It’s tough to talk about housing in Santa Clara County without looking at the region’s history of redlining, a tool that once contributed to racial segregation and discrimination across the U.S. for decades. The term appears in conversations on topics ranging from political representation and community governance to historic districts and land use policy. A recent...
Santa Clara County first to make Juneteenth a holiday
In light of the recent decision to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, Santa Clara County leaders hope residents will become more aware of African American history. President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Federal employees will observe the holiday on Friday, although this year Juneteenth is on Saturday. Prior to...
‘Not a place for Black people:’ NAACP leader leaving Silicon Valley
A prominent organizer and community leader in Silicon Valley for more than a decade, Rev. Jeff Moore II has left the South Bay in search of better opportunities in Atlanta. Serving as San Jose-Silicon Valley NAACP’s fourth president, Moore organized and advocated for a number of racial and equity causes since 2008. Last Friday, Moore told...
Racial segregation runs deep in San Jose, report says
While activists maintain that San Jose’s housing policies are inherently segregated, a study undertaken by the city shows just how deep racial disparities go. “The main takeaway is the legacy of past segregation is still very much alive,” said Kristen Clements, division manager of the policy group within the city’s housing department. “It’s still visible...
San Jose poised to ban flavored tobacco
Flavored tobacco may soon be a thing of the past in San Jose. In September, the City Council will consider ending the sale of flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-juices and menthol cigarettes. The city plans to exempt hookah to align with state regulations. Dr. John Maa, board member of the American Heart Association, said...
Santa Clara County cracks down on student absenteeism
More than 25,000 Santa Clara County students are chronically absent from school each year. Elected officials want to change that. The county Board of Supervisors this week voted unanimously to create a plan and funding options to address the issue. County leaders hope that contracts and a work plan are ironed out for the start...
Santa Clara County sweetens the deal to get vaccinated
Boba, professional athlete meet-and-greets, live music and Starbucks gift cards are a few things you might expect to see if you’re getting vaccinated nowadays in Santa Clara County. Now that more than 1 million county residents are fully vaccinated, officials are offering a carrot for the rest of the population to get at least 85%...
Silicon Valley congressman tackles Black maternal mortalities
Washington, D.C.—Charles Johnson said he quickly notified hospital staff when his wife’s catheter turned pink with blood. His wife, Kira Johnson, had just given birth to their second son during a scheduled cesarean section at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Staff examined his wife and ordered a CT scan, he said, but hours passed...
South Bay parents hesitant about COVID-19 vaccine for kids
Most parents in a new survey said no to immediately getting their kids vaccinated against COVID-19. The survey by Invisibly found 74% of parents will either wait or not vaccinate their kids against the coronavirus. Only 26% of parents said they will have their children inoculated right away, 41% will wait a few months and 33%...
Black leaders address vaccination efforts in Silicon Valley
James Brown’s “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” played as a nonprofit founded by local Black leaders opened its second Bay Area town hall to discuss a virus that continues to disproportionately devastate Black Americans. The panel included Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris, who was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2019 as the...
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