It's ONME Local

In this episode of ONME Quick News Bits, host Julia Dudley Najieb reveals exclusive interview with Saint Augustine's University president, Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail, who talks about the new HBCU Urban Access Hub opportunity and grants for community college students in the Central Valley.

In this ONME Quick News Bits, producer host, Julia Dudley Najieb, gives an update concerning the racial discrimination case against billion-dollar, electric ca,r manufacturing company, Tesla, owned by Elon Musk: Although a jury found for the plaintiff, Owen Diaz who is African American, and ordered Tesla to pay US $137 million in damages for the racial bias lawsuit in 2021, federal judge, William Orrick,reduced the total award down to $15 million in April of 2022.

In Santa Clara County, one Juneteenth block-party stood out in the middle of Downtown San Jose, where elected officials from the California Senate, state assembly, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, city of San Jose mayor, city of Cupertino mayor, and city of Morgan Hill mayor all participated in the grand affair. This is the African American Community Service Agency's (AACSA) 41st year producing the Juneteenth in the Park Festival in San Jose.

Watch a quick excerpt of Tulare County's Juneteenth followed by the city of Fresno flag raising ceremony performed at City Hall on Monday, June 20, 2022.

In this ONME Quick News Bits episode, Julia Dudley Najieb gives a detailed rundown of the north, Central Valley election candidates for voting residents participating in the June 7, 2022 Primary Elections. Voters still have from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, June 7, 2022 to cast their ballots in person at a voting location or dropbox location. Dudley Najieb reviewed candidates in the following counties: Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin Counties.

In this ONME Quick News Bits episode, Julia Dudley Najieb gives a detailed rundown of the latest south, Central Valley election candidates for voting residents participating in the June 7, 2022 Primary Elections. Voters still have from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, June 7, 2022 to cast their ballots in person at a voting location or dropbox location. Dudley Najieb reviewed candidates in the following counties: Tulare, Kings, Mariposa, and Kern Counties.

In this ONME Quick News Bits episode, Julia Dudley Najieb gives a quick rundown of the latest Fresno County election candidates for voting residents participating in the June 7, 2022 Primary Elections. Voters still have up to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, June 7, 2022 to cast their ballots in person at a voting location or dropbox location. Fresno County is a Voter's Choice location.

During a press conference Wednesday at The Fresno Memorial Auditorium, located on 2425 Fresno St. in Fresno, CA, councilpersons, Miguel Arias, Luis Chavez and Nelson Esparza proposed Measure V to fund services and improvements for facilities used by local veterans. The auditorium was built in 1935; asbestos is still in the walls of the facility. The HVAC system is in a makeshift status--hence, the reason why the building is unable to cool during Fresno's extraordinarily hot summer season. Measure V would supersede Measure P expenditure restrictions dedicated specifically for parks. For instance, the expensive restructuring of the antiquated, historical auditorium can utilize Measure P funds to fix the structures in and outside the building: uprooted flooring, asbestos, slipping roof tiles and replacement of original electrical work. It will cost millions of dollars just to fix the building; yet, veterans still need personal services and housing. Although it would cause an incremental tax raise for city of Fresno residents, 1/8th of a penny, Measure V, would generate $9.8 million per year, providing a permanent revenue source for veteran services and facilities, for such needs as housing, transportation and mental health services, to name a few.

Fresno County District 1 Supervisor Brian Pacheco was a major player in ensuring a collaboration with several community organizations to provide for the struggling parents in his area: On behalf of his district, Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission received major donations of diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE) from SupplyBank.org to help families and childcare programs.

In this final episode of the limited web series, Keeping It Honest and Real on COVID-19, an excerpt from an audio podcast interview with Pastor Tobaise Brookins about COVID-19 reveals his pandemic experience from his eyes. Meanwhile, Rev. Dr. Paul Binion, Jr. expresses encouraging words to the Central Valley community as to why Black people should not be fearful of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.“Keeping It Honest and Real on COVID-19” web-series has been brought to you by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation. Go to www.covid19.ca.gov to get the most updated information on the COVID-19 virus as well as the vaccine.

In this episode of It's ONME Local - Fresno, producer host Julia Dudley Najieb reviews the latest headlines in Fresno County: Fresno Housing Boards of Commissioners appoint new CEO; Southwest Fresno college and housing development is moving forward; Residents of 93706 address Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco in media briefing concerning his removal of social services from the community; Gov. Newsom signs bill, AB 262, introduced by Assemblymember Jim Patterson to help sex trafficking-victim survivors clear their names and restart their lives.

Here are the quick news bits: Residents of 93706 address Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco in media briefing concerning his removal of social services from the communitySouthwest Fresno college and housing development is moving forwardGov. Newsom signs bill, AB 262, introduced by Assemblymember Jim Patterson to help sex trafficking-victim survivors clear their names and restart their livesPart 2: California housing crisis continues as Gov. Newsom signs several bills this month to begin to combat the calamity

Listen to interview with Pastor Tobaise Brookins of The Bethesda Churches in throughout Fresno County.About Brookins: Pastor Tobaise Bookins serves the spiritual community as pastor of large, diverse congregation, The Bethesda Churches. Bookins, originally from Los Angeles County, moved to the San Joaquin Valley with the encouragement of his mentor, the late senior pastor of Bethesda, Bishop Henry L. Johnson, founder of the Bethesda Church. By 2014, Bookins was able to quickly establish two locations for the church congregation: Bethesda Southeast and Bethesda River Park. Bookins has also been an educator for over 20+ years: he holds master's degrees in education and special education, teaching special education students in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 12 years and also in the New York Public School District. Bookins is also the father of three daughters and husband to wife, Dr. Antionette Bookins, who is a licensed marriage and family therapist who owns her own practice called Destination Hope Counseling and Enrichment Center, which specializes in Christian counseling.

In this Resource #2 episode of Keeping It Honest and Real on COVID-19, the American Public Health Association YouTube channel has a unique web series from a Black perspective called, Barbershop Medicine. These online webisodes are lead by two dynamic Black doctors, Dr. Italo Brown, who is an emergency physician and chief impact officer of TRAP medicine, and Dr. Cedric Jamie Rutland, who is a pulmonary and critical care physician. He is also a spokesperson for the American Lung Association. Both doctors sit down with a group of Black men with diverse backgrounds and ages to have a candid conversation in an outdoor, barbershop-setting about the COVID-19 vaccines. The doctors identify the vaccine hesitancy roots during the candid conversation with complete compassion and understanding, following up in the conversation with important or misinformation regarding the COVID-19 vaccines.Join us is “Keeping It Honest and Real on COVID-19” web-series, brought to you by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation. Go to www.covid19.ca.gov to get the most updated information on the COVID-19 virus as well as the vaccine.

Join us is “Keeping It Honest and Real on COVID-19” web-series, brought to you by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation. Go to covid19.ca.gov to get the most updated information on the COVID-19 virus as well as the vaccine.

Keeping It Honest and Real on COVID-19 Episode 5: In episode 5, Dr. W. Gene Egerton explains what the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot is and how it can help those already fully vaccinated. Join us is “Keeping It Honest and Real on COVID-19” web-series, brought to you by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation. Go to www.covid19.ca.gov to get the most updated information on the COVID-19 virus as well as the vaccine.

Find out more about the Gubernatorial Recall Election happening right now, or vote in person before or on September 14: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/

Find out more about the Gubernatorial Recall Election happening right now, or vote in person before or on September 14: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/

Find out more about the Gubernatorial Recall Election happening right now, or vote in person before or on September 14: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/

Find out more about the Gubernatorial Recall Election happening right now, or vote in person before or on September 14: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/

Keeping It Honest and Real on COVID-19 Episode 4: In episode 4, Dr. W. Gene Egerton explains in detail why the COVID-19 virus has variants; he also explains why one should still take the vaccine even if the variants are infecting the fully vaccinated. Finally, Dr. Egerton explains the FDA approval of of the BioNTech, Pfizer vaccine.Join us is “Keeping It Honest and Real on COVID-19” web-series, brought to you by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation. Go to www.covid19.ca.gov to get the most updated information on the COVID-19 virus as well as the vaccine.

Keeping It Honest and Real on COVID-19 Episode 3: In episode 3, Dr. Tiffani Jenae Johnson, M.D., M.Sc. at the UC Davis Health Children's Hospital explains why the COVID-19 vaccines have been a difficult experience for those in ethnic communities. She also explains why she keeps it real and honest when patients of color have fear and/or inquiry on the COVID-19 vaccines; she spends more time with them going over what the data so that people can make informed decisions. During many media briefing, Dr. Johnson reminds the public that the socio-economic and cultural factors have left many minorities unvaccinated and at risks of demonizing the unvaccinated. She is a board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physician. Her research program is focused on race and racism and its impact on child health. Dr. Johnson is currently exploring root causes of inequities in the healthcare and early childhood education settings, including research on bias and discrimination and its impact on the health and well-being of children.Join us is “Keeping It Honest and Real on COVID-19” web-series, brought to you by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation. Go to www.covid19.ca.gov to get the most updated information on the COVID-19 virus as well as the vaccine.

Join us is “Keeping It Honest and Real on COVID-19” web-series, brought to you by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation. Go to covid19.ca.gov to get the most updated information on the COVID-19 virus as well as the vaccine.

In this It's ONME Local Fresno Special Report: Maxi Parks Center is clear to reopen Sept. 1; community not convinced it is safe to open, producer host, Julia Dudley Najieb reviews excerpts of Tuesday night's (Aug. 10) 90-minute Councilman Miguel Arias District 3's meeting with local Southwest Fresno residents and community advocates concerning the potential health hazards of the facility--all is clear, according to District 3 Councilman Arias' office, city officials and contracted toxicologist. But community health advocates and residents are not quite convinced for several reasons.

In this episode of It's ONME Local Central Valley, producer host Julia Dudley Najieb reviews all the polling locations and special elections happening in August and September throughout the Central Valley. Currently in the Central Valley this month, there are two special elections happening, one in Merced County, the other in Stanislaus County. After an informative update of the California Recall Election, Dudley Najieb gives an overview of polling location time and dates availability, as well as where to find the 24/7 drop boxes available for the following counties: Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Stanislaus, Merced, County of Kings and San Joaquin.

Join us is “Keeping It Honest and Real on COVID-19” web-series, brought to you by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation. Go to www.covid19.ca.gov to get the most updated information on the COVID-19 virus as well as the vaccine.

In this episode of ONME Local Central Valley, producer host Julia Dudley Najieb reviews the Bakersfield Observer story on California State University, Bakersfield is providing a free iPad to all incoming freshmen and new transfer students who register for the initiative, California State University Connectivity Contributing to Equity and Student Success (CSUCCESS); West Fresno receives new green commuter electronic charging station, a first. Finally, Dudley Najieb ends with a quick review of the Yvonne Spence case update.

In this two-hour, ONME News Special Report - Fresno, an investigative analysis by Julia Dudley Najieb, reveals possible missteps according to the City of Fresno's own protocols and procedures regarding employee suspension and removals; the June 14, 2021 publicly announced removal of Yvonne Spence by the City of Fresno attorney, Douglas Sloan, without her prior knowledge, could hold legal ramifications. After the detailed review of the Spence firing, Dudley Najieb featured excerpts of the July 13 community press conference called by The Fresno Black Leadership Collective, lead by Pastor B.T., Lewis, (see entire press conference below) followed by the slew of public comments made at the 9:00 AM July 15 City of Fresno Council meeting at City Hall.

In this ONME Local South & East Bays episode, producer host Julia Dudley Najieb reviews Santa Clara County's progressive step toward last year by making Juneteenth a holiday before President Joe Biden; former 1968 Olympian and San Jose State alumnus, Lee Evans, honored posthumously for his social justice advocacy; Vallejo's Randy Moore promoted by President Biden ; finally, a "Neighborhood Politics" review of the latest candidates for the California State Senate District 10 seat.

In this episode of ONME Local Central Valley, producer host, Julia Dudley Najieb reviews the latest upcoming special elections happening in July, August and the fall in Madera, Merced, Tulare and Stanislaus counties. People are reminded that all politics are local.

Lee Evans was honored at 2021 Juneteenth; Anita Evans, Council Member for District 4 representing the city of Madera, CA, opened the Junteenth Day celebration at Courthouse Park in front of the Madera County Courthouse Museum with a moment of silence.As of May 29, 2021, MacKenzie Scott, who is 51 years-old, has a net worth of US$57.0 billion, making her the third-wealthiest woman in the world, and the 21st-wealthiest individual overall. When she legally separated from the Amazon chief executive in 2019, she was given a four percent stake in Amazon, worth around $38bn at the time. She and current husband gave $20 million to UC Merced to help them in their fight for social justice.Lourin and three other Democratic candidates are running in the general election for U.S. House California District 22 on November 8, 2022 against Devin Nunes.

In the beginning of this episode of ONME Local: Fresno, producer host, Julia Dudley Najieb reviews Merced County news: UC Merced's 13th Recipient of Spendlove Prize; Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Alicia Garza. Also, Playhouse Merced will be back with its 2021-22 “The Story is Us” season of live, on stage productions starting this September. Its previous live season was unfortunately interrupted by the pandemic. The play, The Mountaintop, by African-American playwright, Katori Hall, will debut this season. The play is a fictional depiction of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s last night before he was assassinated in 1968, and is set entirely in the Lorraine Motel, where he was staying. Then Dudley Najieb reviews Fresno City Council and Mayor Jerry Dyer's once-escalated-now-resolved agreement regarding the raising of the Pride flag at City Hall located in downtown Fresno; an over 30-year request from the LGBQT&Other community was finally approved. A ceremony to recognize the raising of the Pride flag at City Hall was to continue forward this week. Also in Fresno news, City of Fresno councilman, Miguel Arias holds press conference to reveal the 109 year-old promise broken by the City of Fresno to service its residents with the creation of gutters, sidewalks, as well as the fixing of streets and pavements; there are schools and neighborhoods deemed unsafe for children walking home alone because there are no sidewalks. He also pointed out the deep neglect of trimming shrubbery and tree in neighborhoods or in front of local small businesses.

City of Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer explains the 2021-22 budget which includes more funds to the police and fire departments; crimes and local fires are up considerably. Meanwhile, District 3 Councilman Miguel Arias reviews a proposal to change the ordinance for blight property ordinances, changing their incentives if they do not take care of eye sores.

Freedom School New Light for New Life Church of God in West Fresno, is a year-round vegetable farm managed by a core group of 37 children and their adult mentors. It is for West Fresno youth, offering cultural, educational, and job skills programs to at-risk students in grades K-12. The church's associate pastor, Rev. Floyd D. Harris, Jr., founded Freedom School in 2015 basing it off the Freedom Schools of the 1960s Civil Rights movement. Harris' also has an urban farm in his front yard to educate the neighborhood children in the area.

Watch in-depth interview of new principal, Javan Childs, Sr. who will leading middle school, Edison Computech come this fall. Childs was formerly the vice-principal III at McLane High School.

In this episode of, It's ONME Local - Central Valley, podcast show host Julia Dudley Najieb reviews Merced County press briefing with Governor Gavin Newsom, who has declared a state of emergency for several counties already experiencing drought conditions. He also announce a $5.1 billion plan to tackle the chronic drought issue by dealing with infrastructure changes for the long term.Meanwhile, a pilot youth-jobs program beginning in Southwest Fresno plans to expand its footprint across the entire city after an evaluation evaluation of the current project. Students are able to work after school, as they get paid to help beautify their community, starting with painting address numbers on the curb.Finally, City of Fresno Council Vice-President District 7 Nelson Esparza, District 4 Tyler Maxwell and District 3 Miguel Arias are weary of the pending June 30th eviction moratorium lift which will result in a tsunami of evictions throughout the city. Currently, 80 percent of Fresno County's evictions comes from the city of Fresno, according to councilman Arias.

In this episode of, It's ONME Local - Central Valley, podcast show host Julia Dudley Najieb reviews last Thursday's Big City Mayors' media briefing, a coalition of California's largest 13 cities' mayors; The Big City Mayors met with State Leadership, and at their urging, both the Assembly and Senate have included $4 billion a year in funding for housing and homelessness over multiple years in their budget priorities, released earlier this week. She features videos excerpts of three San Joaquin Valley mayors: Bakersfield, CA, Mayor Karen Goh; Stockton, CA, Mayor Kevin Lincoln; and Fresno, CA, Mayor Jerry Dyer.Then Dudley Najieb reviews COVID-19 vaccine media briefing with California surgeon general, Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris; she also reviews the African-Americans and a few words from Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris.About the The Big City Mayors CoalitionMembers of the The Big City Mayors include mayors from Los Angeles, San Diego, San José, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Riverside, Santa Ana, and Stockton.

In this episode of ONME Local Profiles, producer host, Julia Dudley Najieb, interviews City of Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer after his first 100 days in office. Dyer talks about the programs happening throughout the City to "Beautify Fresno," one neighborhood at a time. Mayor Dyer also talks about the journey we will all have to take to become "one Fresno."

The African-American Clergy Caucus of Fresno set up an emergency meeting with Fresno leaders from throughout the county to address the potential negative outcomes of the Chauvin verdict concerning the murder of George Floyd last spring in Minnesota.

In this episode of It's ONME Local - Central Valley, producer host Julia Dudley Najieb features local governments who are implementing green technologies to benefit disadvantage communities, e-bikes and the agriculture industry.

Producer host Julia Dudley Najieb reviews April 7 Planning Commission meeting and the end result related to the Elm Ave. rezone request; Beautify Fresno Campaign is gowing to be very volunteer strong, and Black churches in Fresno continue their 10-year circuit food-drive to help residents with food insecurities.

Producer host Julia Dudley Najieb addresses communication-breakdown ahead of tonight's potentially contentious Planning Commission meeting.In this part 2 special report podcast of It's ONME Local - Fresno: Deny Rezone Request, producer host Julia Dudley Najieb reviews how the community outrage was caused by the lack of communication and transparency to southwest Fresno residents.After the March 26 emergency media briefing organized by concerned Fresno community members and southwest Fresno residents who were upset about a group of landowners attempting to rezone 92.53 acres near Elm Ave., it was clear that a communication break-down has resulted in the recent riff between the City of Fresno and some of its southwest Fresno residents.

In this episode of It's ONME Local - Fresno, producer host Julia Dudley Najieb reviews excerpts of Friday, March 26's emergency press conference led by Pastor B. T. Lewis of Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church; Mrs. Mary Curry, leader of Concerned Citizens of Southwest; Ivanka Saunders of Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability and community advocates and leaders, Dr. Venise Curry and Mr. Bob Mitchell.The media briefing was concerning a rezone effort of 92.3 acres near Elm Avenue in southwest Fresno; this effort could change the current neighborhood mixed-use area to "light Industrial" use, completely amending the community-based Southwest Fresno Specific Plan adopted by the City of Fresno in 2017.The approved recommendation request goes before City Council on April 7 at 6:00 PM; the community is outraged at the antics used to bypass proper community notification and community input on the matter and intend to express it at this meeting as well, according to the emergency press conference organizers.

In this episode of It's ONME Local - Central Valley, producer host Julia Dudley Najieb reviews excerpts of Fresno County Department of Health media briefing concerning COVID-19 variants and equity issues among ethnic groups, featuring Dr. Rais Vohra - Interim Health Officer for the Fresno County Dept of Health and Eric Payne of the State of Calif. Health ; Tulare County is almost to the orange tier; Arleana Waller's ShePower benefits young girls in Kern County and the African-American Chamber of Commerce of San Joaquin County has some helpful free workshops for businesses, entrepreneurs and non-profits.

Producer host Julia Dudley Najieb reviews Fresno, CA's press conference on the rental relief program; Kingsburg Fire Dept. is giving COVID-19 vaccines via mobile; Tulare County is the only Central Valley county cleared to open and Bakersfield superintendent is leaving this June to San Bernardino.

Fresno: FAX bus transportation system has started giving its residents free rides temporarily, Mayor Jerry Dyer launches Beautify Fresno, Councilman Miguel Arias voices his concerns about children going back to school.Merced: New MLK mural in South Merced was revealed at the end of Black History Month.Bakersfield: Bakersfield mom urges African-Americans to donate bone marrow.

Producer host Julia Dudley Najieb talks to Fresno, CA community leaders about their COVID-19 experiences from illness to vaccines: Mayor Jerry Dyer, Carla Stanley and Karen Ledee-Lewis.

Producer host Julia Dudley Najieb talks with Kimberly Tapscott-Munson regarding her COVID-19 experiences and vaccine experience as of recent. Tapscott-Munson is the vice-president of the Fresno County Office of Education Board of Directors and the community liaison for City of Fresno Councilman Miguel Arias' office.

Producer host Julia Dudley Najieb talks to Pastor B.T. Lewis, Rev. Dominic Holland and Rev. Chester L. McGensy about the churches stance on COVID-19 along with their personal experiences and stories relating to the vicious virus.

Sponsored by the 2020 Census San Joaquin Valley Health Fund, the African-American Museum in the San Joaquin Valley hosted a San Joaquin Valley Juneenth Celebration featuring community activist and leaders, musical performers and local history around Juneteenth and Black Music Month. Music legend Chaka Khan honors the two AAHCMSJV Awardees of the Juneteenth Jazz & Blues event: Ed Burke & Mother Williams.

Sponsored by the 2020 Census San Joaquin Valley Health Fund, the African-American Museum in the San Joaquin Valley hosted a San Joaquin Valley Juneenth Celebration featuring community activist and leaders, musical performers and local history around Juneteenth and Black Music Month.