Bay Area

A Roadmap for Counting More African Americans in California During the 2020 Census

Published

6 years ago

April 8, 2020

California Black Media (CBM) has released their updated and comprehensive, “Counting Black California-Counting the Hard to Count” study, identifying areas in the state where African Americans are least likely to be counted by the 2020 Census. The study examined 16 socio-economic variables among Black residents of census tracts throughout the state considered the “least likely to participate” and “less likely to participate”—classifications that are used by the Census.

The study concluded that the most effective way to get a complete count of African Americans in California would be to focus first on 41 distinct areas across the state—some, towns with only hundreds of Black residents; others, cities with Black populations approaching 100,000. These areas capture the vast majority of African Americans in California, and if focused on, would deliver efficient and effective results.

With the 2020 Census effort officially launching yesterday—especially given the significant challenges presented by the Coronavirus—the study is intended to help hit the target areas that will more than likely not respond to the states’ first push to reach residents to respond.

CBM’s executive director Regina Wilson stated, “We risk being undercounted because the Census is overshadowed by today’s crisis, but being undercounted means having fewer resources to battle tomorrow’s crisis as well. I support all of the hard-working Community organizations and ethnic media rising to these challenges to ensure our most vulnerable residents are counted. We hope this report will allow outreach organization’s to better pinpoint where our most vulnerable Black people live.”

The study was commissioned by CBM and authored by Walter Scott Hawkins, who spent 30 years in the California State University System, including serving as Director of Research & Policy Analysis at CSUSB. Hawkins said, “What makes this study unique is that we carefully selected variables that allow us to look solely at Blacks in California. We didn’t compare them to other groups, which so many other studies do. I believe we’ve created a road map for any organization educating the public to target historically vulnerable residents on the importance of self-response to the Census. I also believe the data will drive targeted results for our community during the 2020 Census and Non-Response Follow-up period.”

“The beauty of this report,” Hawkins continued, “is that it can be used by a range of city, county and state leaders to measure education results, deliver social services, track and advocate for affordable housing, etc. Black communities in California can’t afford another undercount,” Hawkins went on to say. “We know that the 2010 Census undercounted African Americans across the nation by more than 800,000, and approximately seven percent of young African American children were overlooked by that census.

Every policymaker and informed community leader understands the significant negative impact that an undercount of that magnitude can have on a community. We launched this study to avoid repeating that mistake; to provide a very detailed roadmap for counting Blacks in California. And importantly, we believe that the methodology can be replicated across the U.S.”

Download the study here: www.cablackmedia.org

Courtesy of CBA

Posts by Courtesy of CBA

Activism

OP-ED: AB 1349 Puts Corporate Power Over Community

Since Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010, ticket prices have jumped more than 150 percent. Activities that once fit a family’s budget now take significant disposable income that most working families simply don’t have. The problem is compounded by a system that has tilted access toward the wealthy and white-collar workers. If you have a fancy credit card, you get “presale access,” and if you work in an office instead of a warehouse, you might be able to wait in an online queue to buy a ticket. Access now means privilege.

Published

5 days ago

January 9, 2026

Oakland Post

Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

By Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

As a pastor, I believe in the power that a sense of community can have on improving people’s lives. Live events are one of the few places where people from different backgrounds and ages can share the same space and experience – where construction workers sit next to lawyers at a concert, and teenagers enjoy a basketball game with their grandparents. Yet, over the past decade, I’ve witnessed these experiences – the concerts, games, and cultural events where we gather – become increasingly unaffordable, and it is a shame.

These moments of connection matter as they form part of the fabric that holds communities together. But that fabric is fraying because of Ticketmaster/Live Nation’s unchecked control over access to live events. Unfortunately, AB 1349 would only further entrench their corporate power over our spaces.

Power over live events is concentrated in a single corporate entity, and this regime operates without transparency or accountability – much like a dictator. Ticketmaster controls 80 percent of first-sale tickets and nearly a third of resale tickets, but they still want more. More power, more control for Ticketmaster means higher prices and less access for consumers. It’s the agenda they are pushing nationally, with the help of former Trump political operatives, who are quietly trying to undo the antitrust lawsuit launched against Ticketmaster/Live Nation under President Biden’s DOJ.

That’s why I’m deeply concerned about AB 1349 in its current form. Rather than reining in Ticketmaster’s power, the bill risks strengthening it, aligning with Trump. AB 1349 gives Ticketmaster the ability to control a consumer’s ticket forever by granting Ticketmaster’s regime new powers in state law to prevent consumers from reselling or giving away their tickets. It also creates new pathways for Ticketmaster to discriminate and retaliate against consumers who choose to shop around for the best service and fees on resale platforms that aren’t yet controlled by Ticketmaster. These provisions are anti-consumer and anti-democratic.

California has an opportunity to stand with consumers, to demand transparency, and to restore genuine competition in this industry. But that requires legislation developed with input from the community and faith leaders, not proposals backed by the very company causing the harm.

Will our laws reflect fairness, inclusion, and accountability? Or will we let corporate interests tighten their grip on spaces that should belong to everyone? I, for one, support the former and encourage the California Legislature to reject AB 1349 outright or amend it to remove any provisions that expand Ticketmaster’s control. I also urge community members to contact their representatives and advocate for accessible, inclusive live events for all Californians. Let’s work together to ensure these gathering spaces remain open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of income or background.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.