Governor Newsom Signs Legislation to Return Beach to Black Descendants

Nearly a century after Bruce’s Beach was wrongfully taken from Black entrepreneurs Willa and Charles Bruce, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation that will enable Los Angeles County to return the beachfront property to their descendants, continuing the state’s leadership to redress historical injustices and advance equity.

The Governor signed SB 796 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) today at Bruce’s Beach, alongside Bruce family members, legislators and local leaders. The urgency measure, sponsored by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, authorizes the county to immediately begin the process of transferring parcels of the Manhattan Beach property to the Bruce family.

“As we move to remedy this nearly century-old injustice, California takes another step furthering our commitment to making the California Dream a reality for communities that were shamefully shut out by a history of racist exclusion,” said Governor Newsom. “We know our work is just beginning to make amends for our past, and California will not shy from confronting the structural racism and bias that people of color face to this day. I thank the Bruce family, Senator Bradford, the Los Angeles County Supervisors and all those who fought to keep the legacy of this place alive and deliver this long overdue justice.”

The Bruces purchased the property in 1912 and established a popular resort serving Black residents that was a fixture in the community. The Bruces endured years of racist harassment and violence, and Manhattan Beach city officials ultimately seized their property through eminent domain in 1924. Earlier this year, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to move forward with a land transfer to the Bruce family in motions co-authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and Supervisor Holly Mitchell.

“SB 796 shows us that it is never too late to address the injustices of the past,” said Senator Bradford. “If you can inherit generational wealth in this country, then you can inherit generational debt too. The City of Manhattan Beach, County of Los Angeles, and the State of California owe a debt to the Bruce family. This bill passed the Legislature unanimously and with overwhelming community support, making it clear that our state is committed to tackling systemic racism head-on. As a member of the California Reparations Task Force, this is an example of what real reparations can look like. I applaud Governor Newsom for helping us pay a century’s old debt by allowing Los Angeles County to move forward and return Bruce’s Beach to its rightful owners— the Bruce family.”

“This is a milestone for us, and I want to thank, not only Governor Newsom for signing this bill into law, but Senator Bradford for his leadership and the entire state legislature for their unanimous support,” said Supervisor Hahn. “The work is far from done. Now that LA County officially has the authority to transfer this property, my goal these next several months will be to transfer this property in a way that not only works for the Bruce family, but is a model that other local governments can follow. Returning Bruce’s Beach can and should set a precedent for this nation and I know that all eyes will be on Los Angeles County as this work gets underway.”

ERICKE S. CAGE NAMED INTERIM PRESIDENT OF HBCU, WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University (WVSU) Board of Governors voted to name Ericke S. Cage as the interim president of the university.

Cage’s appointment must still be approved by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC). He will serve as interim president until a new permanent president for the university is selected.

Cage joined the university in July as vice president and chief of staff and has been serving as the university’s chief operating officer managing the day to day operations of the university since July 30.

“I am both honored and humbled by the trust the West Virginia State University Board of Governors has placed in me to serve as interim president of this great institution,” said Cage. “Since my arrival here I have strived to do what is right for the students, faculty and staff of the university and that will continue in my new role. We have tremendous momentum at West Virginia State and I look forward to all we will accomplish working together in the months ahead.”

Prior to joining WVSU, Cage most recently served as the senior advisor to the president and university ombudsman at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia – where he served as principal advisor to the president on matters related to university policy making, governance, and government relations.

While at Norfolk State, Cage led the university’s 2019-2025 strategic plan committee and served as principal staff lead for the university’s 2019-2020 self-assessment. He also supported the advancement of good board governance by redesigning new board member training, overseeing the development and execution of the annual board retreats, and developing a board member skills matrix for the university’s Board of Visitors. Cage was also instrumental in expanding Norfolk State’s presence and impact on Capitol Hill and before the Virginia General Assembly.

Prior to joining Norfolk State, Cage served as director of government affairs for Teach for America, and also served as legislative counsel for U.S. Congressman Tom Perriello, in addition to serving as a law clerk for the U.S. Department of Defense, and a legislative fellow for the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. He also served as a congressional fellow in the office of U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison. Cage began his career as a high school government teacher in his hometown of Halifax County, Virginia.

Cage has a bachelor’s degree in political science and leadership from Virginia Tech, a juris doctorate from the Rutgers University School of Law, and a masters of law degree from the George Washington University School of Law. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College and the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.

Kamala Harris' Approval Rating At 49%

For the first time, Gallup asked Americans to evaluate how Vice President Kamala Harris is doing in her role. Her ratings are better than Biden's by six points, with 49% approving and 49% disapproving.

Harris enjoys nearly unanimous approval from Democrats (92%) while receiving very low approval from Republicans (4%). Her overall approval rating is higher than Biden's primarily because independents rate her performance better than they rate Biden's, 46% versus 37%, respectively.

In addition to her high approval rating among Democrats, Harris receives majority-level approval from Democratic-leaning groups, including women, young adults, college graduates and those with annual household incomes under $100,000.

[SOURCE: GALLUP NEWS]

Biden nominee Sandra Hairston to serve as US Attorney in NC’s Middle District

President Joe Biden has nominated Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra Hairston to be the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, the White House announced Tuesday.

Hairston is among nine Biden nominees for U.S. attorneys across the country. If Hairston is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, she will be the first Black woman to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.

Hairston’s term would be for four years.

During her 30-year tenure as an assistant U.S. attorney, Hairston has served as deputy chief of the criminal division and lead attorney in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force section in the Greensboro office.

In 2015, Hairston received the Director’s Award from the Executive Office For United States Attorneys for superior performance as an assistant U.S. attorney. She received the same award in 2002.

Hairston is the professional responsibility officer, ethics advisor and criminal discovery coordinator for the Middle District of North Carolina.

From 2014 to March 2021, she served as the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.

From 1994 to 1996, Hairston served as chief of the criminal division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina before returning to the Middle District of North Carolina in 1996.

Hairston served as an assistant district attorney in Columbus County from 1987 to 1989 and as a special assistant district attorney in Guilford County from 1989 to 1990.

She received her law degree from N.C. Central University School of Law in 1987 and her bachelor’s degree in English from the UNC Charlotte in 1981.

[SOURCE: JOURNALNOW]

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams Considering Running For Governor

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is considering a run for the state’s top job in 2022.