Bo Tefu | California Black Media
New California Program: Seniors 60+ to Mentor Youth Ages 6–17
The California Commission on Aging (CCoA) and Eldera have launched a statewide effort to recruit Californians age 60 and older to serve as weekly mentors for children ages 6 to 17.
The initiative pairs older adults with young people for 30–60-minute virtual conversations designed to build resilience, reduce loneliness, and strengthen communities, according to CCoA.
“California’s Master Plan for Aging calls for a state where all generations thrive together. This partnership turns that vision into action at scale,” said David Lindeman, Chair of the California Commission on Aging.
Through the program, older adults can sign up, complete training and a background check, and be matched with a young person based on interests, language, and availability. Eldera oversees recruitment, vetting, matching, and safety, while CCoA mobilizes local networks. Conversations take place weekly on video, supported by Eldera’s “AI Chaperone,” a tool designed to help keep interactions safe and meaningful.
“Age is California’s most underused natural resource,” said Dana Griffin, Co-Founder & CEO of Eldera. “Together, we can match life experience with young curiosity, safely, quickly, and with benefits for every generation.”
Griffin emphasized the unique value of older adults in an increasingly digital age. “As more of life moves online and AI becomes ubiquitous, young people need consistent human connection, someone who sees them, hears them, and shows up. Human connection requires a human, and our most untapped resource is adults over 60 with a little extra time, wisdom, and a desire to do good,” she said.
Cautioning against children relying solely on technology for emotional support, Griffin added, “Here is our reality: AI is great at predicting the next word, but it is not a substitute for someone who has lived experience. When a teen is spiraling or a young man is in crisis, the right response isn’t infinite engagement or worse, harmful directions,” she said. “It’s boundaries, perspective, and a caring voice that says, ‘You’re not alone. I’ve been there, too, and here’s how I got past it.’ Technology should protect human connection, not replace it.”
The campaign’s message is simple: “One adult 60+. One hour. Once a week. Two lives get better.”
Adults interested in becoming mentors and parents seeking mentors for their children can sign up at Eldera.ai.
Belva Davis, First Black Moman on West Coast TV News, Dies at 92
Belva Davis, the first Black woman hired as a television reporter on the West Coast — and a pioneering voice in Bay Area journalism — died Sept. 24 at age 92.
Davis broke barriers in the 1960s when she joined television newsrooms long dominated by White men. She went on to build a decades-long career in San Francisco at KPIX-TV, KRON, and KQED, where she hosted KQED Newsroom and This Week in Northern California until her retirement in 2012.
“Belva’s passing is a great loss for the Bay Area and KQED,” said Michael Isip, president and CEO of KQED. “For a half a century she covered the region’s most indelible stories with courage, integrity, grace and humanity. Along the way she fearlessly broke down barriers and opened doors for a generation of reporters.”
Born in 1932 in Monroe, Louisiana, Davis grew up during the Great Depression and the Jim Crow era. Her family later moved to California’s East Bay during the Second Great Migration. Without a college degree, she launched her career writing for Jet and Ebony magazines before moving into television.
Her reporting spanned historic moments including the assassination of Harvey Milk, the AIDS crisis, and numerous elections. She interviewed leaders and cultural icons such as Muhammad Ali, Coretta Scott King, Fidel Castro, and Kamala Harris.
Carla Marinucci, a longtime California political reporter, remembered Davis as both a mentor and a trailblazer. “She took many of us under her wing. An entire generation of us, myself included, have Belva to thank for breaking down barriers and for giving us a hand,” she said.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said Davis inspired generations of young journalists. “For Black women and people of color working to break into media and television, Belva was a beacon,” Lee said. “She opened doors that had long been closed, proving through her talent and perseverance that our voices belonged on the airwaves.”
Davis won eight regional Emmy Awards and received lifetime achievement honors from the National Association of Black Journalists and American Women in Radio and Television. She is survived by her husband, Bill Moore, and her two children, Darolyn and Steven Davis.
Black Women Organized for Political Action Names LaNiece Jones New President and CEO
Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) has named LaNiece Jones as its new State President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding founding president Dezie Woods-Jones in a historic leadership transition.
Founded in 1968, BWOPA is the largest Black women’s political advocacy organization in California.
Woods-Jones, who led BWOPA for more than 50 years, built the organization into a statewide network dedicated to advancing Black women in politics, public service, and civic life.
“This work has always been about making space—where we were once excluded—to lead, to serve, and to be heard. Passing this baton to LaNiece is not just a transfer of title, but a continuation of purpose. She is ready, and we are blessed,” said Woods-Jones, reflecting on the transition.
Jones, a strategist with more than two decades of service at BWOPA as Statewide Executive Director and Chief Operations Officer, said she embraces the new role with gratitude and determination. “It is with deep reverence and rooted responsibility that I accept this charge,” she said. “We are going chapter by chapter—grounded in sisterhood, strategy, and a shared future. The legacy is alive—and so are we.”
The leadership change coincides with the launch of BWOPA ONE, a unified framework designed to advance advocacy, leadership, and political power for Black women across California. The initiative centers the voices and leadership of Black women to drive lasting impact through civic education and political engagement. BWOPA described it as “three arms, one mission, infinite possibility.”
Leaders emphasized that the transition ensures continuity while strengthening the organization’s statewide reach.
According to BWOPA, Jones’ appointment marks a new chapter for the organization, underscoring its ongoing role in empowering Black women to lead, serve, and shape policy across California.
Tyrone “Ty” Miller Appointed Executive Officer of California Veterans Board
Tyrone (Ty) Miller has been appointed as the new Executive Officer for the California Veterans Board (CVB), the state body charged with advising the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) and representing the interests of veterans and their families.
Miller was officially sworn in on Sept. 22 by CalVet Secretary Lindsey Sin. California Veterans Board Chair Hugh E. Crooks Jr. attended the ceremony in Sacramento.
As Executive Officer, Miller will play a key role in ensuring the Board fulfills its three-fold mission: understanding and identifying the needs of California veterans, advocating on behalf of veterans and their families, and reviewing appeals related to CalVet decisions in a timely and equitable manner.
In his new role, Miller will oversee the management of Board resources and direct the agency’s administrative operations. He will also serve as the primary point of contact for veterans and their families who bring concerns, appeals, or other matters before the Board.
The Executive Officer’s position serves as a bridge between California’s large veteran community and the policymakers responsible for veteran programs and services.
California is home to nearly 1.6 million veterans, the largest veteran population of any state in the nation, according to CalVet. The California Veterans Board, created by statute, provides oversight and policy guidance for CalVet programs and makes recommendations to ensure services are responsive to the evolving needs of veterans.
The Board also provides a public forum for veterans and their families to voice concerns and make appeals regarding CalVet decisions.
Miller joins the Board at a time when California continues to expand programs addressing veteran health care, housing, education, and employment. His leadership will be critical in ensuring that veterans and their families are connected to available resources and that their appeals and concerns are heard at the state level.
New California Job Numbers: Unemployment Highest in San Diego, Central Sierra and L.A.
California’s unemployment rate held at 5.5% in August, the highest among all states, with San Diego, Central Sierra and Los Angeles among the hardest-hit regions, according to the latest Employment Development Department (EDD) data.
The Center for Jobs and the Economy said the state’s labor market continues to struggle despite modest job growth. “California’s recovery remains among the weakest in the nation,” the report stated, noting that the number of unemployed has stayed above 1 million for 20 straight months. Nationally, unemployment edged up to 4.3%.
Regional disparities were evident. San Diego and Imperial counties posted a combined unemployment rate of 7.9%, Central Sierra reached 7.5% and Los Angeles County stood at 6.3%. Imperial County recorded the highest county-level rate in the state at 21.5 %.
Overall, nonfarm employment grew by just 3,800 jobs in August, while July’s total was revised downward to a net loss of 300. Year-to-date, California has shed 21,200 jobs. Health care and social assistance added 9,700 positions, and seasonal industries such as arts and entertainment and food services grew. But those gains were offset by losses in professional and technical services, construction and manufacturing.
The Center cautioned that the state’s job data may not reflect the full picture. “California’s monthly employment numbers have been consistently overestimated,” the report said, citing federal benchmarks that suggest 2024 job gains may have been inflated by more than 175,000.
Wages rose 3.6% over the year, driven by growth in professional and business services. However, the Center noted that shorter workweeks undercut much of the increase, with average weekly hours falling 1.5 percent across private industries.
“Despite some growth in health care and seasonal sectors, California’s labor market continues to show signs of strain,” the report concluded.
Looking ahead, the Center said policymakers will need to focus on addressing persistent regional disparities and ensuring job growth extends beyond government and health care. Without stronger gains across a broader range of industries, California is likely to remain behind the national pace of recovery.
“Major Milestone”: 94% of Californians Now Live Within 10 Minutes of an EV Charger
California has reached a major milestone in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, with 94% of residents now living within 10 minutes of a public or shared EV charging station, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Sept. 24.
The state now offers 201,180 fully public and shared EV charging ports, an increase of 22,631 since March, according to the California Energy Commission (CEC).
“This shows that electric vehicles are here to stay,” said Newsom, highlighting the accessibility of chargers across grocery stores, parking lots, workplaces, apartment complexes, and gas stations. The statewide network complements an estimated 800,000 chargers installed in single-family homes.
CEC Commissioner Nancy Skinner praised the expansion, saying, “With this expanding public network, EV chargers are becoming ubiquitous in California. Our goal is to make driving an EV a no-brainer choice for Californians. They are fun to drive, never need an oil change, don’t cause smog, and it’s getting easier to charge your vehicle with public EV infrastructure.”
State data is also showing steady growth in charging stations for zero-emission medium-and heavy-duty vehicles. California now has 20,093 charging and hydrogen fueling points for these vehicles, a 23% increase since February. Though trucks account for just 6% of vehicles on state roads, they produce over 35% of transportation emissions and a quarter of on-road greenhouse gases.
State agencies continue to accelerate EV adoption through grants for public, workplace, and at-home chargers, including multi-family complexes, while prioritizing fast-charging installations and developing a comprehensive ZEV Infrastructure Plan. Reliability standards for chargers are also being established.
According to Newsom’s office, California’s climate and energy goals are also tracking in the right direction. Greenhouse gas emissions are down 20% since 2000, while the state’s GDP increased 78%. In 2023, California ran two-thirds of its electricity on clean energy, and battery storage has risen over 1,900% under the Newsom Administration.
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