Employment
U.S. Senate Confirms Trina L. Thompson As Judge for California’s Northern District
The Senate Judiciary Committee did not act on her nomination on the first session of the 117th Congress. President Biden nominated her again on Jan. 3, 2022. She had her nomination hearing on Feb. 16, 2022, and had her nomination was reported to the Senate Floor on March 10, 2022. Upon taking her oath, she will fill a judgeship vacant since Feb. 1, 2021, when District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton assumed senior status. Judge Thompson will maintain chambers in San Francisco.
![Born in Oakland, Judge Trina Thompson received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law in 1986 and her A.B. from U.C. Berkeley in 1983.](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/judge-trina-thompson-featured-web.jpg)
The United States Senate voted 51-44 on May 18 to confirm President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.’s, nomination of Superior Court Judge Trina L. Thompson to serve as a U.S. district judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Thompson was first nominated for the judgeship on Nov. 3, 2021.
The Senate Judiciary Committee did not act on her nomination on the first session of the 117th Congress. President Biden nominated her again on Jan. 3, 2022. She had her nomination hearing on Feb. 16, 2022, and had her nomination was reported to the Senate Floor on March 10, 2022. Upon taking her oath, she will fill a judgeship vacant since Feb. 1, 2021, when District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton assumed senior status. Judge Thompson will maintain chambers in San Francisco.
“All of us in the Northern District are grateful and excited to have Judge Thompson join us,” said Chief Judge Richard Seeborg of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. “She brings a wealth of experience as a highly regarded trial judge which will be most welcome on our very busy Court,” Chief Judge Seeborg added.
Thompson has served as an Alameda County (California) Superior Court judge since January 2003 and was elected to the court in November 2002. Previously, she served as juvenile court commissioner from 2001 to 2002 and was chair of the Alameda County Educational Task Force for the juvenile court.
Prior to her appointment to the bench, she practiced law as a criminal defense attorney at her own law firm, The Law Offices of Trina Thompson-Stanley, in Oakland from 1991 to 2000.
Thompson served as an assistant public defender for the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office in Oakland from 1987 to 1991 and was a law clerk for the office in 1986. She also served as vice president of the Association of African American California Judicial Officers, Inc., (AAACJO) from 2019 to 2021.
Born in Oakland, Thompson received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law in 1986 and her A.B. from U.C. Berkeley in 1983. She has been an adjunct professor for U.C. Berkeley, School of Law’s Undergraduate Legal Studies Department since 2018 and was a lecturer at U.C. Berkeley’s Ethnic Studies Department from 2014 to 2021.
Thompson is a recipient of many awards, including The Raymond Pace Alexander Award, National Bar Association, in 2019; the Jurist of Distinction Award, Women Lawyers of Alameda County, in 2019 and 2011; Firefighter One Academy Community Service Recognition and Bay EMT Recognition Award, Merritt Community College, in 2017 and 2016; the Martin Luther King, Jr. “Living the Dream” Lifetime Achievement Award, Solano Community College, in 2016; the Pioneer Ward: A Trailblazer in the Field of Justice, The Oral Lee Brown Foundation, in 2013; Distinguished Judicial Service Award, Alameda County Bar Association, in 2009; Bernard Jefferson Judge of the Year Award, California Association of Black Judges, in 2004; and Judicial Leadership and Service Award for Exceptional Leadership and Service in Alameda County Criminal Justice, Alameda County Probation Department, in 2003.
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California had 10,289 new case filings in calendar year 2021. The court is authorized 14 judgeships and currently has three vacancies.
Appointed under Article III of the U.S. Constitution, federal district court judges are nominated by the president, confirmed by the Senate and serve lifetime appointments upon good behavior.
Story courtesy of the U.S. Courts for the Ninth Circuit.
Business
COMMENTARY: Gov. Newsom to Present 2026 Budget: What Black Californians Should Watch
The proposed $322.2 billion budget, including $228.9 billion in general fund spending, addresses a $2 billion deficit that Newsom is required to balance under state law. The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) notes that while $16.5 billion in additional revenue from a strong economy, stock market gains, and higher tax receipts provide flexibility, long-term structural challenges persist. Spending growth, projected at 5.8% annually, continues to outpace revenue growth of 4%, with deficits potentially reaching $30 billion by 2028-29 without adjustments.
![iStock.](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-budget-featured-web.jpg)
By Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media
On Jan 10, Gov. Gavin Newsom will present his 2026 budget to the Legislature.
On Jan. 6, he previewed budget highlights while receiving the North San Joaquin Valley’s regional economic plan, a part of California’s broader Jobs First Economic Blueprint aimed at driving local and statewide development.
The proposed $322.2 billion budget, including $228.9 billion in general fund spending, addresses a $2 billion deficit that Newsom is required to balance under state law. The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) notes that while $16.5 billion in additional revenue from a strong economy, stock market gains, and higher tax receipts provide flexibility, long-term structural challenges persist. Spending growth, projected at 5.8% annually, continues to outpace revenue growth of 4%, with deficits potentially reaching $30 billion by 2028-29 without adjustments.
Newsom plans to save $1.2 billion over two years by eliminating 6,500 state jobs and cutting $3.5 billion through operational efficiencies like reduced travel and IT modernizations. Despite these measures, Newsom assured there will be no cuts to core programs. Temporary revenue boosts, including $7 billion from stock market-linked income taxes, offer short-term relief but are not sustainable, making California’s $17 billion rainy-day fund a critical tool for managing future fiscal pressures.
This budget will incorporate strategies discussed during a recent special legislative session convened to prepare for potential conflicts with the incoming Trump administration and to safeguard critical state programs against federal interference or defunding.
During the Dec. 2 special legislative session, lawmakers introduced SBX-1, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), which allocates $25 million to the California Department of Justice to cover litigation costs for defending state policies against federal challenges.
The budget continues investments in education, healthcare, housing, and economic growth.
In the 2025-26 budget, Proposition 98 funding for K-12 schools and community colleges increases by $1.5 billion, reaching $116.8 billion, with per-pupil spending rising to a record $23,723. Of this amount, $2.8 billion will be available for new commitments, reflecting forecasts for growth and a 2.46% statutory cost-of-living adjustment. Initiatives such as Universal Transitional Kindergarten, expanded after-school and summer programs, and Universal School Meals are expected to strengthen educational outcomes.
Despite this funding boost, inequities persist in educational outcomes for Black students. Discretionary funds could support programs aimed at addressing these disparities, including investments in teacher training, mental health services, and restorative justice initiatives.
California’s higher education system is expected to benefit from increased funding to support affordability and access across its community colleges, California State University, and University of California systems. The budget will likely emphasize financial aid expansion, enrollment growth for underserved groups, and infrastructure improvements, while aligning educational programs with workforce needs to ensure graduates are prepared to fill existing gaps in the job market.
California’s housing crisis continues to disproportionately affect Black residents. Although Black Californians make up nearly 6% of the state’s population, they represent roughly 50% of its unsheltered homeless population. As of 2024, California’s homeless population exceeded 180,000, reflecting a 31% increase since 2007.
The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) is anticipated to play an active role in budget negotiations. Historically, the caucus has championed policies that address disparities in education, housing, and healthcare impacting Black Californians.
The active involvement of stakeholders, including the CLBC, will be pivotal in shaping the state’s response to critical issues impacting Black Californians.
Activism
Oakland NAACP President Stands on the Frontlines for Equity
With education as a cornerstone, Adams emphasized the importance of youth having access to quality kindergarten through 12th-grade education along with college or vocational programming beyond high school. “I feel that it’s so important for our children to get a good education in K-12th grade, along with the colleges of their choice, especially with the HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).”
![NAACP Oakland President Cynthia Adams. Photo Courtesy of Cynthia Adams.](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cynthia-adams-featured-web.jpg)
By Carla Thomas
For Cynthia Adams, president of the Oakland chapter of the NAACP, fighting for the rights of Black people comes naturally. With southern roots in Arkansas, Adams experienced firsthand the injustice and unfairness of racism.
“Growing up in the Jim Crow South, I experienced the unfair treatment of people of color and how faith can inspire communities to bring about positive and long-lasting change,” said Adams. Adams says a combination of her family and faith has kept her strong in the face of adversity and inspired her life’s work of advocacy.
Adams chose education as a career path — and a means to achieve equity and overcome racism. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and later received an advanced degree from California State East Bay.
Adams’ experience as an Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) recorder, a counselor, a researcher, and a college recruiter has allowed her to be laser-focused on youth. She also served as the chairperson for the Oakland NAACP youth.
“The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. We want to ensure our citizens have equal rights and opportunities without discrimination based on race.”
As a partner with the State of California’s Stop the Hate campaign, Adams says the initiative is a step in the right direction. “It’s great that our governor and state created the Stop the Hate campaign and provides resources for victims of racism and other hate crimes,” said Adams. “The racism toward Black people has increased and our children are being targeted,” she continued.
“We, at the Oakland branch, created a declaration on racism that will amplify the needs of our community to combat racism,” continued Adams. “That declaration was adopted nationally.”
Bridging communities and collaborating is also a strategy for moving society toward justice, according to Adams.
“Through the NAACP, we build connections between communities and advocate for the rights of historically marginalized and oppressed individuals,” said Adams. “Collective action is the only way to advance civil rights and promote social equity.”
With education as a cornerstone, Adams emphasized the importance of youth having access to quality kindergarten through 12th-grade education along with college or vocational programming beyond high school. “I feel that it’s so important for our children to get a good education in K-12th grade, along with the colleges of their choice, especially with the HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).”
By taking stands on supporting former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong to supporting the recall of a mayor faced with a scandal that brought negative national press to the city of Oakland, Adams has always demanded more for her people, and better for Oakland, the city she calls home.
She expressed pride in the national organization’s announcement of a $200 million fund designed to empower Black funders nationwide. “We all know the health of a community begins with economics,” said Adams.
Adams says that strengthening Black businesses automatically sustains a community. “We’ve also got to educate our community on opportunities and teach our children critical thinking so that they can provide the next generation of solutions for society,” said Adams.
Activism
2024 in Review: 7 Questions for Equality California Political Director Shay Franco-Clausen
Shay Franco-Clausen is an award-winning public advocate, speaker, political strategist and former elected official. She has contributed her thought leadership to drafting seventeen pieces of legislation in California. Notable among these accomplishments is her role in extending the statute of limitations for felony domestic violence survivors, advocating for the rights of foster youth, preserving endangered open spaces, and championing the restoration of voting rights for individuals on parole.
![Shay Franco-Clausen Equality California Political Director (Facebook).](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shay-franco-clausen-featured-web.jpg)
By Edward Henderson, California Black Media
Shay Franco-Clausen is Political Director for Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization.
Franco-Clausen is an award-winning public advocate, speaker, political strategist and former elected official. She has contributed her thought leadership to drafting seventeen pieces of legislation in California. Notable among these accomplishments is her role in extending the statute of limitations for felony domestic violence survivors, advocating for the rights of foster youth, preserving endangered open spaces, and championing the restoration of voting rights for individuals on parole.
California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Franco-Clausen about her successes, frustrations and future plans heading into 2025.
Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement and why?
In the role that I sit in as the political director for Equality California, we endorsed 216 candidates. I think the one achievement after this election that I’m proud of is that we overturned Prop 8 to protect same-sex marriages here because they’re about to attack our rights on the federal level, come 2025.
I’m glad at least we changed our California constitution to reflect and protect my marriage.
How did your leadership and investments contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians?
I contribute through my lived experience. I may have achieved a lot, but I come from those same communities that are marginalized, East Oakland, East San Jose, Watts. It gives me a different perspective. I am a formerly incarcerated youth who was in foster care. I think I contribute that bit of understanding, and I operate from an equity lens. I’m willing to push people to make them recognize that hey, you cannot forget about Black people. We are the most marginalized.
What frustrated you the most over the last year?
What frustrates me is our inability to recognize that we forget people. I was tapped to work on the Harris campaign from Equality California. And through that, being at that table, I was frustrated that they weren’t listening to Americans and not looking at the data.
The reason Trump won is because he had consistent messaging, and we didn’t debunk it. I think I’m more frustrated that we don’t fully listen to people all the time when they’re critiquing us.
What inspired you the most over the last year?
All those people that came out to support Kamala Harris. I was proud that my son voted for the first time for a Black woman for President.
What is one lesson you learned in 2024 that will inform your decision-making next year?
Be fearless. Sometimes I second-guess myself. I push back, but I could push more because I’m qualified. I have the education, I have the experience, and I know what I’m talking about in all the rooms that I go in. And I must be confident in that.
In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face?
Prioritization.
We’re still not seen as a priority, but everyone likes to add us to their talking points.
What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2025?
Writing a book. I think it’s important for us to tell our stories.
I am also kicking off my campaign for Hayward City Council.
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