Solutions Saturday
Your Voice Matters
Welcome to Solutions Saturday, a dedicated platform where leaders of community-based organizations across our region present their solutions to the issues we face together.
From addressing systemic inequalities and economic disparities to tackling environmental concerns and health crises, these voices are here not just to highlight problems but to propose actionable, concrete solutions that can move our community forward.
At Black Voice News, we believe in the power of ideas, especially those that can be implemented to create real change. By providing a platform for leaders to share their vision, we hope to spark not just conversation but action.
To aid in this work, we are offering quarterly opinion writing workshops to assist any organizational leader or communications staffer. Please contact our team if you are interested in our next session to be held virtually this summer or if you would like to be a Solutions Saturday contributor.
Together, let’s inspire change and make a lasting impact.
Paulette Brown-Hinds, Publisher
OpEd: Breaking the Chains: Decarceration as a Path to True Equitable Justice Reform
California is leading the way in criminal justice reform, reducing mass incarceration and addressing critical issues such as low wages and the vestiges of slavery, setting an example for other states to follow.
OpEd: Shattering Glass Barriers: Navigating The Leadership Space
Maya Angelou’s quote “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them” highlights the challenges faced by leaders of color and women in leadership roles, who often face glass ceilings, glass walls, and glass cliffs, and must be actively supported by organizations to…
Op-Ed: Addressing Child Homelessness in America: Urgent Solutions and Community Action
Claire Jefferson-Glipa highlights the growing issue of homelessness among children under the age of 18 in the US, with 2.5 million children homeless and 34.9% of all persons sheltered in 2023 being families with children.
Op-Ed: Why Voting and Local Government Engagement Matters in 2024
In an effort to empower residents in communities throughout the Inland Empire, the Mu Xi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Black Voice News, the Eta Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and the San Bernardino-Riverside Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. have partnered to develop a…
Op Ed: Unmasking the Hidden Chains of Modern Slavery
Frederick Douglass’s speech on July 5, 1852, highlighting the brutal captivity and exploitation of enslaved people, resonates today as California considers reforms to its legal and penal systems, such as the End Slavery In California Act and Proposition 47, to address systemic biases and mass incarceration.
Op Ed: Let’s Build A Black Creative Economy in the IE
Joseph “J Pash” Patrick is advocating for a creative economy in the Inland Empire, urging collaboration between creatives, corporations, politicians, and community leaders to build a thriving community through art and social impact projects.
OpEd: Embracing Diversity: The Evolution of Black Hair Rights
Aicheria Bell As society progresses, so too should our understanding and acceptance of diverse cultural expressions. The Braiding Freedom Movement and the CROWN Act stand as metaphors of change in our collective journey toward inclusivity and equity. For centuries, Black hair has been subject to discrimination, bias, and cultural appropriation. From workplace policies to societal…
OpEd: Reclaiming Nature: How Communities of Color Can Lead Public Land Stewardship
Jazzari Taylor | Latino Outdoors As we celebrate the perseverance and spirit of Black people in the United States this Juneteenth holiday, I reflect on what it means to promote equity, access, and public lands for communities of Black and brown people. Inspired by my father’s passion for bringing public services and park programs together,…
An Open Letter to California’s Philanthropic Leaders
The Black Equity Collective (BEC) represents the voices of over 47 Black-led and Black-empowering (BLOs) organizations that span three regions of southern California, including Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Since 2021, the Black Equity Collective has raised over $20M for grantmaking, operations, technical assistance, and other programming to support the sustainability of Black-led…
OpEd: Embracing Hope
The National Black Grads (NBG) Inland Empire Black Grad Recognition Event celebrated academic excellence and empowered future leaders, recognizing students for their dedication, resilience, and determination, and fostering a culture of excellence and empowerment.
OpEd: Why Do We Need To Keep Defending Proposition 47 When It Isn’t The Real Problem?
Proposition 47, which reclassified certain non-violent property and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors, has not led to a rise in crime, has not legalized theft under $950, and has decreased incarceration rates and recidivism rates, while also freeing up resources for mental health and substance abuse treatment.
What Brown v Board Means To Us Today
Joseph R. Williams As we commemorate the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark Supreme Court decision that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for Black and white students to be unconstitutional, it is imperative to reflect on the strides we’ve made and the steep challenges that persist in achieving access…