Dr. King’s dream and march, our nightmare and pain “I feel so broken hearted, I cried so many tears There was so much you gave me, to my heart, to my soul So much of your dreams that were never told There was hope for a brighter day Why were you, my flower, plucked away Oh, oh, I’m missing you Tell me why the road turns I’m missing you” —Diana Ross I miss my son. I miss hugging him. I miss looking in his eyes when he is excited. I miss us discussing his plans for his future. I miss sharing in his everyday experiences. I miss his smile. I miss his joy. All I ever wanted was for him to be in an environment where he can grow. My son was arrested at 19 years of age. He was sentenced t

Mayor Kevin Johnson was flanked by high-ranking law enforcement officials, community leaders, students and others as he officially launched his Gang Prevention Initiative at the Teichert Branch Boys and Girls Club of South Sacramento. The plan was announced Tuesday morning after a year of gathering input from the community from neighborhood meetings throughout the Sacramento area and combining the results with the efforts of the mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force. The community came together in the aftermath of the murder of innocent bystander Monique Nelson following a gang-related gun battle at the Fly Cuts and Styles barbershop in the 6900 block of Stockton Boulevard on Dec. 14, 2010.

For the past few months cities across America have seen crowds of protestors taking to the streets angered by the state of the U.S. economy in the wake of noticeable corporate greed, Wall Street failures, and home lending corruption scandals to name a few gripes. In what has become known as the “Occupy Wall Street” or “OWS” movement, citizen discourse has largely become a protest of “We won’t take it anymore” politics, against the widening wealth divide and continued mistrust of a political system. A type of corporate-political combo agenda that has seemingly sold out main street Americans for the greater catered interest of the top one percent richest people. Now this does not on its surf

A group of nearly 40 residents and city staffers held an in-depth discussion on the city’s redistricting process Monday night at the Ethel Hart Senior Center. Residents explored a range of topics, including the role of race in the process. The city redesigns its City Council districts every 10 years by using U.S. Census data. The 2010 Census data that the city will use is expected to be released in April. The new districts must be drawn up and finished six months after the Census data is available, according to the city’s charter. The city’s deadline for the 2011 redistricting process will be Sept. 27. At Monday night’s redistricting forum, hosted by the Area 1 Neighborhood Advisory Gro

On Monday, December 20th, I received two emails to attend the NAACP Press Conference scheduled for Tuesday December 21th, 2010 at 9:30am which ask for a Community to stand united “to engage in a process that will result in a strategic plan to end the senseless violence that has been occurring in our city.” With all my heart and outrage I wanted to attend the conference. But with such short notice I was unable to get the morning off of work. Since I was not at the Press Conference and read an article in the daily paper which concerns me I am writing this open letter to the “Mayor, Leaders, Activists”, standing united. To be honest I was both excited and disappointed. I am genuinely excite

 City Council members had a variety of reactions to the draft budget presented by Interim City Manager Gus Vina Tuesday night. The draft was first released April 30, when Vina proposed layoffs of as many as 200 city employees in an effort to balance the city budget and reduce the $43 million gap. Among other things, the draft budget aims to make $14.6 million through cuts to programs and services and $19.6 million by removing all vacant city positions and possible labor union concessions. The draft also proposes to apply $8.8 million in other funds to the budget. While Vina said layoffs were unlikely at Tuesday’s meeting, council members found issues with other aspects of the draft. Lau

When it comes to a showcase of events from Sacramento’s black community there is only one event that stands out and that is the annual Sacramento Black Expo exhibit held at the Convention Center this weekend from February 19-21. From people shopping to vendors selling goods it’s a chance to experience a lot of what the culture of African-Americans is all about. Whether its business, health, spiritual, finance, fashion, music, food, and education there is something for everyone. Among special events include a “Youth Talent Show”, “Glory Awards”, Soul Food and Exhibitors”, and “Gospel Sunday Program”. There will be a host celebrities and personalities in attendance. Major sponsors include S

On April 30 of this year, Woodland resident Luis Gutierrez was killed by undercover police officers. This Saturday, the Justice Reform Coalition will be attending a march calling for an independent investigation of his death. The 26-year-old was shot and killed by Yolo Sheriff's deputies who maintain that he pulled out a knife. Sacramento's Justice Reform Coalition (JRC) formed in 2005 as a response to unaddressed complaints of abuse in the prison system. In one instance, then 21-year-old Brandon Johnson claimed that deputies beat him and broke his nose during his incarceration. At the time, NAACP law advisor and community outreach chair Reverend Ashiya Odeye was part of a committee inv