Commentary

COMMENTARY: Saying goodbye to a journalism trailblazer

THE PHILADELPHIA TRIBUNE — Lorraine’s legacy is in all those she managed, mentored, guided and taught. A great editor, colleague, teacher and sister-friend is gone, but she has left many others to carry on her work.

Published

7 years ago

April 9, 2019

Staff Writer

By Sharyn L. Flanagan Tribune Magazine Editor

When I found out that Lorraine Branham, dean of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, had died Tuesday after battling cancer, it didn’t just hit me hard because she was a Philadelphia native.

It hit me because Lorraine, a Philadelphia Tribune alumna, brought me down from The North Penn Reporter to Florida, to be on the copy desk at The Tallahassee Democrat. Lorraine was not only the first African-American editor-in-chief but the first female editor-in-chief. She didn’t just break barriers; she smashed them to smithereens.

I can honestly say that Lorraine taught me more than any other executive editor I’ve ever had.

I’ll always remember when I first went into her office for my interview in December 1996, I smiled because seeing her in that position was inspiring. “Us Philly girls have to stick together,” she said, and I beamed even more.

My best memory of her is when she first met my father, who was visiting me from Philadelphia. I took him on a tour of the newsroom and introduced him around. Then Lorraine, who had an open-door policy, asked my father to come in and talk to her. I was a little tense about this prospect because my father didn’t have a filter.

Well, he didn’t disappoint.

He slowly stepped into her office, looked Lorraine up and down a few times and then out came: “Mmm mmm mmm … do you have some great gams on you!” I was mortified! Lorraine laughed, then smiled that gorgeous broad smile of hers and ushered him farther into the office. I think they discussed how things were changing in Philly. But I honestly can’t remember because I was busy cursing out my father in my head.

From that point on, Lorraine always inquired about my father. They were fast friends. Even after I left the newspaper in September 1999, I would see Lorraine at National Association of Black Journalists’ gatherings and she would ask about my dad, always with a smile on her face.

As a trailblazing newsroom leader, Lorraine set the bar high. She always told us “no one is allowed to complain when my door is always open.” And she meant that.

When it was time to make some big changes to increase our circulation, Lorraine went all out. We got rid of the traditional newsroom setup and even the usual titles.

She asked each one of us to write down what one thing we feared most about the impending changes on flash paper and then brought in a guy who held a rising flame for us to throw our doubts and fears up in smoke. The moment moved me.

Lorraine wanted us to change our mindset in a big way. I was rejuvenated and optimistic about what was next.

She also wanted to be sure that people wouldn’t keep on calling the paper “The Tallahassee Dixiecrat.” She was a next-level kind of manager. She had faith in the staff and pushed us to do more.

Lorraine was the first executive editor to ever promote me. I went from copy editor all the way to day coordinator (city editor) in quick fashion. She made me want to learn more, do more and be more.

Lorraine never let my own doubts hold me back — because she had faith in me. She was a true leader and believed in nurturing the next generation. When I asked her to be my mentor, she said, “Sure, but don’t you think it’s time that you mentor someone yourself?” Whoa, what a concept!

And if there were some hard truths along the way, Lorraine was candid about that. When I had decided to lock my hair, she took me in her office and cautioned me that it could affect me professionally. She told me that “hair is political, even if you don’t mean it to be.” Lorraine had put me on the management track and she wanted me to stay there.

Then when I decided to leave The Democrat in 1999 for USA Today, she told me she didn’t agree with my decision because even though it was a bigger operation, it wasn’t a management position. She had helped me get an offer to be an assistant managing editor out West, but I needed to be closer to my family in Philadelphia.

Lorraine’s legacy is in all those she managed, mentored, guided and taught. A great editor, colleague, teacher and sister-friend is gone, but she has left many others to carry on her work.

There will be a viewing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 11, followed by a funeral service at Sharon Baptist Church, 3955 Conshohocken Ave., Philadelphia. Donations may be made to the Lorraine Branham Scholarship Fund at the Klein College of Media and Communications at Temple University, 2020 N. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA 19122.

This article originally appeared in The Philadelphia Tribune.

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Oakland Mayor Pushes Charter Overhaul to Clarify Roles in City Government, Increase Accountability and Improve Service Delivery

Under the proposal, the mayor would serve as Oakland’s chief executive, overseeing city departments, implementing policy, proposing the annual budget, and managing day-to-day operations. The measure would also give the mayor veto power over legislation and the budget, though the City Council could override a veto with a two-thirds vote.

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May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. File photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee is backing a sweeping proposal to restructure Oakland’s government, arguing the changes would make City Hall more accountable and improve the delivery of basic services like public safety, homelessness response, and infrastructure repairs.

The charter reform measure, introduced April 7 and co-sponsored by Oakland City Council President Kevin Jenkins, would ask voters in November to approve a “strong mayor, strong council” system designed to create clearer lines of authority inside city government.

The City Council, meanwhile, would maintain legislative authority by adopting ordinances, approving budgets, conducting oversight hearings, and confirming key mayoral appointments. The proposal would also create an Independent Budget and Legislative Analyst Office to provide nonpartisan fiscal and policy analysis for councilmembers.

“I’ve spent months listening to Oaklanders across every neighborhood about what they expect from their city government,” Lee said. “The Charter Reform Working Group’s engagement made clear that residents want a system where there are no questions about who is responsible for delivering results on public safety, homelessness, infrastructure, and basic services.”

Jenkins said the proposal would strengthen both executive leadership and council oversight.

“I’ve long believed Oakland works best when residents have clear lines of accountability and a government structure that aligns responsibility with results,” Jenkins said.

The proposal follows recommendations from the Mayor’s Charter Reform Working Group, co-facilitated by the League of Women Voters of Oakland and SPUR.

Over five months, the group conducted more than 60 interviews, held 14 public meetings across Oakland, and engaged more than 750 residents while reviewing governance models used in other cities.

“The process of engaging residents across Oakland surfaced the governance clarity Oakland needs,” said Sujata Srivastava of SPUR. “The Charter Reform Working Group has produced a thoughtful set of recommendations that if adopted could strengthen accountability and improve service delivery across city government.”

Polling cited by the mayor’s office suggests voters may be open to the changes. A February 2026 poll by the East Bay Polling Institute found 64% of voters support adopting a strong-mayor system. Separate polling conducted by the Oakland Chamber of Commerce and David Binder Research found support ranging from 61% to 63% among likely voters.

The measure is scheduled to be heard by the City Council Rules Committee on May 21. If approved by the council, it would appear on the November 2026 ballot, where Oakland voters would have the final say.

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Activism

The Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Hold Day of Advocacy at the Capitol in Sacramento

A member of the “Divine Nine,” Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was founded on Jan. 13, 1913, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The organization was established by 22 women who sought to shift the group’s focus from social activities to public service, academic excellence, and social activism.

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Sen. Laura Richardson (D-San Pedro) presents a Senate resolution to the Delta Theta Sigma Sorority Farwest Region at the State Capitol on May 4. Photo courtesy of the Senate Rules Committee.

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

On May 4, members of the Farwest Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., convened at the California State Capitol for the organization’s 23rd annual Delta Days in Sacramento.

The two-day advocacy event brings together chapters from across California to engage directly in the legislative process, connect with lawmakers, and advocate for policies impacting Black communities.

Members of the sorority were honored on the Senate floor by Sen. Laura Richardson (D-San Pedro), who is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta.

Richardson welcomed the Farwest Region during the presentation of a Senate resolution recognizing outgoing Regional Director Kimberly Usher for her leadership and service.

“In addition to the Far West Region, we are led by a fearless leader, regional director Kimberly Usher. She has now served her full term of what’s allowed,” Richardson said. “We are going to be having our regional conference, but we wanted to give it to her here, officially recognizing her service.”

The resolution was co-authored by Richardson and fellow members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and Delta Sigma Theta, Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego) and Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

Usher has served in the leadership role since 2022.

“We are founded on sisterhood that is deeply rooted in scholarship, service, and social action,” said Weber Pierson, a member of the Gamma Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

“Today, we continue a legacy of empowering communities and upholding the high cultural, intellectual, and moral standards established by our founders over a century ago,” she added.

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Activism

Rep. Kamlager-Dove Introduces Bill to Protect Women in Custody After Reports Detailing Miscarriages and Neglect

The Pregnant Women in Custody Act would expand safeguards beyond the federal prison system to include women detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The proposal follows reports of pregnant women being shackled, denied medical care and suffering miscarriages while in immigration detention.

Published

3 days ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) on May 7, reintroduced updated legislation aimed at strengthening protections and healthcare standards for pregnant and postpartum women held in federal custody, including in immigration detention facilities.

The Pregnant Women in Custody Act would expand safeguards beyond the federal prison system to include women detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The proposal follows reports of pregnant women being shackled, denied medical care and suffering miscarriages while in immigration detention.

The legislation builds on a bipartisan version previously passed by the House during the 117th Congress. The updated bill includes new standards for healthcare access, mental health and substance use treatment, high-risk pregnancy care, family unity protections and increased federal oversight.

“Proper pregnancy care is a human right, regardless of your immigration or incarceration status,” Kamlager-Dove said in a statement. “It’s unacceptable that there are virtually no legal safeguards for pregnant women in federal custody.”

The bill would also limit the use of restraints and restrictive housing for pregnant women, improve data collection on maternal health in custody and require additional staff training and enforcement measures.

Supporters of the measure said the legislation is intended to address long-standing concerns about maternal healthcare and safety in detention settings, particularly for Black women and low-income women who are disproportionately impacted by incarceration and health disparities.

“Pregnant women in custody should never be subjected to dangerous and inhumane treatment that threatens their health, dignity, or the well-being of their babies,” said Patrice Willoughby, chief of policy and legislative affairs for the NAACP and a longtime public policy and government affairs strategist, in a statement.

A 2021 report estimated there are about 58,000 admissions of pregnant women into U.S. jails and prisons each year. Kamlager’s statement also cited a recent investigation by NBC News and Bloomberg Law that identified allegations of severe mistreatment or medical neglect involving at least 54 pregnant women or families in county jails between 2017 and 2024.

Federal policy under the Department of Homeland Security restricts the detention of pregnant, postpartum and nursing immigrants except in extreme cases. However, the agency reported that ICE deported 363 pregnant, postpartum or nursing women between January 2025 and February 2026, including 16 recorded miscarriages during that period.

The bill is cosponsored by several House Democrats and backed by organizations including the NAACP and the Vera Institute of Justice.