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Vol. 65 No. 37 |Thursday, September 11, 2025
www.sdvoice.info
Serving San Diego County’s African & African American Communities 65 Years
WEEK'S INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
“A Lovely Place of Refuge”: Interfaith Justice Forum Tackles Hate in California
FDSRC’S FIRST ANNUAL “SEASONED” SENIOR PROM SHINES SEE PAGES 6-7
from us,” Ferdman explained.
By McKenzie Jackson California Black Media Americans became more polarized in the last decade than at any time in U.S. history since the Civil War, according to Maia Ferdman, the Deputy Director of UCLA’s Bendari Kindness Institute and Staff Director of the university’s Dialogue Across Difference Initiative. “Not only do we just vote or think differently, we dislike or mistrust people who are different
Seeing opponents as enemies can justify violence and hate, Ferdman also warned. “Bridge-building, she said, can counteract the fraying of society.”
PHOTO: Courtesy of CBM
Ferdman’s insights framed the tone of the California Commission on the State of Hate’s “Virtual Community Forum on Dialogue Across Differences” held via Zoom on Sept. 5.
The two-hour community forum’s other speakers included Western Justice Center Executive Director Elissa Barrett and Interfaith Speakers See REFUGE, Page 2
EDDIE MILLER DANCING INTO HIS 60'S SEE PAGES 6-7
Why Black People Should Be Concerned About the Jeffrey Epstein Case By April Ryan BlackPressUSA White House Correspondent The voices of victims in the Jeffrey Epstein case to “end secrecy” were loud out-
side of Capitol Hill. They were 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 mate-
rials in the Epstein case in 30 days. The effort to determine who’s connected with these abuses also has support from See EPSTEIN, Page 2
IMAGE: Courtesy of NNPA
Black Family Empowerment Day Returns to Southeast San Diego This September Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 27, 2025, as the Black Family Empowerment Day returns with a powerful celebration of culture, unity,
wellness, and community uplift. Hosted at Marie Widman Park (6727 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92114) from
12 PM to 5 PM, this free family-friendly event kicks off with an opening ceremony honoring our ancestors, respecting See EMPOWERMENT, Page 2
See ANNIVERSARY, Page 4
California Honors 60th Anniversary of Voting Rights Act,
Showcasing State’s Efforts to Expand Access By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media While serving a 14-year prison sentence, Adam Cain says he learned how vital it is for citizens to have the power to participate in democracy through voting. But formerly incarcerated people who had completed their prison terms and were placed on parole, couldn’t always vote in California. They gained that access to voting in 2020 through Proposition (Prop) 17 when voters approved a ballot measure that restored voting rights to about 50,000 people on state parole for felony convictions. Before Prop 17 passed, the state’s constitution prohibited people with felony convictions from voting until they had completed both their prison and parole terms. While he was locked up, Cain’s said he got involved in advocacy to pass the bill, which was introduced by former Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) as Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 6. His mission, Cain added, was to organize on the “inside” to see that the bill got passed by educating family and loved ones
about the policy. “Once I learned (about Prop 17), I was like ‘this is how I can get involved.’ So, we continued to push and make changes to open up voting rights for people who are coming home if you’re paroled or on probation,” Cain said. “We began doing a lot of organizing, using the inside-outside approach, working from the bottom to the top.” California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, left, and former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, right, share their
Cain shared his experience, speaking at California’s experiences and thoughts about the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The commemoration 60th Anniversary celebration of the Voting Rights was held at the Secretary of State's auditorium in Sacramento on Aug. 25. PHOTO: Antonio Ray Harvey/CBM Act of 1965, held at the Secretary of State's office in end mass incarceration in California by empowering impactSacramento on Aug. 25. ed people. It organizes and educates incarcerated people and Hosted by Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Cain was one individuals who have been released on how to advocate for of five guests on a panel that included Willie Brown, Speaker systemic change. Emeritus of the California State Assembly; Melba Pattillo According to the League of Beals, journalist, educator, and a member of the Little Rock Women Voters, three of every Nine, who integrated Central High School in 1957; and Lexie four men exiting California Tesch, representative of the League of Women Voters. Guy prisons are either African AmMarzorati from KQED was the panel moderator. erican, Latino, or Asian AmCurrently, Cain is an advocate and Program Coordinator for erican. Black Americans are the abolitionist organization Initiate Justice, which works to See ANNIVERSARY, Page 2