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Former Vice President Kamala Harris is releasing a book titled "107 Days" on September 23, 2023, published by Simon & Schuster, which will provide behind-the-scenes insights into her historically brief presidential campaign. Harris describes the book as an opportunity to share what she learned during her campaign and what she believes is needed to move forward. The announcement comes shortly after Harris confirmed she will not run for California governor in 2026, a decision that keeps her potential 2028 presidential ambitions viable. This will be Harris's third book, following her 2019 memoir "The Truths We Hold: An American Journey" and children's book "Superheroes Are Everywhere."

This article outlines three practical approaches to building stress resilience in daily life. The strategies include writing down positive affirmations before stressful situations, using smooth-writing tools that promote a "flow state" during writing, and leveraging color psychology to influence mood throughout the day. These mindful habits, paired with appropriate writing tools, aim to help individuals manage unavoidable everyday stress more effectively. The article emphasizes that while stress cannot be eliminated completely, these techniques can provide individuals with greater control over their responses to stressful situations.

Tyrique Glasgow, a reformed ex-drug dealer from South Philadelphia who was recognized as a CNN Hero in 2022, successfully led a five-year campaign to rename Taney Street to Caroline LeCount Street. The street, which had significant negative associations in Glasgow's past, was originally named after Supreme Court Justice Roger Taney who authored the infamous 1857 Dred Scott decision declaring Black Americans had no rights under the Constitution. Working with the Rename Taney Coalition, Glasgow helped build community support resulting in the December 2023 legislation making LeCount, a 19th-century civil rights activist, the first Black woman with a street named after her in Philadelphia. Despite ongoing neighborhood challenges including recent gun violence, Glasgow continues his community work through his Young Chances Foundation, recently establishing a junior broadcast center to empower local youth to tell their own stories.

A recent AP-NORC poll reveals a significant decline in Americans who believe Black people face high levels of discrimination, dropping from 60% in 2021 to 45% currently. The survey also indicates widespread skepticism about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, with many Americans, including those from minority groups, believing these efforts may actually increase discrimination. This shift in public opinion coincides with many companies retreating from diversity practices, particularly under pressure from Republican politicians including President Donald Trump. The poll shows divided perspectives on DEI's effectiveness, with approximately 40% of respondents believing DEI reduces discrimination against Black people, while others think it makes no difference or worsens discrimination.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently approved an $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global by Skydance Media, following a suspicious $16 million settlement between Paramount and Donald Trump over a "60 Minutes" interview. Critics claim this merger represents Trump's growing control over media, as it requires Paramount to eliminate diversity initiatives, install political monitors for "bias," and fund $20 million in public service announcements for Trump-favored causes. Following the merger, BET has indefinitely suspended both the BET Hip Hop Awards and Soul Train Awards, which many in the Black community view as part of a systematic effort to silence Black voices in media. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr openly acknowledged that "President Trump is fundamentally reshaping the media landscape" through his influence over major networks.

The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to reinstall two Confederate monuments, one in Washington, DC, and another at Arlington National Cemetery. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the return of Moses Ezekiel's "Reconciliation Monument" to Arlington, while the National Park Service is preparing to restore Albert Pike's statue in DC by October. Both actions are aligned with Trump's executive orders to "beautify the nation's capital" and "restore truth and sanity to American history." Critics like DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton oppose these moves, arguing the monuments represent racism and America's legacy of slavery, while supporters contend they preserve historical artifacts.

LaTania Michelle, an executive coach and author, has released a new devotional titled "Still Chosen: A Devotional for the Woman Who Feels Forgotten but Still Called," now available on Amazon Kindle, Audible, and in paperback. This 14-day devotional is designed for women experiencing periods of waiting in various life areas including singleness, infertility, career transitions, grief, or spiritual burnout. The book combines Scripture, guided prayer, spiritual declarations, and neuroscience-informed mindset techniques through LaTania's Warfare + Rewiring™ framework. As the founder of Design Your Destiny Communications, LaTania brings over twenty years of leadership experience to help women transform feelings of delay or invisibility into clarity, courage, and confidence.

California is experiencing a severe housing crisis with disproportionate impacts on Black and Latino families, who make up 70% of extremely low-income renters in the state. The root problem is insufficient housing supply, with the state building only about 100,000 new homes annually instead of the 300,000 needed according to Governor Newsom. A new generation of Democratic lawmakers is embracing housing reform through the YIMBY movement, supporting zoning reforms and affordable housing development as paths toward racial and economic justice. However, progress faces opposition from both affluent suburb residents (NIMBYs) and groups like the American Economic Liberties Project, which advocates for banning algorithmic pricing tools used by landlords.

The Royal Family held a four-day reunion in San Diego from July 31st to August 3rd, bringing together descendants of Fant and Phyllis Royal from across the United States. Organized by a dedicated San Diego committee, the event featured activities including a meet and greet, city tour, dinner dance with awards, family cookout, and a farewell fish fry. The celebration honored the family's legacy while creating new memories, with entertainment including line dancing, live music by J-Movelle, and DJ performances. The reunion concluded with the symbolic passing of responsibility to the Detroit chapter, which will host the next gathering.

President Donald Trump has ignited controversy with his statement that undocumented immigrants are "naturally" suited for difficult farm labor while claiming people in "inner cities" don't do such work. During a CNBC interview, Trump described undocumented laborers as "very special people" while simultaneously promoting policies of mass deportation and expanded third-country agreements. His comments echo his previous claim to Black journalists that immigrants were "taking Black jobs," despite federal law prohibiting employment discrimination based on race. Critics argue these statements perpetuate racist stereotypes and are designed to divide communities, comparing Trump's rhetoric to plantation-era logic that assigns specific jobs to certain racial or ethnic groups.

Recent tariff policies in the United States have evolved significantly, with the Trump administration reintroducing widespread tariffs in 2018, the Biden administration continuing their use, and new tariff actions emerging since Trump's return to office in 2025. Experts from UC San Diego, including economists, a political scientist, a finance professor, and a historian, provide insight into how these tariffs function as economic and foreign policy tools in today's global economy. Their analysis reveals that while tariffs may protect specific domestic industries and jobs, they typically result in reduced real income across all states, with potentially destabilizing effects on international trade relationships and global supply chains. The experts also note that the current trend represents a concerning shift away from multilateralism toward protectionism not seen since the 1930s.

The 8th Annual Afrofuturism Lounge was held on July 24, 2025, at Fleet Science Center in San Diego, coinciding with Comic-Con but specifically celebrating Black creators in the comic industry. Under the theme "Minds Over Matters!", the event explored the intersection of Afrofuturism, Black speculative arts, and social change through discussions, immersive art installations, and interactive activities. The Lounge, curated by founder Dr. LaWana Richmond and other prominent contributors, featured a diverse program including The Stardust Project Preview, a fireside chat with Keithan Jones, music performances, and various creative activities like tarot readings and a scavenger hunt. This gathering showcased Black creators, artists, thinkers, and innovators who utilize various mediums to envision more inclusive futures for people of African descent.

Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins hosted a Back to School Health Resource Fair on August 2nd at New Creation Church, drawing hundreds of families who accessed free resources from over 30 vendors. The event provided school supplies, health screenings, and educational information to prepare students for the new academic year. Partners including Sycuan Casino, PhRMA, and AT&T supported the fair, which featured backpack giveaways, free haircuts, and representation from organizations like the County of San Diego, UCSD programs, and educational institutions. Dr. Sharp-Collins emphasized that the event served as both a community check-in for her 79th Assembly District constituents and an opportunity to demonstrate the partnerships she has developed to support local families.

Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D., who represents Senate District 39 in the California State Senate, hosted her Annual Backpack Giveaway and Family Resource Fair on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at KIPP Adelante Prep Academy in Southeast San Diego. The event provided free backpacks filled with school supplies to K-12 students, along with opportunity drawings including chances to win desktop computers from Computers 2 Kids. Additional resources included free kids' helmets, vision screenings, and over 20 community resource tables, with the fair starting at 9:30 a.m. and backpack distribution running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Golden Gate Village residents in Marin City, California are protesting against what they describe as intentional neglect of their homes by the Marin Housing Authority and County Board of Supervisors, which they believe is aimed at justifying demolition rather than genuine redevelopment. Residents have developed their own professional redevelopment plan that would preserve the historic integrity of their community while providing modern upgrades, but claim this plan is being ignored in favor of demolition that would displace low-income Black families. They argue that Golden Gate Village represents the last intact historically Black neighborhood in Marin County, built to house African American workers after World War II, and they resist becoming another example of Black community displacement through gentrification.

Young Black voters, despite being new to the electoral process, recognize the significance of their participation amid increasing threats to voting rights. In interviews with Black News & Views, these voters expressed concerns about issues including food deserts, homelessness, and rising racism in America. While youth turnout among Black voters slightly decreased in the 2024 election compared to 2020, many feel a responsibility to continue their ancestors' legacy of civic engagement. Organizations like Black Voters Matter and Black Girls Vote are working to mobilize young Black voters, recognizing them as a crucial voting bloc despite challenges including voter suppression tactics and apathy.

Donald Trump's Justice Department has launched a federal grand jury investigation targeting former Obama administration officials, including CIA Director John Brennan, FBI Director James Comey, and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Trump has escalated his rhetoric by publicly accusing Barack Obama of treason and demanding criminal prosecution, claiming Obama fabricated the Russia investigation to undermine his presidency. Critics view this as dangerous political revenge, particularly concerning given Trump's newly established immunity for "official acts" granted by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, a recent poll shows Obama would defeat Trump by 11 percentage points in a hypothetical 2028 matchup, potentially fueling Trump's aggressive actions against his predecessor.

A recent Associated Press-NORC poll reveals declining public confidence in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, with only about one-third of Americans believing these initiatives reduce discrimination against women and most minority groups. The survey also shows a significant decrease in Americans' perception of racial discrimination against Black and Asian populations since 2021, despite 74% of Black respondents reporting continued discrimination in their communities. Civil rights organizations like the Legal Defense Fund's Thurgood Marshall Institute have raised alarms about Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation policy blueprint they claim threatens Black communities by proposing to dismantle civil rights protections, privatize education, and expand executive power. The poll results emerge amid concerns from human rights organizations that anti-DEI movements represent a broader assault on anti-racism efforts and democratic values.

American Eagle Outfitters' new advertising campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney has sparked controversy due to wordplay around "genes" versus "jeans." Critics have raised concerns that the campaign's emphasis on Sweeney's blonde hair and blue eyes, combined with lines about genetic traits, inadvertently references eugenics or promotes narrow beauty standards. The backlash intensified after a teaser video where Sweeney discusses genes determining traits like hair color and eye color, with some seeing it as racially insensitive while others accused critics of overreacting. American Eagle has not responded to requests for comment, though the campaign comes as the retailer faces declining sales and seeks to differentiate itself in a competitive market.

Donald Trump recently attacked radio host Charlamagne tha God on Truth Social, calling him a "racist sleazebag" and "low-IQ individual" after Charlamagne's critical comments during a Fox News interview with Lara Trump. This incident adds to Trump's documented history of using dehumanizing language toward Black figures, including prosecutors like Alvin Bragg and Letitia James. Research indicates Trump's rhetoric has measurably increased dehumanizing views among his white supporters, while his administration has attempted to erase Black history through executive actions targeting institutions like the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Trump's pattern of racial discrimination extends back decades, from housing discrimination lawsuits in 1973 to his persistent attacks on the exonerated Central Park Five.

In New Hanover County, North Carolina, a new centralized substitute teacher pool for early childhood education has been implemented through a partnership with Wonderschool, funded by a $600,000 grant from Live Oak Bank. The initiative addresses the childcare field's struggles with teacher shortages and burnout by providing qualified substitutes to licensed childcare centers like The Learning Tree in Wilmington. Currently, 10 substitute teachers have been onboarded with 37 more in orientation, serving 30 licensed programs in the county. Wonderschool hopes to expand this model statewide after demonstrating its effectiveness at the local level, while also lobbying at the state legislature for broader implementation.

of "The Battle for the Ballot: 60 Years After the Voting Rights Act" The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) was a landmark legislation that aimed to end voting discrimination against Black Americans, particularly in the South, by eliminating barriers like literacy tests and poll taxes. Despite initial success in increasing Black voter registration and political representation, the VRA has faced significant challenges, most notably in 2013 when the Supreme Court struck down key provisions in Shelby County v. Holder, effectively eliminating the federal preclearance requirement for states with histories of discrimination. Since this ruling, there has been a widening gap in voter turnout between Black and white Americans, with many states implementing restrictive voting laws that disproportionately affect minority voters. Civil rights advocates argue that the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act could restore vital protections, while conservative voices contend the original VRA provisions are no longer necessary in today's electoral landscape.

Chinese migrants like Pan, James, and Kevin have journeyed thousands of miles from China to the United States seeking freedom and opportunity, often fleeing government oppression and land seizures. They endure isolation, language barriers, and limited employment options while waiting for asylum claims to be processed in the American immigration system. Despite finding some measure of freedom in America, these migrants now face increasing uncertainty due to Trump's return to office, escalating ICE raids, and deteriorating US-China relations. Though some remain hopeful about their new lives in America, others question whether the journey was worth it as they navigate precarious legal status and growing anti-immigrant sentiment.

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The Encanto Village Tutoring Program in Southeast San Diego is working to address a severe literacy crisis in an area where 92% of students are economically disadvantaged and only 39% read at grade level. Started by Pastor Robert Pope of Encanto Southern Baptist Church and community volunteers, the program provides personalized reading instruction to struggling students at Encanto Elementary School using evidence-based literacy approaches. Now in its fourth year, the initiative has successfully improved reading levels and student confidence by focusing on individual needs that often go unaddressed in classrooms with limited resources. The tutoring program represents a community-based response to persistent educational disparities that particularly affect immigrant children and communities south of Interstate 8 in San Diego.

In March 1948, Black voters in Conyers, Georgia faced intimidation from the Ku Klux Klan through cross burnings and threatening crowds as they prepared to participate in primary elections. Despite these tactics, Black community members organized transportation to the polls and successfully cast their ballots, defying racial intimidation in a year when voting rights were fiercely contested throughout the South. This local resistance occurred amid broader tensions as Southern Democrats rebelled against President Truman's civil rights agenda and Georgia gubernatorial candidate Herman Talmadge vowed to maintain white-only primaries despite federal rulings against them. The article reveals how these largely forgotten acts of courage in places like Conyers contributed to the larger civil rights movement, though many participants rarely discussed their involvement with future generations.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon Johnson on August 6, marked a pivotal moment in American civil rights history, addressing decades of voter discrimination in Southern states. The legislation outlawed discriminatory voting practices like literacy tests and poll taxes, which had severely limited African-American political participation since the Civil War. Following national outrage over violence against civil rights activists in Selma and elsewhere, the Act established federal oversight of voting procedures in certain jurisdictions and required federal "preclearance" for any new voting practices in these areas. The impact was immediate and profound, with a quarter million new Black voters registered by the end of 1965, and the Act was subsequently strengthened through readoptions in 1970, 1975, and 1982.

The Christian Mission for Deaf Africans in Lagos, Nigeria provides a specialized worship space where deaf congregants can practice their faith using sign language. Founded in 1956, this church serves 50-60 weekly attendees who find both spiritual fulfillment and community connection that mainstream churches typically don't offer. Pastor Remi Akinrenmi leads vibrant services where drums provide vibration cues for worship activities instead of audible instructions. Beyond religious services, the church operates sign language classes and community outreach programs, creating a crucial safe space in a country where an estimated 10 million people are deaf or hard of hearing and disability infrastructure remains limited.

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries traveled to Austin to oppose Texas Republicans' special legislative session focused on congressional redistricting. The redistricting effort, reportedly initiated at President Trump's suggestion, aims to redraw maps that would increase GOP-leaning seats from 25 to 30 while reducing Democratic-leaning seats from 13 to 8. Jeffries argued the session should instead address healthcare concerns following the Trump tax plan signed on July 4. The Texas redistricting battle could trigger similar actions in other states, with California Governor Gavin Newsom reportedly considering his own redistricting efforts to counter Texas Republicans' moves.