By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Frank Robinson, a trailblazing figure who was Major League Baseball’s first African American manager and one of its greatest players during a career that spanned 21 seasons, died last Thursday after a prolonged illness. Robinson was 83. The Hall of Famer hit 586 home runs and appeared in 14 ...

By Christina Cauteruci There’s a crew of new women in Congress who’ve become fast friends since the election. Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have become instant progressive icons and visible markers of a long-overdue shift in legislative demographics. They’ve posted loads of selfies together, called themselves a “squad,” tweeted support ...

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent Commentary That Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris announced her candidate for president on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is no coincidence. For her supporters and those who know her well, Harris has long been a fighter for freedom, justice and equality and she’s often invoked the spirit ...

Longtime labor leader and two-term Long Beach Councilmember Al Austin has launched his campaign for California’s 33rd State Senate District. “I’m proud of the work I’ve done throughout this region and I’m running for State Senate to take that experience to Sacramento to continue bringing together community members, unions, and local small businesses to get ...

By Julianne Malveaux The 116th Congress, sworn in on January 3, is the most diverse our nation has ever seen. There are more women – 102 – than ever before. More members of the Congressional Black Caucus – 55 – than ever before. Indeed, a former Congressional Black Caucus intern, Lauren Underwood (D-IL) is part ...

The best way to ring in 2019 is by getting the peace of mind that comes with having health insurance for you and your family. Open enrollment for Covered California runs through Jan. 15, with coverage that begins on Feb. 1. California’s health insurance marketplace continues to deliver on the promises of the Patient Protection ...

The bipartisan and bicameral California Legislative Women’s Caucus elected Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) as its Chair and Assemblywoman Monique Limón (DSanta Barbara) as Vice Chair. “I am truly honored to have earned the trust of my colleagues in the Caucus and look forward to continuing to work with them and other stakeholders to further ...

Sharon Caples McDougle is somewhat of a “hidden figure.”  Everyone knows that Dr. Mae Jemison was the first African American woman to travel into space – but many don’t know that an African American woman from Moss Point, MS “suited her up” and has several firsts of her own. McDougle was Jemison’s suit tech for the historic ...

By Chiagoziem “Sylvester” Agu Albany State University  Of the more than 330,000 U.S. students studying abroad, only 6.1 percent are African American and 10 percent are Latino. This is one in a series of articles by students of color who are breaking down barriers by studying abroad thanks to the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship, which ...

The Eli and Edy the Broad Stage presents the return of four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning bass virtuoso Stanley Clarke and his band on Saturday, January 19 at 7:30pm. Clarke performs with electric and acoustic ferocity, backed by a stellar troupe of exciting young musicians. Rolling Stone’s first Jazzman of the Year, Clarke’s creativity has been recognized ...