The Word with Jackie Rae

No matter who wins the Long Beach mayoral race, it will be a first for the city. If it's Councilmember Rex Richardson, he'll be the city's first Black mayor. If it's Councilmember Suzie Price, she will become the first Persian mayor.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

“The children are our future!” It’s a phrase we often hear but Poly High School senior Diana Michelson is putting that phrase into practice. 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.

residents; it gives access to the Downtown food and entertainment scene; the beach is even within walking distance.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.

Tickets for Bellator 286 at the Long Beach Convention Center are still available and can be purchased on Ticketmaster. 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.

In January of 2018, the world famous VIP Record sign was removed from the iconic record store located on the corer of Pacific Coast Highway and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.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.

One of the side effects of COVID was the impact on local domestic violence shelters—limiting how many people they could host at one time.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.

It is rare to drive or walk on a major street in Long Beach and not see someone suffering from homelessness. According to data released from the point-in-time count held in February, homelessness increased by 62%.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.

In 1988, Orion Pictures released a movie called “Mississippi Burning.” The movie was based on the 1964 murders of Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner and James Chaney.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.

"The first Black ... "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

in May, Long Beach became the home of a snow-cone storefront that is like no other locally. Fluffy's Sno-Balls brings a taste of New Orleans right 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.

Most people have heard a dentist emphasize the importance of brushing and flossing daily. What often goes unsaid is that failing to do so can cause gum disease, which if left untreated, can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and cause serious health issues beyond just your mouth.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.

Rehabilitation—the act of restoring someone to health or normal life through training and therapy—is ostensibly the goal of our criminal justice system, yet, as a society, we have made it incredibly difficult for those who have been incarcerated to turn their lives around when they are released. 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.

Even with all the negative things we see in our world day in and day out, there are things we can be very proud of and excited about. One of those is the fortitude and resilience of young people in Long Beach.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.

Imagine sitting at work and learning the community you live in is calling you a cop killer. It would be cause for immediate distress. If you are a Black Man, it becomes a matter of life and death. 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

Each year the Long Beach Post hosts Best of Long Beach, a celebration that recognizes not only our favorite places to eat and hang out but, also, those who are making a true impact in our communities.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.

California's Three Strikes law began in 1994. Under this law, a person convicted of any new felony, while having a prior felony conviction, would be sentenced to state prison for twice the term otherwise provided for the crime. 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.

We need a break from heavy topics, so why not talk about whiskey?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.

So far, only about 17% of ballots in Long Beach have been returned in Tuesday’s primary election. Some more could still trickle in if they’ve been postmarked by Election Day, but overall turnout will likely remain dismal.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

According to a poll conducted by the Washington Post, 70% of Black Americans think at least half of White Americans hold White supremacist beliefs. The study also found that 75% of Black Americans believe that White supremacists are a “major threat” to Black Americans, and 66% say White supremacy is a bigger problem today than it was five years ago. These thoughts and fears are widespread, not confined to the Black community in Buffalo, where 10 people were killed in a mass shooting based on their race.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

A pair of Starbucks stores in Long Beach and Lakewood just voted overwhelmingly to unionize, with only one "no" vote between them.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."

Rev. Moses Summerville has strong views on health care and the wage gap. He believes in women’s rights, and he is pro-Black. But, in a time when politicians are clamoring for the Black vote, he sees most offering nothing more than lip service.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.

When the United State Supreme Court ruled 7–2 in favor of "Jane Roe," aka Norma McCorvey, on Jan. 22, 1973, they found that women in the U.S. had a fundamental right to choose whether to have abortions without excessive government restriction, striking down Texas' abortion ban at the time as unconstitutional.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.

Sometimes things a lot of us take for granted can help someone with autism open up and express themselves. TikTok seems to be the outlet that helped open up more of the world for 31-year-old Marcos Cervantes.https://www.tiktok.com/@marcoscervantes90/video/7072454657016188203?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6893935082517874182During 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=6893935082517874182On 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

Shelby Cordon was diagnosed with autism after a family friend noticed she didn’t have the vocabulary a child her age typically would. Shelby is bright and intelligent, but—like many people with autism—she communicates differently and experiences the world in ways that most of us don't.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.

For 33 years, Long Beach has hosted a parade in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. While the 34th annual parade was canceled this past January, this may be a good time to ask how a parade furthers the true message of the civil rights leader, and how a parade benefits the Black community.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."

Long Beach has a thriving LGBTQ+ community. From the outside looking in, this is the ideal place to live for anyone in the gay community. 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.

Sickle cell anemia is a blood disease that causes blood cells to take the shape of a sickle and restricts the flow of blood. One in 12 African Americans are born with the trait, which means they are carriers but don’t necessarily have the disease.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.

When the oil spill in Orange County happened back in October, the outcry from the community was immediate. People not only wanted accountability, they wanted answers on how this could be prevented in the future, which makes sense because most people understand how harmful oil is, and they wanted to make sure wildlife, our beaches and families are protected.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

A few months ago, I had the privilege to interview Ceasar McDowell for the Word Podcast. Under California’s “three strikes” law, McDowell received a sentence of three concurrent life sentences for a non-violent crime.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.

The word Communism often causes a very negative reaction in most Americans. That is probably why there are very few politicians who have run on the communist ticket and won. But, it is not an uncommon ideology. Civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. W.E.B DuBois and Fred Hampton all embraced some basic principles of Communism. Those being equality, access to adequate health care, employment, housing, and education for everyone. 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.

To support this show and projects like it, become a member today at lbpost.com/join.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

:16 – The Long Beach Black Restaurant week is just a few days away. The event starts Jan. 23 and runs through Jan. 30. It is organized by the nonprofit Long Beach Food and Beverage and is designed to promote and celebrate African, African American and Caribbean food, as well as highlight Black-owned culinary businesses, chefs, and bartenders in and around Long Beach. - ADVERTISEMENT - 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/

:16 – COVID is dominating headlines around the world and people are flocking to testing centers. Testing centers in Long Beach have been flooded with residents to find out if they’re sick, or retested so they can return to work or school. - ADVERTISEMENT - 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

:16 – On Monday, more than eight million gallons of raw sewage spilled into the Dominguez Channel in Carson. Because of this spill, beaches in Long Beach remain closed. 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.

:16 – We’ve all heard the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle.” But how often do we actually put that into practice? What if there was a way you could do so every day, while also creating nourishment for your garden that is better than fertilizer? - ADVERTISEMENT - 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.

:16 - Are you traveling this holiday season, the CDC has some guidelines to make your travel safe. We break down some of their top recommendations. You can see the CDC’s full list of recommendations here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/omicron-variant.html 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

:15 - “What time is it? What day is it?” These are the question Duke Givens, who is the founder and CEO of Care Closet LBC Inc., says those who are unhoused ask all the time. For most of us, this is the season for giving. For the unhoused, this is just another day where their main thought is survival. 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/

1:30 – In April, the Long Beach Unified School district reached a contract with the teachers union. However, negotiations are dragging with the district’s classified employees. These employees are part of the second-largest union, which represents over 2,100 classified employees like maintenance workers, instructional aides, bus drivers, and nutrition workers. Chapter President Gilbert Bonilla, Jr., says the workers, who have not had a raise in three years, are now desperate. The school district, meanwhile, says the raise would cost too much, and would jeopardize its longterm financial solvency. Bonilla joins The Word to talk about the negotiations as the two sides enter mediation. - ADVERTISEMENT - 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?

:16 - The shooting death of Mona Rodriguez by Long Beach Unified School District Safety Officer Eddie F. Gonzalez continues to spark concern. Mike Guardabascio covers the school district for the Long Beach Post. He also has small children who attend school in Long Beach. He gives us his perspective on last week's events. 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.

This week on the word on Long Beach, the Aquarium of the Pacific is honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month. Plus, the City Manager is creating a Memorial to honor those in Long Beach who have died from Covid 19. 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. ADVERTISEMENT 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.

This week on the Word on Long Beach we take a closer look at how the non-profit organization Unite the People Inc., began. :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. Commercial 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.

This week on The Word on Long Beach we recap how the recall effort of Gov. Gavin Newsom came to be and, give some tips on what you need to do to begin your entrepreneurial journey. 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/

This week on the Word on Long Beach, school is back in session, Mike Guardabasico tells us how it went. And, Tim Grobaty gives us a veteran's perspective as we approach the anniversary of 911. :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.

This week on the word on Long Beach we talk to residents of Long Beach to get their perspective on the possibility of a vaccine passport. We also visit a new pilot program with the Long Beach Police Department designed to prevent lethal force. :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.

This week on The Word on Long Beach. Fathers find a resource that allows them to open up. And, a local dentist's office helps an exonerated man brighten his smile as he transitions back into society. 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.

This week on The Word on Long Beach, we discuss the importance of mental health, specifically in the Black Community. And, we’ll get an inside look into someone who has a passion for giving back to the city of Long Beach. 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. -ADVERTISEMENT 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.

This Week on the word on Long Beach we discuss the slow process of social change. :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

This week on the word on Long Beach we discuss a current issue that will have a lasting impact on the communities of Long Beach. :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 Advertisement 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.

This week on The Word on Long Beach we explore funds that the Long Beach Black Community should know about, and, we’ll tell you how to get a custom skateboard. :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