Economics
Post Publisher Cobb Discusses Reparations and Politics
Paul Cobb to Interview on SIRIUS XM’s “Inside The Issue’s,” Podcast on Channel 126, with Wilmer J. Leon, III, Ph.D.
Paul Cobb, owner and publisher of the Post News Group, will appear on SIRIUS XM’s Urban View with host Wilmer J. Leon, III, Ph.D. on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
“Inside The Issues,” is a popular podcast that appears on SIRIUS XM’s Urban Channel network. The show focuses on conversation, information, inspiration, empowerment, motivation and companionship from the African-American perspective.
Dr. Wilmer J. Leon, III is known as one of the most explosive voices to be born out of the Obama era. According to Dr. Cornel West, “Wilmer Leon is one of the few Black prophetic voices in the age of Obama……courageous, visionary and consistent!”
The upcoming interview is a continuation from the previous week’s interview, where Cobb pointed out that Black America needs to authentically and organically negotiate the current political, social, and economic landscape.
Cobb’s view of reparations as a reality was very compelling, which led to this week’s continuation of the previous discussion.
This week, Cobb will congratulate the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their genealogical gift of encoding the first Black bank deposit records of $57 million. The Freedmen’s Bank organized by the U.S. Congress never repaid those deposits owed to Black Americans.
It is estimated that one in three Black families could trace their roots to those deposit records. Cobb said he traveled to Salt Lake City and discovered that his ancestor, Robert Cobb, had deposited $200.00 in the bank branch in Georgia.
With John Collins, Cobb wrote a book manuscript “Blacks On The Money” about the Freedmen’s Bank fiasco. He said the Post will continue the series started by Collins in 2005 in their podcasts and in a special national insert showing Black families how to get a free CD of the depositors’ names.
Cobb’s and Collins’ thesis is that Congress should repay the heirs of the original owners of the deposit books in today’s dollars.
“Those payments could help repair our nation towards reparations,”.said Cobb.
People can call in with questions at 1-866-801-8255, or you can catch the podcast at wihttps://www.siriusxm.com/urbanview.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.
Business
Black Business Summit Focuses on Equity, Access and Data
The California African American Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual “State of the California African American Economy Summit,” with the aim of bolstering Black economic influence through education and fellowship. Held Jan. 24 to Jan. 25 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel, the convention brought together some of the most influential Black business leaders, policy makers and economic thinkers in the state. The discussions focused on a wide range of economic topics pertinent to California’s African American business community, including policy, government contracts, and equity, and more.
By Solomon O. Smith, California Black Media
The California African American Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual “State of the California African American Economy Summit,” with the aim of bolstering Black economic influence through education and fellowship.
Held Jan. 24 to Jan. 25 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel, the convention brought together some of the most influential Black business leaders, policy makers and economic thinkers in the state. The discussions focused on a wide range of economic topics pertinent to California’s African American business community, including policy, government contracts, and equity, and more.
Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CALSTA) was a guest at the event. He told attendees about his department’s efforts to increase access for Black business owners.
“One thing I’m taking away from this for sure is we’re going to have to do a better job of connecting through your chambers of all these opportunities of billions of dollars that are coming down the pike. I’m honestly disappointed that people don’t know, so we’ll do better,” said Omishakin.
Lueathel Seawood, the president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of San Joaquin County, expressed frustration with obtaining federal contracts for small businesses, and completing the process. She observed that once a small business was certified as DBE, a Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, there was little help getting to the next step.
Omishakin admitted there is more work to be done to help them complete the process and include them in upcoming projects. However, the high-speed rail system expansion by the California High-Speed Rail Authority has set a goal of 30% participation from small businesses — only 10 percent is set aside for DBE.
The importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in economics was reinforced during the “State of the California Economy” talk led by author and economist Julianne Malveaux, and Anthony Asadullah Samad, Executive Director of the Mervyn Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute (MDAAPEI) at California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Assaults on DEI disproportionately affect women of color and Black women, according to Malveaux. When asked what role the loss of DEI might serve in economics, she suggested a more sinister purpose.
“The genesis of all this is anti-blackness. So, your question about how this fits into the economy is economic exclusion, that essentially has been promoted as public policy,” said Malveaux.
The most anticipated speaker at the event was Janice Bryant Howroyd known affectionately to her peers as “JBH.” She is one of the first Black women to run and own a multi-billion-dollar company. Her company ActOne Group, is one of the largest, and most recognized, hiring, staffing and human resources firms in the world. She is the author of “Acting Up” and has a profile on Forbes.
Chairman of the board of directors of the California African American Chamber of Commerce, Timothy Alan Simon, a lawyer and the first Black Appointments Secretary in the Office of the Governor of California, moderated. They discussed the state of Black entrepreneurship in the country and Howroyd gave advice to other business owners.
“We look to inspire and educate,” said Howroyd. “Inspiration is great but when I’ve got people’s attention, I want to teach them something.”
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024
To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.
-
Community2 weeks ago
Financial Assistance Bill for Descendants of Enslaved Persons to Help Them Purchase, Own, or Maintain a Home
-
Activism3 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of April 3 – 6, 2024
-
Business2 weeks ago
V.P. Kamala Harris: Americans With Criminal Records Will Soon Be Eligible for SBA Loans
-
Activism2 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of April 10 – 16, 2024
-
Community2 weeks ago
AG Bonta Says Oakland School Leaders Should Comply with State Laws to Avoid ‘Disparate Harm’ When Closing or Merging Schools
-
Community1 week ago
Oakland WNBA Player to be Inducted Into Hall of Fame
-
Community1 week ago
Richmond Nonprofit Helps Ex-Felons Get Back on Their Feet
-
Community2 weeks ago
The Year Ahead: Assembly Speaker Rivas Discusses Priorities, Problems