Family

Ross Speaks, Educates, Challenges and Inspires

HUDSON VALLEY PRESS — “I believe activism is a way to make your life matter,” Loretta Ross passionately affirmed these words as she spoke to an attentive room full of people at SUNY Newburgh’s Kaplan Center Saturday afternoon. The “Meet and Greet Brunch” event, held by the Healthy Black and LatinX coalitions, led by Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley, attracted an appreciative crowd, many of whom walked away empowered after listening to the numerous messages the iconic activist delivered.

Published

7 years ago

May 8, 2019

HVPress

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – “I believe activism is a way to make your life matter,” Loretta Ross passionately affirmed these words as she spoke to an attentive room full of people at SUNY Newburgh’s Kaplan Center Saturday afternoon. The “Meet and Greet Brunch” event, held by the Healthy Black and LatinX coalitions, led by Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley, attracted an appreciative crowd, many of whom walked away empowered after listening to the numerous messages the iconic activist delivered.

In addition to teaching groundbreaking courses on a term she helped dub, “Reproductive Justice,” as well as race and culture relations in this country, Ross has been passionately immersed in the activism field for over 50 years, engaging in hard dialogue and sometimes deprogramming tasks with rapists, convicts, clan members and a host of other challenging populations. Herself a survivor of rape, she elected to have her baby, even co-parenting with the rapist.

“I’ve seen a lot of stuff in my life, and it has all prepared me for building power while fighting for justice,” said Ross. “I’m in a time in my life where I get to speak the truth, and we are in some very dangerous times, where we are being ruled by some very angry white men who are really challenging democracy, and we have to stand up for human rights and against bigotry; we just don’t have time to play.”

Interjecting her dialogue with candid honesty and oftentimes humor, Ross pulled her listeners in with her charismatic appeal, at times “playing” around; however, the messages always remained serious and immediate. Outlining the specifics of reproductive justice as the basic rights a woman has when either pregnant or not (whether to have a child or not, facilities and help available and medical needs), she elaborated upon the roadblocks many women face with today’s presidential administration.

“It’s so hard for so many to achieve that basic justice,” said Ross. “So many don’t value that humanity.”

In addition to showing the challenges that confront us in today’s day and age as we try to secure basic rights and freedoms, she also reminded listeners of their own responsibility in effectively walking that line of diplomacy and game-changing activism during the process.

“We need to give up the pursuit of purity politics; we just can’t assume all people of our color are good and all those who are not are bad,” affirmed Ross. “We are also immersed in a ‘call out culture,’” (putting people on the spot with what they have done wrong). Continuing, “Honey, you are not even sure most of the time about what you want each day, as it changes all the time.”

Inciting laughter among the audience, Ross, smiling, took responsibility for this “call-out” misstep as well.

“I’m old enough to remember how we can disagree behind closed doors, but come together when we need to,” said Ross. “I’m learning to teach myself how to do this in order to help the Movement.”

Following her approximately one hour talk, guests had an opportunity to ask questions, directly engaging with Ross. One query was around there ever being a good-needed time to call someone out. Yet another centered upon a common theme of the morning-early afternoon, coming together and how it can be done.

“It’s really about amassing power and making ourselves wiser and stronger; we can’t make people who don’t have empathy understand; however, we can come together to overcome and continue to tell our stories,” smiled Ross. “It’s the only way we can make a difference, and look: as hard as unity can be, it’s absolutely needed….just try disunity.”

And once again, the message of personal responsibility in this quest to change the “oppressive norm” structure, including strategizing for what we ultimately want: justice, rippled throughout her words.

“There are people who will offend you and those who will kill you,” stressed Ross. “Learn to know the difference.”

Fifty plus years later Ross continues to practice what she preaches, “making her life matter.” Saturday, evidence of that potent activist spirit was alive and well in the City of Newburgh.

“I’m walking away with so much from this morning,” said Lana Williams-Scott, Director of Diversity Inclusion & Community Engagement for Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley, in her farewell remarks. “I have always believed knowledge is power, and I hope you all leave here with more of it today just as I did.”

This article originally appeared in the Hudson Valley Press.

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Activism

California Launches Free Diaper Program for Newborns Statewide

The initiative, called Golden State Start, will provide 400 free diapers to every newborn delivered at participating California hospitals beginning this summer. The state is partnering with Baby2Baby, a California-based nonprofit that distributes essential items to children in need nationwide.

Published

4 weeks ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that California will launch a first-in-the-nation program providing free diapers to families with newborns, part of a broader effort to lower costs for parents and improve infant health outcomes.

The initiative, called Golden State Start, will provide 400 free diapers to every newborn delivered at participating California hospitals beginning this summer. The state is partnering with Baby2Baby, a California-based nonprofit that distributes essential items to children in need nationwide.

State officials said hospitals participating in the program will give families the diapers when they are discharged after birth, helping parents leave with an immediate supply of newborn essentials.

“Every baby born in California deserves a healthy start in life,” Newsom said in a statement. He said the program is part of California’s broader affordability efforts, which also include free school meals, universal preschool for four-year-olds and expanded after-school programs.

The announcement comes ahead of Mother’s Day and is tied to the administration’s broader CalRx initiative, which aims to reduce costs for essential products and medications. State officials said California is also exploring ways to lower diaper prices by challenging high costs from major brands.

The first year of the program will prioritize hospitals serving large numbers of Medi-Cal patients, with plans to expand to additional hospitals and birthing centers over time. Officials said the effort is intended to reduce financial pressure on low-income families and improve infant and maternal health by ensuring parents have access to clean diapers.

“California families deserve to feel supported during one of life’s more exciting, yet vulnerable transitions,” First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom said in a statement. She said the program would allow parents to focus on caring for their newborns instead of worrying about basic supplies.

According to Baby2Baby, one in two families in the United States struggles to afford diapers. The organization has distributed more than half a billion items to children over the past 15 years through partnerships with shelters, hospitals, foster care programs and schools.

State officials said Baby2Baby will oversee diaper purchasing, warehousing and distribution through its existing hospital and community partnerships across California.

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Arts and Culture

Book Review: Books on Black History and Black Life for Kids

For the youngest reader, “As You Are: A Hope for Black Sons” by Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle, illustrated by David Wilkerson (Magination Press, $18.99) is a book for young Black boys and for their mothers. It’s a hope inside a prayer that the world treats a child gently, and it could make a great baby shower gift.

Published

4 months ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo of Black History Month book covers by Terri Schlichenmeyer.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Authors: Various, Copyright: c. 2025, 2026, Publishers: Various, SRPs: $17.99-$18.99, Page Counts: Various,

Everybody in your family has stories to share.

Your parents have told you some, no doubt. Your grandparents have offered a few, too, and aunties and uncles have spun some good tales. But there’s so much more to know, so grab one of these great books and learn about Black History and Black life.

For the youngest reader, “As You Are: A Hope for Black Sons” by Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle, illustrated by David Wilkerson (Magination Press, $18.99) is a book for young Black boys and for their mothers. It’s a hope inside a prayer that the world treats a child gently, and it could make a great baby shower gift.

If someone said you couldn’t do something that you were clearly able to do, would you fight to do it anyhow? In the new book, “Remember Her Name! Debbie Allen’s Rise to Fame” by Tami Charles, illustrated by Meredith Lucius (Charlesbridge, $17.99), a young girl in the Jim Crow South is told that she can’t dance because of the color of her skin.

She didn’t listen, though, and neither did her mother, who took her daughter to Mexico, where the girl soared! This is an inspiration for any 5-to-7-year-old; be sure to check out the back-of-the-book information, if you’re an adult fan.

Do you often hear your elders say things that sound like lessons? They might be, so “Where There is Love: A Story of African Proverbs” by Shauntay Grant, illustrated by Leticia Moreno (Penguin Workshop, $18.99) is a book you’ll like. It’s a quick-to-read collection of short proverbs that you can say every day. Kids ages 4-to-6 will easily remember what they find in this book; again, look in the back for more information.

Surely, you love your neighborhood, which is why the tale inside “Main Street: A Community Story about Redlining” by Britt Hawthorne and Tiffany Jewell, illustrated by David Wilkerson (Penguin Kokila, $18.99) is a book for you.

Olivia’s neighborhood is having a block party, but she’s sad when no one shows up. That’s when she learns that “the government” is discriminating against the people and businesses near where she lives. So, what can she and her neighbors do? The answer might inspire 6-to-8-year-old kids to stand up to wrongs they see, and to help make their neighborhoods stronger and safer.

And finally, if a kid wants a book, where can they go to find it? In “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy” by Mychal Threets, illustrated by Lorraine Nam (Random House, $18.99) is a good introduction to the best of what a library has to offer. The freedom to walk into a library and borrow a book is the theme here, as is the sheer happiness of being welcomed, no matter who you are. This is an easy book for kids as young as two and as old as five to enjoy.

On that note, if you want more, head to that library, or a nearby bookstore. They’ll be glad to see you. They’ve got stories to share.

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

Black History Events in the East Bay

What began as Negro History Week in 1926 by author and journalist Carter G. Woodson as a way to celebrate the achievements of African Americans, the observance is now a month-long event

Published

4 months ago

February 9, 2026

Oakland Post

The Oakland Black Cowboys Association will hold an event to teach children the love of riding at Fairyland on Feb. 14. Here, a member of the OBCA high-fives a young rider at an event in 2021. Facebook photo.

By Post Staff

What began as Negro History Week in 1926 by author and journalist Carter G. Woodson as a way to celebrate the achievements of African Americans, the observance is now a month-long event, and nearly every day in the Bay Area, there is somewhere to honor the ancestors, our living thought leaders, artists, and activists, and prepare children for the future. Below are just a few places to go.

Lunar New Year X Black History Month 2026: Celebrating Asian & African American Solidarity

Now in its fourth year, the Oakland Asian Cultural Center rolls out its biggest event, featuring lion dancers, drummers, performers, arts & crafts, a Kids + Teens Zone curated by Storyland Collective, a marketplace of local artisans, and free admission for all ages! This event is part of OACC’s ongoing Open E.A.R.S. for Change initiative, launched in 2020 to build stronger relationships between local APIA and Black communities. SambaFunk closes out the day at 3:15 and the Bantaba Drum Call and Comrade Lover Lion Dancers perform shortly after story time for young children at noon. Register for free tickets. https://oacc.liveimpact.org/li/8737/sevent/evt/home/294475/69

Oakland Asian Cultural Center
388 Ninth St. Suite 290
Oakland, CA
Feb. 7, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

DIY: Black Culture Bookmark Making

Go to the Golden Gate Branch of the Oakland Public Library for small-scale collaging at this Black-themed make-your-own-bookmarks session.

Bring: Your vision, creativity, and, if you like, wallet-sized photos or images of your favorite Black heroes or family members.

We’ll supply the cardstock paper, African diaspora designs, artwork, images, lettering, glue, scissors, and laminating. This session is suitable for adults and seniors.

Golden Gate Library
5609 San Pablo Ave.
Oakland, CA,
Feb. 11, 5:30-7 p.m.

Oakland Black Cowboy Association Shares Love of the Ride

Celebrate the history, culture, and living legacy of Black cowboys at the Black Cowboy Academy. It will be an interactive day of lasso lessons, pony grooming with real live ponies, and meet and greets with actual cowboys! Fairyland joins hands and hearts with the Oakland Black Cowboy Association and the Metropolitan Horsemen’s Association this Valentine’s Day for an immersive event of learning and love. Included with general admission.

Children’s Fairyland
699 Bellevue Ave.
Sat., Feb. 14, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Love Stories for Black History Month

At the Berkeley Public Library, a children’s book fair “Valentine to Black Stories” will feature some of your favorite Black authors of children’s books!

Come celebrate love, Black authors, and Black stories at this special children’s book fair. They will have free books, crafts and special presentations from Bay Area Black authors.Festivities will feature a collage workshop led by Oakland artist Chanel London of Hella Artsy. Participants will be invited to make collage portraits inspired by artist Derrick Barnes.

Berkeley Central Public Library
2090 Kittredge St. Berkeley, CA
Sat. Feb. 14, 1- 4 p.m.

The Black Child Book Fair (BCBF) from Chicago to Oakland, CA- Book Signing Event

BCBF began in Chicago in 2009 through the vision and experience of author and poet Darryl Harvey. Harvey’s vision brings extraordinary children’s book authors together to close the great need for black representation in children’s books. Engage with authors, participate in story time and fun activities.

Oakland African American Museum and Library
859 14^th St., Oakland CA
Sat. Feb. 21, 12-5 p.m.