By Dianne Anderson Pulling together what it takes to serve 8-10,000 who roll through the OC Black History Parade and Cultural Fair seeking a taste of soul, top entertainment and trending diaspora, is not always easy. But it is the best thing going in the county since the legacy of parade founder Helen Shipp got ...

By Dianne Anderson A new infusion of funding is helping in the fight for justice against targeted hate crime attacks, which typically runs double or more for Blacks over all other groups in Orange County. The quest to address racist violence is starting to shape up for local activists. The state of California has issued ...

By Dianne Anderson Black moms dying three to four times more than white moms during the birthing process, and Black babies dying over twice as much as white babies before their first birthday, is not a medical mystery for nurse Shamiesha Ebhotemen. Black health professionals, although distressed, are not surprised. “The thing is, as a ...

By Dianne Anderson All the backs of buildings and hidden places of Santa Ana became familiar territory for Pennie Mack, which was just like home for ten years until she got sick and tired of being sick and tired. She slept around the flags of the Civic Center for years, living on the walkway where ...

By Dianne Anderson Isolated solo seniors will have a little something to smile about this Christmas, thanks to the cheerful givers of the Orange County chapters of the National Action Network, the Delta Sigma Theta, and NCNW. Darlene Futrel, the president of the local NAN, said she started the event three years ago to help ...

By Dianne Anderson Growing up in Orange County, Msessie Hollis is well familiar with all the supposed upscale areas that house all the hidden homeless. Her family was among them. For that reason, she finds inner healing in helping others, especially this time of year. Her mother, now passed away, had issues with money mismanagement, ...

By Dianne Anderson If the latest hate crime numbers in Orange County seem scarier than usual with this last sharp increase against Black people – imagine what it’s like for the kids. The apple never falls far from the tree. Don Han said the last two years have seen an increase in racial slurs against ...

By Dianne Anderson As a recent ACLU lawsuit against the Orange County District Attorney demands to see what the county is hiding, activists wait for data to show what they already know – that Black and Brown people are unfairly prosecuted more than other groups. Gabriela Hernandez, speaking as plaintiff of Chicanxs Unidxs, said for ...

By Dianne Anderson Throngs of renown activists, powerhouse organizations, and marchers of all persuasions dedicated to the cause will converge on Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC to revisit the same social justice ground their parents once fought – some to their death — to protect. Led by Martin Luther King, III, Board Chairman of the ...

By Dianne Anderson Nonstop running, busy with numerous community organizations had Joan Powell feeling wiped out, needing lots of extra rest. Maybe she was a little anemic – or so she thought. She still remembers her doctor calling her to get to the ER. Her blood count was down to 5.5, risking a stroke or ...