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The Bayview Hunters Point Coordinating Council has emerged to revitalize grassroots organizing in San Francisco's District 10, following decades of community activism that had declined in recent years. Formed in June 2024 by six core members and now expanded to over 30 participants, this independent group meets bi-monthly at the Southeast Community Center to address neighborhood issues like housing conditions and equitable development benefits. The council deliberately maintains independence from political figures and developers, carrying forward the legacy of historic community organizing in the area while focusing on bringing authentic resident representation back to neighborhood advocacy. Their current strategy centers on increasing community participation in local commission meetings, particularly the Southeast Community Facility Commission.

Bill Cosby addressed several controversies during a candid interview with Black Press USA, including clarifying his "pull your pants up" comments as being about how negative images of Black youth are systematically exploited to facilitate incarceration. He detailed his nearly three-year prison experience at SCI Phoenix following a 2018 conviction that was later overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which ruled his trial illegal and barred retrial. Cosby revealed he refused multiple offers to sign admission of guilt documents that would have secured his release. He also discussed media erasure of his achievements, denied the long-standing rumor about attempting to buy NBC, and emphasized the importance of preserving Black history in education.

Black Family Empowerment Day, organized by San Diego Urban Warriors, will return on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Marie Widman Park in San Diego. This free family-friendly celebration focuses on culture, unity, wellness, and community uplift within the Black community. The event will run from 12 PM to 5 PM, beginning with an opening ceremony honoring ancestors, respecting elders, and elevating youth, though specific activities during the festivities were not detailed in the article. Taking place in the heart of the "9 Blocks" area, this annual gathering aims to celebrate wellness, empowerment, and the richness of the Black community.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History presents a comprehensive view of America that includes both achievements and historical injustices, drawing criticism from former President Donald Trump who wants museums to focus primarily on American success and pride. Trump has threatened to withhold funding unless the museums shift away from what he perceives as negative portrayals, despite the museum's extensive displays of American innovation, heroism, and accomplishments alongside exhibits addressing slavery, imperialism, and racial injustice. The museum's balanced approach explores the complexities of American history through artifacts ranging from George Washington's uniform and Thomas Edison's light bulbs to shackles representing slavery and items highlighting the experiences of marginalized groups. This approach aligns with the museum's mission to examine "the complexity of our past," raising fundamental questions about American identity and how the nation should remember its history.

Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer, commemorates Labor Day by highlighting the labor movement's historical achievements in improving working conditions, wages, and rights. He emphasizes Black trade unionists' crucial contributions throughout labor history, from the 1881 Atlanta Washerwoman Strike to recent organizing victories at Volkswagen, Waffle House, and Blue Bird. Redmond criticizes the Trump administration for undermining worker and union rights, particularly targeting federal employees. He calls for solidarity among working people to counter corporate interests, inequality, and union-busting efforts that threaten workers' rights and futures.

The Trump administration has initiated a comprehensive review of the Smithsonian Institution's content to ensure it aligns with the White House's vision of American history, emphasizing "American exceptionalism" while removing what it deems "divisive or partisan narratives." This review has sparked concern among history teachers nationwide who rely heavily on Smithsonian resources for trusted classroom materials and curriculum development. Critics worry these changes could lead to a sanitized version of American history, particularly as the White House simultaneously launches projects like the Founders Museum with conservative organization PragerU. Education professionals note that the Smithsonian's resources are especially valuable because they provide thoroughly vetted primary sources and materials that help teachers present comprehensive historical narratives, particularly for underrepresented groups.

Jarvis McKenzie, a Black man in South Carolina, experienced a racially motivated shooting while waiting for his work ride, highlighting South Carolina's status as one of only two states without hate crime laws. About two dozen local governments in South Carolina have enacted their own hate crime ordinances to pressure the state Senate to vote on legislation that would increase penalties for crimes motivated by hatred based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or ethnicity. Despite pressure from businesses, Charleston church massacre survivors, and even some Republicans, state senators have repeatedly stalled the hate crime bill without allowing a vote. While local ordinances like Richland County's can only impose misdemeanor penalties with maximum 30-day jail sentences, the proposed state law could add years to sentences for violent hate-motivated crimes.

The California Black Health Network (CBHN) hosted a legislative briefing on Black maternal health at the California State Museum, highlighting the disproportionate rate of pregnancy-related complications and deaths among Black women. Adjoa Jones, Director of the African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative, shared stories of two Black women who died after childbirth in Southern California, emphasizing these were preventable tragedies. The event featured expert panelists discussing policy solutions to address systemic inequities in healthcare for Black mothers, including legislation like Assembly Bill 2319, which mandates implicit bias training for healthcare providers by June 2025. According to the California Department of Public Health, Black women represent only 5% of pregnancies in the state but account for 21% of pregnancy-related deaths, with Senator Akilah Weber Pierson noting that California loses a mother to pregnancy-related complications every five days.

The August jobs report revealed a concerning trend with Black unemployment reaching 7.5%, the highest level since October 2021, following consecutive increases in June and July. Economists view rising Black unemployment as a potential indicator of a broader economic slowdown, with Diane Swonk noting that Black Americans are often the first to experience layoffs during economic downturns. This employment decline threatens to significantly impact Black communities and the broader US economy, especially concerning as Black Americans are projected to have $2 trillion in buying power by 2026. Small Black-owned business owners express particular concern about potential sales slumps, as Black consumers may reduce discretionary spending in response to job insecurity.

John Lowell Burton, a 92-year-old California political powerhouse who served in multiple influential roles including State Assemblymember, U.S. Congressman, State Senate President pro Tempore, and California Democratic Party Chair, died of natural causes on September 7, 2024. Burton was widely recognized as a champion for marginalized communities, with a career marked by passionate advocacy for civil rights, environmental protection, education, healthcare, and foster youth. California leaders including Governor Gavin Newsom, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, Senator Alex Padilla, and House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi paid tribute to Burton's legacy as a progressive warrior who shaped California politics. In recognition of his contributions, Burton will be posthumously inducted into the California Hall of Fame, and flags will be flown at half-staff in his honor.

of News Article Daniel Andreas San Diego, a 47-year-old suspected bomber on the FBI's most wanted list for 21 years, faces an extradition hearing in London to potentially return to the United States. The FBI believes San Diego is connected to animal rights extremist groups and responsible for two bombing incidents in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2003, which targeted companies allegedly linked to animal testing. After evading surveillance in a high-speed chase through San Francisco in 2003, San Diego disappeared until being discovered living under an alias in a remote cottage in north Wales last year. Former FBI agents have expressed frustration over "missed opportunities" to arrest him before he vanished, revealing they found what they described as a "bomb-making factory" in his abandoned car.

Joseph David Emerson, a former pilot, has pleaded guilty to attempting to shut off the engines of an Alaska Airlines passenger jet while riding off-duty in the cockpit. The incident occurred on October 22, 2023, when Emerson told pilots "I am not okay" before attempting to cut the engines during the flight from Washington to California, later admitting to police he had taken psychedelic mushrooms and was struggling with depression. Under his plea agreement, prosecutors can recommend a one-year prison sentence, while in Oregon state court, he has already been sentenced to 50 days in jail (already served), five years' probation, 664 hours of community service, and over $60,000 in restitution. Emerson acknowledged in court that his inability to perceive reality after taking mushrooms didn't justify his actions, which endangered 84 people on the flight.

The article discusses how prison systems, particularly the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), serve as testing grounds for societal control tactics. It argues that control methods used against the public were first perfected in prison settings, including chemical agents, surveillance, and riot control techniques. The author details how prison authorities operate with minimal accountability while restricting prisoner rights, specifically highlighting a 2023 policy that banned physical mail in favor of digital scanning, allegedly to prevent drug smuggling. The article suggests these prison policies represent a broader pattern of manufacturing problems to justify increasing restrictions on rights.

"Close to Home," a new documentary executive-produced by Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors, showcases homeless Los Angeles youth advocating for a care-first approach to housing vulnerable young people. The 30-minute film, directed by Whitney Skauge, follows four youth leaders from LA Emissary, an organization working to influence policies affecting young, LGBTQ+, and homeless populations in Los Angeles County. The documentary's festival debut coincided with President Trump's removal of homeless encampments in Washington D.C., highlighting the contrast between punitive approaches and the film's humanizing perspective. Through their stories, the film aims to challenge the dehumanization of homeless individuals and demonstrate how multiple systems have failed vulnerable youth.

Oklahoma schools chief Ryan Walters has been absent from recent State Board of Education meetings amid multiple controversies, including allegations that explicit content appeared on his office television. These absences follow accusations made in July by two board members who claimed they saw nudity on his TV during an executive session, which Walters denied and attributed to a coordinated attack by Governor Kevin Stitt. While a preliminary investigation suggested the incident was an accidental result of a newly installed television defaulting to a pre-programmed channel, Walters faces mounting criticism over his leadership, including protests calling for his impeachment and concerns about Oklahoma's education ranking. His controversial initiatives include announcing free lunch programs without secured funding, implementing ideological tests for out-of-state teachers, and attempting to place Trump-endorsed Bibles in classrooms.

In Uganda, the prevalence of dementia is rising as the population ages, creating profound challenges for patients and their families. Herbert Rutabyama struggles to care for his 87-year-old mother Alice Ndimuhara, who suffers from dementia symptoms including nighttime confusion when she believes her house is on fire, and daytime wandering that sometimes takes her to neighboring villages. Without proper resources, Rutabyama resorts to locking his mother in her room at night, even as she pounds on the door and yells for release. This situation highlights the broader healthcare crisis across Africa, where dementia care options are virtually nonexistent, with few nursing homes, limited medical expertise, and even a lack of vocabulary in many languages to describe the condition.

The Jeffrey Epstein case has sparked demands from survivors for transparency, with Democratic-sponsored legislation moving forward in the House that would release case materials within 30 days. While Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene supports document disclosure, most House Republicans prefer launching an investigation instead. Survivors have announced plans to compile their own list of alleged abusers who participated alongside Epstein. Congressmen Kweisi Mfume and Sydney Kamlager-Dove emphasized this case demonstrates how powerful individuals can escape justice, with Mfume specifically noting its relevance to Black America as an example of how the wealthy can "oppress and deny basic justice."

The 1976 publication and television adaptation of Alex Haley's "Roots" marked a watershed moment in American cultural history, coming in the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement and the assassinations of major civil rights figures. The autobiographical saga powerfully illustrated the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade while inspiring African Americans to reconnect with their heritage, particularly through giving their children African-themed names. Experts like Dr. Kellie Jackson and Walter Palmer note that "Roots" built upon the work of previous Black historians while helping to reshape how Americans understood slavery by humanizing the enslaved as families and communities who suffered but also built the nation. Despite its significant impact on American consciousness, experts agree that the country still has far to go in fully addressing its history of slavery and racism, as evidenced by the delayed establishment of institutions like the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Five Nigerians attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon reading aloud by continuously reading for 431 hours and 31 minutes at a Lagos restaurant. The participants—Precious Ukachi, John Obot, Stephen Oyelami, Temitope Ogunremi, and Ketura Heman—read 79 books by Nigerian authors during their 18-day marathon, which ended on Saturday. Organized by the nonprofit Naija ReadFest, the event aimed to promote literacy and celebrate Nigerian literature in a country where more than 10 million children are out of school and the literacy rate stands around 63%. The current record is held by a group from the Dominican Republic who read for 365 hours and 39 seconds in 2011, and Guinness World Record is yet to confirm this new attempt.

A comprehensive review published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe reveals that individuals with mental health disorders face significantly higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks and live 10-20 years less on average than the general population. The study demonstrates a bidirectional relationship where psychiatric conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety substantially increase heart disease risk, while cardiovascular events can trigger mental health issues. Despite more frequent healthcare interactions, people with mental health disorders receive fewer cardiovascular screenings and treatments, creating a dangerous gap in care. Researchers call for an integrated healthcare approach that addresses both mental and physical health together, identifying exercise as one of the most effective interventions for improving both conditions simultaneously.

Golden Gate Village, a historic public housing complex in Marin County, was designed by renowned architects Aaron Green and John Carl Warnecke in the 1950s, offering dignified housing after Black families had endured substandard wartime accommodations. The development won the Public Housing Administration's Honor Award in 1964 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017, recognized for its cultural and architectural significance. Named by long-time resident Gracie Stover in the early 1990s, the complex represents more than housing—it stands as a symbol of dignity and community pride for the largest remaining Black community in Marin County. Residents are now advocating for proper maintenance, fair policies, and implementation of the Resident Plan, which includes a community land trust and pathways to homeownership.

Lincoln High School's Hornets celebrated their first home football game since 2023 with a commanding victory over Long Beach Poly, winning 36-20. The event began with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring NFL Hall of Famer and Hornet alumnus Terrell Davis. Lincoln dominated early, beginning with Junior Curtis's 89-yard kickoff return touchdown and continuing with four touchdowns from running back Rashad Robinson before Long Beach Poly finally scored in the third quarter. While Coach David Dunn expressed gratitude for the win and playing at home again, he acknowledged that the team still has improvements to make.

The Muscogee Nation's chief, David Hill, has temporarily blocked the issuance of tribal IDs to Black Freedmen descendants despite a recent tribal supreme court ruling that granted them citizenship rights. Chief Hill argued that the court overstepped its authority by striking down the "by blood" constitutional requirement adopted in the 1970s that had excluded descendants of those once enslaved by the tribe. While applications from Freedmen descendants can still be accepted, they won't be processed until the tribal council reviews and establishes new citizenship requirements through a constitutional amendment process. This dispute stems from the tribe's 1979 constitution that eliminated automatic citizenship for Freedmen descendants, contradicting an 1866 treaty with the U.S. government that had granted citizenship to formerly enslaved people.

The 14th Annual Jazz at the Creek sunset finale marked the end of this signature summer concert series during Labor Day Weekend, held at the Educational Cultural Complex in San Diego. Created by Dr. Leonard Thompson and the M.A.N.D.A.T.E. Records and M.A.N.D.A.T.E. Project Impact teams fourteen years ago, the two-day celebration featured performances from renowned artists such as Gerald Albright, Durti-Ryce, Rebecca Jade, and several other talented musicians. The event, which moved from its original location at Jacob's Center's creek side pavilion to the ECC campus last year, ran from 1:00 to 7:00 PM each day and offered VIP experiences including gourmet meals, reserved seating, and access to premium beverages. After fourteen years of bringing quality music to Southeastern San Diego, Jazz at the Creek has concluded its run while leaving behind a lasting legacy.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who won the Democratic primary in June, is now working to connect with older Black voters after underperforming in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Black New Yorkers, comprising about 22% of the city's 8.8 million residents, represent a crucial voting bloc that Mamdani needs to win over from his opponents—former Governor Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams—who have established long-standing relationships in these communities. Mamdani is focusing his campaign on making the city more affordable, an issue that resonates with Black voters according to AP VoteCast data showing about 60% are "very concerned" about housing costs. While younger Black progressives have embraced Mamdani, he faces challenges winning over older generations who have historical connections to his opponents and concerns about his limited political experience as a state assemblymember since 2021.

California's 2020 Proposition 17 restored voting rights to approximately 50,000 people on state parole for felony convictions, a significant change from previous law that prohibited voting until completion of both prison and parole terms. Adam Cain, who served a 14-year prison sentence, was actively involved in advocating for this voting rights restoration while incarcerated, organizing fellow inmates and educating their families. Cain shared his experience during California's 60th Anniversary celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, hosted by Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, where he appeared on a panel with prominent figures including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown. Now working as a Program Coordinator for Initiate Justice, Cain continues his advocacy to empower formerly incarcerated individuals and promote systemic change in California's criminal justice system.

Lewis H. Latimer was an influential African American inventor born in 1848 to formerly enslaved parents who taught himself drafting and became a key figure in electric lighting technology. Richard Wright, born in 1908, overcame poverty to become one of the 20th century's most influential African American writers with groundbreaking works like "Native Son." In 1957, the "Little Rock Nine," a group of Black students selected to integrate Little Rock Central High School, were initially blocked by angry mobs and the Arkansas National Guard before President Eisenhower secured their enrollment with federal military protection. These three historical events represent significant achievements and challenges in African American history across different fields and time periods.