National
Black Youth Leading the Way in This Modern Day Movement
by Jeffrey L. Boney
Special to the NNPA from the Houston Forward Times
Imagine being a young teenager and deciding to participate in a serious march that you hoped would shed light on the injustices facing Black people in this country, as well as change the unjust laws that were in place allowing those injustices to be perpetuated without consequence.
That is what our current generation – the Joshua Generation – is up against and that is what many that have come before them have had to endure.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of an event that was televised around the world called “Bloody Sunday” and that event became one of the major catalysts behind the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that strengthen the voting rights for Black people in this country.
Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., a young Black man by the name of John Lewis joined the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement. Lewis was a Freedom Rider, spoke at 1963’s March on Washington and led the demonstration now known as “Bloody Sunday.”
“Bloody Sunday” refers to the March 7, 1965, civil rights march in Alabama that was scheduled to go from Selma to the capitol in Montgomery to protest the shooting death of 26-year old Black activist Jimmy Lee Jackson, who was shot in the stomach on February 18, 1965, by Alabama State Trooper James Fowler while the troopers were breaking up a peaceful protest in Marion, Perry County.
Lewis worked with other Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) activists to assemble and lead over 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on the way to Montgomery. Lewis and the marchers were violently assaulted and driven back by numerous law enforcement officials after they crossed the bridge. Lewis, who still bears the visible scar on his forehead from the blow he received from an Alabama State Troopers’ nightstick, along with the other unarmed marchers, were beaten and gassed during the attack, while media outlets were on hand to cover the event live. The footage of the vicious and heinous attacks deeply shook the country and put necessary pressure on then-President Lyndon B. Johnson to advocate for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Lewis became one of the thirteen original Freedom Riders and was the youngest of the “Big Six” civil rights leaders and the chairman of the SNCC from 1963 to 1966, some of the most tumultuous years of the civil rights movement. During his tenure, the SNCC opened Freedom Schools, launched the Mississippi Freedom Summer and organized the voter registration efforts that led to the pivotal Selma to Montgomery marches. As the chairmen of SNCC, Lewis wrote a speech in reaction to the Civil Rights Bill of 1963, where he denounced the bill because it didn’t protect African Americans against police brutality; nor did the bill provide African Americans the right to vote. In that year, Lewis helped plan the historic March on Washington in August 1963, the occasion of Dr. King’s celebrated “I Have a Dream” speech and at 23 was the youngest speaker that day.
It is that same spirit – that flows from Lewis, the last living person who addressed the 1963 March on Washington – that has seemingly found its way inside the hearts and minds of a new generation of modern day Civil Rights leaders in this country who are fighting to shed light on critical issues impacting the Black community – from police brutality to economic disenfranchisement to political and legal disparity.
All across the country, we are seeing a number of young activists that have taken up the mantle, without fear or favor, to speak up and speak out about these issues and are not backing down.
Protesters have been gathering in various cities to demand accountability in the legal system following the grand jury decisions concerning Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri; Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York; and Jordan Baker in Houston, Texas.
The majority of demonstrations we have seen have been youth-led movements that has gotten the attention of mainstream America and has breathed life into a generation of young people who had not been as politically engaged in matters concerning injustice as they once had been.
Young people who are students, community activists and members of grassroots organizations have made it a point to not stop demonstrating and to keep up the pressure on key entities in order to have their message heard. They have implemented extremely unique activities and messaging in order to keep their message fresh and to capture the attention of America.
Young people have staged something they have labeled “a die in” – which is the act of laying on the ground to represent the hours that Brown lie dead in the street in Ferguson.
Protesters have added to the traditional “No Justice No Peace” chants, by incorporating “I Can’t Breathe” and “Black Lives Matter” messaging.
All across the country, protesters took to streets of many of the busiest intersections in their respective cities in order to get their message out and stand in solidarity with the families of Brown and Garner. In addition to the street-side protests, many youth demonstrators held massive demonstrations inside of many of the major shopping malls across the country.
Many grassroots activist groups, such as the Houston Justice Coalition, held forums and town hall meetings aimed at local criminal justice reform and developing plans towards the next steps needed to deal with the political, law enforcement and judicial systems, in the wake of the grand jury decisions involving Jordan Baker, Brown, Garner and countless others.
Black youth have been desperate for leadership ever since integration and the lack of mentorship and abandonment has forced Black youth to find their own way to deal with the injustices they are witnessing and up against – without even considering those who should be leading the way.
This response to social and community issues is nothing new. Hip-hop was formed because Black youth needed an outlet to talk about what they were experiencing and going through.
Gangs were formed because Black youth wanted to know what a family looked and felt like, so many joined gangs to create a family-like atmosphere and belong to a family that they felt truly understood them and related to them.
Black youth are no longer seeking to be marginalized. Black youth are seeking respect and justice and will do what they need to do to be safe, have stability and survive.
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
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.
Activism
2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Assemblymember Lori Wilson — Advocate for Equity, the Environment, and More
Her rise has also included several historic firsts: she is the only Black woman ever appointed to lead the influential Assembly Transportation Committee, and the first freshman legislator elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. She has also been a vocal advocate for vulnerable communities, becoming the first California legislator to publicly discuss being the parent of a transgender child — an act of visibility that has helped advanced representation at a time when political tensions related to social issues and culture have intensified.
By Edward Henderson, California Black Media
Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) joined the California Legislature in 2022 after making history as Solano County’s first Black female mayor, bringing with her a track record of fiscal discipline, community investment, and inclusive leadership.
She represents the state’s 11th Assembly District, which spans Solano County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties.
Her rise has also included several historic firsts: she is the only Black woman ever appointed to lead the influential Assembly Transportation Committee, and the first freshman legislator elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. She has also been a vocal advocate for vulnerable communities, becoming the first California legislator to publicly discuss being the parent of a transgender child — an act of visibility that has helped advanced representation at a time when political tensions related to social issues and culture have intensified.
California Black Media spoke with Wilson about her successes and disappointments this year and her outlook for 2026.
What stands out as your most important achievement this year?
Getting SB 237 passed in the Assembly. I had the opportunity to co-lead a diverse workgroup of colleagues, spanning a wide range of ideological perspectives on environmental issues.
How did your leadership contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians this year?
The Black Caucus concentrated on the Road to Repair package and prioritized passing a crucial bill that remained incomplete during my time as chair, which establishes a process for identifying descendants of enslaved people for benefit eligibility.
What frustrated you the most this year?
The lack of progress made on getting Prop 4 funds allocated to socially disadvantaged farmers. This delay has real consequences. These farmers have been waiting for essential support that was promised. Watching the process stall, despite the clear need and clear intent of the voters, has been deeply frustrating and reinforces how much work remains to make our systems more responsive and equitable.
What inspired you the most this year?
The resilience of Californians persists despite the unprecedented attacks from the federal government. Watching people stay engaged, hopeful, and determined reminded me why this work matters and why we must continue to protect the rights of every community in our state.
What is one lesson you learned this year that will inform your decision-making next year?
As a legislator, I have the authority to demand answers to my questions — and accept nothing less. That clarity has strengthened my approach to oversight and accountability.
In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians are facing currently?
Affordability and access to quality educational opportunities.
What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2026?
Advance my legislative agenda despite a complex budget environment. The needs across our communities are real, and even in a tight fiscal year, I’m committed to moving forward policies that strengthen safety, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life for the people I represent.
Activism
2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, Champion of Reparations, Housing and Workers’ Rights
In 2025, McKinnor pushed forward legislation on renters’ protections, re-entry programs, reparations legislation, and efforts to support Inglewood Unified School District. She spoke with California Black Media about the past year and her work. Here are her responses.
By Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media
Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) represents
California’s 61st Assembly District.
As a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC),
McKinnor was elected in 2022. She chairs the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation and leads the Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee. McKinnor also served as a civic engagement director, managed political campaigns, and worked as chief of staff for former Assemblymembers Steven Bradford and Autumn Burke.
In 2025, McKinnor pushed forward legislation on renters’ protections, re-entry programs, reparations legislation, and efforts to support Inglewood Unified School District. She spoke with California Black Media about the past year and her work. Here are her responses.
Looking back on 2025, what do you see as your biggest win?
Assembly Bill (AB) 628. If rent is $3,000, people should at least have a stove and a refrigerator. It’s ridiculous that people were renting without basic appliances.
I’m also proud that I was able to secure $8.4 million in the state budget for people coming home from incarceration. That includes the Homecoming Project, the menopause program for incarcerated women, and the Justice Leaders Program.
How did your leadership help make life better for Black Californians this year?
After the Eaton Fire, I pushed to get the same kind of support for affected areas that wealthier regions get after disasters.
I also did a lot of work building political power— establishing the Black Legacy PAC and California for All of Us PAC so we could support Black candidates and educate voters. We also called voters to make sure they understood Prop 50.
People need to understand this: there are only 12 Black legislators in the Capitol. Folks act like we can just walk in and pass reparations, but that’s not how it works.
What frustrated you most this year?
The governor did not have the political will to sign these bills: AB 57 and AB 62. They both passed overwhelmingly in the Assembly and the Senate. We did the work. The only person who didn’t have the political will to sign them was the governor.
The public needs to ask the governor why he didn’t sign the bills. We can’t keep letting people off the hook. He has to answer.
I also introduced AB 51 — the bill to eliminate interest payments on Inglewood Unified School District’s long-standing state loan — held in the Appropriations Committee. That was frustrating,
What inspired you most in 2025?
The civil rights trip to Alabama was life changing. We visited the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. We took members of the Black, Latino, Jewish, and API caucuses with us. It changed all of us.
People aren’t always against us — they just don’t know our history.
What’s one lesson from 2025 that will shape how you approach decisions next year?
The legislative trip to Norway taught me that collaboration matters. Government, labor, and industry sit down together there. They don’t make villains. Everybody doesn’t get everything they want, but they solve problems.
What’s the biggest challenge facing Black Californians in one word?
Inequity. It shows up in housing, wealth, stress – all these things.
What’s the number one goal you want to accomplish in 2026?
Bringing back AB 57 and AB 62, and securing money for the Inglewood Unified loan interest forgiveness.
-
Bay Area4 weeks agoPost Salon to Discuss Proposal to Bring Costco to Oakland Community meeting to be held at City Hall, Thursday, Dec. 18
-
Activism4 weeks agoMayor Lee, City Leaders Announce $334 Million Bond Sale for Affordable Housing, Roads, Park Renovations, Libraries and Senior Centers
-
Activism4 weeks agoOakland School Board Grapples with Potential $100 Million Shortfall Next Year
-
Activism4 weeks ago2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Black Women’s Think Tank Founder Kellie Todd Griffin
-
Arts and Culture4 weeks agoFayeth Gardens Holds 3rd Annual Kwanzaa Celebration at Hayward City Hall on Dec. 28
-
Advice4 weeks agoCOMMENTARY: If You Don’t Want Your ‘Black Card’ Revoked, Watch What You Bring to Holiday Dinners
-
Activism4 weeks agoAnn Lowe: The Quiet Genius of American Couture
-
Activism3 weeks agoDesmond Gumbs — Visionary Founder, Mentor, and Builder of Opportunity
National
Black Youth Leading the Way in This Modern Day Movement
by Jeffrey L. Boney
Special to the NNPA from the Houston Forward Times
Imagine being a young teenager and deciding to participate in a serious march that you hoped would shed light on the injustices facing Black people in this country, as well as change the unjust laws that were in place allowing those injustices to be perpetuated without consequence.
That is what our current generation – the Joshua Generation – is up against and that is what many that have come before them have had to endure.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of an event that was televised around the world called “Bloody Sunday” and that event became one of the major catalysts behind the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that strengthen the voting rights for Black people in this country.
Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., a young Black man by the name of John Lewis joined the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement. Lewis was a Freedom Rider, spoke at 1963’s March on Washington and led the demonstration now known as “Bloody Sunday.”
“Bloody Sunday” refers to the March 7, 1965, civil rights march in Alabama that was scheduled to go from Selma to the capitol in Montgomery to protest the shooting death of 26-year old Black activist Jimmy Lee Jackson, who was shot in the stomach on February 18, 1965, by Alabama State Trooper James Fowler while the troopers were breaking up a peaceful protest in Marion, Perry County.
Lewis worked with other Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) activists to assemble and lead over 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on the way to Montgomery. Lewis and the marchers were violently assaulted and driven back by numerous law enforcement officials after they crossed the bridge. Lewis, who still bears the visible scar on his forehead from the blow he received from an Alabama State Troopers’ nightstick, along with the other unarmed marchers, were beaten and gassed during the attack, while media outlets were on hand to cover the event live. The footage of the vicious and heinous attacks deeply shook the country and put necessary pressure on then-President Lyndon B. Johnson to advocate for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Lewis became one of the thirteen original Freedom Riders and was the youngest of the “Big Six” civil rights leaders and the chairman of the SNCC from 1963 to 1966, some of the most tumultuous years of the civil rights movement. During his tenure, the SNCC opened Freedom Schools, launched the Mississippi Freedom Summer and organized the voter registration efforts that led to the pivotal Selma to Montgomery marches. As the chairmen of SNCC, Lewis wrote a speech in reaction to the Civil Rights Bill of 1963, where he denounced the bill because it didn’t protect African Americans against police brutality; nor did the bill provide African Americans the right to vote. In that year, Lewis helped plan the historic March on Washington in August 1963, the occasion of Dr. King’s celebrated “I Have a Dream” speech and at 23 was the youngest speaker that day.
It is that same spirit – that flows from Lewis, the last living person who addressed the 1963 March on Washington – that has seemingly found its way inside the hearts and minds of a new generation of modern day Civil Rights leaders in this country who are fighting to shed light on critical issues impacting the Black community – from police brutality to economic disenfranchisement to political and legal disparity.
All across the country, we are seeing a number of young activists that have taken up the mantle, without fear or favor, to speak up and speak out about these issues and are not backing down.
Protesters have been gathering in various cities to demand accountability in the legal system following the grand jury decisions concerning Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri; Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York; and Jordan Baker in Houston, Texas.
The majority of demonstrations we have seen have been youth-led movements that has gotten the attention of mainstream America and has breathed life into a generation of young people who had not been as politically engaged in matters concerning injustice as they once had been.
Young people who are students, community activists and members of grassroots organizations have made it a point to not stop demonstrating and to keep up the pressure on key entities in order to have their message heard. They have implemented extremely unique activities and messaging in order to keep their message fresh and to capture the attention of America.
Young people have staged something they have labeled “a die in” – which is the act of laying on the ground to represent the hours that Brown lie dead in the street in Ferguson.
Protesters have added to the traditional “No Justice No Peace” chants, by incorporating “I Can’t Breathe” and “Black Lives Matter” messaging.
All across the country, protesters took to streets of many of the busiest intersections in their respective cities in order to get their message out and stand in solidarity with the families of Brown and Garner. In addition to the street-side protests, many youth demonstrators held massive demonstrations inside of many of the major shopping malls across the country.
Many grassroots activist groups, such as the Houston Justice Coalition, held forums and town hall meetings aimed at local criminal justice reform and developing plans towards the next steps needed to deal with the political, law enforcement and judicial systems, in the wake of the grand jury decisions involving Jordan Baker, Brown, Garner and countless others.
Black youth have been desperate for leadership ever since integration and the lack of mentorship and abandonment has forced Black youth to find their own way to deal with the injustices they are witnessing and up against – without even considering those who should be leading the way.
This response to social and community issues is nothing new. Hip-hop was formed because Black youth needed an outlet to talk about what they were experiencing and going through.
Gangs were formed because Black youth wanted to know what a family looked and felt like, so many joined gangs to create a family-like atmosphere and belong to a family that they felt truly understood them and related to them.
Black youth are no longer seeking to be marginalized. Black youth are seeking respect and justice and will do what they need to do to be safe, have stability and survive.
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
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.
Activism
2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Assemblymember Lori Wilson — Advocate for Equity, the Environment, and More
Her rise has also included several historic firsts: she is the only Black woman ever appointed to lead the influential Assembly Transportation Committee, and the first freshman legislator elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. She has also been a vocal advocate for vulnerable communities, becoming the first California legislator to publicly discuss being the parent of a transgender child — an act of visibility that has helped advanced representation at a time when political tensions related to social issues and culture have intensified.
By Edward Henderson, California Black Media
Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) joined the California Legislature in 2022 after making history as Solano County’s first Black female mayor, bringing with her a track record of fiscal discipline, community investment, and inclusive leadership.
She represents the state’s 11th Assembly District, which spans Solano County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties.
Her rise has also included several historic firsts: she is the only Black woman ever appointed to lead the influential Assembly Transportation Committee, and the first freshman legislator elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. She has also been a vocal advocate for vulnerable communities, becoming the first California legislator to publicly discuss being the parent of a transgender child — an act of visibility that has helped advanced representation at a time when political tensions related to social issues and culture have intensified.
California Black Media spoke with Wilson about her successes and disappointments this year and her outlook for 2026.
What stands out as your most important achievement this year?
Getting SB 237 passed in the Assembly. I had the opportunity to co-lead a diverse workgroup of colleagues, spanning a wide range of ideological perspectives on environmental issues.
How did your leadership contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians this year?
The Black Caucus concentrated on the Road to Repair package and prioritized passing a crucial bill that remained incomplete during my time as chair, which establishes a process for identifying descendants of enslaved people for benefit eligibility.
What frustrated you the most this year?
The lack of progress made on getting Prop 4 funds allocated to socially disadvantaged farmers. This delay has real consequences. These farmers have been waiting for essential support that was promised. Watching the process stall, despite the clear need and clear intent of the voters, has been deeply frustrating and reinforces how much work remains to make our systems more responsive and equitable.
What inspired you the most this year?
The resilience of Californians persists despite the unprecedented attacks from the federal government. Watching people stay engaged, hopeful, and determined reminded me why this work matters and why we must continue to protect the rights of every community in our state.
What is one lesson you learned this year that will inform your decision-making next year?
As a legislator, I have the authority to demand answers to my questions — and accept nothing less. That clarity has strengthened my approach to oversight and accountability.
In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians are facing currently?
Affordability and access to quality educational opportunities.
What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2026?
Advance my legislative agenda despite a complex budget environment. The needs across our communities are real, and even in a tight fiscal year, I’m committed to moving forward policies that strengthen safety, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life for the people I represent.
Activism
2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, Champion of Reparations, Housing and Workers’ Rights
In 2025, McKinnor pushed forward legislation on renters’ protections, re-entry programs, reparations legislation, and efforts to support Inglewood Unified School District. She spoke with California Black Media about the past year and her work. Here are her responses.
By Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media
Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) represents
California’s 61st Assembly District.
As a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC),
McKinnor was elected in 2022. She chairs the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation and leads the Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee. McKinnor also served as a civic engagement director, managed political campaigns, and worked as chief of staff for former Assemblymembers Steven Bradford and Autumn Burke.
In 2025, McKinnor pushed forward legislation on renters’ protections, re-entry programs, reparations legislation, and efforts to support Inglewood Unified School District. She spoke with California Black Media about the past year and her work. Here are her responses.
Looking back on 2025, what do you see as your biggest win?
Assembly Bill (AB) 628. If rent is $3,000, people should at least have a stove and a refrigerator. It’s ridiculous that people were renting without basic appliances.
I’m also proud that I was able to secure $8.4 million in the state budget for people coming home from incarceration. That includes the Homecoming Project, the menopause program for incarcerated women, and the Justice Leaders Program.
How did your leadership help make life better for Black Californians this year?
After the Eaton Fire, I pushed to get the same kind of support for affected areas that wealthier regions get after disasters.
I also did a lot of work building political power— establishing the Black Legacy PAC and California for All of Us PAC so we could support Black candidates and educate voters. We also called voters to make sure they understood Prop 50.
People need to understand this: there are only 12 Black legislators in the Capitol. Folks act like we can just walk in and pass reparations, but that’s not how it works.
What frustrated you most this year?
The governor did not have the political will to sign these bills: AB 57 and AB 62. They both passed overwhelmingly in the Assembly and the Senate. We did the work. The only person who didn’t have the political will to sign them was the governor.
The public needs to ask the governor why he didn’t sign the bills. We can’t keep letting people off the hook. He has to answer.
I also introduced AB 51 — the bill to eliminate interest payments on Inglewood Unified School District’s long-standing state loan — held in the Appropriations Committee. That was frustrating,
What inspired you most in 2025?
The civil rights trip to Alabama was life changing. We visited the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. We took members of the Black, Latino, Jewish, and API caucuses with us. It changed all of us.
People aren’t always against us — they just don’t know our history.
What’s one lesson from 2025 that will shape how you approach decisions next year?
The legislative trip to Norway taught me that collaboration matters. Government, labor, and industry sit down together there. They don’t make villains. Everybody doesn’t get everything they want, but they solve problems.
What’s the biggest challenge facing Black Californians in one word?
Inequity. It shows up in housing, wealth, stress – all these things.
What’s the number one goal you want to accomplish in 2026?
Bringing back AB 57 and AB 62, and securing money for the Inglewood Unified loan interest forgiveness.
-
Bay Area4 weeks agoPost Salon to Discuss Proposal to Bring Costco to Oakland Community meeting to be held at City Hall, Thursday, Dec. 18
-
Activism4 weeks agoMayor Lee, City Leaders Announce $334 Million Bond Sale for Affordable Housing, Roads, Park Renovations, Libraries and Senior Centers
-
Activism4 weeks agoOakland School Board Grapples with Potential $100 Million Shortfall Next Year
-
Activism4 weeks ago2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Black Women’s Think Tank Founder Kellie Todd Griffin
-
Arts and Culture4 weeks agoFayeth Gardens Holds 3rd Annual Kwanzaa Celebration at Hayward City Hall on Dec. 28
-
Advice4 weeks agoCOMMENTARY: If You Don’t Want Your ‘Black Card’ Revoked, Watch What You Bring to Holiday Dinners
-
Activism4 weeks agoAnn Lowe: The Quiet Genius of American Couture
-
Activism3 weeks agoDesmond Gumbs — Visionary Founder, Mentor, and Builder of Opportunity






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