By Dianne Anderson Like never before, the Juneteenth tradition is proliferating across the nation to show the world that Blacks in America, despite the worst of times, are still on top, still creating, and still vibrant. Since the celebration became a federal holiday two years ago, festivities are gaining momentum in the gathering, which Dwayne ...

By Dianne Anderson Long Beach parks will be brimming this weekend as friends and family converge for neighborhood reunions, bringing the old cultural landmark into the here and now. All the fun, good food and entertainment will also no doubt spark some deeper historical conversations on the real meaning of Juneteenth. For small business owner, ...

By Dianne Anderson Juneteenth is in full swing like never before with back-to-back local events to choose from, but organizers say it’s more than just good times and good eats. Hundreds have already registered for a June 18 event at San Bernardino Valley College, just one of numerous events popping up. Expect something for the ...

By Dianne Anderson Juneteenth events are buzzing everywhere this year, almost one on every corner, but Trudy Coleman remembers when her Pomona Valley event was the only option for miles and miles around. Until about the mid-1990s, for the most part it was a little-known celebration, except for its Texas roots. She and her colleague ...

By Dianne Anderson Mothers headed back to brick and mortar workplaces and possibly great paying jobs may be worried about what to do with the kids. If they can get down the street and around the corner for 7:00 a.m. when the Long Beach YMCA pre-school doors fly open, they can get a full day ...

By Dianne Anderson A lot of people don’t know about the backstory of Santa Ana and how much it had in common with Texas. But growing up, it was obvious to David Shipp. He said Santa Ana looked very different than it does today. There were a lot of Black folks. “Not 100%, but all ...

Staying Focused on Freedom By Dr. Maulana Karenga This is a Kawaida position statement on rightly celebrating Juneteenth as a day of freedom as distinct from a day of unreflective Americana – red soda water, boppin’, barbecuin’, flag waving, etc. It speaks against fostering images of a darker version of the 4th of July without ...

By Dianne Anderson One way that Trudy Coleman approaches her Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. annual breakfast is to bridge the disconnect in the community, and draw together unlikely alliances. It also raises deeper questions and probably some eyebrows. This year’s theme, “Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere,” is a quote by Martin ...

By Dianne Anderson On any given Saturday, Trudy Coleman has been on the phone in recent months with fellow representatives from across 30 different states to collectively promote this year’s national Juneteenth theme of “Remembering Our Ancestors.” The tribute is all the more important because this is the 400th year since the first enslaved Africans ...

Teen Panel to Lead Conversations on Race, Ethnicity, Gender Identity, Immigration Status Let’s Talk! Ethnic and racial tensions and discrimination are raging in our communities and schools. “Racism is hidden in plain sight,” states a prominent student from John W. North High School. Other students assert: “Racism is one of the biggest issues… People don’t ...