High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can have scary consequences if left untreated. And, that is especially true in the Black community, where hypertension is prevalent and should not be ignored. ... read more »

After multiple public hearings and several special meetings, the Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission adopted the first set of draft maps reflecting new boundaries for L.A. council districts (CDs). ... read more »

Top staff of the Los Angeles Police Department made an earnest plea for help with increasing the number of Black law enforcement officers during the African American Community Forum recently hosted by the agency. ... read more »

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a one dose vaccination, so all 10,000 participants are now fully vaccinated.  Tracy Mitchell, president of Mothers in Action, said “I want to thank the Mothers In Action’s village of volunteers that have staffed the site from day one, and who have committed to continue supporting this effort until April 10, when the site closes.” ... read more »

With the theme, “Black Business Challenges Responsibilities and Opportunities Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic,” Black Press publishers, readers, viewers, sponsors, partners, and anyone else tuning in were enlightened about overcoming adversities on many levels. “We will have informative workshops,” promised Pluria Marshall Jr., the NNPAF Chair and CEO of Marshall Broadcasting Group. Marshall and his colleagues delivered. ... read more »

“We need a president who is after the heart of God,” Rev. Dr. Sylvester Beaman, of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Wilmington, Delaware, told NBC News. “In these terrible times, if anybody can bring healing and reconciliation to a divided country, if we give him room to work, Joe Biden can be that person,” Rev. Beaman continued. ... read more »

Researchers are urging more people of color to participate in clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine, but participation numbers so far are low. ... read more »

Four-time breast cancer survivor Karen Jackson’s new book, In the Company of My Sisters: My Story, My Truth, speaks about her life dedicated to assisting other breast cancer survivors. She talked with the Defender about the book, Sisters Network Inc. and her motto in life. ... read more »

ASK DR. KEVIN ... read more »

In partnership with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Matthews-Alexander and Chevrolet have invested heavily in the future of Black journalism while simultaneously supporting students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. On Thursday, September 17, 2020, Matthews-Alexander will receive the NNPA 2020 National Leadership Award. ... read more »

It not only marked Trump’s first time on the network but also his initial interview with any African American-owned media. The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade association of 230 Black-owned newspapers and media companies that comprise the Black Press of America, has repeatedly requested interviews with the president throughout his nearly four years in office. ... read more »

The BAMG feels that addressing these pillars is crucial to reversing decades of exclusion that Black automotive journalists have faced. As a result of the letter, all manufacturers responded, and a series of video calls were executed. The conversations were informative and sometimes uncomfortable, and souls on both sides of the discussions were bared. “We need to be an adequate part of the solution,” said one automaker. “We need a strategic corporate reset,” said another. ... read more »

The Los Angeles-based California Endowment announced today it has approved a 10-year, $225 million pledge of funding support for Black-led organizing, activism and advocacy in the state. ... read more »

“People are stressed and worried, not only about caring for themselves but protecting and caring for someone in the home or someone long distance,” Choula stated.  “It’s very important that there is increased conversation with nursing facilities through virtual visitation and phone calls, which is what AARP is advocating.”  ... read more »

At present the CDC has noted that those with chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, serious heart conditions, those immunocompromised including cancer treatment, severely obese, diabetic, with renal failure, or liver disease are at higher risk for severe illness. That warning should be clearly heard by the African American community. We are 2.2 times more likely to have diabetes, 20% more likely to have high blood pressure, and 30% more likely to be obese. The incidence of COPD (lung disease) in our women is 34% higher than in White women. Bottom line, if we acquire the virus, bad things are more likely to happen. That’s pass number one. ... read more »