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The U.S. Capitol unveiled a statue of Barbara Rose Johns, a teenager who led a 1951 student strike protesting inadequate conditions at her segregated Virginia high school. The statue replaces a monument to Confederate General Robert E. Lee that stood in the Capitol for over a century before its 2020 removal. Johns' student activism resulted in a lawsuit that became one of five cases consolidated into the Supreme Court's landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, which declared segregated public schools unconstitutional in 1954. The ceremony featured bipartisan leadership, over 200 of Johns' family members, and will place the statue in the Capitol's Crypt as one of Virginia's two representatives in the National Statuary Hall Collection. # Key Takeaways

Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins organized a large-scale holiday distribution event at Bell Middle School on December 20, serving hundreds of families from the 79th District. The giveaway offered essential items including turkeys, hams, fresh produce, clothing, shoes, and toys to community members on a first-come, first-served basis. Long lines stretched more than a block as families waited with chairs and wagons to collect supplies, using a color-coded wristband system to manage distribution. Beyond the basic necessities, the event featured carnival games for children and a mobile health services office, creating a festive atmosphere despite some organizational challenges. # Key Takeaways

Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, who was elected to California's State Assembly in November 2024 to represent the 79th District covering southeastern San Diego and surrounding areas, reflects on her first year in office. The educator-turned-legislator successfully passed six bills and secured over $60 million for her district while serving as Assistant Majority Leader for Policy and Research. Her biggest disappointment came when legislation aimed at strengthening CalWORKs and CalFresh programs in anticipation of federal cuts failed to reach the governor, and when a bill to protect diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs was vetoed. Looking ahead, Sharp-Collins remains focused on addressing affordability issues and ensuring Black Californians receive equitable representation and resources in state programs. # Key Takeaways

San Diego County officials are urging residents to be cautious about inadvertently transporting harmful pests and plant diseases during the busy holiday shipping season. Various agricultural threats, including spongy moth eggs, citrus greening disease, and mealybugs, can hide in homemade gifts, wreaths, fruit, and other plant materials being sent or brought back from travels. These invasive species pose serious risks to the county's $1.67 billion agricultural industry and local ecosystems, with citrus greening quarantines already active in multiple areas including Fallbrook and Valley Center. County agriculture inspectors and detector dogs work year-round to prevent such invasions, but residents can help by avoiding transporting fresh plants, produce, seeds, or greenery when traveling and declaring any questionable items to inspectors.

South African immigration officials raided a U.S. refugee processing facility in Johannesburg, arresting seven Kenyan workers who were operating on tourist visas that prohibited employment. The center processes refugee applications from white South Africans, whom the Trump administration claims face persecution under the Black-led government—an assertion South Africa strongly disputes. The incident has further strained relations between the two countries, which have deteriorated significantly since Trump's return to office, with the U.S. cutting aid and excluding South Africa from diplomatic events. South Africa's government maintains that white South Africans do not qualify for refugee status as they face no actual persecution, while the U.S. has called the raid "unacceptable" and demanded accountability. # Key Takeaways

The San Diego Transportation Department is implementing a citywide slurry seal program to maintain and improve street conditions across multiple communities. This preventative maintenance approach applies a quarter-inch mixture of asphalt emulsion, sand, and rock to roads in good condition, extending their lifespan and avoiding more expensive repairs later. The city completed over 380 lane miles last fiscal year and has seven projects planned for the current fiscal year ending June 2026, with the first project already in progress through February. Streets are selected for treatment based on a Pavement Condition Index score and other factors including traffic volume and available funding.

The Jackie Robinson Family YMCA organized its annual complimentary holiday celebration on December 20, welcoming pre-registered families to a festive morning event. Children enjoyed meeting costumed characters like Santa and Bluey while selecting age-appropriate toys from a giveaway coordinated by staff and volunteers. The celebration featured separate activities for teenagers in the gymnasium, including toys and personal care items, while the main outdoor area offered inflatable play structures, virtual reality games, community organization booths, and even real snow. The event created a joyful atmosphere filled with music, games, and community connection throughout the morning. # Key Takeaways

Vince Zampella, the 55-year-old co-creator of the Call of Duty video game franchise, died in a single-vehicle Ferrari crash on a Los Angeles highway that resulted in a fire. The influential game developer, who also created successful titles including Titanfall and Apex Legends, was traveling with another person when their vehicle left the roadway and struck a concrete barrier, killing both occupants. Throughout his career, Zampella was known for prioritizing player experience and creating some of gaming's most commercially successful franchises, with Call of Duty alone selling over 500 million copies. At the time of his death, he was working at Electronic Arts' Respawn Entertainment, which he co-founded, and was involved in developing Battlefield 6. # Key Takeaways

California Assemblymember Sade Elhawary, who represents the 57th Assembly District in Los Angeles, reflects on her inaugural year in the state legislature as an educator and social justice advocate. The daughter of Egyptian and Guatemalan immigrants, she previously worked at Community Coalition and co-founded the Nelson Mandela School for Social Justice before entering office. During her first legislative session, Elhawary focused on building coalitions between community members and policymakers, particularly working on foster youth legislation informed by her experience as a foster parent to a Black daughter. Looking ahead to 2026, she aims to shift public narratives around taxation of wealthy individuals and criminal justice reform while increasing civic engagement in underserved communities. # Key Takeaways

California Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson, who represents the 60th District and chairs Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services, discussed his legislative priorities and accomplishments in an interview with California Black Media. His major achievement in the past year involved preserving housing programs through the social safety net to prevent seniors and low-income residents from becoming homeless. Jackson also played a key coordinating role in advancing reparations legislation through the Black Caucus, helping establish what he describes as unprecedented state-level infrastructure for addressing historical injustices. Looking ahead to 2026, he has set an ambitious goal to end homelessness among seniors while expressing frustration with multiple ongoing crises, including what he characterizes as an anti-Black presidential administration.

AAA has released holiday travel safety guidance aimed at preventing accidents during the celebratory season. The recommendations emphasize pre-planning transportation if alcohol consumption is expected, eliminating phone distractions while driving, and being aware of California's expanded Move Over law taking effect in the new year. The organization stresses the importance of sharing roadways safely with pedestrians and cyclists, particularly around crosswalks and intersections. These safety measures are presented as essential steps to ensure all travelers can reach their destinations and return home to their families without incident. # Key Takeaways

Evan Turnage, a 33-year-old antitrust attorney from Jackson, Mississippi, has announced his candidacy to challenge longtime Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson in the March 2026 primary election for Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District. Turnage brings considerable federal policy experience, having previously worked as chief counsel to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and senior counsel to Senator Elizabeth Warren, where he contributed to significant legislative initiatives. His campaign focuses on addressing the district's persistent economic struggles, as it remains among the nation's poorest regions, and he emphasizes the need for new leadership to create opportunities that would allow residents to build stable lives without leaving the state. Currently leading the Southern Justice Project at the Open Markets Institute, Turnage has combined his legal expertise with advocacy work aimed at empowering Black Belt communities and helping individuals overcome barriers to economic advancement. # Key Takeaways

Dr. Shalonda Crawford, a psychotherapist and entrepreneur, shares her experience using Covered California after losing employer-sponsored insurance when starting her private practice. She emphasizes how the marketplace allowed her to compare quality health plans online and with representative assistance, ultimately selecting coverage that met her family's needs including mental health services. As a self-employed professional and community leader, she stresses the importance of reliable health insurance for entrepreneurs who lack employer benefits, noting how her coverage provides stability for routine care and preventive services. She encourages hesitant individuals to explore Covered California's diverse plan options, highlighting that enrollment by December 31st ensures coverage starting January 1st.

Kwanzaa is a week-long cultural holiday from December 26 to January 1 that celebrates African heritage and values within the African American community. Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga established this non-religious observance in 1966 following the Watts Riots as a way to reconnect African Americans with their cultural roots and promote collective achievement over individualism. The celebration draws its name and inspiration from African harvest festivals, though it adapts these agricultural traditions to emphasize community-building principles relevant to modern life. Central to the holiday are seven guiding principles called Nguzo Saba, with families lighting one candle each night to honor values including unity, self-determination, collective work, and faith. # Key Takeaways

The City of San Diego has issued a holiday season reminder to residents about proper disposal of cooking fats, oils, and grease to prevent plumbing problems. When poured down drains, these substances can accumulate in pipes over time, potentially causing complete blockages that result in sewage spills. Such spills pose environmental and public health risks by contaminating local water bodies including bays, rivers, and beaches, which may force temporary closures of these areas. The city is encouraging residents to follow preventive measures during this time when home cooking increases, as proper grease disposal can help avoid expensive sewage system failures.

California Assemblymember Mike Gipson, a Democrat from Carson, is completing his final year in the state Legislature after reaching term limits and is currently campaigning for a seat on the State Board of Equalization. The Watts native, who previously served as the longest-tenured Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair in state history, highlights his successful 2024 legislation on ghost guns and his ongoing efforts to secure funding for Black-serving institutions across California. Despite frustrations with budget cuts and federal immigration enforcement tactics, Gipson was inspired by Governor Newsom's resistance to federal overreach and draws on his experience as chair of the Revenue and Taxation Committee. He aims to conclude his legislative career with strength and purpose while pursuing his next role overseeing the state's property tax system. # Key Takeaways

A recent survey by Stanford's RAPID Survey Project reveals significant food insecurity among families with young children, finding that nearly one-quarter of households with children under six utilized food pantries in the past year. The research shows that 32% of these families struggled to afford basic necessities in December 2024, with 19% specifically facing food affordability challenges. While food pantries serve as crucial community resources, many caregivers express concerns about food quality, limited variety, lack of choice in selecting items, and accessibility barriers including inconvenient hours and locations. The findings also indicate that childcare providers frequently rely on food pantries, with 48% accessing them for children in their care, highlighting the widespread need for improved food assistance programs that better address the nutritional and practical needs of young families.

San Diego International Airport is preparing for its winter holiday travel season from December 19, 2025, through January 5, 2026, anticipating approximately 1.4 million passengers throughout the 18-day period. Daily passenger volumes are expected to average 75,000 travelers, with peak days reaching 85,000, representing a 4-5 percent increase compared to the previous year due to expanded airline service. The busiest travel days will be December 23, December 28, and January 4, with popular destinations including Las Vegas, San Francisco, Denver, Phoenix, and Seattle. To manage the increased traffic, airport officials are encouraging passengers to arrive early, make parking reservations in advance, utilize alternative transportation options like ride-sharing and the free San Diego Flyer shuttle, and follow new roadway signage for smoother airport access.

The Obama Presidential Center, opening this spring on Chicago's South Side, will feature major artworks by prominent contemporary American artists across its nearly 20-acre campus. Artist Theaster Gates is creating a monumental two-part frieze using historic photographs from Ebony and Jet magazine archives, celebrating Black life and particularly honoring Black women. The center has commissioned works from multiple acclaimed artists including Nick Cave, Julie Mehretu, Jenny Holzer, and others, who will create installations throughout various spaces that explore themes of American history, civil rights, and cultural identity. These artistic commissions reflect the Obamas' commitment to using art as a tool for engagement and connection, while also supporting artists of color during a challenging political climate. The center aims to position itself as a unique presidential institution that activates public space through art and encourages visitors to see themselves as agents of democratic change.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump secured a $779.3 million wrongful death verdict for Kimberly Butler, whose husband Lewis was killed during a 2023 armed robbery while working as a security guard at a Florida internet café. The case revealed that café operators had concealed a prior robbery in which a firearm was stolen—the same weapon later used to murder Butler as he protected a cashier—allegedly because they were running illegal gambling operations. The massive verdict represents one of Florida's largest negligent-security awards and arrives amid a broader rollback of civil rights protections under the current administration. Crump, known for representing families in high-profile cases including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, emphasized both compensating the family and supporting Kimberly Butler's efforts to shut down internet gambling cafés that attract criminal activity.

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In response to an executive order signed earlier this year aimed at dismantling the Department of Education, Black parents and communities are increasingly exploring alternatives to traditional public schools. Many families are dissatisfied with public education systems that fail to address their children's individual needs while simultaneously investing heavily in security measures like metal detectors and resource officers rather than comprehensive student support. The article argues that Black communities have historically created their own educational pathways and should proactively prepare for potential federal education changes by researching local school choice options, building community networks, and even creating new educational models like microschools. Rather than waiting for clarity from federal agencies about what dismantling the Department of Education would mean, parents are encouraged to take immediate action to secure quality education for their children.

The Bison ONE Newsroom represents a groundbreaking partnership between Howard University and NewsOne that trains student journalists amid widespread newsroom contractions and declining Black representation in media leadership. Led by journalism professor Dr. Stacey Patton and content executive Kirsten West Savali, the initiative emerged from successful student coverage of Vice President Kamala Harris's 2024 election night event and has since expanded to publish community-focused stories on topics like SNAP benefits and immigrant experiences. The collaboration positions itself as part of the historic Black press tradition, providing students with professional editing and a platform while mainstream media institutions retreat from racial equity commitments. By centering Black journalistic voices and perspectives, the newsroom functions as both training ground and counterweight to an industry increasingly pushing out Black journalists from decision-making roles.

County Animal Services has issued holiday safety guidelines to help pet owners protect their animals during the festive season through New Year's. The recommendations address multiple hazards including dangerous holiday foods, toxic decorations and plants, stress from gatherings, and risks from fireworks. Pet owners are advised to provide only safe foods like plain poultry and vegetables, secure decorations like tinsel and ornaments, and create quiet retreat spaces for anxious animals. Additional precautions include preventing escapes during gatherings, protecting pets from indoor heating hazards, and ensuring proper identification through microchips and updated tags. # Key Takeaways

The Black Press of America, which has documented Black life and exposed injustices for nearly two centuries, is facing an existential financial crisis due to deliberate economic starvation. The article argues that policies under the Trump administration, particularly those dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, have caused corporate advertisers, foundations, and partners to withdraw support from Black media institutions. Simultaneously, the federal government has placed Black history under review, removing references to Black historical figures from websites and scrutinizing institutions like the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The National Newspaper Publishers Association, representing over 235 Black-owned newspapers that reach more than 20 million readers, is calling for immediate financial support to prevent the collapse of Black journalism and the silencing of Black voices in America.

Cathy Hughes, founder and chairperson of Urban One, Inc., who was among the first faculty members at Howard University's School of Communications over 50 years ago, has partnered with the university to create opportunities for current students. The collaboration resulted in the Bison ONE Newsroom, launched this fall with NewsOne, which provides a platform for student journalists to publish their work nationally and build professional portfolios. Hughes emphasized the importance of developing multiple skillsets and expanding comfort zones rather than simply stepping outside them. The initiative aims to prepare student journalists at the historically Black university to face challenges in the current political climate while giving them real-world experience before graduation.

Joy Reid publicly criticized Stephen A. Smith after he characterized her MSNBC departure as a ratings failure, accusing him of being paid substantially to denigrate Black people and women for predominantly white executives. Smith had dismissed Reid's show performance and also attacked Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, questioning her congressional work and criticizing her communication style, which drew widespread backlash from public figures and social media users. Smith has a history of controversial statements defending Trump and white public figures, including comparing Trump's indictments to the persecution of civil rights leaders and defending Megyn Kelly's comments about blackface. Critics compare Smith to historical archetypes of Black individuals who serve oppressive systems, contrasting his approach with figures like Crockett who maintain their integrity despite criticism.

Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Lenore A. Tate, based in Sacramento, specializes in trauma-informed care and its lasting effects on individuals and communities. She explains that trauma manifests in three forms—psychological, physical, and collective—and emphasizes how unresolved trauma can appear as bodily ailments like cardiovascular issues, digestive problems, and accelerated aging. Dr. Tate advocates for emotional regulation and belongingness as crucial components of mental wellness, noting that having social connections serves as the strongest protection against mental health disorders. She also highlights the dangerous connection between trauma and substance use, particularly among African Americans and seniors, while providing practical coping strategies ranging from therapy and exercise to developing consistent social routines and maintaining strong friendships.

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Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson, who became California's first Black female mayor in Solano County before joining the state legislature in 2022, has achieved numerous milestones during her tenure representing the 11th Assembly District. Wilson has broken barriers by becoming the only Black woman to chair the Assembly Transportation Committee and the first freshman legislator to lead the California Legislative Black Caucus, while also being the first California legislator to publicly discuss parenting a transgender child. During her first 18 months in office, she successfully advanced 11 bills to the governor and secured substantial state funding for local priorities including housing, transportation, and public safety. In a recent interview with California Black Media, Wilson reflected on her 2025 accomplishments, including shepherding SB 237 through the Assembly, while expressing frustration over delayed Proposition 4 funding for socially disadvantaged farmers and outlining her commitment to advancing legislation despite challenging budget constraints in 2026.