By Joe W. Bowers Jr. and
Edward Henderson
California Black Media

Two Black Americans are members of the class of California’s 2023 Hall of Fame inductees.

Iconic singer Etta James and decorated track and field athlete Archie Williams join five other inductees set to receive the honor posthumously during a virtual ceremony, according to Newsom and his wife, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

“The outstanding legacy of this group has and will continue to embody what it means to be a Californian,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom in a statement. “There is no doubt their legacies will continue to live on and inspire millions across our state for generations to come.”

Born Jamesetta Hawkins, ‘Etta James’ became the stage name of the Los Angeles-based singer who performed in various genres including blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, soul, and rock n’ roll. Her most popular recordings included “At Last,” “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” and “A Sunday Kind of Love.”

Archie Williams won an Olympic gold medal in 1936 for the 400-meter race in Berlin after completing his freshman year at UC Berkeley. The track star also set a world record at the NCAA Championships running it in 46.1 seconds.

The induction ceremony was held Aug. 22.

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By Kathy Chouteau

A Team USA Olympian was in the house Mon., July 17 at Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond, when three-time Track and Field Gold Medalist, Tianna Madison Bartoletta, stopped by to read to the students.

The Olympian visited the “Read Aloud at Nystrom Elementary Freedom School” program as a guest reader of the book, “When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left,” by Marc Colagiovanni and also shared “a powerful message about overcoming your fears and frustrations by remembering who you are,” according to the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) on Facebook about the visit.

WCCUSD added that Nystrom’s special guest helped “support and uplift Freedom School students and to share the power of literacy.”

Tianna Bartoletta pauses in reading the book “When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left.” Photo courtesy of WCCUSD.

Bartoletta is not only a two-time Olympian and ‘three-peat’ Gold Medalist, she’s also a current member of Team USA in Track and Field, according to the WCCUSD. She earned a degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee and also found time to start Club 360, a personal development program for young girls. A native of Tampa, Fla., the Olympian is also an advocate re: the Black maternal health crisis.

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“Students were able to ask for advice, get autographs and share their morning routine of singing, dancing, mindfulness and affirmations,” said WCCUSD about the visit. “Thank you, Tianna Madison, for an experience that will inspire WCCUSD students for years to come!”

By Kathy Chouteau

Pro Wrestling Revolution (PWR) is presenting “Revolution in Richmond, CA,” which organizers say is the first Lucha Libre Pro Wrestling Show to occur in the city in 15 years.

The event is scheduled for August 4 from 6-8 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, according to Evan LG Francis.

Go to Work Fitness and Rich City Rides are sponsoring the special event, which will feature stars of PWR including  Papo Esco vs. Yasuke and Savage Dogs vs. Necrosis Y Genesis.

Tickets to the pro wrestling show are $15 per person for general admission and $20 each for the front row. Click here to get tickets.

MLK Park is located at 360 Harbour Way South in Richmond. To get the scoop on PWR https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pwr-presents-revolution-in-richmond-ca-tickets-632613984457?aff=oddtdtcreator  Questions? Contact 510-730-6426.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. and
Edward Henderson
California Black Media

Two Black Americans are members of the class of California’s 2023 Hall of Fame inductees.

Iconic singer Etta James and decorated track and field athlete Archie Williams join five other inductees set to receive the honor posthumously during a virtual ceremony, according to Newsom and his wife, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

“The outstanding legacy of this group has and will continue to embody what it means to be a Californian,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom in a statement. “There is no doubt their legacies will continue to live on and inspire millions across our state for generations to come.”

Born Jamesetta Hawkins, ‘Etta James’ became the stage name of the Los Angeles-based singer who performed in various genres including blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, soul, and rock n’ roll. Her most popular recordings included “At Last,” “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” and “A Sunday Kind of Love.”

Archie Williams won an Olympic gold medal in 1936 for the 400-meter race in Berlin after completing his freshman year at UC Berkeley. The track star also set a world record at the NCAA Championships running it in 46.1 seconds.

The induction ceremony was held Aug. 22.

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By Kathy Chouteau

A Team USA Olympian was in the house Mon., July 17 at Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond, when three-time Track and Field Gold Medalist, Tianna Madison Bartoletta, stopped by to read to the students.

The Olympian visited the “Read Aloud at Nystrom Elementary Freedom School” program as a guest reader of the book, “When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left,” by Marc Colagiovanni and also shared “a powerful message about overcoming your fears and frustrations by remembering who you are,” according to the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) on Facebook about the visit.

WCCUSD added that Nystrom’s special guest helped “support and uplift Freedom School students and to share the power of literacy.”

Tianna Bartoletta pauses in reading the book “When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left.” Photo courtesy of WCCUSD.

Bartoletta is not only a two-time Olympian and ‘three-peat’ Gold Medalist, she’s also a current member of Team USA in Track and Field, according to the WCCUSD. She earned a degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee and also found time to start Club 360, a personal development program for young girls. A native of Tampa, Fla., the Olympian is also an advocate re: the Black maternal health crisis.

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“Students were able to ask for advice, get autographs and share their morning routine of singing, dancing, mindfulness and affirmations,” said WCCUSD about the visit. “Thank you, Tianna Madison, for an experience that will inspire WCCUSD students for years to come!”

By Kathy Chouteau

Pro Wrestling Revolution (PWR) is presenting “Revolution in Richmond, CA,” which organizers say is the first Lucha Libre Pro Wrestling Show to occur in the city in 15 years.

The event is scheduled for August 4 from 6-8 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, according to Evan LG Francis.

Go to Work Fitness and Rich City Rides are sponsoring the special event, which will feature stars of PWR including  Papo Esco vs. Yasuke and Savage Dogs vs. Necrosis Y Genesis.

Tickets to the pro wrestling show are $15 per person for general admission and $20 each for the front row. Click here to get tickets.

MLK Park is located at 360 Harbour Way South in Richmond. To get the scoop on PWR https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pwr-presents-revolution-in-richmond-ca-tickets-632613984457?aff=oddtdtcreator  Questions? Contact 510-730-6426.