about Black representation
By Charles Warren CONTRIBUTING WRITER This past Saturday, 12,000 people turned out to march the streets of downtown San Diego for what organizers called the “Hands Off!” day of action. The demonstration was part of a huge national movement, with nearly 1,000 events taking place across the country, pushing back against what many see as a growing threat from
right-wing billionaires and political leaders like Donald Trump and Elon Musk. “I know very deeply what it means to fight to get what you want. But more importantly, to fight to keep what we have. And what we are here for today is to fight to keep what we have,” said Crystal Irving, President of SEIU 221. See "HANDS OFF!" page 8
“Hands Off!” protestors in Downtown San Diego on April 5, 2025. PHOTO: Charles Warren
“College Degree or Not”: California Launches Plan to Increase Jobs, Pay Gov. Gavin Newsom has unveiled the Master Plan for Career Education, a statewide initiative to connect Californians with high-paying careers, whether they hold a college degree or not. The plan prioritizes practical learning, job readiness, and closer collaboration between education and workforce systems. Unveiled at Modesto Junior College on April 2, the plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to prepare Californians for a rapidly changing job market shaped by automation and artificial intelligence. It focuses on expanding access, reducing barriers to career advancement, and aligning education with real-world workforce needs. Backed by proposals in Newsom’s January budget, the plan includes two key tools: Career Passports and Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Career Passports are digital records combining academic achievements with work experience, military service, and training, helping employers recognize skills beyond traditional degrees. The CPL expansion will allow veterans and working adults to earn college credit for real-world experience, benefiting an estimated 250,000 people, including 30,000 veterans.
FAILED PROMISES: ‘I REMEMBER CRYING GOING TO WORK’ See PLAYBACK page 2
Part 2 in a two-part series on Harriet Tubman Village Charter School
Harriet Tubman Village Charter School. PHOTO: Macy Meinhardt/ Voice & Viewpoint
By Macy Meinhardt VV STAFF WRITER/CA LOCAL NEWS FELLOW
Like others interviewed for this story, the former teacher asked not to be identified by name out of fear of retaliation.
For the former eighth-grade teacher, the memory of walking away from her job at Harriet Tubman Village Charter School is painful, even four years later.
She is not alone. Her resignation is part of a trend of leadership problems and toxic work conditions alleged at the La Mesa school for years. Between 2021 and 2024, Voice & Viewpoint identified 80 teachers and staff who either resigned or were let go, an alarming turnover for a school with a current total workforce of 75 employees.
“I left abruptly, at three o’clock,” she said, referring to the final day at the school in April 2021. “I had a conversation with the kids. They cried. I cried.”
See PROMISES page 2
EARLY RESULTS SHOW REPUBLICAN TARGET CONTINUES MAYOR IN LEAD FOR SAN DIEGO TO PAY THE PRICE SUPERVISOR RACE By Macy Meinhardt VV STAFF WRITER/CA LOCAL NEWS FELLOW
Early results in the District 1 Supervisor race show Chula Vista Mayor John McCann with a narrow lead, capturing 43.5% of the vote, while Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre trails at 31.6%. District 3 Councilmember Vivian Moreno follows with 13%. Over 57,000 votes have been counted so far. McCan must secure 50% of the vote in order for the race to be officially called. If no candidate reaches that threshold, the election will go to a July 1 runoff between McCann, a Republican, and Aguirre, a Democrat.
Early returns for the District 1 Special Election posted at 8 p.m. from the San Diego Registrar of Voters. GRAPHIC: Macy Meinhardt/Voice & Viewpoint
The stakes of this election will shift the board’s partisan balance, currently split between two Democrats and two Republicans. For updates, check the Registrar of Voters’ website.
By Stacy M. Brown BLACKPRESSUSA.COM SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT
PHOTO: NNPA
Target is losing more than its commitment to equity, it’s losing customers. For the eighth consecutive week, shoppers have turned away from the retail giant following its decision to dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program in January. New data from Placer.ai shows store visits during the week of March 17 fell by 5.7% compared to the same time last year. That follows a 7.1% decline the week before, bringing the average drop over the past two months to 6.2%. See TARGET page 2
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