For Erin Carey, coaching the Wilson High School's girls' basketball team was a labor of love. But after leading the Wilson Bruins to the CIF Southern Section Division 3A championship in 2020 — the school's first title in the sport in 20 years — the financial sacrifices began to take a toll.

Earning a stipend of just $4,533.03 for the entire season and having to maintain her job in aerospace — Carey made the difficult decision to step down from her coaching role for financial reasons in 2021.

Carey's passion for coaching and inspiring young women couldn't keep her away for long. In 2022, she returned to the head coaching position, driven by her love for the game and her desire to push her players to greatness.

Unfortunately, Carey's return was short-lived. Facing consistent personal attacks from parents, Carey made the difficult decision to step down mid-season earlier this year, citing the need to prioritize her mental health.

On this episode of The Word with Jackie Rae podcast, Carey opens up about her decision, highlighting the importance of mental health and the challenges of balancing passion with personal well-being.

Gerrie Schipske, a candidate for the 4th District seat, stands out as an exception. With over 20 years of political experience, Schipske has served as the Long Beach City College trustee from 1992 to 1996, ran for Congress in 2000 and served two terms on the City Council after being elected in 2006.

After redistricting absorbed portions of what was once District 5, Schipske is now running again.

On this episode of “The Word with Jackie Rae” podcast, Schipske discusses the need for transparency in local government, police reform and promoting a unified Long Beach.

To learn more about Gerrie Schipske visit her website, and for more about all the candidates, visit lbpost.com/elections.

Thrash-Ntuk, who's previously been tapped by Mayor Rex Richardson to co-chair his transition committee and a policy task force on economic inclusion, says she's got a head start knowing how to get things done. She says she wants to revitalize underserved business corridors in the 8th District, bring in quality jobs and create safe neighborhoods.

On this episode of “The Word with Jackie Rae” podcast, Thrash-Ntuk explains why she believes her background and relationships with city leaders will earn her a seat in the City Council.

You can learn more about her on her website.

Read all the Long Beach Post's campaign coverage at lbpost.com/elections.

After studying foreign languages, Citterio traveled the world in the tourism industry before making her way to California. When she arrived in the United States 29 years ago, she worked as a linguist, translating English movies into Italian.

Eventually, Citterio longed for a community like the one her parents and five siblings helped her grow to love. She and her wife made their way to Long Beach, where Citterio joined Friends of Bixby Park and began working to help the unhoused in the park and make it safer for neighbors.

On this episode of "The Word with Jackie Rae" podcast, Citterio explains how the city's lacking response to the community's needs prompted her to run for Long Beach City Council District 2. To learn more about Citterio, you can visit her website.

While he is currently working as a professor in the art history department at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College and Compton College, Pinto is hoping to add the title of District 6 council member to his resume.

On this episode of “The Word with Jackie Rae” podcast, we learn how Pinto wants to reduce traffic deaths, address homelessness and give a voice to a drastically underserved community.

To learn more about Pinto, you can visit his website here.

With a diverse professional background and a history of community leadership, Sharifa Batts is hoping she can secure the seat in the March election. Batts, who served as vice president of environment & sustainability for Ports of America, was also appointed by former Mayor Robert Garcia to Long Beach’s Equity and Human Relations Commission. Batts says her love for the community she grew up in is why she's dedicated to trying to beautify and improve District 8.

On this episode of “The Word with Jackie Rae” podcast, Batts explains why she believes her background, along with being a native of Long Beach, makes her the ideal candidate for the District 8 seat.

To learn more about candidate Sharifa Batts, you can visit her website.

Clifton Weaver is not like most of us. While we were begging our parents for the latest toy, Weaver was fervently asking his parents to play the 1974 album "Fire" by the Ohio Players.

Instead of playing the same album for their determined toddler over and over, Weaver's parents gave him his own turntable and copy of the album to play on repeat.

Looking back, that is the moment Weaver the DJ, also known as DJ Soft Touch, was born. On this episode of "The Word with Jackie Rae" podcast, we delve into Weaver's musical upbringing, discovering how his early experiences have become the foundation for his exceptional DJ skills and unwavering loyalty to vinyl.

Weaver is set to start his new residency in the downtown Los Angeles Arts District this week — and you can find him every month at his '60s soul/garage rock night at the Monty Bar in Westlake. You can find Weaver's upcoming DJ appearances by visiting his Instagram.

The Shop Long Beach initiative offers a platform for small business owners to connect with their customers on a deeper level by providing exclusive rewards and incentives.

DW Ferrell is the visionary behind this endeavor. With his app called Localight, Ferrell's mission to give back to the community is deeply ingrained in his upbringing. From watching his father open their spare bedroom to unhoused individuals — to helping people in Compton learn tech before the rise of the internet, Ferrell has never wavered from his determination to use technology to empower people.

On this episode of “The Word with Jackie Rae" podcast, Ferrell explains how his unique background and understanding of systemic racism have allowed him to use his tech powers for good.

If you are a small business owner who would like to join the Shop Long Beach initiative or, if you are a customer who would like to start earning rewards at local businesses, you can download the Localight app or visit the website here.

In 2022, she stood as a liaison for the Rodriguez family after a Long Beach Unified School District officer fatally shot 18-year-old Mona Rodriguez.

Earlier this year, Tatum pitched her tent at Silverado Park, opposing the city's plan to repurpose the park's gym into a temporary homeless shelter. She argued it was unfair to take away the gym from an already park-poor community.

In the past, Tatum has sought to spotlight issues affecting marginalized communities in Long Beach, and she's now hoping to bring her perspective to the Long Beach Unified School District's governing board. She has announced her intention to run against school board member Erik Miller for his Area 2 seat representing Central and West Long Beach.

On this episode of "The Word with Jackie Rae" podcast, Tatum talks about her vision for the future of education in Long Beach.

We've also invited Miller on the show, but he has so far not responded to interview requests. The election is March 5.

This move means we are now relying on the community for support.

A key player in this transition is Melissa Evans, former executive editor who has led this transition. She is now the CEO of the Long Beach Journalism Initiative, or LBJI.

Last week, LBJI got some significant news: we received our 501(c)(3) status from the IRS, which means donations to our work are now tax-deductible.

On this episode of "The Word with Jackie Rae" podcast, Evans explains why newsrooms nationwide are shifting toward nonprofit business models and what the move means for Long Beach.

You can become a valued member or make a tax-deductible donation by clicking the link here. Your support will directly contribute to sustaining quality journalism and ensuring that the Long Beach Post remains a vital source of information for our community.

Although charges would not be officially filed until October 2020, Lanez had no intention of letting the case play out in court. He quickly enlisted the court of public opinion when he released his album called "Daystar," filled with lyrics proclaiming his innocence on songs like "Money over Fallouts," which seemed to question the validity of the shooting with the lyrics, "How the f--- did you get shot in your foot and not hit any bones or tendons?"

In the same month, a judge issued a protective order against Lanez, prohibiting him from being within 100 yards of Stallion. Although the two performers did not cross paths, a judge ruled that Lanez was in violation of the order when both he and Stallion performed at the Rolling Loud event in July 2021.

In April 2022, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office stated that Lanez violated the orders against him by addressing his ex-girlfriend directly on social media and by discussing DNA evidence. In December 2022, the trial began. The prosecution recited statements made by Los Angeles Police Detective Ryan Stogner, who alleged that Lanez yelled, "Dance, b----," while firing at Stallion.

The twists and turns that occurred during the trial leading to Lanez's 10-year prison sentence are too numerous to mention. While Lanez's fans took to social media to voice their opinions about the trial, independent legal affairs reporter Meghann Cuniff quickly became the reliable source for delivering the facts surrounding the case.

On this episode of "The Word with Jackie Rae," Cuniff reveals how the defense failed to divert the blame to Kelsey Harris, Stallion's ex-friend who was present at the time of the shooting, and her thoughts on Lanez's upcoming appeal. 

You can follow and support Cuniff as she continues to give extensive coverage on high-profile cases by visiting her website, or you can follow her on Instagram.

Stallion underwent surgery to remove bullet fragments, and Lanez was charged with felony assault in October of 2020.

Ultimately, Lanez was charged with assault with a semi-automatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison on Aug. 8, 2023.

Now, Lanez is seeking assistance from the Long Beach-based legal organization Unite The People, where Lanez once served as a board member.

In 2021, Lanez donated $50,000 to pay off the legal fees for 30 families working with Unite the People, stating, "Going through my own situations, I can understand how the legal system can be."

The nonprofit, founded in 2016 by Cesar McDowell, promotes social justice in the area of legal and judicial reform throughout the United States. Typically, it helps people who have been over-sentenced by the justice system because they couldn't afford high-powered attorneys.

So why is Unite the People helping Lanez, who had the means to hire attorneys and fight the charges? On this episode of The Word with Jackie Rae, attorneys Crystal Morgan and Michael Hayden explain why they think Lanez was treated unfairly

"Yes, there is a disadvantage in being an African American-owned business in some industries," admits Wilcher. However, he also emphasizes that overcoming these challenges can transform individuals into better businesspeople.

Emery Morrison, co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Camp Nova, echoes this sentiment. He believes that excelling in business not only benefits their own enterprise but also opens doors for other African Americans. "When you have an opportunity to hire, you give us and other people who look like that — opportunities,” says Morrison.

On this episode of "The Word with Jackie Rae" podcast, Morrison delved into his background in hip-hop, explaining how it led him to the creation of branded cell phones. Meanwhile, Wilcher revealed how offering part of his land to cannabis farmers paved the way for his entry into the cannabis business. These diverse ventures eventually converged, resulting in the formation of Camp Nova—a multifaceted product, branding, and media company.

To discover more about this inspiring journey and the company's endeavors, you can follow them on Instagram or visit their website.

There was the possibility that actors like Bella Ramsey—known for her role as Ellie in "The Last of Us"—could age out her iconic role. For the writers themselves, it was a fight for a livable wage.

Fortunately, the Writers Guild of America's impending agreement could serve as a beacon of hope, ultimately paving the way for SAG-AFTRA to also secure an agreement.

But the strikes ultimately dragged on for months as the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to reach agreements with the writers and actors unions.

On this episode of "The Word with Jackie Rae," author, screenwriter, and Long Beach resident Raqiyah Mays discusses the challenges posed by the WGA strike and the necessity of this labor action. She also dives deep into her background in journalism, her childhood desire to write, and more.

"The strike was really about standing up to the bullies, you know, making sure that we get a piece of the billions and billions of dollars that the studios are actually making," Mays said. "And it's unfortunate that the strike had to go what, five months and a deal was made in three days? That's ridiculous."

To learn more about Raqiyah Mays you can visit her website or follow her on Instagram.

A lot has changed since Satica was a young teenager who posted her music on MySpace just to see if anyone would appreciate her sound. Now, at 30, Satica looks back and reflects on attending Poly High School, her Cambodian parents, the city of Long Beach and how it all set her on her musical path.

On this episode of “The Word with Jackie Rae,” Satica talks about her musical and writing inspirations, as well as her upcoming project. You can follow Satica’s journey on Instagram.

Caitlin Antonios joined the Long Beach Post as a food reporter in May and has quickly become a cherished voice in the community.

From her understanding of the Long Beach Health Department, her news background and her insight into what might tantalize the taste buds of readers, Antonios has already made a name for herself in the local food scene.

On this episode of “The Word with Jackie Rae,” we learn about Antonios’ career in journalism and how she went from a breaking news and crime reporter to a food reporter for the Post.

You can follow Antonios at twitter.com/caitlinantonios.

It is interesting to sit back and watch how things play out. When I originally wrote the column addressing a long-standing staple in the food community and the creator of Long Beach Black Restaurant Week, Terri Henry, using the N-word on multiple occasions, I thought that it would result in the same song and dance we see time and time again.

A public apology, assurances that the behavior was not a reflection of her character, and a promise to be better. Nothing of the sort took place. Instead, Henry doubled down and said the apologies that were needed were given privately, and she fully expected her work in the Black community to absolve her of any and all backlash.

For the most part, she was right. Not only were several Black restaurant owners involved with Black Restaurant Week unmoved by her behavior, but they also continued to work with her. Things took a turn when writer Brian Addison, another prominent figure in the Long Beach food scene, challenged Henry’s selling of Long Beach Black Restaurant Week as a way to scam the Black community.

That assertion resulted in a very public battle over Black Restaurant Week between two white residents in Long Beach. As odd as that is, Addison’s claims did result in Henry issuing her first public apology, seven months after her repeated use of the racial slur.

While the mudslinging was well underway, Addison sent me a text mocking Terri Henry. It included a picture of her, which he intentionally altered to feature a cartoon bubble right beside her with the same racial slur that he felt was reason enough for everyone in the community to sever ties with her.

What is the difference between what Henry said and a text message Addison created and circulated to his friends that included a racial slur? None.

There was a difference in the aftermath. Almost immediately, Addison issued a private apology to me, as well as posted a public apology on his Facebook page, ‘Long Beach Food Scene.’

This all reinforced my belief that we need to talk about these issues more openly.

A few months ago, I sat down with three leaders from the Black community: Honey Blu of New Era Long Beach and the April Parker Foundation, Senay Kenfe of The Six, and Wes Porter of Urban Society of Long Beach. The goal was to have a conversation about why we as Black people use a word that has always and will always be used outside of the community as a way to show hate and devalue us.

While I felt the conversation was enlightening and needed, I struggled with releasing it so long after Henry’s initial use of the word. But here we are again.

While I am disappointed that the use of the N-word by a prominent white person in the community has happened again, I am proud of the resolve several people in the community have to move forward together.

I invite you to listen to the first episode of The Conversation, a podcast that brings leaders from the community together to discuss difficult topics and, hopefully, bring about change.

Despite the substantial spending power, Black entrepreneurs often struggle to own beauty supply stores as more than 70% of stores in the United States are owned by Korean Americans.

The hold Korean Americans have on this sector can be traced back to their control over the vast majority of the supply chain, from manufacturing to distribution and retail of hair extensions.

While owning a beauty supply store may be difficult for African Americans, it’s not impossible, especially for those who are familiar with breaking barriers. In 2002, George Mack became the second African American driver to participate in the Indianapolis 500—following in the footsteps of Willy T. Ribbs, the first African American to compete in the event in 1991.

Eventually, Mack’s desire to embrace his heritage led him to rebrand himself from George Mack to Baron Bey. Transitioning from racing to entrepreneurship, he founded Coast Auto Care and Tires, a venture that resonated with his automotive enthusiasm.

On this episode of "The Word with Jackie Rae," Bey shares how he navigated the challenges of transitioning from a race car driver to a thriving beauty supply store owner. Bey believes his establishment, Long Beach Hair Gallery, at 1323 Long Beach Blvd., stands as a testament to his determination and the potential for African Americans to succeed in a market that may have once seemed impenetrable.

Long Beach Hair Gallery is open Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Coast Auto Care and Tires, is at 550 E Pacific Coast Hwy, and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Although Jordan had dropped the gun he'd been holding before he was shot, the District Attorney's office concluded the officers “acted lawfully in self-defense and the defense of others,” saying Jordan “was walking down a public street carrying the handgun he had used only moments before.”

Jordan’s mother Pamela Fields does not agree with the actions taken by police or the findings of the DA. While she cannot bring her son back, she says enjoying his memorial bench in Seaside Park every Sunday brings her some comfort.

While she is grateful for the help Audrena Redmond with Black Lives Matter Long Beach and the Long Beach Arts Council put into making the memorial bench a reality, she says she's been hurt by a recent memo from Long Beach City Manager Tom Modica and Chief Police Wally Hebeish saying the bench is inappropriate and never should have been allowed. Fields said this attitude underscores the lack of respect and concern  Long Beach police have for Black citizens.

On today’s episode of "The Word With Jackie Rae" podcast, Fields and Redmond discuss what went into making the bench a reality and why pushback from the city leaders has exacerbated distrust in the community.

Nearly a decade later, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down race-conscious admissions at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

What does this mean for the country? California may give a glimpse. The state banned affirmative action at public universities in 1996, causing an immediate drop in enrollment rates for Latino and African American students.

While Latino rates have since recovered, mostly as a result of changes in demographics, Black student enrollment has not. In 1995, 6% of entering freshmen at UC Berkeley were African American. By 2017, those numbers had dropped to less than 3%.

On today's episode of "The Word with Jackie Rae," Dr. Jose Moreno, associate professor and chair of the Department of Chicano & Latino Studies at Cal State Long Beach, discusses why the Supreme Court ruling could have long-lasting effects.

Smith grew up on a farm with her grandparents and learned every aspect of preparing food, from raising and slaughtering chickens to growing vegetables, and of course, preparing feasts for family and friends.

Her love for food started from a young age, and as she pursued a career as a chef, she had to unlearn some African American cooking habits that date back to slavery.

Now, Smith prides herself on not only learning how to prepare authentic cuisines from a variety of ethnic backgrounds but also turning her passion for food into a lucrative business.

Smith owns GennieBee Catering, named after her mother and grandmother, as well as Ambience Dining Experience (ADE), which provides top-tier dining experiences along with live music and entertainment.

The official launch of ADE will take place on Sunday, July 23 at the Current Hotel in Long Beach. Guests will receive a four-course meal that includes both vegan and vegetarian options.

On this week's episode of "The Word with Jackie Rae," Smith discusses her journey to becoming an executive chef, how she manages to excel when she's often the only Black woman in the room and the grand opening of ADE.

To purchase tickets for the July 23 event, visit ADE's website. To learn more about Smith, follow her on Instagram.

Next month marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. While Long Beach may not be its birthplace, it is certainly the city that paved the way for West Coast rappers to dominate the airwaves.

Snoop Dogg has always been a staple in hip-hop and shined a light on the musical talents in the city. The first group executively produced by Snoop was the LBC Crew.

The group featured members Bad Azz, Lil C-Style, and Techniec who all eventually recorded solo albums of their own. Techniec went on to record music with legendary artists such as 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Too Short and countless others.

On today’s episode of “The Word with Jackie Rae,” rapper Techniec talks about life growing up in hip-hop, his family, faith and new music. He also shares his latest venture with Walter Hill to produce his line of sunglasses called Beach Wavy, which are available here.

To keep up with Techniec and his business and music ventures, you can follow him on Instagram or listen to new releases on Spotify.

Starting with creating websites for herself and her family members, Hardie soon ventured into her own consulting business. Fast forward almost 30 years, and she continues to dedicate herself to helping small businesses thrive and expand.

On today's episode of "The Word with Jackie Rae," Hardie joins the conversation to share her background, her passion for helping others and her announcement to run for the U.S.  Senate in 2024.

If you're seeking assistance for your small business, you can directly reach out to Sharifah Hardie at 562-822-0965 or visit her website.

The story of Juneteenth, though, often leaves out the Black Union troops who fought against Confederate forces to secure freedom for over 250,000 enslaved individuals. But one descendant is now determined to share the "untold story of Juneteenth."

That descendant, John Malveaux, is amplifying the overlooked narratives surrounding Juneteenth. On this episode of The Word Podcast, Malveaux sheds light on the courageous actions of these troops and talks about how far we’ve come.

In celebration of Juneteenth, Malveaux will attend a Father’s Day event dubbed "Fatherhood & Freedom" at Martin Luther King Jr Park, 1950 Lemon Ave. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Sunday.

Then, on Monday, June 19, Malveaux will speak at the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration and Bell Riding at Korean Friendship Bell Park.  The event will take place from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm with Malveaux speaking at 11 am. For more information, visit the park's Facebook.

From its inception, the podcast aimed to shed light on the underrepresented voices and stories within the Black community, while also exploring topics that resonate with all listeners.

We set out to bridge the gap in representation, and over the past two years, we have made great strides in achieving that goal. With thought-provoking interviews, engaging discussions and powerful narratives, “The Word on Long Beach" evolved into “The Word with Jackie Rae” and became a platform where diverse experiences and perspectives can flourish.

With each episode, we have endeavored to unearth stories that inspire, challenge and ignite meaningful conversations among our listeners.

On this special anniversary episode, I'd like to take a moment to revisit the journey that led us here today and share some exciting news about a new show called “The Conversation” that will make its debut soon.

Podcasts featured in today’s show:

Podcasts featured in today’s show: A Poly High program helped heal racial wounds. When teachers saw it threatened, they revolted - https://lbpost.com/news/poly-high-cic-magnet-program-phase-out-history/ Race, homelessness and the contest to be mayor: An interview with Suzie Price - https://lbpost.com/news/race-homelessness-and-the-contest-to-be-mayor-an-interview-with-suzie-price Grieving family searches for answers after son’s mysterious death in Mexico - https://lbpost.com/news/maurice-colburt-mexico-death-mystery-parents-interview How do you cope with the loss of a child? A Long Beach couple shares their journey through grief - https://lbpost.com/news/sedona-butterfly-effect-wan-de-guzman

While the data cannot pinpoint specific causes for the disparities between white and Black women, studies suggest the care provided during pregnancy and postpartum are contributing factors. Celebrities like Serena Williams, who had to advocate for proper medical attention, and Beyonce, who experienced pregnancy complications, have highlighted the dangers of giving birth in the U.S.

Although several countries have higher maternal mortality rates, studies show that women in the U.S. face the highest rates of preventable maternal mortality when compared with women in 10 other wealthy nations.

These startling numbers have led to an increase in women having doulas in their birthing plans. A doula is a non-medical professional trained to offer support during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

On this episode of "The Word" podcast, Monique Cowan, a trained Long Beach doula featured on the Dove Black Doula Directory, reveals how little most people know about childbirth and everything that comes with it.

To learn more about Cowan, you can visit her website or email her at TheCompleteDoula@gmail.com.

According to data from the National Association of Realtors, homeownership in the United States rose to 65.5% in 2021, but a significant gap remains between Black and white Americans. While 72.7% of white Americans were homeowners in 2021, only 44% of Black Americans owned their homes. This 29% disparity marks the largest Black-white homeownership rate gap observed in the past decade.

To address these disparities and empower individuals of all backgrounds to achieve homeownership, Angelo Dickens II, a respected Long Beach real estate agent, offers his expertise.

Dickens says that homeownership is within reach regardless of age or circumstances, with the right planning and foundation.

From renting a room to purchasing mobile homes or multi-million dollar estates, Dickens shares valuable tips and insights on this episode of "The Word" podcast to prepare everyone for homeownership.

For those seeking guidance on preparing for homeownership, Dickens can be contacted directly through his LinkedIn page or via his website.

In Long Beach, gun violence has tragically claimed the lives of many children. Most recently, 12-year-old Eric Gregory Brown III, who was killed in a drive-by shooting that also wounded a 14-year-old girl.

School shootings, mall shootings and even church shootings frequently make headlines in America, fueling political debates over the necessity of strict gun laws.

In response to the repeated loss of young lives, a movement called Here 4 the Kids has emerged. Started by Black, brown, Indigenous, and women of color, the movement aims to mobilize white women to advocate for a state-by-state complete ban on guns.

The movement asserts that white women are less likely to face police brutality and possess various privileges and sources of power that could expedite change and prevent further loss of young lives.

Members of Here 4 the Kids have identified Denver, Colorado as their Selma and the starting point of their movement. The group is specifically urging 25,000 white women to convene in Denver on June 5 at 5 a.m. to demand Colorado Governor Jared Polis sign an executive order banning guns and implementing a statewide buyback program.

Long Beach residents Brittany Hart Scholten and Kailee Caruso—a former City Council candidate—will be in attendance on June 5. On this episode of The Word, they explain why they think a full gun ban is necessary and why white women everywhere should join the movement.

To learn more about the Here 4 Kids you can visit their website or follow them on Instagram.

Robin Thorne, the founder of C.T.I. Environmental Inc. and the nonprofit DemoChicks, is determined to expose young girls to nontraditional careers in fields like chemical engineering, construction and architecture.

On this episode of “The Word” podcast, Thorne shares her vision and how she hopes to support young women not only in breaking into the field but throughout their entire careers.

By using his financial wisdom to purchase property, Kenfe is working to create housing security for Black people while also serving as an example for young people in the community.

His finical know-how has landed him in a film called "This is Not Financial Advice," which showcases his financial growth and success with stocks.

On today's episode of "The Word," Kenfe shares his thoughts on the key to building generational wealth in the Black community and how that will translate to political power.

To follow Senay Kenfe on his journey you can find him on Instagram here.

Lorraine Clark, a union member and mother, expressed her appreciation for the new benefits and pay raise, noting that the extra money could allow her and her partner to spend more time together with their child. 

On this episode of “The Word” podcast, Clark discussed the challenges of earning an insufficient wage while Unite Here Local 11 Co-President Ada Briceño emphasized the need for a shift in societal attitudes toward service workers. 

The current contract for Hyatt hotel workers will expire in June and Briceño urged the public to support the union’s efforts by signing the petition here.(https://secure.everyaction.com/tif97eUyRkCTkgFAJKl-zg2)

Helping people like Goddaughter feel compassion while living on the street is something Hillman takes pride in, and it is something she can relate to.

Hillman says she experienced every abuse and trauma imaginable by the time she was 5 years old. While still a teenager, she found herself living on the streets because "home wasn't safe."

Now, Hillman is using her experience to help others, including navigating "adulting" through her nonprofit Long Beach Peer Education Community Center, providing a platform for those in the cannabis business with Canna Boss Babes, or helping the unhoused as a volunteer with Project Dignity. Hillman has found her purpose.

On this episode of "The Word" podcast, Hillman shares her story of struggle, triumph, and her passion for helping others.

To learn more about Ishqa Hillman, follow her on Instagram.

After being paused because of the pandemic, the awards ceremony resumed in early March with in-person presentations. Atira Rodriguez of the Long Beach Post and Dr. Toyia Jackson from the legendary Jackson family were among the honorees. 

On this episode of “The Word” podcast, Love, Rodriguez, and Jackson discuss the meaning of Black excellence and how individuals can contribute to the community’s improvement. 

To learn more about DreamKreator Studios and their upcoming events you can follow them on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/dreamkreator

Sheena Monk is a true newcomer to the sport, having just begun her racing career in 2017. The following year, Monk sat in her Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini, ready to start the 2018 Lamborghini Super Trofeo North American race with Legge as her driving coach.

While the two drivers continued their careers separately after 2018, a random phone call led to the two women joining forces as the Gradient Racing team. Their third race together will be the 2023 Long Beach Grand Prix.

On this episode of “The Word” podcast, Legge and Monk say they are not only hoping to win in Long Beach, but they also hope their partnership will serve as an example of how women can and should support each other, even when competing in the same sport.

To learn more about the Gradient Racing team, you can visit their website here: https://www.gradientracing.com/

For a schedule of events, races, and tickets, visit the Long Beach Grand Prix here: https://www.gplb.com/ Race weekend is April 14-16.

But according to Colburt’s friends, a shot at a popular tourist bar called Papas & Beer caused him to collapse. Colburt was then dragged out to the street, where he would later be pronounced dead by EMTs.

Since that night, his parents, Evangela Thomas and Marvin Colburt, said they have not received assistance from Mexican authorities or the US Embassy to find out what really happened to their son.

On this week's episode of “The Word” podcast, the parents speak out about inconsistencies in the police and EMT reports and are asking anyone who might have seen something that weekend to please come forward.

If you have any information, you can email statements, pictures, or videos to MauriceLivesOn@gmail.com.

If you would like to help with the family's legal battle, you can donate to their GoFundMe page here.

Sedona Wan de Guzman faced challenges from the moment she was born. She arrived three months early, suffered a brain injury, spent six months in intensive care, underwent brain surgery and was eventually diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Still, to the amazement of her doctors, nurses, and even her parents—Amy Wan and Jonar de Guzman—Sedona was making great progress.

Throughout the process of finding the right treatments for their little girl, Wan and de Guzman joined support groups with other parents navigating through the same process. They quickly learned that caring for a child with special needs was hard, but for single moms, those with language barriers, or those who have to leave their child to work and tend to the needs of other loved ones, the process is much harder.

Just 17 months later, Sedona developed meningitis, a type of infection that causes swelling in the brain and spinal cord. Less than 24 hours after contracting the infection, Sedona passed away on January 23, 2023.

While dealing with their loss and grief, Wan and de Guzman decided to let the light from Sedona shine through them and help others.

The family started a GoFundMe page to help them start The Sedona Butterfly Effect Foundation, which will help families navigate services, learn about early intervention, and more.

On today’s “The Word” podcast, Amy Wan and Jonar de Guzman share details of Sedona’s life and why they felt the foundation is so important.

If you would like to help with any aspect of the foundation you can contact Amy Wan and Jonar de Guzman on Instagram. Or you can donate to their Gofundme page here.

You can read more about Sedona and her parents in a story by Laura Anaya-Morga here.

But for the residents living near the site of the planned shelter in Silverado Park, the move was in direct opposition to the city's plan to create equitable access to open space, which Long Beach announced in January 2022. Jerlene Tatum was among the first to oppose the shelter by setting up a tent and sleeping in the park. Her actions awakened a community, who started a petition and, eventually, the community regained access to the gym.

On today's "The Word" podcast, she talks about why she took such a drastic step and the importance of community organizing.

Brown's life continued with college, family and a career in public health. Although a creative career was not something Brown envisioned for herself, she always had a love of writing—and after attending USC's professional writing program, she kept chipping away at a project.

On this week’s “The Word” podcast, Brown explains how the murder of George Floyd and the spirit of inclusion lead to her book "Black Candle Women" becoming a published novel.

"Black Candle Women" is set in Long Beach where it tells the story of four generations of Black women as they try to overcome a family curse that kills anyone they fall in love with. It will be available everywhere on Feb. 28. You can pre-order your copy on Amazon.

It's already received praise, including from filmmaker Ava DuVernay who called it “propulsive and poignant."

To follow Brown on her journey or to learn about upcoming book signing events, follow her on Instagram.

Subscribe to "The Word" podcast on all streaming platforms or listen to the audio version here. 

On this episode of “The Word” Podcast, we sit down with third-generation jeweler and owner of Blue Diamond Jeweler, Altaf Amlani, to learn how his store offers a diamond for every budget and has a unique way of helping each customer find the perfect piece of jewelry for any occasion. 

For more information about Blue Diamond Jeweler, you can follow them online here.  You can also visit the Long Beach Location at 4814 E. Second Street.  The Long Beach location is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.

Recently, he showcased his latest exhibit “Shades of Her” at the Expo Arts Center in celebration of Black History Month. The series highlights the diversity of Black women and their role in bettering the community. 

Givens has been photographing Long Beach for over 30 years. He has previously documented the perils of gang life and even designed an album cover for the legendary Long Beach rapper Snoop Dogg. 

Days after presenting “Shades of Her,” Givens was named a recipient of the city’s 2023 Peacemaker Award, which annually honors individuals who promote the values of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through their community activism. 

On this episode of “The Word” podcast, Givens shares his thoughts on his exhibit, his award, his future in photography, and ways the community can continue to support the unhoused. 

“Shades of Her” is no longer on display, but Givens says he is working on making the exhibit a mobile pop-up gallery. He is currently working with the African American Cultural Center and Long Beach Poly High School to set up the next event. For dates and information on the next exhibit, follow Givens’ photography Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/dukephoto4u/ 

Follow Care Closet on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CareClosetLBC Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/careclosetlbc/

 You can also donate here. https://www.gofundme.com/f/care-closet-lbc-serving-the-unhoused-population?qid=e30b89adc1c18ce61578198c238341b0

Miller said she wants to be an example to young women and prove they can do anything they want, and she is not waiting until her business is well established in the community before she gives back.

This brand-new business has partnered with Pacific Gateway, Long Beach's workforce development network, to employ local students looking for a job. The students have opening and closing duties and help with social media marketing.

This week’s episode of “The Word” podcast shows how these students are learning more than business skills and how Amber Miller teaches them lessons they can carry into adulthood.

To learn more about Amber M. Aesthetics you can follow her on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ambermaesthetics/) or book an appointment on the website (https://ambermaesthetics.com/)

To learn more about Pacific Gateway or to get involved you can learn more on their website here: https://www.pacific-gateway.org/

Tenants advocacy group Long Beach Residents Empowered is hoping to create a Housing for All Long Beach Community Land Trust. The trust would tentatively purchase an existing apartment or mixed-use building, and lease out its units while maintaining ownership of the land itself.

According to their website, the city is seeking a qualified organization with experience in affordable housing, and trust among Long Beach residents and neighborhood organizations, to establish and operate a Community Land Trust (CLT) Program. Organizations have until 11 am on January 31, 2023, to submit their applications.

The April Parker Foundation, a 501(c)3 community-based nonprofit organization, has provided services to unhoused and underserved communities since 2018. Founder April Paker says the Land Trust is an exciting opportunity to insure housing for all in the coming years.

On today’s “The Word” podcast, Parker explains why her foundation is submitting an application and why she is excited about what the future holds when it comes to addressing housing insecurities.

To donate, volunteer, to learn more about the April Parker Foundation you can visit their website here.

Follow our homeless investigative series here.

Whether it's seasonal affective disorder triggering depression or it's simply a difficult time of year for people who have lost loved ones, acknowledging our feelings during the holidays is something educator and activist Nooshin Valizadeh, Ed. D., wants to normalize.

On this episode of “The Word” podcast, Valizadeh, talks about how to recognize our emotional and mental needs and develop our plans for personal healing.

A space heater inside a converted garage that did not have the required permits or smoke detectors caused the blaze. Within minutes, firefighters were on the scene administering life-saving assistance to three young girls inside the home.

Six-year-old Stephanie Aviles and sister Jasmine Aviles, 10, were taken to local hospitals, where they died. Seven-year-old Jocelyn Aviles would perish the following morning.

Pat Wills, an investigator on the cases, was greatly impacted by the loss of young life. His book, “The Reality of PTSD: When Children Die” details the emotional impact of the case, as well as emphasizes how following city guidelines is necessary to ensure all construction projects are safe.

You can find Wills' book here.  All proceeds from the book go towards LBFD Kids and cystic fibrosis.

Be sure to check out last week's episode here. 

The goal of our ongoing series called “Locked Out: Homeless in Long Beach” is to understand how government funding is being spent to address the issue, what resources the unhoused have and how the system can better address the needs of those living on the street.

What you won’t see in our stories or our videos—at least until now—are the personal emotions, frustrations and realizations we've come to while telling the stories of those who are currently homeless. On today’s episode of “The Word” podcast, Long Beach Post’s Executive Editor Melissa Evans talks about the emotional impact of her work.

Visit our investigative series here: https://lbpost.com/investigations 
 

That may seem like a small resource, but Executive Director Dixie Dohrmann says it is just one way the nonprofit is trying to be good neighbors to residents of the community while serving the unhoused and impoverished as well.

COA has provided meals for those in need for over 40 years but their outreach programs offer more than just meals. The non-denominational, nonprofit provides legal services, clothing, diapers, health screenings, and more. Recently, residents in the community started a petition to have the organization removed from the area.

On today’s episode of “The Word” podcast, Dohrmann shares how COA is striving to improve life for everyone in the community, and how we all need to work to solve the homeless issue.

See the visual podcast here: https://youtu.be/0tj4PZWaaeY

In Long Beach, Meals on Wheels serves approximately 600 clients Monday through Friday and relies on the generosity of volunteers and donations. On this episode of “The Word” podcast, members of the community and Meals on Wheels clients share what they are thankful for this holiday season.

Meals on Wheels Development Coordinator Leta Danielson also joins to talk about the impact Meals on Wheels has beyond providing food to those in need. Danielson encourages us to volunteer or donate by visiting Meals on Wheels here: https://mowlb.org/

Even in the face of those bleak statistics, there are nonprofits trying to reduce homelessness and address the root cause on a daily basis.

One nonprofit is the Long Beach Rescue Mission. The Christian organization provides food, shelter, education and more meant to guide people into long-term housing.

Today we speak with its Chaplin and executive director, Jeff Levine, who talks about seeing homelessness as an issue of humanity, not just a problem to be solved.

On this episode of The Word podcast, Levine discusses how childhood trauma increases the risk of homelessness and how he hopes to address that in the future.

Levine stresses that being or becoming a Christian is not a requirement to receive help from the Long Beach Rescue Mission.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, you can call the Rescue Mission at (562) 591-1292. If you want to donate you can visit them online at LBRM.org.

Homelessness has been a top issue for voters nationwide. For Councilmember Rex Richardson, it is also a family issue.

In an extensive interview on "The Word" podcast with Jackie Rae, Richardson spoke about his younger brother, who at 17, was shot in the back during a fight at a party. That event led to a battle with drugs, and ultimately a life on the street for Richardson's brother.

"My experience at 17 was different than his experience at 17," the councilmember said.

Richardson answered a range of questions about his life, as well as progress on the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative, his plans for the unhoused in Long Beach, and his response after a key campaign supporter, former Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera, was involved in a call that included racist language when addressing redistricting and reducing the power of Black voters in LA.

To hear the audio version of the podcast with Richardson or his opponent, be sure to visit and subscribe to “The Word” here.

Richardson is running against his colleague on the council, Suzie Price, to become the city's next mayor. To listen to our interview with Price, click here.

For more information, you can watch the Long Beach mayoral debate here, or read up on all of the candidates seeking office in our Compare Your Candidates tool, and follow our coverage at lbpost.com/elections.

The election is Nov. 8.

Price says she doesn't think about this in terms of personal accomplishment. Instead, she says, “I think about my mom."

Price fled Iran with her mother 43 years ago. It was a tremendous sacrifice that prevented Price and her mother from seeing her father and sister for 21 years. It’s a journey that led Price to Long Beach and her career in politics.

“All I can say is Long Beach State changed my life,” said Price. She says she has a debt of gratitude for the only city her children have ever called home. For Price, becoming mayor of Long Beach would be her last stop and the most important accomplishment of her professional career.

On this week’s “The Word” Podcast, Price answers questions about her life, including her work with controversial Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer—who's been heavily criticized for his use of the N-word—and Price's questioning of Long Beach Health Officer Dr. Annisa Davis, which left Price apologizing after she was accused of perpetuating racial bias.

To hear an interview with Price's opponent, be sure to subscribe to "The Word" so you'll be notified when it's available.

For more information on the candidates in the meantime, you can watch the Long Beach Mayoral Debate here, or read up on them in our Compare Your Candidates tool at lbpost.com/elections.

https://lbpost.com/news/greater-long-beach-democratic-club-the-word-jackie-rae

As the leader of the Long Beach Green Schools Campaign, Michelson’s hard work paid off. In August, the Long Beach Unified School District unanimously approved Board Proposal 3510.1, better known as the Green School Operations – Energy and Sustainability Policy.

It was a battle long fought for Michelson. Not only was the Campaign successful, but Michelson’s dedication has also earned her the first-ever Shimon Schwarzschild Award. The award is given by the international non-profit organization, Action for Nature, Inc.,

The Shimon Schwarzschild Award is named after the founder of Action for Nature and was created to honor young environmentalists who are visionary thinkers.

On this week’s “The Word” podcast, we’ll hear from Acton for Nature president Beryl Kay. Learn more about the award process and what made Diana Michelson the perfect recipient of the first Shimon Schwarzchild Award. 

Now, the newly remolded Lincoln Park is adding another amenity: ongoing free events at the park.

Studio One Eleven, in conjunction with nonprofits the Long Beach Community Foundation and the Knight Foundation, are focused on creating a park that will center the community through concerts, training seminars, dance, family events and more.

Sinead Finnerty-Pyne, the marketing director for Studio One Eleven, and Isha Patel, the senior urban designer for the studio, have been tasked with creating a space that is welcoming and entertaining for everyone in the community—from families that live nearby to unhoused residents who spend time at the park.

For their first Sunday Picnic in the Park event, Studio One Eleven tapped local singer-songwriter Alyssandra Nighswonger. On this week’s episode of The Word Podcast, Finnerty-Pyne, Patel, and Nighswonger talk about what goes into organizing events in Lincoln Park and how they can make everyone feel safe.

You can find out about upcoming events at Lincoln Park by visiting the park's Instagram page here.

Article Written by JJ Fiddler of The 562:

No matter how you look at it, A.J. McKee’s Bellator Mixed Martial Arts fight in Long Beach this weekend is the first page of a new chapter in his life.

The Long Beach native is coming off of his first professional loss and is fighting in a new weight class for the first time in his career, but McKee said he knows something special is going to happen in the Long Beach Arena on Saturday night when he fights Spike Carlyle.

“Having everybody there in my hometown is going to be insane,” McKee told the Long Beach Post’s Jackie Rae in an interview for The Word podcast. “The amount of energy that was in (The Forum in Inglewood when I won the featherweight title) was phenomenal so I think it’s going to be ten times more electrifying (in Long Beach).”

McKee, 27, went to Poly High School where he was an All-League and CIF wrestler. Even though he was already training as an MMA fighter while at Poly, McKee embraced the community and used others' advancement to motivate himself.

“It’s a city of opportunities.” McKee said. “You can come from nothing and make your life the most extraordinary thing. If you’re willing to put in the work it can be done. It’s phenomenal to see people you know who struggled to be able to make it out because they visualized a better lifestyle for themselves.”

The reason McKee was working on his MMA skills at such a young age is because his father, Antonio McKee, is a former MMA fighter himself. The McKee family worked out of Body Shop Fitness in Lakewood while McKee went 7-1 as an amateur. He also was a member of the CCCAA State Championship wrestling team at Cerritos College.

McKee joined Bellator in 2015 and won his debut fight against Marcos Bonilla via rear-naked choke submission in the first round, which really sent a message to the rest of the MMA world that he was ready to take the main stage.

While setting the Bellator record with 18 consecutive victories to start his professional career, McKee made a name for himself by winning the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix in 2019. The championship fight for the title worth $1 million dollars was a shocker for most fans as McKee landed a high kick early and used a guillotine choke for the first-round win.

The rematch with his finals opponent, Patrício Pitbull, was a unanimous decision for Pitbull after an entertaining bout. It was the first loss of McKee’s career, and he didn't take it well.

Instead of fighting Pitbull again, like he wants to, McKee is moving up from featherweight to 155-pound lightweight.

“The transition should be easy for me,” McKee said. “Faster, stronger, bigger and better is my motto for this fight. I have the reach. It’s just about making a few minor adjustments. I don’t think strength is going to be an issue in this fight.”

This fight with Carlyle is also a new chapter because it comes after McKee suffered a “full mental breakdown” following the loss to Pitbull.

“I went through a mental depression and I kind of went through it on my own,” McKee said. “I was cooped up in the house, just going to the gym and going home. It was a mental check, and it’s a bounce back to use that as motivation.”

McKee added that talking about the issue has made it easier to deal with, even though it’s not natural for him.

“I’m kind of an introvert, but I’m comfortable with it now,” he said. “Even as vulnerable as I am speaking about it, I’m okay sharing that with other people.”

Bellator 286 is Saturday at the Long Beach Arena and it will be headlined by Pitbull vs. Adam Borics. The prelim fights start at 7 p.m. and the main card featuring the McKee fight is scheduled for 10 p.m.

The sign  and the record store became synonymous for the record store that was instrumental in launching the careers of Warren G, Snoop and Nate Dogg was removed.

Before the removal of the sign, a battle for the legacy the sign represents was underway. Kelvin Anderson, the owner of VIP, says he put the sign up for sale on eBay to help fund his retirement. At that time, the Long Beach City Council unanimously voted to make the sign a historic landmark which would hinder Anderson's ability to sell it.

Since then, there has been no movement, no new location, and no definitive answer on where the sign will be housed.

Anderson is now hopeful that will change. He says he has a commitment from Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia to find a permeant home, or put a plan in place for the sign, before he leaves office.

Anderson, with the help of Rhonda Love and DreamKreators studios has started the “Where’s the Whistler” campaign to raise funds for the signs new home and museum.  To donate you can visit the website here.

You can also attend a Vip Records live music event every first and third Wednesday of the month at Roscoe's Jazz Lounge located 730 E. Brodway Blvd. Tickets are $10 and a portion of the process will go to the “Where’s the Whistler” fund raising efforts.

On today’s episode of The Word podcast we hear from Kelvin Anderson about the struggles to make the museum a reality.

What was happening behind closed doors as the world was on lockdown has been called the “shadow pandemic” by the United Nations after a study done by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reported a 34.9 % increase in domestic violence globally after lockdown restrictions were removed.

The National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice reported an increase in the United States of just over 8% since lockdowns have been removed. 

It's a troubling statistic, but it doesn't exist in isolation. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that 34.9% of California women and 31.1% of California men experience intimate partner physical or sexual violence or stalking in their lifetimes. The study also says domestic violence homicides accounted for 10.7% of all California homicides in 2018.

Is the answer to tell victims to “just leave” when they find themselves in a domestic violence situation? If there are children involved or if the abuser controls the money, is leaving that simple?

On today's episode of “The Word” podcast, Liliana Lopez, the director of programs at the WomenShelter of Long Beach, is going to answer those questions and provide resources for those who need assistance.

The 2020 count found that in total, 2,034 people were either living on the streets, in their cars, or one of the city’s shelters. This year’s count saw that number jump to 3,296.

The increase in the city’s unhoused population has caused some residents and businesses to create a petition to move a non-profit providing free meals closer to the Multi-Service Center. 

Care Closet founder Duke Givens however, is sticking to the non-profit's motto, of “lil by lil.” The non-profit gives the unhoused community a purpose.  

The unhoused receive food vouchers, clothing, assistance with resume building, identification, and housing in exchange for helping to keep the streets of Long Beach clean.

Today we meet one of Care Closet's most recent success stories. From addiction and homeless to a managerial candidate who is passionate about helping others. Today we learn the story of Ronnie Maynard.  

Goodman and Schwerner were white, Chaney, Black, and all were murdered by the KKK because of their efforts to register Black Voters. The murders pushed President Lyndon B. Johnson to sign the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Although registering to vote is easier now, Black voters still struggle to elect politicians who address the specific needs of the Black community.

Nigel Lifsey is the president of the Greater Long Beach Black Democratic Club. His goal is to make sure the club will increase the power of the Black vote through structure, unity and redefining how Black politicians will lead in the future.

On this episode of “The Word” podcast, Lifsey shares his plans to grow the LBBDC. To learn more about the LBBDC you can follow them on Instagram or visit their website here.

It is sad to know that phrase will still apply to hundreds if not thousands of achievements that, once reached, will be a first for anyone in the Black community.

But once achieved, that frustration often gives way to the joy of knowing a door has now been opened for others to follow. It's a feeling that applies to Post 21, the first and only Black-owned business in Downtown Disney.

Blair Paysinger and her mother, Juan Williams, started Post 21 with the understanding of how important Black business is to the Black community. The name comes directly from Black Wall Street, the prosperous Black neighborhood in Tulsa, Okla., that was destroyed by violence and hatred on May 31, 1921.

Post 21's website states, “We see today, and every day since May 31, 1921, as Post 1921. Standing on the shoulders of those who have come before us, we are ready to do what we have traditionally done — in a new and exciting way!”

On this episode of “The Word” podcast, Paysinger explains how Post 21 became the first Black-owned business at Disneyland.

You can visit Post 21 online here. Or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

https://lbpost.com/news/even-in-the-face-of-repeated-vandalism-fluffys-sno-balls-is-giving-back-to-long-beach

While the sno-balls are a classic that have been a hit locally, this unique business has faced repeated adversity. Not the typical adversity for new businesses trying to get attention and customers—instead, this new business has been repeatedly vandalized.

On this week’s episode of “The Word” podcast, Fluffy's Sno-Balls owners Kevyn and Darren Lee discuss the impacts of the vandalism and if repeat attacks will drive them out of Long Beach.

You can experience Fluffy's Sno-Balls seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1208 Long Beach Blvd. Follow Fluffy's Sno-Balls on Instagram here.

For those who don’t have dental insurance, this could be inevitable. But, it doesn’t have to be. The California Dental Association Foundation is hosting a CDA Cares free dental clinic Saturday, Aug. 13 at Children’s Dental Health Clinic at 455 E. Columbia St. in Long Beach. Dentists and dental professionals will provide free cleanings, fillings, extractions, and oral health education to adults and children in need.

Appointments are required in advance and can be made by calling 916-554-5923. There will be no day-of appointments and waiting lines will not be permitted. In addition, to ensure the health and safety of everyone in attendance, a rapid COVID-19 test will be administered regardless of vaccination status before treatment is provided.

On this episode of “The Word” podcast, Jackie Rae sits down with Dr. John Blake, the executive director of the Children’s Dental Health Clinic to learn more about this free event.

Formerly incarcerated people often have the burden of starting their lives from scratch—trying to find housing and an income—after they're released, but they're also carrying the weight of their experiences from jail or prison.

"The general public doesn't understand how dehumanizing the system is and how traumatizing it is," says Chelsie Nicholson, interim reentry coordinator of the Community Action Partners Alliance of Long Beach and the city's new reentry coordinator.

In California, studies have shown the prison system fails to rehabilitate most inmates, with recidivism rates long hovering around 50%. The key to changing that is making sure those who are reentering our society have access to services that will reduce their chances of becoming repeat offenders, according to Nicholson.

On this episode of “The Word” podcast, Nicholson tells us how her organization and others in Long Beach are trying to change perceptions of people who were formerly incarcerated and give them the tools they need to succeed.

For more information on the CAP Alliance, you can visit their website here.

We’ve seen Long Beach Unified students demand gun control laws, and now they are taking on climate change.

This all started back in November of 2019 when the LBUSD board adopted a policy that pledged to transition off of fossil fuels in the electricity sector by 2030 and all other energy sectors by 2040.

But during the middle of the pandemic, students at Poly High wanted a bigger, more concrete, commitment. So, The Poly Green Schools Campaign—also called Poly GSC—was born.

On today’s episode of “The Word” podcast, Jackie Rae speaks with campaign founder Diana Michaelson, Ruthie Heis and Rohan Reddy about the long-term impacts of the Green School Campaign.

These were the circumstance Darnell Hicks faced in 2020. Being an innocent man who had been convicted by the court of public opinion. Hicks is now suing those who accused him publicly as well as Facebook and Twitter. 

Winning that lawsuit won’t change the impact being labeled a cop killer has on his life. However, Hicks is hoping it will prevent someone else from going through the same thing.  

On this episode of “The Word” Jackie Rae sits down with Darnell Hicks and learns what life is like after being wrongfully accused. 

https://youtu.be/v0TxV1_bjaY

Taryn Williams was the recipient of the Community Leader award. If it had not been for her life experiences, Williams might not have been in a position to receive that award, and may not have developed her passion for helping formerly incarcerated people navigate life outside of prison.

Williams was physically and sexually abused. She was a drug addict, homeless, and spent two years in prison.

The programs in prison helped Williams turn her life around. She received the President’s Scholarship at Cal State Long Beach and began helping those who were formerly incarcerated find scholarships to go to college.

Her story is compelling and she is bolding telling it with the hopes that companies will be more inclined to hire former felons. To help her in that endeavor, she is pursuing her doctorate degree and researching the labor market experiences of formerly incarcerated people.

She has quite a story. On this week’s episode of “The Word,” Jackie Rae sits down with Taryn Williams to discuss how her past shaped her future and passion to help others.

If the defendant was convicted of any felony with two or more prior strikes, the law mandated a state prison term of at least 25 years to life. The law was designed to be “tough on crime,” but in reality, it was tough on Black and Latino communities. 

African Americans make up the largest group of second and third strikers followed by Latinos. According to a study by the Justice Policy Institute, Black people are disproportionately impacted by the three-strikes law. Although only 6.5% of California’s population is Black, 44.7% of inmates serving out sentences for third strikes are Black.

These are the statistics Allan McIntosh fell victim to in 1998. A previous robbery and theft conviction were his first two strikes. McIntosh was searched after being stopped by LBPD for riding his bike with a broken light and not using the crosswalk. McIntosh, who was living in a gang-infested community, had a weapon. That was his third strike and he was sentenced to 25 years to life on a non-violent charge. 

Luckily, McIntosh was a cellmate with Cesar McDowell who started Unite the People to help provide aid to people who were unjustly sentenced. With the help of McDowell and a documentary made about McIntosh’s life called Q-Ball, Allen McIntosh will be released from prison on Monday, June 29, 2022.  

On today’s episode of “The Word” podcast, Jackie Rae speaks with Unite the People Founder Cesar McDowell and Macintosh’s wife Daviena to discuss how they reached this point.

You can learn more about Unite the People here.

At "The Word" podcast, we haven't shied away from taking on the tough stuff: Potential wage strikes, hate crimes, mass shootings and mental health issues are all topics we've talked about in recent weeks. In the midst of all that, we still have to enjoy life—and what better way to do that than looking at Long Beach's unique culture, which allows small businesses that embrace that culture to flourish.

On today’s podcast, we will sit down with Dirty Prospector Whiskey co-founder Markus Biegel and learn about the lessons he took from failed businesses and doubt, and turned that into the city's only small-batch distilled whiskey exclusively sold in Long Beach.

The Dirty Prospector is giving Long Beach residents a chance to taste its newest whiskey for free on Saturday between 1 and 5 p.m. at Roxanne’s Bar at 1115 E Wardlow Road. You can also learn more about Dirty Prospector Whiskey on their Facebook or Instagram. And, you can follow Markus Biegel here.

Turnout in Long Beach primary elections has often been low, but the numbers are down significantly from the 2020 March primary election, where 40.1% of voters cast ballots, and in the last general election when a historic  74.8% of voters showed up or mailed in their ballots.

Why is it such a struggle to get voters to the polls in races that aren’t as high profile as Trump vs. Biden? Are they losing faith in the system? Frustrated with a lack of solutions for homelessness and housing? Just tired of so many elections?

On this week’s “The Word” Long Beach Post political reporter Jason Ruiz sits down with Jackie Rae to discuss some of these issues and why voting in local races is still so important.

The United States is awash in gun violence.

The U.S. has over 30,000 gun deaths per year, according to the FBI's 2019 Crime in the U.S. report. The report also says firearms were used in 73.66% of murders in the country.

After the massacres in Uvalde and Buffalo, where the shooters legally obtained high-powered rifles to carry out their attacks, President Joe Biden called for the banning of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Saying, “for God’s sake how much more carnage are we willing to accept?” He also said if there can’t be a ban on assault rifles the age requirement should be raised from 18 to 21.

In Long Beach, a group of students has decided they can't sit back and accept the violence anymore.

Anika Stewart, Aaliyah Rincon and Dayne Rash Arguello—who attend Wilson High School—and Tom Wood—who attends Poly High School—organized a walkout on Friday, June 3, in an effort to let students use their voices to demand change.

We will take a deeper dive into their views—and what it's like to be a student in the age of school shooters—on this week’s "The Word."

https://lbpost.com/news/how-the-black-community-can-process-stress-and-trauma-from-the-buffalo-shooting

What can we do with those fears and concerns that seem to be regularly reinforced by events like the murder of George Floyd or the targeting of Black shoppers at a supermarket?

This week on “The Word,” Jackie Rae talks with Jerlene Tatum, who is an entrepreneur and advocate in Long Beach, and Dr. Kim Tabari, who is the Organizational Development Director at the USC Equity Research Institute. Dr. Tabari is part of the Executive Management Team and believes in the importance of maintaining relationships to bring about healing and transformation, especially during times of conflict.

Both Long Beach residents discuss ways the Black community can d

That landmark vote started with a grassroots effort at each store, according to Tyler Keeling and Josie Serrano, two of the lead organizers. As baristas, they said it was intimidating to face down a multinational corporation that has been accused of harsh anti-union tactics, but in the end, they won nearly unanimous support from their coworkers.

"What they weren't expecting is us baristas have so much in common with each other," they said.

Now that they've won, what's next? And how is the sweeping cross-country unionization drive changing the way young people think about the labor movement?

Find out on this week's episode of "The Word."

How can that change? Summerville says he's tried to set an example in his own longshot campaign for the 42nd Congressional District.

In this week's "The Word" podcast, Summerville explains his approach and how he hopes to be a leader in the Black community.

Now, we have a leaked document obtained by Politico that shows the Supreme Court is poised to reverse itself on that decision, essentially leaving it up to the states to regulate abortions. The initial draft opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, shows the justices have voted to overturn Roe, although they could change their votes before any decision is finalized.

While Democrats like California Gov. Gavin Newsom have pledged to protect abortion access in their states, we still must questions what the long-term effects of the ruling will be on national and local politics.

On this episode of “The Word” podcast, CSULB professor Jason Whitehead, who specializes in Supreme Court matters, is going to join me to try to help answer how this will affect the country and California.

https://www.tiktok.com/@marcoscervantes90/video/7072454657016188203?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6893935082517874182

During the pandemic, Marcos was not able to socialize with his friends and staff at the Life Steps Foundation as he normally does. Although the group did meet via zoom, Marcos found another way to socialize with the world—and share how he makes five tacos:

https://www.tiktok.com/@marcoscervantes90/video/7053255922885365038?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6893935082517874182

On this week's episode of The Word, the second in our series on Autism Acceptance Month, we'll learn more from Marcos about how he experiences the world as an adult who is autistic.

https://lbpost.com/news/health/the-word-jackie-rae-autism-acceptance-month-awareness-cordon

Her father, Jose Cardon, says, “we have a saying around the house. Why be Elsa or any other Disney princess when you can be Shelby?” And it's that level of acceptance people in the autism community want others to embrace.

Understanding and acceptance is vital, as one study found one in 44 children in a certain age bracket had been diagnosed with autism. That number is up 178% from the amount diagnosed in 2000.

To help inform people about autism, April has been known as Autism Awareness Month, but last year, those in the autism community rebranded it to Autism Acceptance Month in an effort to help people move beyond just awareness and into a place of understanding and embracing people with autism.

On this episode of our podcast “The Word," we will meet 7-year-old Shelby Cordon and her father Jose Cordon, as we explore what life is like for a child in Long Beach living with autism.

For additional resources, contact the Center for Autism and Related Disorders here.

The annual parade is funded in part through the city's special advertising and promotions budget (which comes from the Transient Occupancy Tax assessed to hotels) and Council District 6 discretionary funds.

But, could this year's budgeted amount for the canceled event, roughly $59,000, be better used to support the Black community? We'll explore that question in this week's edition of The Word on Long Beach.

https://lbpost.com/news/podcast-a-year-ago-long-beach-vowed-racial-justice-reforms-whats-happened-sincee Word Podcast."  

Identical twins Kyro and Monalise Rose Davis, say those pleasantries often do not extend to the Black LGBTQ+ community. They say the politicians in Long Beach, have neglected to address the needs of their community. But those feelings of abandonment extend far beyond politics.  

The twins say they started “Lesbians Are Life” to make sure people pithing their community had a place to go to learn about resources, build together, and express their frustrations of the lack of acceptance they feel from the Hetro-Black Community.  

We learn more about their experiences on this week’s “The Word.” 

If you would like to take part in the “Lesbians Are Life” social group, you can find out more but visiting the LB GRRRL Collective on their Instagram.

Unfortunately, education about the disease is not common. Often, African Americans don’t even know they have the sickle cell trait. The lack of understanding has also provided cover for law enforcement. The New York Times cited 46 cases of people with the disease who were tased, pepper-sprayed and deprived suspects of oxygen by police. When those actions resulted in death, police cited natural causes due to the presence of the sickle cell trait.

On this episode of “The Word,” we are going to learn more about this rare blood disease from someone who not only has the disease but, is helping people living with chronic illness.

Lathan Singleton III is not only living with sickle cell, he has lost family members to the disease. Now, he is using his experience to help others. Singleton is the founder of the Unspoken Hero Society. The nonprofit organization provides support, advocacy,  and tools to those affected by chronic illnesses.

And, because blood donors are vital to those living with Sickle Cell and other chronic illnesses, the nonprofit is organizing a blood drive on June 17 at Christ Second Baptist Church, 1471 Martin Luther King Blvd.

You can find out more about the blood drive, donate, or seek assistance with any chronic illness by visiting the Unspoken Hero website.

But even with that knowledge, we've all driven by the Marathon Refinery just off the 405 Freeway in Carson. We see the smokestacks, we know those constant fumes—not only from the refinery but also from the freeway—are toxic to the people living in close proximity.

Why is that slow-rolling harm treated with so much less urgency than the oil spill that captured nationwide headlines? And how can we change that?

Toxic Tours is a nonprofit that is working to give people an inside look at how harmful refineries and pollutants really are to the communities around them.

The Toxic Tours website takes you to the ground level of sites not only here in California but around the world. The site allows viewers to virtually see the impact refineries have on the community and hear firsthand from those who are living with this every day.

Whitney Amaya and Diego Mayen, who work with Toxic Tours and East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, took the Long Beach Post's Jackie Rae on a toxic tour in West Long Beach for this week's episode of The Word.

You can also find out more about their work here.

https://lbpost.com/news/an-ex-dui-prosecutor-is-now-helping-people-whove-suffered-under-the-justice-system

He spent 20 years in prison before earning back his freedom. He did so while starting Unite the People while he was incarcerated. Unite the People is a non-profit organization that helps people who did not have legal representation, were under-represented, or, like McDowell excessively sentenced.

In their fight to help the right the wrongs of our justice system, Unite the People needs attorneys who understand the system.

A simple job posting, helped them find their newest attorney. Former deputy city attorney for Los Angeles, Rosemary Chávez, spent over 30 years prosecuting driving under the influence of drug and alcohol cases.

On this week's podcast, Chávez tells us her story. From losing her father and grandfather at age five, getting into law school without an undergraduate degree, to finding a new job that allows her to share he extensive knowledge with those in need.

If you, or someone you know, has been impacted by the justice system and need your case reviewed, or if you need researching changes in the law that may impact sentencing, you can call Unite the People at 888-245-9393 or, visit them online here. 

Those facts are common knowledge but, when thinking of Communism, most people will think of Stalin or Mao. It’s safe to say that a lot of us believe these are the kind of people think our men and women in the Armed Forces have and should fight against.  

So it was surprising to learn that right here in Long Beach, we have an Army Veteran who is running for District One City Council on the Communist ticket. His name is Steven Estrada and we meet him on this episode of The Word with Jackie Rae.

Imagine being on a job for 30 years and struggling to pay $1200 to rent out a room in someone's home. It sounds farfetched to a lot of us but, it is a reality Americans across the country are dealing with and, it is the reason why several CSEA employees, who work for the Long Beach Unified School district, are asking for a 7% salary increase.

The district says giving CSEA workers a 7% raise means they would receive a bigger raise than the teachers.  But that entirely depends on how you look at it.  So we are going to break it down on this episode of The Word on Long Beach.

Read more about LBUSD and CSEA negotiations here: lbpost.com/news/education/csea…rike-contract-raise

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Mr. Fries is one of the restaurants featured in the week. The founder, Craig Batiste, shares his story of how the firing of his wife and the mundane of a 9-5 sparked the idea.

Devin Green, one of the owners of the Mr. Fries location just off Artesia Boulevard in North Long Beach, shares why he and his family felt the franchise would help their family build generational wealth.

If you are interested in opening a franchise or, finding a location near you, visit Mr. Fries online here: https://www.mrfriesman.com/about-us/

11:24 – Terry Henry runs Long Beach Food and Beverage (https://www.lbfoodandbeverage.org), which is a non-profit organization that helps restaurants in Long Beach get more attention. But with every event that she organizes, she also gives back to the community.

On Tuesday, Henry brought three chefs to the Long Beach Food Mission. Together they provided homeless men, women, and children with a multi-course gourmet lunch. Find out more about each chef below.

• Chef Ronnie Woods – Northtown Bistro Pop-up - https://www.instagram.com/northtownbistro/
• Chef Quianna Bradley – A Pinch of Salt Catering - http://www.apinchofsaltcatering.com
• Chef Vida Virgillito – Gone Loco Food Truck - https://www.instagram.com/goneloco21/

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We spent some time speaking with members of the community who were in line at the Doris Topsy-Elvord Community Center in North Long Beach to find out how they were feeling.

13:44 – Long Beach is setting record numbers in new COVID-19 cases. The Long Beach Post has published several articles outlining the influx in cases including:

Long Beach sees more than 2,200 new COVID-19 cases in one day - https://lbpost.com/news/long-beach-sees-more-than-2200-new-covid-19-cases-in-one-day

Nearly 500 teachers miss school Monday amid COVID-19 surge - https://lbpost.com/news/nearly-500-teachers-miss-school-monday-amid-covid-19-surge

While it is necessary to stay well informed as we continue to see the effects of COVID-19, two years in a pandemic can take a toll and cause anxiety.

CalState Long Beach created several links to combat the causes of COVID-19 anxiety. Those can be found here: https://www.virusanxiety.com/free-meditations

The CDC has tips as well. Those can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/cope-with-stress/index.html

The Long Beach Health Department continues to test the waters to determine when it is safe to go back into the water, but the long-term effects of sewage spills like this aren’t good.

Dr. Stephanie Wear, the newest member of The Aquarium of the Pacific’s Board of Directors, has been instrumental in the aquarium joining the Ocean Sewage Alliance (OSA). The organization is working to reverse the negative effects of sewage in our oceans.

According to the United Nations, approximately 80% of the world’s wastewater is discharged into the environment untreated, and the majority ends up in the ocean.

Dr. Wear says it is time to “re-potty train” the world and start seeing our sewage as a resource. You can learn more about Ocean Sewage Alliance and its partners here: https://www.oceansewagealliance.org/

Read more about the sewage spill here: https://lbpost.com/news/cause-of-massive-sewage-spill-under-investigation-beaches-remain-closed

22:29 – This time last year was different for all of us. Then, the Post’s own Tim Grobaty had to quarantine for 80 days. He joins us to look back over the last year, and then we discuss why staying safe at home is no longer happening.

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The process is called composting. You take your discarded food and make it useful. It sounds good in theory but, as with most resolutions, the first question is how do I get started. Long Beach Recycles is going to provide you with all the necessary information to help you start and maintain this resolution. They are offering a free “Composting at Home” virtual workshop on Saturday, Jan. 8 from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. You can sign up here.

You can learn other ways to reduce your impact on the planet by visiting Long Beach Recycles here.

14:43 – As a society, we have been through a lot in the last two years. Now, with a majority of the country vaccinated against COVID-19, a new variant set us all back. But with the new year around the corner, a lot of people are looking ahead and making resolutions.

We still have something to look forward to.

In this segment, you will hear a few resolutions from the staff of the Long Beach Post and the community. We will also break down a few ways to make sure you stay on track with your resolution.

11:52 - Is it you turn to take something to the family diner but, you don’t want the hassle of clean up, you may want to consider a charcuterie board. Long Beach Reporter Valerie Osier tells us the best practices for your holiday board.

You can learn more details by reading Osier’s article titled How to make a holiday charcuterie board, according to Long Beach cheese experts here: https://lbpost.com/hi-lo/how-to-make-charcuterie-board-snack-board-cheese-oh-la-vache

Givens says there are easy ways to get in the habit of giving year-round. Because Givens and his unhoused team work diligently to keep the community clean, a necessity for Care Closet is strong and durable trash bags. An easy way to help the unhoused is with gift cards. Purchasing a girds card from a business like the 99 Cent store can provide food and other necessities. You can drop off your gently used clothing items every Tuesday at the Care Closet Office located at 333 W. Broadway, Suite 312. A convenient way is to set up reoccurring donations. You can do that here: donate.longbeachgives.org/CareClosetLBC

13:28 - Do you ever get anxious when it comes to big family gatherings? It is not uncommon! Conversations that address politics, religion and now vaccination status can cause conflicts. Elaine Swann, who is the founder and CEO of The Swann School of Protocol, a nationally recognized lifestyle and etiquette expert, says the key to avoiding conflict is to have a plan. Find ways to divert conversations, and always be objective. You can learn more about Elaine Swann and The Swann School of Protocol here: www.swannschool.com/

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15:52 – Flight delays and cancellations for Southwest Airlines are still ongoing for people across the country. Many are still trying to get to their final destination, locate baggage, or pay for additional accommodations. While faced with the same inconvenience, people who were both vaccinated and unvaccinated, came together to help each other. Is it possible we can do the same in our day-to-day lives?

17:39 - A protest took place on Sunday in front of the Long Beach Police Department. The event was organized by Social Activist Najee. He and several other people spoke to the press about what they want to see from this point. The first to speak was Valerie Garcia, a family friend of Mona’s boyfriend who said she’d helped raise Mona. She understands that Mona should not have gone up to the school and she addresses that in her speech.

The family of Mona Rodriguez was not present and, a spokesperson for the Rodriguez family said they were not working with Najee Ali, and he did not speak on their behalf.

1:15 - In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Aquarium of the Pacific is holding the 20th annual Baja Splash Cultural Festival.  The event features live music and dance representing cultures in Mexico and Central and South America. Educational programs and other special activities. 

The festival takes place this weekend on Saturday, October 2nd, and Sunday, October 3rd between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm.  You can purchase tickets for the event on the Aquarium of the Pacific web page.  Tickets are $36.95 for adults. $33.95 for seniors ages 62 and up, and $26.95 for children ages 3-11.

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18:10 The Covid-19 virus has impacted the lives of people across the nation since March of 2020.  Sadly, how we deal with that virus has also divided us. To date, there have been 42.9 million documented cases of the virus in the United States with 688K deaths.  Here in Long Beach, 63,438 cases with 1014 deaths.  In an effort to honor those we have lost, the City Manager’s Office is creating a digital memorial.  From now until October 11th, you can submit the name and picture of a loved one or friend who has passed from Covid by visiting the City Manager’s office website.

A link was also posted to the City’s Facebook page where it received comments that did not appreciate the gesture of kindness.

:51 - Cesar McDowell spent 20 years in prison for a non-violent offense based on California's 3 strike rule. From his prison cell, he started Unite the People Inc., to help people who were in his situation and do not have the means to retain a competent attorney.

If you would like to know more or get involved with Unite the People Inc., you can visit their office at 555 E Ocean Blvd Suite 205. You can call them at (888) 245-9393 or, you donate or learn more via their website here.

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15:58 - Mohammed Aly is general counsel with Unite the People Inc., who formerly worked with the Orange County Poverty Alleviation Coalition. He says he began working with Unite the People because of his desire to help people and, gives us insight on what needs to be done to achieve true reform.

Segment 1:59 – The final date to vote in the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election is Tuesday, Sept. 14. On Monday, President Joe Biden made a trip to Long Beach to help Newsom stay in office. Those in opposition of the current governor have three main points of contention: crime, homelessness and housing costs and immigration. This week we offer a breakdown of how we got here and offer opinions on what it could mean.

Segment 2 13:32 – Ebony Utley is an author who has written several books ranging from relationship advice and issues with race and entrepreneurship. A lot of us would love to be our own boss one day so, today she joins us to tell us how we can make that first step and, provides links to several resources including:

https://www.csulb.edu/institute-innovation-entrepreneurship

https://www.lbaccelerator.org/

https://accelerateuptown.com/

https://launchlongbeach.org/

https://centrocha.org/business-support-services/

https://longbeachsbdc.org/

:08 - Two weeks ago, Thomas Cordova, Mike Guardabasico, and myself covered the protest from Anti-Maskers and Anti-Vaxers at the Long Beach Unified School District. We talk about how volatile our time was while covering the story versus how back to school actually went.

19:03 - The 20th anniversary of 911 is next weekend. Typically we focus on where we were individually in the world at that moment. We often overlook those who were there and how they have been impacted by the war that lasted 20 years. Tim Grobaty previews his feature story available in the Long Beach Post on September 11th.

:42 On August 24, 2021the Long Beach Health Department gave an overview of where we stand as a city in a meeting with the City Council.  During that meeting, City Council was advised that while the number of vaccinated residents is increasing, hospitalizations and deaths are also rising. 

With this in mind, we ask people in Downtown Long Beach how they feel about the possibility of a vaccine passport that would require patrons to be fully vaccinated to enter certain businesses.  We share their thoughts.

10:47 Long Beach Post Reporter and Editor Anthony Pignataro discusses a move by the Long Beach Police department to administer a sedative instead of lethal force to potentially violent or combative suspects.  There is controversy surrounding the policy and Pignataro explains why LBDP is testing the controversial practice.

1:13 - When starting a family, most parents will admit they are not sure what to do.  Some may read books, some will take classes, and others will just default to how they were raised.  There is a benefit to each method however, classes for women and couples are a little easier to find.  Classes that specifically address the different nuances that come with fatherhood are a little more difficult.

Long Beach is working to change that through a program called the Fundamentals for Fatherhood program.  It is a 10-week class that meets via zoom and is free and you can find out more by visiting the website here.

23:47 - Zedrick Turnbough was exonerated after spending two years in prison.  Now that he is getting his life back on track, the After Innocence Project is helping to make sure he has everything he needs for a successful transition including a confident smile. If you would like to make sure those who are transitioning back into society have the support they need and want to know more about the after innocence project you can find them online here.

1:40 - Conversations surrounding mental health and the best ways to take care of the body and the mind are still very prevalent throughout our society.  Today Dr. Sandra Hardy who is with the Center for Best Living talks about how she and the City of Long Beach are offering free mental health services to the cities African American community.  The hope is to help people understand how important mental checks are for all of us.

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15:45 - You know him as Hood Santa but, Tito Rodriguez does not just show up on Christmas.  He spends his days and nights organizing events to help impact the kids in his community so they are better prepared for tomorrow.  Today we learn how his childhood inspired his passion for helping others.

:59 - We have talked a lot about social justice and social change since the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Since then things have been moving at a snails pace. Police reform has not happened in the way that community activist have hoped. The low numbers in the Black and Latino communities indicate there is a lack of government trust. Councilmember/Vice Mayor Rex Richardson discusses who the community is working to rebuild community trust.

26:47 - Through January, The Museum of Latin American Art will feature the work of renowned artist, muralist, international painter and social activist Judy Baca. We go inside the museum and meet with curator Gabriela Urtiaga as she explains how art and push the needle of social change.

You can see the work of Judy Baca Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm and find out more information if you visit the museum website Molaa.org

:37 - By the end of 2020, district lines within the city of Long Beach may be different.  The Independent Redistricting Commission, which is comprised of Long Beach residents, is an independent body tasked with drawing those lines.  Several factors go into establishing district lines, the first of which is the 2020 Census-block population data.  But there are details that cannot be obtained from the census.  This is why the Commission is having several meetings where Long Beach residents can share information.   This week, the Chair of the Long Beach Independent Redistricting Commission, Alejandra Gutierrez, provides insight into how the process works.  For specific meeting dates and to provide feedback, residents are encouraged to visit the Long Beach Redistricting site here.
LongBeach.gov/redistricting

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21:12 - Ask any college graduate and most will agree that finding a job in your field, that you love, while also being an integral part of business operations, as your first job after graduation is unheard of.  Today we meet Brandon Richardson, the Reporter and Visual editor for the Long Beach Business Journal.  He is going to tell us how another creative passion took center stage before he started his career with the Business Journal.

:50 -  Framework for Racial Reconciliation.  If that is a phrase you’ve heard before you are way ahead of a lot of people.  But now here is a bigger question, what does that mean? Following the murder of George Floyd on On May 25, 2020, Long Beach and other cities vowed to implement racial justice reforms. In August 2020, the city approved a reconciliation plan, which outlined a plan to invest more in community groups, less in police and made promises to look at how the city recruits, retains and hires employees. Today we're joined by April Parker of the Black Health Equity Collaborative, which has also been asking the same question as us: What has been done in the past year to implement this plan?

17:15 - The pandemic impacted us all in different ways however, it also sparked a sense of creativity in some people.  Victor Norwid is one of those people. While attending Cal State Long Beach he majored in geography.  After graduation, he was working in geography water resources and finding ways to keep water clean.  Once the pandemic hit, he had more time to nurture his creative side and eventually opened Parkland Skateboards.  He is a one-man band who builds all the skateboards by hand.  Click here to purchase a skateboard or request a cus

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  1:06 – Ryan Kurtzman is the project manager for the Long Beach Smart City Initiative. He joins us to tell us more about the first Long Beach Augmented Reality (AR) Exhibition, which will take place in Downtown Long Beach on Aug. 8 from noon to 5 p.m. All you will need to enjoy this exhibition is your smartphone and your Instagram or Facebook app. No registration is needed. If you have an idea on how technology can improve Long Beach, Kurtzman encourages everyone to submit their ideas online. There you can also find out about some of the projects the initiative is working including meeting the needs of the homeless and, addressing systemic racism.

16:55 – We set up shop at The Bird Dive Bar on Fourth Street to give members of the community the opportunity to speak directly with members of the Long Beach Post staff. We will be having “Office Hours” once a month, specifically to allow the community to speak with us, ask questions and tell us what issues you would like for us to address.

While some were reluctant to join us on-air, this time did give us an opportunity to follow up on the transition from Fern’s, to The Bird Dive Bar in Long Beach. The bar is now open for business and is hoping to be a haven for local musicians in the very near future.

Sheba Gills is the granddaughter of Autrilla Scott. The former nanny for a young Bill Clinton and renowned in Central Long Beach for her involvement in neighborhood improvement. She is now an educator of children in grades K-12 and she shares her thoughts.

18:52 - The Long Beach Wine Festival is happening October 2-3 at Harry Bridges Memorial Park. The festival’s organizer Scherr Lillico and the owner of the only winery in Long Beach Collin Mitzenmacher join to tell us what the festival will entail. And, give discount codes to the festive and Waters Edge Winery of Long Beach.

32:52 - One of the longest staff members of the Long Beach Post Justin Ruiz joins to talk about the about and downs of covering politics in Long Beach.

But first, we turn our attention to South Florida. As the country continues to watch the details unfold regarding the condo collapse near Miami, questions regarding older buildings here in Long Beach have begun. We have an expert here with us who will try to answer some of those questions.

:46 - As you drive around Long Beach, you will see several mid and high-rise buildings that are over 40-years old. Given the recent developments in South Florida, the question of safety has become a concern. This week, Long Beach Building and Safety Superintendent David Khorram, addresses those concerns and, tells us how Long Beach is very different than Florida.

18:25 - Just one day after the drive-by shooting near the Pike Outlets it was once again business as usual. Long Beach Post Reporter Cheantay Jensen returned to the scene to get the communities reaction. Later that week Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna addressed the shooting and revealed current crime trends in Long Beach.

:00 While most of us are excited about getting back outside and doing the things we love, there are still some long-standing issues that are not easily resolved. One of those is the impact the pandemic has on renters and property owners. As businesses closed, some people were furloughed while others lost their jobs completely. No job of course means no ability to pay rent. As thousands of people are returning to work, there is still a mountain of debt that must be addressed.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on June 22 extended an eviction moratorium through the end of September, and will gradually phase out tenant protections. For now, the extension will continue to prohibit evictions based on non-payment of rent due to financial hardship related to COVID-19.

This week, Natasha Schulteis, a property owner here in Long Beach, joins us to give a perspective from the side of a property manager.

She owns or co-owns more than a half dozen rental properties, and helps manage a bigger 20-unit property. During our Zoom call, she emphasized that communication between property owners and landlords is essential because the pandemic really did affect both sides.

19:45 - Imagine leaving a six-figure income to start your own business and then, the bottom falls out thanks to the pandemic. Do you go back to your old job or, do you weather the storm and try to figure it out? Shelley Williams decided to weather it out. Her art studio is called Craft and Light Creative art studio, and her pandemic survival idea came from those who were not ready to give up on what they were learning at the studio

27:45 The Word on Long Beach host and Reporter Sebastian Echeverry talk about some of the resistance people in the Black and Latino community have regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.

00:44 - “Lil by Lil.” That is the motto of Care Closet LBC.  It represents the non-profits commitment to meet the needs of Long Beach’s unhoused community.  Little by little.  This week, we met up with Founder and CEO Duke Givens to find out what made him start his nonprofit. 

He says it was one moment, and one man going through a back issue he could relate to.  From there, the vision and the passion grew.  To date, Care Closet has give out almost 1200 sleeping bags, over 500 tents, thousands of meals, and over 50 tons of trash.

Givens has a unique approach to addressing the needs of the unhoused.  Give them purpose.  He has a team, several of them homeless, who work to keep the area around them clean.  We went out with him to meet the people he serves.

15:01 - It’s a new day! Businesses are now open and we can get back to many of the things we love. For some businesses, it is a much-needed relief.  Keeping a business alive, when there is no business coming in, was a challenge that was impossible for some to meet.  Reporter Crystal Niebla, of the Long Beach Post, joins us to give us more insight on how Roxanns Bar and Willie’s Tin Shop survived the pandemic.

29:10 - What a difference a year makes.  Last year, students were forced to have drive-by graduation celebrations, if they had any celebrations at all.  This year, the class of 2021, accepted their diplomas in front of family and friends.  While this moment is one that is one most graduating seniors will cherish for years to come, the next step is one that is a generational celebration for others. 

Thanks to Operation Jump Start, several Long Beach Students will be the first in their families to attend college.  We sat down with graduates Wendy Rodriguez and Fabian Ochoa, to find out how they feel moving into this new chapter.

00: - The Queen Mary has been in financial limbo for quite some time. Last week, City Council took a step to resolve the ongoing saga. Kelly Puente brings tells us how we got to this point and, what the future may hold for the historic vessel.

9:54 - The new Rainbow Color Lifeguard Tower was unveiled at Alamitos Beach. While several Long Beach residents watched the unveiling with joy, others took time to reflect on how much work still needs to be done.

Juneteenth is June 19th. Each year the attention and meaning behind the historic day grows. Long Beach is having a festival this year on Pine Avenue between Fourth and Fifth street from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. But if you are not quite ready to venture out, you can celebrate Juneteenth virtually. DreamKreators will hold a Facebook Live event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. With an additional reflection hour between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. The reflection hour will tell the true meaning and history of Juneteenth and its GalvestonTexas roots.

29:29 - After 15 months of restrictions on how we live our lives, the state is finally shedding most COVID-19 restrictions. Several businesses in the area are excited to get back to normal but, it is a “new” normal. World-renowned tattoo artist and owner of Outer Limits Tattoo, reflects on how the last 15 months have impacted her business. And, explains how some practices adopted during the pandemic will continue as they begin to accept more customers.

This week on, The Word on Long Beach, we sit down with Mike Guardabascio and Tyler Hendrickson. They will tell us how parents, students, and faculty came together to make sure Poly High’s C.I.C. program stays in place indefinitely.

Antwoine Gant is the founder and CEO of the Stress Free Experience. We speak with him on how he is creating a series of events that are designed to be fun but, will also bring information and raise awareness regarding Mental Health in the Black Community.

The pandemic made business operations difficult for several restaurant owners. The Inaugural Long Beach Burger week is hoping to revitalize the restaurant industry and encourage customers to once again dine-in.

And you will meet,
Sebastian Echeverry. He tells about his journey to become the Northside reporter for the Post.