By Dianne Anderson Musical iconoclasts, such as the likes of Armstrong, Ellington, and the Nicholas Brothers, pioneered some of the first beats of the nation’s foundation that the world continues to jam on today. Coming up, the Bowers Museum will bring ragtime fans through the tumultuous rise of jazz, and great performers with their quality ...

By Dianne Anderson Disabled kids, kids of color, those that dress or talk or walk differently than other students usually make easy targets for bullying. Star Simmons should know. Her advocacy for disabled students and parents has spanned decades with the fight for resources that began with her own now grown disabled kids. She said ...

By Dianne Anderson About two months before the great Women’s Suffrage March of 1913, a group of strong Black women of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. refused to be told that they couldn’t participate in the major voting rights issue of the time. Uninvited, the Deltas boldly stepped up, taking their place at the ...

By Dianne Anderson Leave the cell phones, iPads, luggage sized makeup kits, flat irons and other impressive bling accessories at home. There won’t be much need for such creature comforts where ten fortunate women are getting ready to go for an experience more gratifying than any selfie could offer. Margo Malone has led many missions ...

By Dianne Anderson The Thurgood Marshall Bar Association recently held its third annual installation and awards gala in honor of their namesake, America’s first Black Supreme Court justice, and to give scholarships in support of local law students. Since starting their bar association in 2012, they are now one of the most recognized legal resources ...

By Dianne Anderson Perhaps not coincidentally, Rev. Dr. Ralph Williamson received word of his new appointment to lead Christ Our Redeemer AME Church in Irvine just as he was hanging out with his good friend Rev. Mark Whitlock at their big annual AME church conference. Of the two, Rev. Whitlock served the longest as senior ...

Stater Bros. is spreading cheer this holiday season by giving back to the loyal communities it serves.  To brighten the holidays for those in need, Stater Bros. Charities donated over $840,000 to local non-profit organizations that benefit hunger relief and children’s well-being initiatives. Stater Bros. Charities supports critical needs in the communities where Stater Bros. ...

By Dianne Anderson A little nudge sometimes can have a big impact. When Dr. Fred Calhoun came on as Orange County NAACP branch president last February, one of his top goals was going after the thing he knew best — the educational system. Soon after taking his seat, he began sending notices to community colleges ...

By Dianne Anderson Dozens of dedicated professional sisters of the Orange County Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta are helping local kids and adults prepare for success with just about whatever skill-set they need to get ahead. There is no shortage of role models at the historically Black Greek sorority. “We have lawyers, and judges ...

By Dianne Anderson It may come as no surprise that the recently installed Orange County Branch NAACP President Dr. Fred C. Calhoun has his sights set on getting more African American representation of teachers into local school districts, colleges and universities. In his new seat, he is ready to tackle some of the harder to ...