Years
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Vol. 65 No. 26 | Thursday, June 26, 2025
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Serving San Diego County’s African & African American Communities 65 Years
DISABLED CALIFORNIANS PROMISE TO FIGHT BACK As Sacramento Proposes Cuts to Services They Rely On By Antonio Ray Harvey CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA
Eric Harris from Disability Rights California, left, and Russell Dawson Rawlings from California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, right, hosted the event at the State Capitol on June 16. PHOTO: Antonio Ray Harvey/CBM
The California Disability Leadership Alliance (The Alliance) held its “Day at the Capitol” event on June 16, organized to advocate for policies and services that improve the lives of people with disabilities. The effort’s leaders also want to strengthen what they refer to as “cross-disability collaboration” in the state.
SNAPSHOTS OF SOUND:
Eric Harris, Associate Executive Director at the Sacramento-based Disability Rights California (DRC), said voices representing people with disabilities need a seat at the table when decisions are being made. He added that people with limited abilities won’t “sit or stand” for some of the budget reductions some lawmakers and the Governor’s office are proposing that will directly impact them. See DISABLED page 5
By Stacy M. Brown BLACK PRESS USA SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT
INSIDE
A LOOK AT THE ICONS WHO SHAPED BLACK MUSIC By The AFRO
Black Music Month has long been a time to celebrate the achievements, activism and work of Black creatives of every genre. From country and gospel to jazz and rhythm and blues, the indelible mark made by Black artists can never be forgotten. Still today, we pay homage to those who used their talents to sing of the struggle, celebrate Black love, raise their voices in praise and more. Take a look below at some of the well known and some not so known Black music icons who shaped the music industry and American culture.
Jan. 1929
BLACK AMERICANS FACE AN UNEQUAL BURDEN IN WAR
THIS WEEK'S ISSUE:
LOUISIANA PURCHASE HOSTS JUNETEENTH BLOCK PARTY SEE PAGE 9
JUNETEENTH AT GEORGE STEVENS CENTER SEE PAGE 7
IMAGE: Iryna Alekseienko/ Courtesy of NNPA
History signals a familiar reality for Black Americans: disproportionate risk, unequal support, and a long legacy of being asked to sacrifice more while receiving less. From World War I through Iraq and Afghanistan, Black servicemembers have routinely been overrepresented in combat roles and underrepresented in decision-making positions. Today, although Black Americans make up just over 13% of the U.S. population, they account for nearly 19% of active-duty Army personnel. “When the U.S. goes to war, Black Americans, whether as civilians, enlisted personnel, or military families, often carry a disproportionate share of the burden,” Liscah R. Isaboke, Esq., Managing Partner at Isaboke Law Firm, PLLC, told Black Press USA. “Historically, Black service members have been overrepresented in frontline and high-risk roles while underrepresented in officer ranks,” Isaboke said. “This exposure results not only in increased physical danger, but also long-term disparities in access to VA benefits, career advancement, and mental health care upon return.” See WAR page 5
Mahalia Jackson is still the undisputed “Queen of Gospel Music.” She gained most of her fame while on tour in the 1930’s with the Greater Salem Baptist Church choir out of Chicago. Born Oct. 26, 1911, Jackson was a native of New Orleans, La. and heavily influenced by artists such as Bessie Smith and other family members who were in the entertainment industry. Her voice carried activists through the Civil Rights Movement while also ringing out in major art venues such as Carnegie Hall. Jackson died Jan. 27, 1972 in Chicago.
SEVEN VOTE CENTERS OPEN FOR SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION
CIRCA 1947
VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE
Mahalia Jackson, January 1929
The roots of the Fisk University Jubilee Singers are inexplicably tied to the historically Black institution, Fisk University. The Nashville school opened in 1866, but within five years found itself struggling financially. In response, the Fisk treasurer and music professor, George L. White, decided to form a group of students into an a capella chorale. The date was Oct. 6, 1871. Fisk University Jubilee Sing ers, Circa 1947 The students hit the road, and while on tour, picked up the name “The Jubilee Singers,” as a nod to the year of Jubilee mentioned in the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 25 of the Bible. Well over a century later, the Fisk Jubilee Singers are still invited to perform at some of America’s premier performance spaces and concert venues worldwide.
MARCH1947
See VOTE CENTERS page 5
Local voter. PHOTO: Courtesy of the County News Center
POLITICAL PLAYBACK:
Hazel Dorothy Scott, born in Port of Spain, Trinidad in 1920, made a name for herself in the entertainment industry by playing two pianos at one time on stage. She starred in five Hollywood films as “herself ” and demanded equal pay to her White co-stars, which made for a short but impactful career. Today she is seen as a woman who paved the way for current female pianists, such as Alicia Keys.
CALIFORNIA CAPITOL NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
FEB. 1971
By Bo Tefu CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA
Julian “Cannonball” (right) and Nat Adderley broke into the music industry as The Adderley Hazel Scott, March 1947 Brothers. The jazz musicians grew up in Tallahassee, Fl. and are still celebrated in their area, with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) naming their music school after the two. They created the fusion jazz sound called “souljazz,” which was popular from the 1960s to the 1970s.
june 1973
Sylvia Robinson June 1973
If you live in the County of San Diego’s First Supervisorial District, you can cast your ballot early at any one of seven vote centers in the district now. Some vote center locations have changed since the primary election in April, so check the list of locations before you head out to cast your ballot.
California Backs South LA Black Cultural District With $3 Million in State Funding Julian “Cannonball”, February 1971
Shown here, Sylvia Robinson, singing “Pillow Talk” on Soul Train in June 1973. Robinson is credited as the producer of the first hip-hop single, the 1979 hit, “Rappers Delight,” by the Sugarhill Gang. As founder of the Sugar Hill label, the record executive wore many hats within the music industry. Most notably, she served as the visionary who saw hip-hop as a viable genre. Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. Read the full article online at www.sdvoice.info
California is moving forward with a plan to create a Black Cultural District in South Los Angeles, backed by $3 million in state funding secured by State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles). The effort aims to formally recognize the historic and cultural contributions of one of the state’s largest Black communities. Organizers say this project is about more than one neighbor-
hood. It’s part of a growing statewide movement to recognize and preserve Black cultural assets and ensure they remain a central part of California’s story.
Gov. Newsom’s Forward-Looking Policy Plan Aims to Get Ahead of Fast-Moving AI Gov. Gavin Newsom released a report June 17 outlining California’s strategy for the safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence, even as President Donald Trump backs a federal bill that would block states from enforcing key AI-related laws. See PLAYBACK page 5
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