The Sad, Sudden Death of Bernard J. Tyson, the First Black CEO of Kaiser Permanente
(SACRAMENTO OBSERVER) - On Saturday, Nov. 9, Bernard J. Tyson, the first Black chairman and CEO of California-Based Kaiser Permanente, spoke at AfroTech, a convention organized by the Los Angeles-based digital media company Blavity. The next morning, just about 24 hours later on Sunday, Nov. 10, Kaiser Permanente, the health insurance and hospital system Tyson led as CEO since 2013 – and Chairman since 2014 – announced the 60-year-old executive’s sudden death. Read More

How an abortion rights law ended up bankrolling anti-abortion forces in CA
(BLACK VOICE NEWS) - In 2015, California Democrats passed a state law aimed at ensuring pregnant women get a complete picture of their options, including the right to an abortion. Little did they know that, four years later, their effort would yield a $2 million windfall for conservative legal campaigns to restrict abortion and LGBTQ rights. Read More

Racial Equity Team Says Accountability’s Key to Equity
(RICHMOND PULSE) - The Richmond racial equity team says accountability from city staff and communicating better with the local community are needed to achieve its goals of advancing past racial equality to include equity. Read More

Former OPSA Director Reflects On Tenure With Sacramento
(SACRAMENTO OBSERVER) - Late in September, Francine Tournour, the Director of the City of Sacramento’s Office of Public Safety Accountability (OPSA), resigned from the significant position she held for 12 years. Openly and honestly, Ms. Tournour served as the de facto ombudsman for the city of Sacramento during some critical times. Read More

California Democrats’ ‘big tent’ is not yet fully open to young people
(BLACK VOICE) - Democrats take young people and our votes for granted. That has to stop. Read More

Black-Owned ‘Naturally Herbs’ Aims for a Healthier Richmond
(RICHMOND PULSE) - Naturally Herbs and More opened its doors at 4113 Macdonald Ave. six months ago with a mission of bringing alternative methods of health, wellness, and awareness to the community. The business — owned and operated by two East Bay families — sells products like shea butter, body butter, hair oil, black soap and herbs in bulk, like a 102-mineral herbal tea blend, which the owners say is close to the 104 minerals that make up the human body. Read More

California needs you: A veteran’s call to service