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Congolese customs worker Floribèrt Bwana Chui Bin Kositi was beatified by the Vatican on Sunday, recognizing him as a martyr who was killed in 2007 after refusing to accept a bribe to allow spoiled rice into Congo. The ceremony at St. Paul Outside the Walls basilica in Rome drew many Congolese pilgrims who celebrated their countryman's path toward potentially becoming Congo's first saint. Pope Francis recognized Kositi as a martyr last year, viewing his refusal to permit distribution of rancid food to vulnerable people as an exemplary act of faith against corruption in a country where the practice is endemic. The beatification has brought hope to Goma, Kositi's hometown, which is currently suffering from violent conflict between government forces and Rwanda-backed rebels.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have announced plans to sign a peace agreement in Washington on June 27 to end fighting in eastern Congo, where Rwanda has been accused of supporting M23 rebels despite its denials. The conflict escalated earlier this year when M23 seized strategic areas including Goma and Bukavu. The draft agreement includes provisions on territorial integrity, prohibition of hostilities, and disarmament of non-state armed groups, though experts express skepticism about its potential success given previous failed peace attempts and the complex dynamics involving ethnic Tutsi concerns and numerous armed factions in the region.

The U.S. State Department has resumed processing student visa applications after a temporary suspension, but now requires all applicants to make their social media accounts public for government review. Consular officers will screen for content potentially hostile to American values, government, or institutions, with refusal to comply possibly resulting in application rejection. The previous suspension, implemented under the Trump administration, had created significant anxiety among international students who need to make travel and housing arrangements before the academic year begins. Following the resumption of visa interviews, some students like a 27-year-old Chinese PhD candidate have successfully secured appointments, expressing relief after weeks of uncertainty.

The proposed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a key component of President Trump's domestic agenda, threatens to cut $715 billion from Medicaid, potentially eliminating crucial school-based health services for many students. These cuts would disproportionately impact Black children, who rely on school-based health centers at much higher rates than their white peers (51.2% compared to 23.8%). Research shows that these school-based health services significantly improve attendance and academic performance, with students gaining 5-7 additional school days per year. School district leaders are already anticipating severe reductions in mental and behavioral health services if the legislation passes, which experts warn could further disadvantage Black students who already face systemic educational inequities.

On the eve of Juneteenth, Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer, Cory Booker, Raphael Warnock, and Angela Alsobrooks held a candid discussion with Black media outlets at the U.S. Capitol. The senators connected the historical significance of Juneteenth to contemporary challenges facing Black Americans, including civil service cuts, economic inequality, healthcare, voting rights, and criminal justice reform. They emphasized that federal recognition of Juneteenth in 2021 resulted from persistent activism rather than government goodwill, drawing parallels to the struggle for MLK Day. Senator Warnock characterized the current political climate as a democratic "contraction" while calling for renewed focus on racial equity in federal policy.

The article discusses the ongoing job losses affecting Black women in America, with a TikTok user @sunshineharpy sharing her experience as one of 106,000 Black women who lost their jobs by May 8, 2025. The author connects these current events to historical patterns of racial discrimination, describing cyclical periods of "Reconstruction" and "Deconstruction" in American history affecting Black Americans. The article draws parallels between the current administration's policies and those of President Woodrow Wilson's administration, which similarly dismantled progress for Black Americans. The author argues that after 62 years of progressive gains (1954-2016), America has entered a new "Deconstruction" era where diversity, equity, and inclusion policies are being dismantled.

Congressman Al Green has filed Articles of Impeachment against President Trump for the fourth time, now focusing on alleged abuse of power related to taking America to war without congressional consultation. Green's House Resolution 537 claims Trump committed an "impeachable act" by using "authoritarian powers to declare war." The Texas Democrat expressed concern about democracy being at a crossroads, citing Trump's previous Capitol assault instigation and current war powers as justifications. Despite Trump having been impeached twice before without removal, Green is pursuing this new impeachment effort amid the president's declining approval ratings.

The Huntoon-Van Rensalier Underground Railroad Foundation held its 5th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser on June 19, 2025, at The Brownstone in Paterson, New Jersey, celebrating the theme "Let Freedom and Justice Ring!" The event showcased the Foundation's mentorship program "The Shoulders We Stand On," which connects local seniors with high school students for meaningful conversations. During the fundraiser, three graduating high school seniors received college scholarships totaling $4,500 based on essays judged by the Foundation's board. The Foundation, established in 2004, preserves the legacy of Underground Railroad conductors Josiah Huntoon and William Van Rensalier, whose Paterson site received national recognition from the U.S. National Park Service's Network to Freedom in 2022.

Los Angeles celebrated Juneteenth with three days of festivities across the city in June 2025, beginning on June 14 and concluding with the Empowerment Congress Juneteenth Day of Dialogue on June 21 at The Beehive in South Los Angeles. The Day of Dialogue event featured keynote speaker Maya Wiley, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights, who delivered an inspirational speech about resilience. The program included performances by Rhythms Arts Alliance and The Young Shakespeareans, interactive dialogue sessions focused on the theme "Educate, Engage and Empower: Resilience in the Face of Chaos," and musical entertainment by Upward Mobility performing Freedom Songs.

of "Black Music Month: A Celebration of Black Musical Icons" The article commemorates Black Music Month by highlighting influential Black musicians across various genres who have shaped American culture and the music industry. It profiles 12 significant Black musical figures from the early to late 20th century, including gospel legend Mahalia Jackson, blues pioneer Big Joe Turner, classical pianist Dorothy Donegan, and hip-hop visionary Sylvia Robinson. The piece details each artist's origins, notable achievements, breakthrough moments, and lasting cultural impact, emphasizing how these musicians used their talents to address social issues, celebrate Black culture, and break barriers in entertainment venues and the recording industry.

Dr. Fabi Bagula has been unanimously appointed as the permanent Superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District, becoming the first Latina to lead California's second-largest school district. Since taking over as Interim Superintendent in September 2024, Dr. Bagula has implemented data-driven decision making and championed equity and belonging for all students and families. Her extensive educational background includes roles as a teacher, principal, area superintendent, and deputy superintendent, along with faculty positions at multiple universities. The Board of Education praised her leadership qualities, with President Cody Petterson highlighting her compassion, curiosity, and conviction that make her well-suited for this historic appointment.

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper prioritizes factual reporting over personal preferences when covering events, seeking information from multiple sources to ensure fairness. The publication distinguishes between news coverage and opinion pieces, with personal viewpoints reserved for the Editorial and Comment Page. The newspaper adheres to First Amendment principles established in New York Times v. Sullivan (1964), which provides different standards for public officials compared to private citizens regarding defamation claims. Despite potential disagreement with their reporting, the newspaper commits to fairness and accuracy while inviting reader feedback on published content.

President Trump's recent statement on Juneteenth, claiming there are "too many nonworking holidays" costing "billions of dollars," has drawn criticism from social justice activists who view it as part of a broader pattern of erasing minority history. Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has worked to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across government, corporations, and college campuses, while also removing minority officials from high positions and diminishing cultural recognitions. Despite Trump's previous support for making Juneteenth a federal holiday during his 2020 campaign, experts note that his current stance cannot legally change its status, which was established in 2021 under President Biden following Congressional approval with overwhelming bipartisan support.

San Diego County's First Supervisorial District is holding a special general election with early voting now available at seven vote centers through June 30, with hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. On July 1, the final voting day, six additional centers will open (totaling 13 locations) with extended hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Vote centers have replaced traditional polling places and offer comprehensive services including ballot marking devices that allow voters to make selections electronically before printing their official ballot. The election will fill the district's vacant seat for the remainder of the current term ending in January 2029, with only district residents eligible to vote.

The District 1 San Diego Board of Supervisors special election is approaching its July 1 conclusion, with Republican John McCann and Democrat Paloma Aguirre competing in a race that will determine the political majority on the currently deadlocked board. Both candidates participated in a June 23 forum hosted by BAPAC and Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce, where they addressed issues including infrastructure, sewage crisis, immigration, affordable housing, and public safety. The election follows an April primary where neither secured a majority, with McCann receiving 42% and Aguirre 32% of votes. The Board of Supervisors oversees an $8.5 billion annual budget that directs critical social services including public health, housing, law enforcement, and infrastructure for county residents.

The California Disability Leadership Alliance organized a "Day at the Capitol" event on June 16 to advocate for disability rights and protest proposed budget cuts. Multiple disability advocacy organizations participated, including Disability Rights California and the California Foundation for Independent Living Services, to voice opposition to reductions in critical services such as the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. Assemblymembers Isaac Bryan and Liz Ortega spoke at the event, with Bryan highlighting successful efforts to push back against some of Governor Newsom's proposed cuts to IHSS. The alliance emphasized the importance of including people with disabilities in decision-making processes and maintaining essential support services that many Californians depend on daily.

New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver has pleaded not guilty to three counts of assaulting and impeding federal officers following a confrontation at a Newark ICE detention facility in May. The freshman Democrat could face up to 17 years in prison if convicted, although she maintains she was simply performing her congressional duties when the incident occurred. McIver was one of three New Jersey Democratic lawmakers who visited the facility, but she was the only one charged in what she characterizes as political intimidation by the Trump administration. The case comes amid tensions between Democratic officials and federal immigration authorities, particularly as the Trump administration expands immigration enforcement efforts.

The Cooper Family Juneteenth celebration took place on the third Saturday of June at Memorial Park in San Diego, offering attendees a chance to honor history and celebrate freedom. The event featured vendors, free food, music, awards, and family-friendly activities, creating a positive atmosphere with a family reunion ambiance on Emancipation Day. Local officials including Councilmember Henry Foster, County Board Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe, and Congresswoman Sarah Jacobs attended, with Jacobs presenting a proclamation declaring the day "Cooper Family Juneteenth Day" in San Diego. Longtime supporter Glendale Henry praised the peaceful celebration, emphasizing the importance of commemorating African American history and culture.

The Juneteenth at Chollas celebration took place on June 14 at Gloria's Mesa Amphitheater in Chollas Lake Park, bringing together community members despite the hot weather. This free event was collaboratively organized by several local organizations including the Chollas Lake Parks and Recreation Council, Rolando Park Community Council, Community Actors Theatre, and Key56 Radio. The celebration featured local vendors selling a variety of goods from handmade jewelry to food, while the stage hosted performances including dance, spoken word, and live music that reflected Black culture and heritage. Activities were available for all ages, with crafts and games for children and shaded areas for elders, creating an intergenerational celebration of freedom and remembrance of the end of slavery in the United States.

of "Freedmen Fight for Recognition in Tribal Nations" Descendants of people enslaved by Native American tribes in Oklahoma continue to struggle for full citizenship rights in four of the five tribal nations that signed reconstruction treaties in 1866 promising them citizenship. Currently, only the Cherokee Nation fully recognizes Freedmen descendants as citizens, while the Muscogee, Seminole, Choctaw, and Chickasaw nations have varying degrees of restrictions or complete denial of citizenship rights. The Muscogee Nation is facing a legal challenge from Freedmen descendants Rhonda Grayson and Jeff Kennedy, who argue that the tribe's 1979 constitution restricting citizenship to those "by-blood" violates the 1866 treaty. Despite pressure from the federal government and threatened withholding of funds, most tribes have maintained citizenship restrictions based on the problematic Dawes Rolls, which separated tribal members into "Native" and "Freedmen" lists regardless of mixed ancestry.

The U.S. has approved lenacapavir, the world's only twice-yearly shot to prevent HIV infection, which showed remarkable effectiveness in clinical trials. Marketed as Yeztugo for prevention, this medication nearly eliminated new infections in high-risk populations and offers a compelling alternative to daily pills that people often forget to take. While experts believe this new option could significantly impact HIV transmission rates, concerns about healthcare system changes and funding cuts threaten its potential reach. The shot's high list price of $28,218 per year, coupled with reductions in public health infrastructure and HIV prevention programs, raises questions about accessibility both domestically and internationally, despite Gilead's plans for generic versions in 120 low-income countries.

Forty years after the abduction, torture, and murder of four Black anti-apartheid activists known as the Cradock Four by apartheid-era security forces in South Africa, a new judge-led inquiry has opened to uncover the truth about their killings. The inquiry represents a renewed push for justice by families of apartheid victims, as previous investigations in 1987 and 1993 failed to hold anyone accountable despite the post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission identifying six police officers involved, all of whom have since died. Frustrated families of the Cradock Four successfully forced authorities to launch this new inquiry and joined with other victims' families to sue the South African government over its 25-year failure to investigate apartheid crimes, resulting in President Cyril Ramaphosa ordering a national inquiry into why perpetrators were never prosecuted. While prosecution is now unlikely, the families seek to have the official record finally show who killed their loved ones.

Redemption Holding Co. has acquired Holladay Bank & Trust in Utah, establishing Redemption Bank as the first Black-owned bank in the Western U.S. and the first in history not located within an economically vulnerable community. With approximately $65 million in assets, the bank will focus on commercial lending and small business loans, while planning to launch a digital platform later this summer. Despite delays caused by the Silicon Valley Bank collapse in 2023, the acquisition was completed with support from various financial organizations and government agencies. Redemption Bank becomes the 24th Black-owned bank in the nation, with Bernice A. King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., expected to serve as senior vice president for corporate strategy.

California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), commemorated Juneteenth last week with various statements and events recognizing the end of slavery in the United States. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan emphasized Black Americans' unique historical connection to the country as people who were forcibly brought as property rather than immigrants, while urging support for Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 90 introduced by Assemblymember Mike Gipson and other CLBC members. Governor Newsom issued an official proclamation acknowledging Juneteenth as a state holiday, highlighting that America's struggle for freedom continues to this day. Several California elected officials, including Senator Weber Pierson, State Controller Malia Cohen, and various Assembly members, shared reflections on the holiday's significance for Black communities and the ongoing fight for justice.

Natasha Hooper, a poet from San Diego, is celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month by honoring often overlooked Black historical figures and attending Black-focused Pride events. Despite recent corporate pullback from Pride events, with 39% of surveyed companies planning to reduce their engagement according to Gravity Research, Black LGBTQ+ Californians are committed to maintaining visibility and celebrating their heritage. A recent California Civil Rights Department survey revealed that LGBTQ+ respondents experience higher rates of hate incidents than the general population, with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and pansexual adults at 12% and transgender adults at 19%. Governor Newsom proclaimed June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month last year, calling for continued efforts toward equality and inclusivity even as corporations reduce their support in alignment with anti-diversity political trends.

California is investing $3 million to establish a Black Cultural District in South Los Angeles, championed by State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas. The district will honor historic neighborhoods including the Crenshaw Corridor, Leimert Park, and Historic Central Avenue through public art, cultural markers, and monuments celebrating Black history and creativity. Led by the nonprofit LA Commons, this initiative aims to protect Black heritage against threats like gentrification and displacement. The project will be formally proposed to the California Arts Council and represents part of a broader statewide movement to preserve Black cultural assets throughout California.

A severe and sudden storm struck Lake Tahoe on the first official summer weekend, transforming calm waters into dangerous 8-foot swells with winds reaching 35mph. The rapidly deteriorating weather conditions caused multiple boats to capsize, including a 27-foot tourist vessel from which eight people died. Gloria Brigantino, who had safely reached shore before the worst of the storm hit, witnessed boats crashing into each other and beaching while people frantically evacuated the water. Although the storm had been forecast, its unexpected intensity caught visitors by surprise, with locals noting they hadn't seen such severe weather on Lake Tahoe in decades, if ever.

During a Juneteenth event in San Diego, City Councilmember Henry Foster and constituent Kenny Key engaged in a heated verbal altercation that was captured on a thirty-second video clip uploaded by Neighbors for Encanto. In the footage, Foster repeatedly told Key to "go home to your mama's house" and called him a "punk" multiple times, while Key criticized Foster's leadership and called him "the worst District Councilman." According to Neighbors for Encanto, the confrontation began when Key approached Foster requesting a town hall discussion about Footnote 7, a controversial zoning policy affecting low-income and historically Black neighborhoods that was formally removed in April following public backlash. This incident follows a similar recorded confrontation in March between Foster and another constituent, after which his office issued a statement claiming his words were taken out of context.

The historic First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, established in 1776 by free and enslaved Black Americans who initially met in secret outdoors, has begun reconstruction of its original 1805 meetinghouse following a ceremonial groundbreaking on Juneteenth. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is rebuilding the 16-by-32-foot structure on its original site, where archaeologists uncovered the foundation in 2021 along with 62 graves from the congregation. This reconstruction effort aims to properly honor the church's pioneering role in American history after decades of neglect, as the original site was converted into a parking lot in 1956 when Colonial Williamsburg purchased the property. The project will help tell a more complete story of the nation's founding by highlighting the experiences of Black Americans who made up more than half of Williamsburg's population in the 18th century.

Marvellus Lucas is pioneering a unique approach to community health in San Francisco through his "Laugh Off" organization and "Healing Through Laughter" program, which combines comedy performances with wellness workshops. His six to eight week comedy courses teach participants comedy writing, performance skills, and health techniques, culminating in stand-up performances that build confidence and address trauma, particularly for Black community members. Lucas collaborates with mental health professionals, local comedians, and community leaders to expand his reach, while also developing online courses and digital resources to make comedy wellness more accessible. His programs have gained significant popularity, with events outgrowing their original venues and shows extending beyond their scheduled runs due to community demand.