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Years
Vol. 65 No. 42| Thursday, October 16, 2025
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Serving San Diego County’s African & African American Communities 65 Years
NEWSOM AND ELECTED OFFICIALS MAKE CASE TO BLACK PRESS FOR PROP 50 By Antonio Ray Harvey
CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA On Oct. 7, members of the California Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), and Gov. Gavin Newsom briefed Black media across the state, urging support for Proposition 50 — The Election Rigging Response Act — ahead of the upcoming special election.
U.S. Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA37) and Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) joined Newsom and CLBC chair, State Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D–San Diego). to present the case that the measure is a targeted, temporary step to safeguard Black and Brown voting power. See NEWSOM page 2
PRESCRIBING PREVENTION Doctors Turn to Lifestyle, Herbs to Protect Black Californians’ Health
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Vote Early, Don’t Delay!
Vote Centers & Ballot Drop Box Locations
Gov. Gavin Newsom invited Democrat lawmakers from Texas to the news conference on Friday Aug. 8, 2025. He supports their efforts to block a vote on redistricting that would create five more congressional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. PHOTO: Rich Pedroncelli/AP
DELTA SIGMA THETA SAN DIEGO ALUMNAE
CHAPTER HOSTS PROPOSITION 50 INFORMATIONAL FORUM Community Unites for Civic Education and Empowerment
SEE PAGE 10
SPECIAL Election 2025
KEY DATES EARLY VOTing has begun Don’t Delay, Vote Right Away!
Bloom Ranch in Acton, a 250-acre farm owned by Dr. Bill Releford, a Los Angeles-based podiatrist. It is the largest Black-owned ranch in Los Angeles County and is part of Releford’s focus on wellness and preventive care. PHOTO: CBM
By Charlene Muhammad
CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA Leibo Glover received his diabetes diagnosis at the same time he found out he needed a below-the-knee amputation. “Minor,” thought the 63-year-old. Glover had been self-medicating a toe injury before seeing the doctor. But while driving from South Los Angeles to Miami on a family trip, an infection set in. “I had it but didn’t know,” said Glover. “I was just going to come back to California, but they told me if I had left, I would have come home as a corpse,” Glover told California Black Media (CBM).
Senator Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson (center) pauses for a photo with attendees during the Proposition 50 Informational Forum on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA. PHOTO: Courtesy of Valarie M. Littlejohn
By Valarie M. Littlejohn
OCT 7: Mail Ballot Drop-off Locations open OCT 20: Last day to register online or by mail OCT 25: Select vote centers will be open daily for
INSIDE
in-person voting from 8am to 5pm
NOV 1: All vote centers will be open daily from 8am to 5pm
THIS WEEK'S ISSUE:
NOV 4: Final Day of Voting! All vote centers, official ballot drop boxes, and the Registrar’s office will be open from 7am to 8pm
AMAZING GRACE EVENT BRINGS HOPE TO OVERDOSE CRISIS
The San Diego Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated hosted a packed SEE PAGE 8 Proposition 50 Informational Forum on Saturday, October 4 at the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, drawing community members, leaders, and partner organizations for an afternoon of civic engagement and education. The event was organized by Social Action Chair Leslie Lake and her dedicated Social Action Committee, and featured Senator Dr.
READY TO VOTE? Check your voter registration TODAY!
www.sdvote.com Akilah Weber Pierson, who provided a clear and compelling overview of Proposition 50 and its potential impact on San Diego. See ALUMNAE page 9
EBONY PEARLS FOUNDATION’S
A majority of the nearly 3.5 million Californians diagnosed with diabetes have preventable Type 2 diabetes, according to researchers at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
7th ANNUAL IVIES & VINES FUNDRAISER
In 2023, diabetes was diagnosed in 1 in 6 adults with the lowest incomes (16.7% at 0–99% of the federal poverty line), compared to 1 in 11 adults with the highest incomes (8.9% at 300% or more of the federal poverty line). Age is a factor, too: more than 1 in 5 older adults age 65 and over (22.3%) had diabetes, about twice the rate of adults age 18–64 (8.6%).
By Louise Labrie
See PREVENTION page 2
PHOTO: Courtesy of Ebony Pearls Foundation
The Ebony Pearls Foundation of San Diego Inc®., in partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc®., Epsilon Xi Omega Chapter, hosted the 7th Annual Ivies & Vines Soiree at the Optimist Club in Vista, CA. See FUNDRAISER page 7
MEET THE 5 MACARTHUR ‘GENIUSES’ MAKING THE FUTURE BLACK AND BRILLIANT From film to science to sound, these innovators are changing the world for the better. By Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier
WORD IN BLACK Black genius isn’t rare — it’s everywhere. Look no further than Wednesday’s announcement of the 2025 class of MacArthur Fellows for proof that Black folks are reshaping how we tell stories, protect the planet, build community, and make music. 2025 MacArthur Fellows Tonika Lewis Johnson, Kristina Douglass, William Tarpeh, Craig Taborn, and Garrett Bradley. PHOTO: LCL/MacArthur Courtesy of Word in Black
This year, five Black artists, scientists, musicians, and activists are among the 22 recipients of what’s popularly
known as the “genius gtrant,” an $800,000, no-strings-attached award from the nonprofit MacArthur Foundation. This year’s crop of Black geniuses is pushing the boundaries of creativity, innovation, and ideas that change our world for the better. See GENIUSES page 2
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