Volume 3 • Issue 3
February 19, 2021
Showcasing Black Excellence Special Edition
And Play On ...
A virtual visit with our local man of music, was a joyful afternoon spent chatting with Tony Lindsay. Special Assignment Brigitte Jones, Publisher
He was excited to let us know that the previous year under COVID-19 shutdown, didn’t slow him down a bit. “I learned years ago, that this is my livelihood. And I stay ready to go, on everything.” As lead singer with Santana for 25 years, Tony has the Grammys and numerous accolades of a man at the height of his creative abilities Tony has been working at his home studio, writing new music - more about that later - and working on special projects with other musicians, giving him
quite a busy year. “this is all I do for a living, so if you are serious about your music (business) do everything to be ready and on your game.” It was years ago, that another musician encouraged him to build out his capabilities with a studio and any new technology useful to his “long-term” career prospects. And he jumped right on that suggestion to be at the ready for any and all opportunities that may come his way. Tony fully endorses a major computer visionary for designing his company’s product line with a built-in range of technology that is great for musicians; whether
Business Directory See Page 20
they be a novice or accomplished professional studio producer. I SEE A PRODUCT ENDORSEMENT!! What really has him out of sorts, is the live connection to his audiences. “That’s what I miss. I’m a touchy-feely live performance guy, so that’s just tough on me. When you and your band is just connecting with an audience - live you are actually making music with the audience. That’s magic! I’d rather be working, out there live any day.” Tony has been checking in on some of the owners of our local venues. [Continued on Page 18]
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February 19, 2021
When... Where...
The Dr. Huey P Newton Foundation and Black Panther Party Alumni Partners with Bay Area Teams to Celebrate Black History Month Minority Owned Business Publisher: Brigitte Jones Brigitte@thebayareareview.com Graphic Design Director: Amanda McElroy Graphics@thebayareareview.com Editor at Large: Pearl Baeni Editor - public Affairs Liaison: Pamela Gustava Curry Photographer: Andy Nguyen http://intramuralaffairs.wixsite.com/andyphoto
TBAR welcomes letters to the Editor Please limit content to 200 words or less. Submissions are subject to scrutiny for content and grammar but all effort will be made to retain intended meaning of such letters. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Articles so published reflect the views of the authors - not necessarily those of The Bay Area Review. All submissions become the property of Triple e Media Group, LLC and cannot be acknowledged.
A coalition of five Bay Area professional sports teams representing BAY AREA UNITE is joining forces with the Dr. Huey P Newton Foundation to rally community engagement and awareness for Black History Month. “The Black Panther Party Celebration of Activism” virtual program will broadcast via Facebook Live and YouTube February 24th at 12:00 p.m. PST/3:00 p.m. EST. The event will feature a tribute to the “Black Panther Party 10 Program; What We Want, What We Believe,” special performances and an exclusive look into Judas and the Black Messiah. “Oakland has a deeply rooted history of activism around issues of justice and equity. We are proud to join the Dr. Huey P Newton Foundation and the other Bay Area sports teams for this important conversation celebrating Black History Month.” says Dave Kaval, Oakland A’s team president. “The Warriors have a long-standing commitment to celebrate Black History Month, not just in February but yearround,” said Warriors Vice President of Government and Community Relations, Yoyo Chan.
“We are honored to participate in the Black Panther Party Celebration of Activism as we work to end racism and empower the community leaders around us.” “Bay Area Unite was formed as a way for us to collectively use our platform to influence positive change in our communities, tackle key social justice issues and create a more progressive, equitable, and supportive work environment for all. The 49ers and B.U.I.L.D. (Black Unity In Leadership and Development), which was established to bring together Black employees with the 49ers front office, are excited to join our fellow Bay Area teams for The Black Panther Party Celebration.” – Justin Prettyman, Executive Director of The 49ers Foundation & B.U.I.L.D. member “The legacy of the Black Panthers and their focus on food justice continues to inspire activism in the Bay Area. Because of the Panthers’ support of school-based nutrition programs, our club learned about the importance and need in supporting young people in our communities through food justice programs. Their legacy and activism has helped
inform the creation of our own food insecurity initiative — Pledge 74.” – Rahul Devaskar, Director of Community Relations. “Celebrating community and fighting for the civil rights of oppressed people of color have been central to the ethos of the Bay Area sporting community for decades thanks to the influence of the Black Panther Party. The fact that the demands of the 10 Point Program remain unfulfilled to this day is a devastating rebuke of the ‘progress’ of our society. However, seeing athletes and sport organizations in 2021 being inspired to continue the activist work that Huey P. Newton catalyzed inspires hope that we will one day see the more equitable society we all desire.” – Jordan Ferrell, Technical Director, Oakland Roots SC According to Fredrika Newton, widow of Black Panther Party co-founder Huey Newton and Foundation founder/ president: “Our goal with this event is to celebrate Black History Month through the lens of community activism.
We are proud to partner with the athletes and their teams who do so much to support our communities.” Don’t miss this event. Tune in at Facebook.com/ SANFRANCISCO49ERS/.
February 19, 2021
Calendly, The Black Owned Scheduling App, Just Raised $350M, and Is Now Valued At Over $3Billion
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will get to $1 billion in the near future. The investment will be used to provide liquidity for early shareholders and employees as well as continue product innovation, according to the announcement. The software startup also added two new senior executives at the end of 2020 to grow its employees and revenue. “Our profitable, unique, product-led growth model has led to Calendly becoming the most used, most integrated, most loved
scheduling platforms for individuals and large enterprises alike,” said CEO Tope Awotona. “While we considered outside investment an unnecessary distraction, we made the decision to partner with OpenView and Iconiq because of their insight and extended network within the tech industry.”
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February 19, 2021
Into the Future
Announcing SKYBOXX.NET Enabling the future of Broadcast ... today! An interview with Managing Partner, Ron Griffin Special Assignment Brigitte Jones, Publisher
Brigitte: What is Skyboxx™ and what can it do for the world? Ron: The brainchild of diverse broadcast enthusiasts and entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley. Skyboxx™ is a global communication vehicle developed to help evolve the entertainment industry (TV, Movies, Music, Sports & Gaming) into a 21st century virtually interactive environment that provides further engagement, deeper immersion and greater enjoyment for audiences worldwide. Disrupting the status quo and leveling the playing field to empower content
owners, producers, providers, and creative talent (Celebrities, Artists, Athletes) to have complete control over the creative aspects, global distribution, monetization, and enjoyment of their work. Brigitte: That sounds amazing but, how? Ron: By combining Broadcast + Video Chat + Social Media all in one place. Our Virtual Luxury Suites™ help gain and hold audiences undivided attention with the most fun, innovative and Virtually Interactive Programming™ (VIP) ever. Enabling viewers to have a more memorable, personal involvement with content and virtually interact spontaneously with each other and
broadcast talent. Sharing unparalleled opportunities and unmatched experiences with family, friends, and fans across the country or around the world. Brigitte: Who pays for all of that? Ron: We work with both ad free subscription services or conventional ad-based programing. With major innovations that propel us lightyears ahead and make every broadcast better. We do not sell viewers information to feed them ads that try to guess their needs. Our private and secure suites give broadcasters a revolutionary new approach to better serve their audiences and still provide substantial new revenue streams. Content is broadcast in paid (ad free) or custom branded sponsors’ suites networked together via Artificial Intelligence (AI) to feature the same content except, the viewers choose the sponsors they spend time
with. Audiences can choose from products or services they want to know more about or try. Products or services they already know, patronize, and recommend among their peers. Inside the suite are non-intrusive offer tabs that can reach beyond the obvious discounts on sponsors products or services. For example, a player scores a touchdown, goal, or hits a home run, our Adcaster™ can present enticing push button to redeem offers in real time at the very moment of excitement for an autographed picture, jersey or hat. A musician may offer a download or CD, an author may sell books, a teacher can fill classes, a celebrity may have a cause or charity they are championing, a sponsor may have an offer for food with delivery. In most cases our offers
are sponsor or content specific, compelling, and extremely relevant to immediate redemption by the audience at moment of promotion. Brigitte: How can broadcasters and audiences start utilizing your technologies today? Ron: Right now, viewers can contact us on our website at skyboxx.net to subscribe and share free YouTube content with friends and family. For broadcasters just shoot us an email or call we are actively seeking conversations, building relationships and partnering with forward thinking content owners and providers as well as OTT, CDN, PPV, VOD and subscription services and savvy content creators. To help produce game changing programming that will benefit the industry as a whole and is a win… win…win for audiences,
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interactive video chat which works on home TV and mobile devices. We have interactive game shows in Europe where participants can play from their couch and helped to produce the interactive portions of “Farmer Wants a Wife” a reality show that has been top ten across Europe and Australia for 9 years running. With the launch of our Virtual Venues, we can build new stadiums, auditoriums, expand current venue seating, sell tickets or season passes without the limitations of audience’s geographic location, or use our tech to put “LIVE” paying virtual patrons inside of existing brick & motor buildings. We are keen listeners with vast knowledge, technical expertise and years of trial & error experience in the creation, distribution and monetization of virtually interactive content. For stakeholders and talent across the entertainment industry looking for something new, engaging and exciting,
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February 19, 2021
Public Health
Amanda Gorman Was a Step Ahead of CDC on Rocking the Double Mask Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media Since President Biden’s inauguration, people have been raving about the “riveting” inaugural performance – and equally enchanting Super Bowl appearance -- of former Youth Poet Laureate of Los Angeles Amanda Gorman. Beyond her gripping poetry and captivating sense of fashion, another Gorman style that has been catching media attention is her choice to wear two masks at once -- a decorative cloth mask strapped over a plain surgical one. Now, it seems, double masks have been popping up everywhere, quickly becoming the newest trend in fashion-aware COVID-19 protective wear. Several lawmakers and celebrities have been spotted wearing two masks at once in public. Then, last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report that found that double masking can drastically reduce the spread of COVID-19 particles, both
for the wearer and for those around them. According to the CDC research, the effectiveness of cloth masks and surgical masks that fit more loosely than N95s can be improved by either wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask, also known as double masking. To tighten the mask combo, knot the ear loops of a surgical mask where they attach to the edges of the face covering and tuck in and flatten any extra loose material close to the face. For double masking specifically, the study tested combinations of common surgical and
multi-layer cloth masks by stimulating coughing between pairs of dummies in a laboratory. When a cloth mask was worn on top of a disposable mask, 92.5 percent of cough droplets were blocked, versus 42 percent of droplets when just wearing a disposable mask. The study also reiterated that universal mask-wearing is a highly effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19, in addition to physical distancing, avoiding poorly ventilated indoor spaces and good hand hygiene. Universal maskwearing has been one
goal of the new Biden administration. Federal health authorities have mandated wearing masks in public settings, including planes, airports, buses and other forms of public transportation and transportation hubs, as of Feb. 1. At a White House COVID-19 briefing, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said, “I want to be clear that these new scientific data released today do not change the specific recommendations about who should wear a mask or when they should wear one. But they do provide new information on why wearing a well-fitting mask is so important.” According to the updated CDC guidelines, effective masks both fit snugly against the wearer’s face and has layers to block COVID-19 particles. The two ways to layer that the website recommends is either wearing a cloth mask with multiple layers of fabric, or wearing a disposable surgical mask underneath a cloth mask. The website also points out that people should not layer two disposable masks on top of each other, or combine any mask with a KN95 mask. The authentic
KN95 mask itself should be enough coverage. For a closer fit, the CDC suggests choosing masks with a nose wire that can be adjusted for a snug fit, or to use a mask brace to improve the fit. Before the new CDC announcement about mask wearing on Jan. 25, infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci told NBC News’ TODAY that it is likely that double masking provides more protection than wearing one mask. “This is a physical covering to prevent droplets and the virus to get in. So, if you have a physical covering with one layer, you put another layer on, it just makes common sense that it likely would be more effective. That’s the reason why you see people either double masking or doing a version of an N95,” said Dr. Fauci. If options are scarce, or two masks are not available, researchers have recommended wearing a cloth mask with a pocket that can be stuffed with filter material, like the kind found in vacuum bags. For a test to see if the mask is effective, try to blow out a candle while wearing it. If the mask is effective, the candle won’t go out.
“As COVID continues to disproportionally exact its cruel human toll and imposes its inequitable financial burden upon our communities of color, we must come together to support our local, Black-owned businesses struggling to survive this pandemic. “ - Mayor sAM Liccardo
February 19, 2021 Dear District 2 neighbors, Making our City a better, safer place for all residents continues to be one of my top priorities. This pandemic has illustrated the importance of essential workers to our communities and economy. Alongside doctors and nurses, retail food workers have served the residents of
San José while taking on tremendous risks. Hazard Pay is necessary to justly compensate retail food workers for the clear and present dangers of doing their jobs during the pandemic, ensure the welfare of workers, and continue stable operation of our much-needed food supply chain. On Tuesday, February 9th, a strong majority of my Council colleagues
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voted to justly compensate our essential food retail workers who have served our community and additional information this month. throughout the Covid-19 I would like to thank here. pandemic. A Hazard Pay I look forward to Vice Mayor Jones Ordinance was passed seeing you as we help and Councilmembers that requires an additional Peralez, Cohen, Carrasco, make our community a $3/hour for food retail better, more welcoming Esparza, and Arenas for workers employed and inclusive place for all. supporting these efforts. by stores with 300+ Tonight demonstrated employees nationwide. to essential workers that In community, Unfortunately, the we acknowledge their Sergio Jimenez ordinance will not take contributions, respect and effect immediately appreciate their courage, because we and most importantly were unable to value their worth. achieve the 8 You can read my memo votes needed for an Urgency Ordinance. Workers will receive their fair pay approximately 30 days after final (408) 535-4902 | District2@sanjoseca.gov adoption later
District 2 News
sanjoseca.gov/district2
A First Person Account Santa Clara Health System has partnered with the 49ers to provide a mass vaccination center at Levi’s Stadium - for appointment only vaccinations. Eric Arzaga accompanied his Mom, Cornelia Arzaga, to Levi's stadium for her first vaccination. He made the appointment on-line the very morning she got her shot. "My mother was surprised the vaccination was so quick. She originally had me take her because she was afraid the process could have been confusing. But staff made it easy by directing us where we needed to go. She's glad to have been vaccinated and encourages others to go also to help with the COVID issue."
To sign up, go to www.sccfreevax.org
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February 19, 2021
Mental Health
A Clear Mindset: Rebuild, Restore, Redirect
Many of us are looking back and wondering, what just happened? We may never have the answers, but we do have the opportunity to craft our future. It is said, “You can’t move forward if you are always looking back.” Our future depends on progressive thinking. It is no longer business as usual. As business owners we took a powerful hit in 2020, now it is time to rise up and press forward. Thoughts to consider: Change our perception, perspective and mindset. Understand times have changed. We must do things differently, ‘pivot’.
Our mindset determines behavior. Behavior determines outcome. Rebuild systems. Old systems, processes and procedures may no longer work. Evaluate what works, adjust what does not serve you well and proceed. Restore hope, revise the plan and embrace possibilities. Be creative and innovative. Make the decisions that improve your opportunities, regardless of the current circumstances. Plan for the future. It will be here before you realize it. Redirect energies. Concentrate on a positive outcome. If nothing
changes … nothing changes. Change is always possible and necessary for growth. It is also, required to remain relevant. It is no longer about what has happened. It is about what is going to happen. Will you surrender to the circumstances or accept the challenge for transforming possibilities into realities?
Deborah Moody Exec. Director, ACPWC SBDC Advisor
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February 19, 2021
Black Excellence This month is Black History Month, which calls into memory the challenges and accomplishments that many Black and African Americans have dealt with across history. Yet this is not something that is just about the past. It’s about the present and also the future, as more of us continue to strive for excellence. As we have all realized, 2020 took a toll on all of us, not just because of our health, but also a toll on our ideals and the realities of what it means for us to live. These are all things that can hamper that drive for excellence. Something that connects all of these -- the past, the present, and the future -- is our mental health. Mental health is influenced by our connection to others, which in turn feeds our own sense of resiliency as well. But we also have to be cautious that as we strive for excellence, we do not forget to recognize and honor the toll that it might take. An expression of this is
found in the story of John Henry, which is the classic story of a hard-working Black man of legend who helped lay the railroads across the US. He is known for identifying himself and wrapping his ego around his job. He was eventually challenged with the invention of the machine that was going to replace him. As the story goes, he challenged the machine and won, laying more steel and digging faster than the machine. That’s where the sanitized version of this story often ends. But the full version of the legend tells us that he died as soon as he won, because his body had been pushed past its breaking point. The machine could easily have its parts swapped out and continue working the next day, but for John Henry, even if he had survived, his body would have been wrecked. Either way, the machine would have ultimately won. What does this story have to do with Black excellence? It teaches us about placing our ego in
check and remembering that we are of value, not just to the task that we are doing, but also to the community that we are a part of. Consider how much of the work that has been done in the past, is being done currently, and will be done in the future, is done for the good of the community so that we are all lifted up. This is the element of connection. The element of resiliency is that we know our purpose, but we know that we are not alone. In the legend, John Henry worked by himself, which shows a flaw in the story. No Black or African American would have done any of these things completely alone. There would have been people bringing him more steel, people providing food and water, and there would have been people cheering him on. All of those things contribute to resilience. To strive for excellence means we have to have connection and we have to have resiliency. This means we must surround ourselves with those who fulfill several roles: those who lift us up, those who keep us grounded and practical, and those who encourage us to dream. So for all those who have come before us, all those that are presently striving, and all who will stand upon our shoulders in the future, we can learn from them and teach them that to be mentally strong is to be connected, to be resilient, and to learn from
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Mental Health
the things hidden in the story. 2020 has been a challenge for us all. We’ve learned many things about ourselves and seen things that we know we need to change. This involves addressing how we think, how we behave, and how
we believe about the world and ourselves. The relationship between the two is what brings life, and it is my honor as a mental health professional to help strengthen that relationship. In that way, this is my little piece of Black excellence.
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February 19, 2021
Celebration
2020 San Francisco City Hall Black History Cultural Experience
SF City Hall lit up in Black History colors
This is an annual event held the last week of Black History Month that was created by Board of Equalization Chair Malia Cohen and San Francisco Mayor
San Francisco Mayor London Breed
London Breed in 2015 when both Cohen and Breed were members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. This event featured performances from
various San Francisco performing artists and cultural organizations, as well as speeches from San Francisco's current and former Black elected officials. The evening
Board of Equalization Chair Malia Cohen
also included a reception with food provided by San Francisco Black owned restaurants, and wines and spirits from Black owned wineries and distilleries. The San Francisco City Hall Black History Cultural Experience has become a much anticipated annual social event for not only current San Francisco residents, but has also become an annual reunion for former San Francisco Black residents forced out of The City by redevelopment and
gentrification. This year's event is not happening in person due to Coronavirus restrictions and is being held online. Last year's celebration was one of the last large events in San Francisco and the Bay Area before the Coronavirus forced the shutdown of all gatherings. Many of the people attending last year's event have not physically seen or interacted with each other since last year's celebration.
Black LinkedIn employees at Black Joy
February 19, 2021
US Congress: Hearing on Reparations Bill H.R. 40 Dreisen Heath of Human Rights Watch Among Witnesses
The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties will held a hearing on H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act, on February 17, 2021. The 10:00 a.m. ET hearing examined the legacy of slavery, its continuing impact on the Black community, and the path to reparative justice. Witnesses that testified at the hearing included Dreisen Heath, a racial justice researcher and
advocate in the US program at Human Rights Watch. In May 2020, Human Rights Watch published Heath’s groundbreaking report that documented the impact of the Tulsa Race Massacre and the systemic racism that followed, and called for reparations. Other witnesses include: • The Honorable Norman Mineta, Former Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation; • The Honorable Dr.
Shirley Weber, Secretary of State, State of California; • Professor E. Tendayi Achiume, Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; • Kamm Howard, National Male Co-Chair, National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA); • Hilary Shelton, Director, NAACP Washington Bureau; If passed, H.R. 40 would establish an expert federal commission to study the legacy of slavery in the United States and its ongoing harm and develop proposals for redress and repair, including reparations. The hearing comes after more than 300 organizations, businesses, faith leaders, and city leaders – including Human Rights Watch, the American Civil Liberties Union, Color of Change, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and Amnesty International USA– sent Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House leadership a letter urging immediate congressional action on H.R. 40, as part of the We Can’t Wait project. Following the
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Calling For Justice protests over the killing of George Floyd and other Black people at the hands of police, the bill garnered a record number of cosponsors. “The historic racial and gendered injustices of slavery and its legacy, fueling the persistence of racial inequality today, remain largely accounted for,” said Heath. “The US must finally reckon with its long history of racial terror, indifference, and segregationist public policies that have created lasting harms within the Black community. That
reckoning begins with H.R. 40.” To view the hearing, go to https:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=KoWfrexyi84.
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Mike Ensley 408-966-9009
February 19, 2021
AUTHOR WILLIAM S. MATTHEWS ANNOUNCES LATEST RELEASE “EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT CORPORATE AMERICA” New Tome Provides Real-World, Practical Applications on How to Triumph in Corporate America
World-recognized public speaker, BIPOC entrepreneur, event planner and bestselling author, William S. Matthews, is set to launch his third book “Everything I Needed to Know about Corporate America.” In the book, Matthews provides a solid framework and applicable tips for anyone looking to thrive as they enter the workforce and climb
the corporate ladder. Matthews specifically hopes to reach young Black and Brown college graduates and those in mid-management positions who are concerned about systemic racism in the corporate atmosphere. Named one of Houston Business Journal 2019’s 40 under 40 honorees, Matthews leverages his substantial knowledge
base with a unique blend of skills and characteristics gleaned from over 10 years working with some of Houston’s most influential businesses, corporate entities and nonprofits, making him a compelling asset and mentor for anyone seeking a similar path. “The biggest problem I’ve found over the course of my career is a massive lack of preparation for
U.S. Navy Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Joel Lazo, from San Jose, Calif., signals the pilot of an H225 Super Puma helicopter, assigned to the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3), from the flight deck of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) during a vertical replenishment Feb 7, 2021. Bunker Hill, part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. As the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet, with its approximate 50-70 ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and 20,000 Sailors in the area of operations at any given time, 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests throughout a free and open Indo-Pacific area of operations to foster maritime security, promote stability, and prevent conflict alongside 35 other maritime nations and partners. Photo Courtesy of Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Brandie Nuzzi.
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Good Reads how to navigate the corporate landscape. I not only cover important topics such as interview etiquette, race relations, requesting a raise, and dealing with a difficult boss, but offer strategies that will set you up for a lifetime of success,” says Matthews. “Everything I Needed to Know about Corporate America” is available for presale via Amazon.
ISBN: 9798585815614 Price: $13.99 USA
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February 19, 2021
People’s Advocate
Statement From Vice Mayor Chappie Jones Ever since I was a child I had a natural sense of civic responsibility. This continued into adulthood, and for years I talked about my desire to run for public office to serve my community. I decided to give Apple 4 months’ notice, and begin campaigning full time for Councilmember of District 1. Through this sense of civic responsibility, I recognize that not only is our City in a moment like we have not seen in years, but so is our Country. We have witnessed months of protests after centuries of racism while simultaneously navigating a response to a pandemic that has affected every corner of the world. All of this has only encouraged me, along with my fellow Councilmembers, to create a collective vision for our beloved community focused on healing and recovery. Many in our community are experiencing deepseated anger, despair, and distrust of the system and our government for legitimate reasons. It is my belief that in order to see true community healing there must first be
bold action. As we forge ahead under the County and State’s reopening plan, it is critical that we place a priority on San Jose’s small businesses, supporting them as they recover and adjust to the “new normal”, particularly in employment trends, workplace safety, technical support, and equitable procurement opportunities for our small minority and women owned businesses to ensure that disadvantaged groups are receiving equitable opportunities to thrive as they continue to contribute to the vibrancy of our City and community. This includes economic opportunity for all; prioritizing the health, safety, and vaccination of our most vulnerable; expanding and ensuring continued access to
Wi-Fi across the community so that no student falls behind; strengthening the collaboration with County and State organizations to capitalize on their services; and creating transit opportunities where there is equal access to all. Since June, Council has been proposing continuous public safety reforms to re-imagine community safety in San Jose. I believe that a successful “Re-imagine Community Safety” process should include ideas from both community members and law enforcement to create more transparency and accountability. The core of all my proposals has been, and will continue to be transparency and accountability. For that reason, I would like to see the Independent Police Auditor revive the
IPA Advisory Council, based on a community centric platform. This will encourage a robust and engaged dialog that can lead to additional reforms and community healing. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest as a result of the murder of George Floyd, 2020 has created unprecedented health and social challenges in its enormous wake. This is felt at unparalleled rates by those most vulnerable in our community. Whether we openly admit to it, we are all healing from the past year, and we have the opportunity to pave a new path with this new year through growth, reform, understanding and healing. There is no doubt in my mind that we will continue to change the narrative of San Jose in a meaningful way. About Vice Mayor Chappie Jones Vice Mayor Charles “Chappie” Jones was elected to the San José City Council in November of 2014 with close to 60% of the popular vote. He represents City Council District 1, the region of West San José (west of Hwy. 17 & 880) that borders the cities of Campbell, Cupertino, Santa Clara and Saratoga.
happie was born in C Sacramento and moved to San José in the 1990’s. His upbringing instilled a strong sense of civic responsibility and made him into tenacious advocate of civil service, fiscal culpability and community engagement. Prior to his election, Chappie worked in the private sector where he held sales management positions with Apple and AT&T, was an executive manager with Cornerstone Consulting and Technology, and owned a technology service business. Chappie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Davis and a Master of Business Administration degree from the prestigious Haas School of Business at University California, Berkeley. Chappie has been married for over 20 years to Kelli Jones, a high tech sales and marketing consultant. Together they have two children and live in the Murdock neighborhood of District 1. To learn more about Vice Mayor Chappie Jones or to keep upto-date with District 1 news, go to http://www. sjdistrict1.com.
Office of Vice Mayor Chappie Jones San José City Hall
200 E. Santa Clara Street, 18th Floor San Jose, California 95113 Phone: 408-535-4901
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February 19, 2021
A Cleaner Tomorrow
Clean wRight UVC Decontamination System
With the onslaught of the Covid-19 Virus, and the world’s campaign to reduce its spread in every area of society, certain important public access areas, remain as potential breeding places for bacteria and viral transmission. Our Grocery Stores, Airports, Food Processing Industry, Prisons, Government Points of Entry, Escalators, and the like, all utilize automatic conveyor systems, that we may encounter several times a day. We cautiously place personal and food items down on them, all the while wondering about the surface’s cleanliness. Attendants, Clerks, and other personnel may wipe down these areas, but human efforts fall
short, as their attention is focused on customer service. However, there is a technical solution to this issue. Highlights of functionalities and features The Clean wRight UVCC Units may be deployed everywhere consumers personal items encounter conveyor systems in any industry. The unit is selfcleaning while in use, and can be easily programmed for continuous, delayed, or manual cleaning sequences, through its User Interface PLC Console (UIPC). The Clean wRight UVCC Decon Systems are engineered to be easily retrofitted and installed to existing conveyor
equipment, out of sight and out of the way of conveyor personnel. Its unique modular design, allows it to be professionally mounted to any conveyor configuration and escalator railings. The Clean wRight UVCC Units are easily maintained – Maintenance is easily performed in moments by Clerks, Managers, and Contracted Service Engineers, without disrupting store operations. The PLC Console alerts Clerks/ Operators when a Module change is required. The Vision While the invention is purposed to provide preventative measures against deadly viruses, the vision is to help create positive impact from a social, economical and relational perspectives. One one hand, the commercialization of this system will require an army of individuals to deploy it in places where it really needs to go. On the other hand, many individuals in our society need jobs. Inmates are being released from state or local prisons, our youth needs a viable way to establish themselves in our societies and college might not always be the viable way for them. And this Covid has wreaked havoc on many families and unemployment rate has skyrocketed. The implementation and placement of this invention would create many employment opportunities across the whole gambit of
Albert S Wright Sr, Inventor of the Clean wRight UVC Decontamination System
our society. We plan to provide vocational training and job positions in the areas of electrical and mechanical assembly, customer service, and field services. Just imagine to operate this system in every airport for example, or every mall, every transportation system, an army of individuals will be required. As I began to develop the concept of the system, I was suddenly surrounded by many like-minded people from different spheres of influence. Through associations with friends like Michael Brown and Pastor Anthony Summers of Michael’s Transportation, Dr Sonny and Linda Lara of FireHouse Ministries, a California state senator, dedicated to assisting us with state licensing certification that allows us to employ these individuals when they are released. I also met the director of a non-profit organization “Retrain the Village” which provides homes for formerly incarcerated individuals. Through their program, former inmates are
trained on informational technology and other vocational programs. Our program would collaborate with theirs, forming a major pipeline to employ former inmates and reintegrate them into the society. Michael’s Transportation from Valejo, California had implemented their program through which 100% of the former inmates went through 8 weeks of training to become bus or truck drivers. This program results in 0% recidivism of these former inmates. So it has been proven that when these individuals become employable or employed, the chances for them reoffend is slim to none. That is why we are confident that our plan will work as we already have “a proof of concept” from the past. With this invention, we already have an ask for it to be placed. As we are working on it, we are seeing its potential for other revenue streams. To learn more, go to https://weareonenetwork. biz/product/theclean-vwright-uvcdecontamination-system/.
February 19, 2021
VA Palo Alto Health Care System helps VA reach milestone vaccinating its 1 millionth Veteran On February 17, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Health Administration vaccinated its 1 millionth Veteran with their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. VA Palo Alto Health Care System has administered more than 8,253 first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine to local Veterans and 1,918 second doses. The VA began COVID-19 immunizations in December 2020. As of February 17, VA has vaccinated 329,685 of Veterans with a second dose. Second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are given 21 days after the first dose, second doses of the Moderna vaccine are given 28 days after the first dose; the second dose completes the course of vaccination. VA’s COVID-19 National Summary publishes vaccination data daily on Veterans, including information on employee and federal partner vaccinations. For those reviewing the site, when an individual receives both doses from VA, they have completed their vaccine course; therefore, “second dose” and “completed” are synonymous. VA follows current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and
the VA COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Plan. During the limited supply phase, VA facilities have made progress through CDC Phase 1a and are offering vaccines to Veterans in Phase 1b, which includes Veterans aged 75 and older. However, some sites are offering vaccine to additional Veterans at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 as supply permits. “VA guidance encourages local flexibility in order to maximize COVID-19 vaccine access and efficiency and limit potential vaccine waste,” said Acting VA Under Secretary for Health Richard Stone, M.D. “In this limited supply phase, our COVID-19 vaccination strategy is balancing site-specific resources, facility needs, vaccine availability, and status of the pandemic locally, as well as strict storage, handling and transportation parameters of available vaccines.” VA Palo Alto Health Care System Director Lisa Howard said, “We are encouraged by the number of Veterans we have been able to vaccinate so far and look forward to meeting VA’s goal of offering vaccines to all eligible Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated.” VA Palo Alto Health Care System has
administered more than 8,253 first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine to local Veterans and 1,918 second doses. The VA began COVID-19 immunizations in December 2020. As of February 17, VA has vaccinated 329,685 of Veterans with a second dose.A Palo Alto Health Care System is reaching out to Veterans who are eligible for vaccination. Veterans who would like additional information can visit the VA COVID-19 vaccines webpage at https://www.va.gov/ health-care/covid-19vaccine/, visit their local facility’s website or contact their care team. About VA Palo Alto Health Care System VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) is part of VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21), which serves Veterans
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Protect and Serve
in northern and central California, Nevada, Hawaii, the Philippines, and U.S. Territories in the Pacific Basin. VAPAHCS consists of three inpatient facilities located at Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Livermore, in addition to seven Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in San Jose, Capitola, Monterey,
Stockton, Modesto, Sonora, and Fremont; as well as two residential homes for Veterans in the Compensated Work Therapy program. VAPAHCS operates over 800 beds, including three nursing homes and a 100bed homeless domiciliary - all to serve more than 67,000 enrolled Veterans.
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February 19, 2021
Sweet Notes
And Play On ... A virtual visit with our local man of music, was a joyful afternoon spent chatting with Tony Lindsay.
[Continued From Page 1] Special Assignment Brigitte Jones, Publisher
And joining in on several On-line gigs as benefits for these long time friends and associates, who were dealt a hard blow with the shutdowns. He mentions; Biscuts and Blues in San Francisco, Cafe Stritch in San Jose, Club Fox in Redwood City are all doing their best to wait out this pandemic - until they can welcome back the audiences.
Tony has new music he wrote and is being recognized for, “So in Love” is up for Best Song and garnered him a Male Artist of the Year nomination for 2020, The song, “All is One” stayed at Number 1 on the Independent Soul Charts for two weeks. Tony says, “my music is being played all over Internet Radio Stations across the world. I’m getting as many as 3 4000 spins a week.” So it’s no time to be a couch potato in his world, as Tony states, “now is
the time to experiment with those area of music, business and technology you’ve been curious about. Jump in and see where the music (life) takes you.”
February 19, 2021
Grab a Glass
Leading By Example Special Assignment Brigitte Jones, Publisher
Santa Clara Valley Water has a champion in Rick Callender, their CEO. Rick is proud to represent the nearly 2 million Valley Water customers within areas of Conservation, Flood Protection, Water Supply and its cost on the open market; it’s all in a day’s work. Brigitte: Rick, please let us in on what’s on your short-term vs longterm agenda with Valley Water? Rick: The recent Voters’ 75% approval for Clean/Safe Water Program which will make possible a lot of our capital projects will be done for this community. I see it as a large environmental justice measure that will impact people for years to come. With such a large project as the repair of Anderson Dam, recently emptied out of 90,000 feet of water. Ultimately, it is expected to take a decade to complete that work in order to address the issue of people asking for Flood Protection if we were to experience a 7.4+ magnitude Earthquake. The idea is not to have what’s called ‘an unscheduled release of water.’ The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ordered Valley water to empty the Dam, early in 2020 and that work began in
October and we had it emptied by November. Clearly we are in the middle of a drought and to be without our largest reservoir, means balancing the need to fix Anderson Dam with the very real need to purchase water on the open market for our constituents. All the while, addressing the outdated conservation policies and procedures that limit the work ahead for us. It’s an ongoing effort to take positions as they relate to our responsibility to our constituents as we work with our County, State and Federal Legislatures. It’s said, that all politics is local politics, right. For sure it’s economic injustice to people living in a Flood Zone; The cost Benefit Ratio for protecting homes of lesser value compared to the cost of protecting more expensive homes. People living in a Flood Zone are there because they can’t afford to live anywhere else. They are mostly people of color, immigrants, seniors and these include a large segment of our veterans; the very people impacted by the last time Coyote Creek flooded in 2017. So water rights are definitely, an environmental justice issue for people. Brigitte: What does it mean to you as Black man to be in your job? Rick: From where I sit and from where I lead, I will continue to be a proud African American man who leads from
a position of equity. I appreciate my unique position, as the only African American CEO in the country to lead a large water and flood protection agency. We often see corporations and organizations give lip service to addressing racial equality but nothing ever changes. I have initiated a Racial Equity Diversity Inclusion unit here with our organization to demonstrate that we can do better in diversifying our ranks. As a long-time leader with the NAACP, I was CA Vice President until December 2020. And now serve as state President and I hold a seat on the National Board. I stand on the shoulders of many in order to be in the C-suite, and for me to NOT do things that bring people who look like me, behind me, would be negligent. My personal and professional objective is to make sure there is equity on every contract put out to bid - it’s about more than just hires. Equity throughout the organization, to insure we are utilizing the taxpayers’ dollars correctly. If you are paying the taxes to maintain the operation of this organization - you should have a reflection (representation) and a say in how it operates. Brigitte: How are you keeping in touch with the public? Rick: I say, we have to go to where the people are. That’s part of my responsibility, too. People
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check our Website for Valley Water and Board updates for issues of interest. For the kids we now conduct Zoom tours through our facilities, as well as the Virtual classroom visits; remain a strong outreach program for us. I appreciate the opportunity to engage with our customers. We are an organization of approximately 900 fulltime permanent staff, plus interns to do this work. A lot of good people working hard for their community - we are doing the best for all of our neighbors - because we are part of this 15-city wide community, too. About Valley Water Valley Water manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa
Clara County’s 2 million residents. The district effectively manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 400 acres of groundwater recharge ponds and more than 275 miles of streams. We provide wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to homes and businesses in Santa Clara County. To learn more, go to valleywater.org.
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February 19, 2021
The Doctor Is In
A Winning Formula from UC Berkeley for Pre Med, she was starting to question “do I see a place A visit with Dr. Sonia Bell for me in the Medical gives you a sense that field... when there is so perseverance and focus on much inequity and the the future, is good political maneuvering? At medicine. this point Sonia is missing She liked to play the that performer’s hunger for game, Operation as a kid! the spotlight -- detour into From a young age, she a modeling stint, which tackled the hard stuff; a lead to other creative ballerina in training with opportunities. So her the San Francisco Ballet. It father reasons that she’s may look serene and not returning to Medical beautiful but the grueling School, ‘you can run the physicality of years of new Investment Banking forcing the body to do branch in Los Angeles for things it wasn’t designed me.’ for - has a high cost. She Life, sometimes has its suffered a career ending own plans to get you back injury but was even more on your true path - she disappointed by what became ill and was medicine had to offer as a diagnosed with Lupus at fix - never mind the beside 24-years old. Again, not a manner. great experience with the A twist of fate sent her medical professional through a winding journey handling of her case. Even of other professional though she “presented as forays, once she graduated the classic patient for a Special Assignment Brigitte Jones, Publisher
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Lupus diagnosis; a young Black female with an enlarged Lymph node, a skin rash and aches and pains in the joints ... why so difficult to reach the right conclusion?” So, medicine did not seem the career for her, due to her encounters with doctors. But they couldn’t diminish her interest in medicine and what she could offer patients, as someone who knows what it’s like - not to be heard. But a doctor’s advice to
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‘maybe think of a career as a chiropractor, because it wouldn’t be so stressful’ with her type of illness. Well chiropractic school held no challenge or fascination after a while. Sonia went back to Medical School at USC, which she says in retrospect “really toughened my resolve to succeed. USC is a Level-1 Trauma Center and most weekends the various gangs in the area kept the Emergency Room busy.” Between her 2nd and 3rd year at USC, Sonia decides she needs to be a Team Doctor for the Olympics in Atlanta, despite the fact she has not certified as a doctor, yet. But join those medical practitioners, she
did, only to meet her future husband in the process. It was on to Stanford for her residency, in pursuit of a focus in Sports Medicine. Almost a year into the program her body is just over stressed due to her work schedule and the effects of Lupus, so she loses her spot and her momentum again. Today, Dr. Sonia Bell heads the AVANTI SPORTS MEDICINE AND FITNESS CENTER, she says, “Avanti means progressive in Italian and that’s what I’m working towards.” I chose to go into private practice in order to assure the quality of care I can provide.” Now, she leads a team of dedicated medical professionals to provide an array of care for the weekend warrior and the thoroughbreds of professional sports. Dr. Sonia says, “I live for Life. Once an athlete, always an athlete.” www.avantifitsportsmed.com
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February 19, 2021
Young Man with a Vision Special Assignment Brigitte Jones, Publisher
Semmi Cole arrived from Raleigh, NC in 2016 ready to put his creativity to work. His efforts in music videos, commercials and various
film projects have lead to his recent Award winning Short Film, What Could Have Been. At just 29 years old, he has his gaze firmly set on his chosen industry. “There is a huge difference in the industry since Covid and I think
that will be more apparent as we move further into this year, 2021, and you’ll see the new feature content that comes out where it’s less characters and more dialogue pieces and more subject matter about this time in our lives.”
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Lights, Camera, Action “Being considered a Black film maker is a new thing for me. I did so much when I was younger to even be looked at as a Black person. ... but it’s truly an honor in my eyes even more so to be considered a film maker in general and
hope to be around in it for the long run.” This current Film came from a work in progress that has reaped multiple benefits. More to be seen from this young man of Vision. www.semmivision.com
Semmi Cole, is the writer, producer and director of this new film project, that is now released to the public. Check out his Youtube Channel @ Semmi vision!
Valentine's Day may be over, but our businesses still need your love! Check out our outdoor dining, fun shops and local wineries. Sunny, warm weather is predicted for this weekend, so get outside, take a walk and see what our Town has to offer. Shop,eat & enjoy local Los Gatos! www.losgatoschamber.com
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February 19, 2021
District 15 News
Senator Cortese Introduces Groundbreaking Legislation to Reform California’s Unjust Felony Murder Laws Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) has introduced SB 300, The Sentencing Reform Act of 2021, to bring sweeping reforms to California’s “felony murder” and special circumstances law. Watch the full Press Conference on Senator Cortese’s website here: https://sd15.senate.ca.gov Right now, in California, there are people on death row and sentenced to die in prison who never killed anyone and never intended for anyone to die. Current California law mandates a sentence of death or life without the possibility of parole for anyone convicted of murder with “special circumstances” (listed in Penal Code section 190.2). These special circumstances include felony murder. Felony murder is when a death occurs, intentionally or accidentally, during the course of a felony, such as a robbery or burglary. This law applies both to the person whose actions caused the death and to accomplices – individuals who, while involved in the felony, did not kill anyone and did not intend for anyone to die. SB 300 will address this injustice by allowing for a sentence other than
the death penalty or life in prison without parole for a person who did not themselves commit the murder and did not intend for anyone to die. Tammy Garvin Cooper, for instance, is a formerly incarcerated woman who was sentenced to life without parole after being charged as an unwilling accomplice. “I was incarcerated for 28 years for someone else’s actions under California’s unjust felony murder laws,” says Tammy Garvin Cooper. “If I wasn’t granted clemency three years ago, I would still be sentenced to die in prison.” SB 300 by Senator Cortese will provide an avenue for currently incarcerated people to petition the court for resentencing, offering recourse to hundreds – potentially more – of Californians currently awaiting execution or condemned to die in prison. They will have the opportunity to be resentenced and the possibility to earn parole through rehabilitative programming, work, and good behavior. Given that they never intended for a person to die, nor did they directly cause another person’s death, this will provide them more than just a sentence to die in
prison, or to be put to death. SB 300 will also address the injustice of mandatory life without parole sentences. Under current law, if a special circumstance is found true, the judge has no choice but to sentence a person to life without possibility of parole. SB 300 will return to judges the discretion to dismiss any special circumstance allegation if the judge rules that, in the interest of justice, a sentence of 25 years to life with the possibility of parole is more appropriate. With a strong track record rooted in restorative justice and fighting systemic inequities, SB 300 is one of many major steps Cortese has taken to re-envision our justice system, including establishing the Santa Clara County Blue Ribbon Commission, which led to hundreds of recommendations to improve the treatment of people in custody, halting the construction of a new jail in Santa Clara County in favor of a Behavioral Health Center to treat people with mental illness, and creating the first policy in the United States to halt the incarceration of offenders under 13 years
of age at Juvenile Hall. “Our felony murder laws are emblematic of what is wrong with our criminal justice system today,” says Senator Dave Cortese. “Californian’s may not realize that people who did not commit murder are being charged for murder and are being given harsher punishments than those that did.” For Senator Cortese, his decision to introduce SB 300 is rooted in social justice and was influenced by the nationwide demonstrations against racial injustice we have seen this past year. “We are at a pivotal moment in our country’s history. SB 300 is one of many steps we must take to dismantle systematic racism and inequities embedded in so many areas of our governmental structure, including our criminal justice system,” says Cortese. Using data from the state department of corrections, the Felony Murder Elimination Project estimates that taxpayers pay $91,000 person per year to incarcerate a person if that persons is young and healthy; and over $150,000 per year for an older person. Nineteen is the average age of a person at the time of the offense for which a life without parole sentence is imposed due to a special
circumstance finding. There are currently over 5100 people serving life without parole sentences, 3221 of whom were 25 years or younger at the time of the offense. It was a first offense for over 3700 of these individuals. The racial disparity of those serving life without parole is shocking, as Black and Latinx individuals make up 68% of this population. “Californians are paying a staggering price to incarcerate individuals for life who neither caused nor intended to cause a death. We are proud to sponsor this vital legislation because there are currently over 5,100 people serving life without parole sentences,” said Joanne Sheer, Founder of Felony Murder Elimination Project and proud mother of a person who would be positively impacted by this bill. Raj Jayadev is the Coordinator of Silicon Valley De-Bug, a cosponsor of SB 300, and works with families whose loved ones are facing excessive prison sentences across the state. Jayadev says, “SB 300 is about addressing the devastation of an irrational fear-based sentencing law that has broken apart families, taken lives, and decimated communities with generational devastation. Our De-Bug community is made up of these
February 19, 2021 families, who have seen other powerful reforms leave their incarcerated loved ones behind, and today they insert their fight and righteous call for justice for a new day of freedom and healing for California.” “The racial disparity of those serving life without parole is shocking. This vitally-needed legislation is an important step in addressing California’s long history of racist and draconian laws,” said Emily Harris, Policy Director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, one of the groups cosponsoring SB 300. Senator Nancy Skinner’s (D-Berkeley) SB 1437, that became law in 2018, also tackled California’s unjust felony murder rule, by reserving murder charges and punishment to those that actually commit murder in most cases. SB 1437 also allowed those convicted the opportunity to be resentenced to a lower sentence. SB 1437 did not, however, address felony murder cases under the special circumstances law. Governor Gavin Newsom has placed a moratorium on the death penalty in California for as long as he is serving as Governor. SB 300 by Senator Cortese would need a 2/3rds vote in both houses of the Legislature and Governor Newsom’s signature to become law. For more information, contact Tara Sreekrishnan, Office of Senator Dave Cortese at 408 480 7833 or tara. sreekrishnan@sen.ca.gov.
Senator Dave Cortese Requests Further Oversight to Right EDD Wrongs Newly sworn-in Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) spoke at a Senate Hearing relating to the Audit of the State’s Employment Development Department’s (EDD) Performance and Management as thousands face delays in receiving their unemployment benefits. The Audit revealed Bank of America froze nearly 350,000 accounts that were suspected to be fraudulent, without a welldefined plan in place to unfreeze those claims that were legitimate, leaving many struggling amid the
COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Cortese requested that EDD as well as Bank of America, by way of its contract with the state, undergo ongoing auditing to resolve fiscal issues that are harming taxpayers in the state of California. “The fact of the matter is benefits being unfairly delayed or denied is unacceptable. The people of California are clearly asking more from us than this,” said Senator Cortese, Chair of the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee. The Senator revealed
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District 15 News that his local Senate office has been individually managing and expediting thousands of EDD cases at a time to assist constituents and provide them the relief they need during the pandemic. “There are hundreds of open EDD cases currently being handled by my staff,” said Cortese. But it should not get to the point where legislative offices must step in to reverse EDD’s mishandling of cases, the Senator said, who expressed frustration with the delays and lack of ability and capacity to handle incoming calls at EDD. “The pandemic has laid bare deep cracks in our system, including the need for better communication between,
EDD, legislators, and the public as well as advanced phone and electronic communication centers to ensure those struggling can access the benefits they need.” “I’m requesting that an auditor be embedded in EDD’s activities daily to carry out ongoing auditing procedures, a common practice for banking institutions as well as the IRS, to ensure these patterns don’t continue and EDD’s larger systemic problems are addressed.”
To learn more about Senator Cortese or to keep up-to-date with the latest news, go to https://sd15. senate.ca.gov.
To watch Senator Cortese’s full comments at the Senate Hearing, go to https://www.youtube.com/.watch?v=wuAtJkX9zsU&feature=youtu.be
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