By Jared D. Childress | OBSERVER Staff Writer - The second annual Blue Note Jazz Festival in Napa Valley celebrated hip-hop's 50th anniversary and drew a diverse crowd of about 24,000 to pay homage to two of the most influential musical genres to emerge in the 20th century, with performances from Mary J. Blige, Nas, Chance the Rapper and artist-in-residence Robert Glasper among others.
By Robert J. Hansen | OBSERVER Staff Writer - The first annual Stephon Clark Minority Mental Health Expo brought together advocates, leaders and professionals to raise awareness of the importance of mental health in minority communities, with mothers who lost their sons or grandsons to police violence sharing their stories and discussing how African Americans’ mental health is impacted by police brutality, homelessness and its connection to reparations.
Hundreds of youth gathered at Golden 1 Center to call for an end to gun violence. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond were among the guest readers.
Roseville s new Rex Fortune Elementary School will bring science, technology, engineering, arts and math education to under-resourced students in Center Joint Unified School District. Its first day of instruction begins Aug. 7.
Faith J. McKinnie and Gerry “GOS” Simpson discuss the challenges faced by Black artists in Sacramento, including the lack of gallery space and systemic barriers, and call for more opportunities for artists of color.