The Observer Sacramento

From Reconstruction to today, political representation has helped Black communities secure educational opportunity. Denise Forte warns that new restrictions on voting rights could undermine decades of progress in public education. For generations, Black families have C understood that the right to vote and the right to a quality public education are not distinct but inseparable. Education, according to Frederick Douglass, “means emancipation.

The California Civic Media Program’s grants will open in the summer of 2026, with the first round of award decisions and funding distributions expected to be officially announced in the fall of 2026, according to the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).

The search is officially on. Following last week's launch, nominations are now open for The OBSERVER’s2026 30 Under 30 Awards, and we need your help to spot Sacramento’s most dynamic young leaders before time runs out. Every day across the greater Sacramento region, young African American innovators, advocates, and creators are doing incredible work that reverberates far beyond our city limits. This annual award is our collective chance to give them the city-wide recognition they deserve.

As immigrants leave their countries of origin, many embark on a journey to America with hope and ambitions for the future. Once they settle in, though, and that hoped-for better future unfolds, many face financial burdens as they assume responsibility for sending money back home in addition to supporting themselves in a foreign land. Experts say sending remittances prevents the sender from building wealth.

When Aesara Rhys was 16 and facing childbirth as a teen parent, the nurses who cared for her did more than monitor her vitals. They modeled the kind of dignity, respect and cultural understanding she would later build a career around. Now, after graduating in December, she’s on the cusp of entering a profession that needs more Black providers, even as financial and structural barriers to that path continue to grow.

Opening or expanding a business in Sacramento? Register for the City’s free June 17 “Permitting 101” workshop. Understanding building permit and inspection requirements before opening a business can help entrepreneurs avoid costly delays and keep projects on track. To help business owners prepare for the permitting process, the Community Development Department’s Building Division is hosting a free “Permitting 101 for Small Business” workshop on June 17 from 2-4 p.m. at 300 Richards Blvd., Room 221.

The controversy surrounding the California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) and its decisions to grant parole to high-risk violent sex offenders and serial child predators dominated debate in the California Senate on June 1. Despite strong opposition from Republican lawmakers, the California State Senate confirmed five of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s appointees to the Board of Parole Hearings for new three-year terms.

NAN Sacramento's three-day Built to Last Conference 2026 gathered faith leaders, officials, business and youth advocates to tackle community development. The National Action Network (NAN) Sacramento recently hosted its three-day Built to Last Conference 2026, gathering faith leaders, elected officials, business executives, and youth advocates to address community development, innovation, and leadership.

A rally at the Sacramento County Main Jail demands increased transparency and systemic health care reforms following a series of custody deaths. Family members, community organizers, and civil rights advocates gathered May 28 outside the Sacramento County Main Jail to demand institutional accountability, increased transparency, and systemic health care reforms following a series of custody deaths.

Celebrate the week with Sac ❤️’s R&B, The Freedom Market & Mixer, Father’s Day marches and fun night, youth STEM learning, family entrepreneurship, and healing-centered community gatherings. All listed events, and more, can be viewed online on The OBSERVER's community events calendar at SacObserver.com. Be sure to submit your events two weeks in advance to have the chance to be featured on the list.