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2018

Yearly Archives: 2018

John P. Kee throws a huge 70th birthday celebration for gospel music legend Rance...

John P. Kee really knows how to throw a party. Recently, the legendary recording artist threw a concert celebrating the 70th birthday of his mentor and gospel icon, Bishop Rance Allen. Kee hosted Jason Nelson, Yolanda DeBerry, Isaiah Templeton, Shawn Bigby and Zeeksong for a spirited and packed-out concert at his New Life Fellowship Church in Charlotte, N.C. Those artists who couldn’t appear in person sent greetings via Instagram. A Korean soul music quartet, Korean Seoul, serenaded Bishop Allen with an a cappella rendition of the Rance Allen Group’s signature tune, “Something About the Name Jesus.”

Demand letter 2018 on behalf of Black America

To the republic: This is a demand letter on behalf of the peoples known in the United States of America as African Americans, Blacks. As you know, we suffer from a mental disorder called Mental Slavery, which starts in early childhood and ends at death. Some of the symptoms of this mental disorder include, but are not limited to, the acceptance of an inferior status, severe ignorance and the dismantling of self, family and community.

Digital boom and tech access fuel Black entrepreneurship

No different than the impact industry had on America’s business model of the early 20th century, new technological innovations have significantly changed all aspects of business, from the way people consume to how brands engage consumers. “We are on the threshold of a new business paradigm,” said Cheryl Grace, senior vice president of U.S. Strategic Community Alliances and Consumer Engagement at Nielsen. “The digital age is transforming not only commerce and the relationship consumers have with companies, but digital know-how among consumers – particularly African Americans – is fostering new levels of independence and financial freedom.”

Trump’s racism by omission: Rude theatrics targeting Black reporters overshadows questions on voter suppression

April Ryan, White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks, and other journalists of color have not been favorites of President Donald Trump. From telling Ryan to set up a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus when she asked if he planned to meet with Black members of Congress to calling her a loser, President Trump has displayed his contempt for Ryan. His rage, his diminishing of the credibility of these Black, award-winning journalists, and his stupidity in calling their questions “racist” minimized what was actually happening: Trump was committing racism by omission.

Hunger strike begins at Northwest Detention Center with dozens refusing meals

On Tuesday, Dec. 11, up to 40 immigrants detained at the now infamous Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma began refusing meals, initiating a hunger strike in protest of the conditions they face. One detained activist listed the group’s demands as follows: “I am part of a group of detainees that are going to go on hunger strike as the only way to protest and shine a light on the abuses that we suffer here." This strike is the latest in a series of strikes protesting conditions inside the facility; the most recent mass strike began on Aug. 21 in conjunction with a national prison strike.

Public housing and Section 8 tenants face eviction and homelessness for medical marijuana use

In these harsh times of conflicting state and federal laws regarding medical marijuana, which is currently legal in many states but still illegal under federal law, across the nation public housing and Section 8 tenants are facing discrimination, eviction and homelessness for medical marijuana use. The crazy federal marijuana laws need to be overturned and eliminated because of the harm being done to seniors and others who may or may not be residing in subsidized housing.

Columbus, Ohio: Rally demands end to ODRC #PrisonStrike retaliation

On Friday, Nov. 16, activists from across Ohio and Pennsylvania collaborated for an action outside the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) Central Office in Columbus. The rally was in response to a number of repressive and retaliatory actions against prisoners following the massive #August21 prison strike. Organizers of the action included Lucasville Amnesty, Pittsburgh Anarchist Black Cross, Central Ohio IWOC (Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee) and BQIC (Black Queer and Intersectional Collective).

Oakland Unified School District teachers demand justice for Oakland teachers and students

On Monday, Dec. 10, teachers from Madison Park Academy Upper joined with teachers across Oakland Unified School District to demand that OUSD prioritize teacher retention and access to student supports in order to maximize student success. Educators, students and community members rallied at Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Lyric Performing Arts Academy presents ‘The Jazzy Nutcracker’

Oakland, PRLog – Lyric Performing Arts Academy (LPAA) presents the third annual “Jazzy Nutcracker” at the East Oakland Youth Development Center on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Set to the music of Duke Ellington’s “Nutcracker Suite,” this family-friendly event will provide children of all ages an afternoon of holiday fun. Doors open at 4 p.m., and the performance will begin at 4:30.

City College of San Francisco expands its Community Health Worker program

New certificates expand employment opportunities for students SAN FRANCISCO – City College of San Francisco (CCSF) announced today that beginning 2019, it will offer two new...

SF County Jail future debated as prisoners face sewage floods, roof leaking on beds,...

I’m writing to bring awareness to the current problems we face at 850 Bryant St., on the Seventh Floor in the San Francisco County Jail. Not only for months do the toilets constantly overflow, causing us to have to smell fecal matter all day, but also they serve us dinner at 3:30 p.m. every day but let the trays sit in the hallway for two hours before we receive them, so we have only cold food every single meal. Now, in addition, when it rains, the roof leaks rusty water on my bed.

Jason Renard Walker: Racist guard files trumped-up felony assault charge, then bribes coworker to...

Jason reports within the past year, prison guards are turning up the way they retaliate for his published exposés and activism. From false charges to legal property theft and now physically unprovoked beatings. Jason is urgently requesting help in beating an attempted frame-up. Below is a suggested script that you can use to make complaints to the TDCJ Ombudsman, as well as Ellis Unit Warden Kelly Strong, Regional Director Wayne Brewer and TDCJ Director Bryan Collier.

Treasure Island tolls opposed by TI residents and businesses go to Board of Supervisors...

A proposal to start charging tolls to enter and leave Treasure Island will be considered by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, sitting as the Treasure Island Mobility Management Authority (TIMMA), on Tuesday, Dec. 11. Residents and businesses, who nearly unanimously oppose the plan they claim will price out low-income residents and choke off the businesses’ lifeline, have organized an ad hoc coalition and will attend the 11 a.m. hearing to make their concerns known. The meeting will be held in the Supervisors’ Chambers, Room 250, City Hall.

$3,000 per year renewable college scholarships for Bayview Hunters Point students – Apply by...

  This notice announces three scholarships for Bayview Hunters Point students: A scholarship for a Bayview-Hunters Point student interested in STEM careers. A scholarship for...

Wanda’s Picks for December 2018

Happy Kwanzaa Season! Check with thevillageprojectsf.org for all the details. Happy Birthday, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson (Dec. 19, 1875 – April 3, 1950), father of Black History, founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Happy 60th Birthday to those born in 1958 (smile). ASALH’s 2019 theme Black Migrations emphasizes the movement of people of African descent to new destinations and subsequently to new social realities. While inclusive of earlier centuries, this theme focuses especially on the 20th century through today.

After Dems’ crime bill, they now need super predators’ votes to survive

The Democrats are complete trash to me, after destroying Black communities and disenfranchising generations of Black men, women and youth; they now need their votes to survive. However, these same people have done nothing to stop the recidivism that feeds the private prison machine that they all profit from. They also have not worked to make the many Black communities whole again after they were destroyed via mass incarceration and the so-called war on drugs.

View from the Shipyard

One photo in particular caught my attention. It’s simplicity and composition stand out when viewed from the eye of the photographer…a man dedicated to his work and loyal to his purpose as a longshore worker. Taken in the mid 1960’s, it depicts an isolated freighter ship offshore from a pier at the Hunters Point Shipyard. I call it “View from the Shipyard.” I don’t know why that cargo ship was so important it became the centerpiece of a technicolor photo. My Dad was probably the shipping clerk responsible for accounting its cargo.

I AM 1619-2019: 400 years of struggle

Lest there be any doubt, in 2019 the C2RTP boycott must go on. I mean, many cite 1619 as the year that the first slave cargo ships arrived on these shores. Thus, the year 2019 represents a historic marker, 400 years of struggle. Queen Tahiyrah has dubbed 2019 as “The Year of Justice” and this will be the theme of Volume 1, Issue 3, of the next edition of Barz Beyond Barz Magazine. For me, “The Year of Justice” will usher in the Special Litigation Project 2019. The SLP will focus on identifying and challenging laws that play an important role in facilitating mass incarceration.

Tanisha Kamilah Pasters: Beloved granddaughter’s spirit lives on

On August 22, 1974, in the City of Santa Clara, California a beautiful baby girl was born to Lewis Wesley and Linda Joyce Pasters [Dr. Willie Ratcliff’s first-born child] and they named her Tanisha Kamilah Pasters. She was a happy child. Tanisha was the epitome of courage and strength. All throughout her life she was faced with several health chal­lenges. Tanisha never wavered in her faith, nor allowed her infirmities to impede her life­style. What a great testimony she had through all of this. We are grateful for the 44 years of life that God loaned her to us.

Victory: No demolition at Midtown

Three years into our campaign for self-management and ownership and we have achieved our first goal: Demolition of Midtown is off the table! We have had both verbal and written agreement from both Mercy Housing and the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH) that they are no longer planning to demolish any of Midtown’s six buildings. This is because last year, head of the MOH Kate Hartley was forced to agree that there would be no demolition without majority tenant support.