Years
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Vol. 66 No. 3 | Thursday, January 15, 2026
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Serving San Diego County’s African & African American Communities 66 Years
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. www.facebook.com/ SDVoiceandViewpoint
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African & African American
COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE
Communities 64 Years
, JR. COMMEMORATIVE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING
ISSUE S
Legacy Life
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January 13, 2022 Vol. 62 No. 2 | Thursday,
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Serving San Diego County’s
African & African American
MAJOR EVENTS IN DR. KING’S
Activates National Guard
LIFE Photo: Courtesy of CBM
By Aldon Thomas Stiles California Black Media On Jan. 8, Gov. Gavin New som announced he is propos ing a $2.7 billion investment to boost the state’s COVID 19 response efforts. The request is included in the state budget Gov. Newsom is sending to the State Legislature this week. He is
PHOTO: Aukid, Adobe Stock
DISCOVERING OUR
LOCAL MLK MURALS By Aryka Randall CONTRIBUTING WRITER celebrated visuDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has been most creative has ally in many ways, but one of the in San Diego. been with carefully curated murals
Contributing Writer
The year 2021 was particu larly stressful for many peo ple, for obvious reasons, and for some not so obvious rea sons. Loved ones passed away, jobs were lost while others thought it best to just walk away. We witnessed a cata strophic government event Pictured here: Amaya Ford (right) and and got lost in silly videos to her daughter, Ny. Photo: Conita Butts take our minds off our daily to accomplish so many goals struggle to keep the virus and dreams, so I can show her from crossing the threshold that no matter who she is, she home. place: I safe of our can accomplish anything. have become a stronger, betfew a take to to talk to We wanted asking lawmakers ter, passionate woman because people about why they are action on it immediately. of Nyelah. Being a mother to thankful. We hope that you her is easy, because she is the The emergency response encouraging word, if an find carsmartest, sweetest, most package includes money for you need it. ing little girl in the world. I am more testing, more vacci thankful for being able to be nations, including boosters, I am thankful for my daughter her mother. and support for healthcare Nyelah. She has been the best ~ Amaya Ford professionals. blessing I have ever received. I was 20 when I had her life my changed and she has See THANKFUL page 23 around. She makes me want page 2
Last month, the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans heard expert accounts explaining how the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 affected residential communities of color in the state. In the last twoday meet
r ing of 2021, the ninemembe commission invited guests to help them determine how money from President Biden’s $1 trillion Infrastructu re plan, passed into law in Nov ember, could be spent to compensate Black Americans for federal and state govern ment decisions that nega tively impacted them. See HIGHWAY page 2
See NEWSOM
See MURALS page 20
The Debate Begins
1985 when Coretta The story goes back to December at the Educational Scott King came to visit San Diego invitation from Michel Cultural Complex upon an of the Martin Luther Anderson, who served as the chair
MLK Special Commem orative
Issue
CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS
RESPOND TO TRUMP
on Wednesday, a group In response to riots at the Capitol Donald Trump to be holding a banner urging President near the U.S. Capitol, Friday, removed from office, protests (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Jan. 8, 2021, in Washington.
Last week, after a violent mob of President Trump’s supporters attacked and invaded the
K TOP BLAC PRIORITIES
United States Capitol while protesting President-elect Joe Biden’s win of the 2020 election, Capitol Police officers evacuated members of Congress to an undisclosed area nearby. See OFFICIALS page 2
SAN DIEGO TO VACCINATE
5,000 HEALTH CARE WORKERS DAILY By Julie Watson
Associated Press
in San Diego, 1989. Martin Luther King sign being replaced Free Press PHOTO: Vince Compagnone, San Diego
First, the then City Manager Slyvester of Euclid Avenue stretch Murray, nominated a five-mile King, notably because and 54th Street to be named after diverse income and for it cut through an area known one of the highest posts ethnic groups. Murray attained an appointive office of any African American to hold the proposal was in San Diego at the time. However,the route launched along residents and rejected, widely to King’s tactics an angry protest, including objections the council set aside pressure, and mission. Under Murray’s recommendation.
n as the most diverse to rename Market Street—know Luther King Jr. Way. roadway in San Diego—to Martin downtown to Encanto, Extending from the bay and the region’s most the thoroughfare traversed through time, a census tract disadvantaged areas, and, at the ns of Black that had one of the highest concentratio residents in the city—41 percent.
at The Vaccination Super Station Petco Park is expected to adminiscare ter 5,000 doses daily to health open 7 professionals. The station is for a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week made health care workers who have appointments online at www.VaccinaSan Photo: D.com. tionSuperStationS Diego County News Center
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and residents along But once again, business owners opposed, and Market Street in downtown vehemently proper notice of also argued that they didn’t receive made. the council decision before it was
Back to the Drawing Board Having to pivot, the City Council
SEE LATEST COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER see pages 20-21
California Black Media
. King State Holiday Commission According to Anderson, the turnout signified “an outstanding community response to a national icon.”
Diego’s Martin Luther The naming process of San of Interstate 5 King Jr. Way—the western portion through Spring Diego beginning in downtown San had the best Valley—was not one that necessarily at heart. interests of the Black community Diego’s tribute to the In fact, the selection of it as San a last resort option was leader adorned civil rights contentious debate to come from the 1986-1989 leaders and white surrounding Black community Diego. San business owners in Downtown LA Times journalist Digging through archives, the named the overpass Ralph Frammolino at the time and political battle” “a focal point of an ideological forty years later, with “overtones of racism.” Almost true. to some that sentiment still remains
92139
By Tanu Henry
CAUCUS
came “Anybody who was anybody nation out,” said Anderson. Amid the Luther celebrating the first Martin one King Day as a federal holiday month later in Jan. 1986, coupled the with Coretta’s monumental visit, on two events kicked off the debate would how “America’s Finest City” individually honor King.
Celeb rating the Life of
DR . MA RT IN LU TH ER KI NG JR.
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92114 2,489
Black Media
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
See page 2
By Macy Meinhardt WRITER VOICE & VIEWPOINT STAFF
92105
ON U.S. CAPITOL
Photos: Antonio Ray Harvey/California
Diego and various With the aid of the city of San number of local artgrants for creative endeavors, a to immortalize ists have been given the opportunitycity. the MLK with artwork throughout
Randall
Cannot be Heard”
SUPPORTERS’ ATTACK
ETHING FOR 2024 A REVIEW OF THE STRUGGLE TO NAME SOM KING AFTER DR. located at 330 E. Eighth St. PHOTO: Aryka
“People Without a Voice
es 61 Years Years s 57Communiti American Communitie & African American African & African County’s Diego African SanCounty’s San Diego ServingServing
4,239
92115
5,038 3,208
Source: County of San Diego a/o 1/12/21
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2017 31,2021 January August14, | Thursday 35 | Thursday, No.02 Vol.6157No. Vol.
Local Residents Share What Highway Construction GOV. NEWSOM PROPOSES Are Thankful For in 2022 How ned Discrimination $2.7 Billion for COVID Response; They Harde By Conita Butts
PAGES 12-13
MLK mural at South Bay Health Center
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Communities 62 Years
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Serving San Diego County’s
The effort that began this Monday is one of the most ambitious yet See VACCINATION page
2
MLK COMMUNITY
See NAME page 15
voted in April 1986
San Diego County is opening what it calls a “vaccination superstation’’ that aims to inject up to 5,000 health care workers daily with a COVID-19 vaccine, officials said January 8.
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CELEBRATIONS & PARADES OF YEARS PAST
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2017 August11,31,2018 ThursdayJanuary No.352 || Thursday, Vol.5758No. Vol.
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American Communities & African American African & African County’s DiegoAfrican County’s DiegoSan Serving Serving San
REV. WHIPPLE OF CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH PASSES
see page 16
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See Inside
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Fifty-Five Strong:
Celebrating the Life of Soar Like an Eagle:
Largest Congressional Remembering The k Caucus Kicks Off Blac Dr. King and “The the 116th Congress Other America”
:
are forced to grow up with “Little children in this other America day in their little mental clouds of inferiority forming every we see it as an arena skies. As we look at this other America, said Dr. King… of blasted hopes and shattered dreams,” By Charlene Crowell NNPA Newswire Contributor
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C., at U.S. Source: National Archives College Park, Wikimedia Commons
Once again on the third Monday in January, much of the nation will mark the anniversary of the death of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countless programs and events will no doubt recall several of his famous speeches from the 1963 March on Washington’s “I Have A Dream to his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” deSee REMEMBERING page
members of the U.S. House bringing The new CBC features nine new time that 116th Congress will be the first the group to a total of 55. The will ever have over fifty members. the Congressional Black Caucus
By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor
As the new Congression al Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass (D-Calif.) was hand2
ed a large gavel from outgoing Chairman Cedric Richmond (D-La.) it became clear that the new CBC would be making a sizable mark on the next Congress.
The new CBC includes the youngest African American woman to be sworn-in to the U.S. House in history, Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.),
12 African American Teens Reach the Pinnacle of Success in The Boy Scouts led by
Photography credit to NPS-volunteer
Bill Shugarts, ABC Television,
and the Public Information Network
Group
KING’S LASTING IMPACT ON EQUITY IN EDUCATION in Education Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Champi
on for Equity
By Stacy M. Brown
Boy Scout Troop 242, Scoutmaster Dameion Crook, Sr., presented the 12 African American Eagle Scouts during the Eagle Court of Honor ceremony that was held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. His son was one of the newest Eagle Scouts, which is the cherry on the top of Scoutmaster Crook’s two years leading Boy Scout Troop 242.
on the Civil Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s influence his fight for Rights Movement is indisputable, but some. to equity in education remains a mystery
BLACK STUDENTS HIT HARD BY FOR-PROFIT COLLEGE DEBT Calls Center for Responsible Lending Report n” For-Profit Education “a Risky Propositio
That fight began with his own education.
educational “He clearly had an advanced, refined High foundation from Booker T. Washington Theological School, Morehouse College, Crozer Reverend Seminary, and Boston University,” said Rainbow Jesse Jackson, Sr., the founder of the his speeches PUSH Coalition. “His education in and he and sermons and writings were apparent wanted us all to have that type of education.”
By Charlene Crowell
,
Mounting student debt is a nagging problem for most families these days. As the cost of higher education rises, borrowing to cover those costs often becomes a family concern across multiple generations including the student, parents, and even grandparents or other relatives.
New research by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) analyzed student debt on a state-by-state basis. An interactive map of CRL’s findings reveal on a state basis each of the 50 states’ total undergraduate population, for-profit enrollment, and the top for-profit schools by enrollment for both four-year and two-year institutions.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. See CONGRESS page 2
By Jeffrey L. Boney
Associate Editor via Houston Forward Times
Here in the United States, the Boy Scouts of America is considered to be one of the most revered institutions for the development of young boys.
See SCOUTS page 16
See EDUCATION page 16
RICHELIEU DENNIS PURCHASES ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS
ned after Essence Magazine, Once Again, Black-Ow Dennis Richelieu Purchase by Sundial Brands Founder By Stacy M. Brown
magazine as a totally, Black and In a deal that reestablishes Essence Brands founder Richelieu Dennis recently independently-owned entity, Sundial Communications from Time Inc. announced the purchase of Essence
Today’s 21st Century jobs usually demand higher education and specialized skills to earn one’s way into the middle class. In households where educational loans are inevitable, it becomes an important family decision to determine which institutions are actually worth the debt incurred. Equally important is the institution’s likelihood of its students graduating.
Entitled “The State of ForProfit Colleges,” the report concludes that investing in a for-profit education is almost always a risky proposition. Undergraduate borrowing by state showed that the percentage of students that borrow from the federal
See DEBT page 19
Higher education institutions that do not provide its students and graduates with requisite skills and knowledge become money pits that lead to deeper debt and likely loan defaults.
See ESSENCE page 16
INSIDE: MAJOR EVENTS IN DR. KING’S LIFE PAGES 6-7
LETTER FROM A BIRMINGHAM JAIL PAGES 8-9
A LOOK BACK: PAST MLK PARADES PAGES 18-19
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