Bay Area
“Black Owned” Encourages Participation in Government PPP (Paycheck Protection Program)
Currently the Federal Government is assisting small businesses with PPP grants and Johnson wants to make sure business owners don’t miss a prime opportunity to keep their doors open.
![](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/96F28A67-D90A-4EC3-B434-D4726E93FE6B.png)
One of the missions of Derreck Johnson’s Black Owned Project is sharing information to assure Black business thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. According to the Home of Chicken and Waffles founder Johnson, “I’ve been fortunate to have educated information that saved my enterprises.”
Currently the Federal Government is assisting small businesses with PPP grants and Johnson wants to make sure business owners don’t miss a prime opportunity to keep their doors open.
“I was skeptical of the PPP program at first as the last thing I needed was another loan or another bill to pay. But PPP . . . and allowed [Home of Chicken and Waffles] to pivot to sustain . . . and keep . . . employees employed.”
Johnson’s interest in PPP has a lot to do with the people currently running the Federal Government, President Biden and Vice President Harris. Harris is Johnson’s childhood best friend.
“I have so much more trust now in the Feds now that Kamala is there. She is so efficient, I can’t think of anything Kamala didn’t get involved in that she didn’t make better. When I was having tax issues, knowing how she operates made me check myself and tighten up my game. Her work ethic and tenacity showed me the results of a job well done when you’re willing to roll up your sleeves. After her run for the Attorney General race, we went to Napa and I was lamenting how raggedy my paperwork was. During that trip she inspired me to correct my IRS situation, and tighten up my life personally and in business.”
Johnson cites lingering mistrust but notes the government did what it said it was going to do. “And in return, Chicken and Waffles did what we were supposed to do, the initial money we received was forgiven and now it’s time for round two.”
Johnson recommends business owners align with a community-based bank, stating that from personal experience it doesn’t seem the major banks are the way to go.
“I recommend community banks because you can talk to the decision makers. Community banks like Summit Bank service a lot of black people. They are small and they have done great things for the black community.” Johnson cites Beneficial and Community Bank of the Bay also as potential banks that may assist.
Despite Johnson’s recommendation, he stresses the importance of doing personal research and speaking to other businesses that have received PPP funds. He also worries that some business owners will perceive PPP as free money with no attachments. “When you receive these funds make sure you reinvest to run your business more efficiently, as it will improve your profitability. Most important, if you use funds appropriately, you don’t have to pay it back.
There is a formula for PPP loans based upon payroll and that number indicates the amount business owners can apply for, which makes the process pretty easy. Says Johnson. “If you need help filing 941’s or payroll records in order to qualify, contact Cathy Adams at the Black Chamber of Commerce, she can assist you as the process is automated.”
Alameda County
Lee Releases Strong Statement on Integrity and Ethics in Government
In a statement released recently, Lee said she fully supports current efforts by the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, ACLU and Oakland Ethics Commissioners to look at how to strengthen accountability and trust in government. She said she supports a review of the city charter to clarify lines of accountability between the city administrator and elected mayor, so the City of Oakland uses every tax dollar wisely to deliver essential services in the most efficient ways.
![Barbara Lee. Courtesy photo.](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/barbara-lee-ethics-featured-web.jpg)
By Post Staff
The people of Oakland expect and deserve a transparent, accountable government that serves the people, not special interests, according to Oakland mayoral candidate Barbara Lee, who pledges to bring the same “energy, ideas, and dedication” to ethics in City Hall that she had in Congress.
“There should be no tolerance whatsoever for secret pay-to-play schemes that erode the public trust. Oaklanders expect and deserve leaders who have only one agenda—honest, accountable leadership that serves the people of Oakland,” she said.
In a statement released recently, Lee said she fully supports current efforts by the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, ACLU, and Oakland Ethics Commissioners to look at how to strengthen accountability and trust in government.
She said she supports a review of the city charter to clarify lines of accountability between the city administrator and elected mayor, so the City of Oakland uses every tax dollar wisely to deliver essential services in the most efficient ways.
In addition, Lee said, the current prohibition on gifts to elected officials is too loosely worded and should be strengthened to ensure no one is prone to influence. There is also no user-friendly portal where any member of the public can view contract scopes and amounts, which should be available online for public review.
She also supports the city pursuing available legal remedies to secure financial relief or judgments against persons or entities convicted of defrauding the City or using illegal means to profit on the backs of Oakland taxpayers.
Though Oakland’s governmental structure is complex, leadership is what matters, she said. The city needs reforms to ensure accountability and transparency and needs leadership.
Lee said she is proud of her strong track record on ethics and integrity.
As a congresswoman, she was a leader in one of the most sweeping political ethics reforms, which banned gifts from lobbyists and prohibited House members from traveling on private planes, among other vital reforms. That reform law ended pay-to-play schemes that had run rampant in Washington, D.C.
Congresswoman Lee also played a key role in the comprehensive ethics reform package in 2007, which required lawmakers to disclose how much campaign cash lobbyists raise on their behalf and what earmarks they have requested.
Starting from her very first day in Congress, she supported campaign finance reform to get big money out of politics, including limiting the size of campaign donations.
She spearheaded efforts to overturn the Citizens United decision, which opened the floodgate to unlimited spending by billionaires to buy elections.
She supported public campaign financing to combat the influence of big money in politics, including the Government By the People Act.
Activism
Griot Theater Company Presents August Wilson’s Work at Annual Oratorical Featuring Black Authors
The performance explores the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson whose 10-play Century Cycle chronicles the African American experience across the 20th century, with each play set in a different decade. “Half a Century” journeys through the final five plays of this monumental cycle, bringing Wilson’s richly woven stories to life in a way that celebrates history, resilience, and the human spirit.
![Late playwright August Wilson. Wikipedia photo.](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/august-wilson-featured-web.jpg)
By Godfrey Lee
Griot Theater Company will present their Fifth Annual Oratorical with August Wilson’s “Half a Century,” at the Belrose on 1415 Fifth Ave., in San Rafael near the San Rafael Public Library.
The performance explores the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson whose 10-play Century Cycle chronicles the African American experience across the 20th century, with each play set in a different decade. “Half a Century” journeys through the final five plays of this monumental cycle, bringing Wilson’s richly woven stories to life in a way that celebrates history, resilience, and the human spirit.
Previous performance highlighting essential Black American authors included Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Lorraine Hansberry with Langston Hughes.
The play will be performed at 3:00. p.m. on Feb. 20, 21, 22, 27, and 28 at 7:00 p.m., and on Feb. 23 at 3:00 p.m.
For more information, go to griottheatercompany.squarespace.com/productions-v2
Activism
Two New California Bills Are Aiming to Lower Your Prescription Drug Costs
“When basic life necessities like medication become unaffordable in Blue States, working people pay the price. As Democrats, we should be leading on making people’s lives better and more affordable,” continued Weiner. It is past time California caught up with other states and put basic protections in place to contain the astronomical cost of basic medications.”
![iStock.](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/save-prescription-costs-featured-web.jpg)
By Edward Henderson, California Black Media
Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) has introduced two bills in the State Senate that could lower prescription drug prices for California residents.
Senate Bill (SB) 40, or the Insulin Affordability Act — and accompanying legislation, SB 41, or Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Reform — comprise Wiener’s Prescription Drug Affordability (PDA) Package.
Together, the bills would cap monthly co-pays for insulin at $35 (SB 40) and create regulations for pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) whose negotiation practices, critics say, have resulted in steep price increases for prescription drugs (SB 41).
“It makes no sense that people with diabetes in states like West Virginia can access affordable insulin while Californians are stuck with higher prices,” said Wiener in a statement.
“When basic life necessities like medication become unaffordable in Blue States, working people pay the price. As Democrats, we should be leading on making people’s lives better and more affordable,” continued Weiner. It is past time California caught up with other states and put basic protections in place to contain the astronomical cost of basic medications.”
SB 40’s proposed $35 monthly co-pay was written, in part, in response to the price of insulin tripling over the past decade, Wiener’s office says. As a result of the increase, one in four people using insulin has reported insulin underuse because they can’t afford the full dose.
About 4,037,000 adult Californians have diabetes, with an additional 263,000 cases of Type 1 diabetes diagnosed each year. This rate in new cases disproportionately affects the elderly, men, and low-income patients, Wiener’s office reports.
According to Wiener, SB 41 is his follow-up to similar legislation he introduced last year, SB 966, which was vetoed by Gov. Newsom.
Middlemen in the pharmaceutical industry, PBMs buy prescription drugs from manufacturers and then sell them to pharmacies and health plans. Their position as intermediaries allows them to charge high administrative fees and significantly higher prices for drugs to pharmacies than they paid originally. This practice results in higher costs for patients seeking the prescriptions they need.
“On behalf of the Californians we serve who live with chronic and rare diseases, we are grateful to Sen. Wiener for his commitment and attempt to hold pharmacy middlemen accountable for their anti-patient and anti-pharmacy practices,” stated Liz Helms, California Chronic Care Coalition President & CEO. “Health care costs continue to rise when patients cannot afford medically necessary medications.”
SB 41 proposes that all PBMs be licensed and that they disclose basic information regarding their business practices to the licensing entity. It also calls for a number of other requirements and prohibitions, including limiting how fees may be charged and requiring transparency related to all fees assessed.
“This bill addresses some of the worst abuses by pharmacy benefit managers: lack of transparency, unfair business practices, steering, and price gouging,” said Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog.
In 2022, drug spending in California grew by 12%, while total health premiums rose by just 4%. Last year, more than half of Californians either skipped or postponed mental and physical healthcare due to cost, putting their safety and well-being at risk. One in three reported holding medical debt, including half of low-income Californians.
So far, there is no organized opposition to the Prescription Drug Affordability package.
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