California Legislative Black Caucus

Mar 7 2013

Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget considered a “mixed bag” for minorities

Gov. Brown’s proposed budget could help move California toward greater equity and fairness for the communities of color that make up the state’s majority, but serious questions remain, reports a just-released Greenlining Institute analysis presented at a state capitol briefing recently.

Dec 6 2012

Mitchell takes over

Assemblymember Holly Mitchell (D-Culver City) has been elected chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus for the 2013-2014 session, replacing current chair Senator Curren D. Price. Senator Rod Wright (D-Inglewood) has been elected vice chair. The caucus addresses policy and budgetary issues affecting Black Californians. It consists of nine legislators, including two senators and seven members of the Assembly.

Gail Choice  |   OW Contributor
Feb 23 2012

Hollywood by Choice

Hats off to the recently departed 2012 Pan African Film Festival. 

To the community’s delight, the film festival and art show returned to our own backyard at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, and the adjoining theater now known as The Rave Cinemas. 

The festival, often referred to simply as PAFF, continues to showcase great feature-length films, such as Steve Harvey’s “Think Like a Man,” scripted from his best-selling book, which kicked off the festival. 

Jun 23 2011

Going to the book fair

Julianne Malveaux, president of Bennett College as well as a noted economist, author and speaker, will discuss her latest book, “Surviving and Thriving: 365 Facts in Black Economic History” from 5-7 p.m. at the office of State Seantor Curren D. Price, The special event, hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus in collaboration with FAME Corporation and the Special Needs Network Inc., follows her appearance earlier in the day at the Leimert Park Book Fair.

May 12 2011

African American health disparities

“We must find ways for African Americans and other minorities to access quality healthcare and improve their health outcomes in a medical system that continues to neglect minorities in every aspect of healthcare, from research through end-of-life care,” state Sen. Curren Price told a recent all-day Healthy Lifestyles Initiative Conference at the California Science Center in Exposition Park.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

California
San Diego college students and volunteers will carry out their sixth home restoration project on Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14. as part of the “Healing our Heroes’ Homes” (H3) program created by the nonprofit Embrace. The five-day effort will take place at the home of medically retired Marine Corps Capt. Sarah Bettencourt. Bettencourt served with many different units across the country during the Global War on Terrorism and developed a rare neurological disorder in 2008. With a focus to restore the homes of disabled veteran homeowners, H3 falls in line with Embrace’s mission to mobilize college-student volunteers and community members to serve less fortunate members of civilian and veteran communities. The project for the Bettencourts’ home includes kitchen and bathroom remodeling, building ADA-compliant disability ramps, widening their driveway to ADA standards, widening doorways and landscaping.
 
District of Columbia
The 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will showcase its five-year community research project on African American identity with the program “The Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style, and Identity.” This multicity collaboration examines the history and culture of the aesthetics of African Americans. The festival will be held June 26-30 and July 3-7, outdoors on the National Mall between Seventh and 14th streets. “Whether we realize it or not, we are all dress artists. The way we compose our look is a creative expression of our ideas about who we are and who we aspire to be,” said Diana N’Diaye, program curator. “This program explores the diversity of African American traditions of style, but also teaches young people the importance of documenting their own culture and saving that information for themselves and future generations.”