The Word with Jackie Rae

On this week's "The Word with Jackie Rae" podcast, Long Beach Post reporter Alicia Robinson explains how she discovered 14 people enrolled at a transitional housing facility in Long Beach had died in the span of two years  — and what that means for the city's response to homelessness.

Passion is often a powerful force, driving individuals to give selflessly of their time and expertise. For Erin Carey, coaching the Wilson High School's girls' basketball team was a labor of love. But after leading the Wilson Bruins to the CIF Southern Section Division 3A championship in 2020 — the school's first title in the sport in 20 years — the financial sacrifices began to take a toll. Earni...

Most candidates challenging incumbents in the current race for a seat on the City Council have little, if any, political experience. Gerrie Schipske, a candidate for the 4th District seat, stands out as an exception. With over 20 years of political experience, Schipske has served as the Long Beach City College trustee from 1992 to 1996, ran for Congress in 2000 and served two terms on the City Cou...

In 2020, Tunua Thrash-Ntuk ran against Councilman Al Austin for the 8th District seat. Austin prevailed, but now that he's termed out, Thrash-Ntuk is running again with endorsements from most of the current City Council and mayor. Thrash-Ntuk, who's previously been tapped by Mayor Rex Richardson to co-chair his transition committee and a policy task force on economic inclusion , says she's got a h...

If diversity is the spice of life, Ketty Citterio has led a flavorful one. Citterio, the daughter of an Olympian, followed in her father's athletic footsteps and played professional basketball in her home country of Italy. After studying foreign languages, Citterio traveled the world in the tourism industry before making her way to California. When she arrived in the United States 29 years ago, sh...

Cristino Pinto has a unique background. He was born and raised in Angola, where he worked for the Angolan government before making Long Beach his home in the United States, where his goal was to further his education. While he is currently working as a professor in the art history department at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College and Compton College, Pinto is hoping to add the title of Distric...

A new era is unfolding for residents in City Council District 8. Not only has the district expanded after the city completed redistricting in 2021 — Councilmember Al Austin is leaving an open seat for a new candidate after completing a 12-year tenure. With a diverse professional background and a history of community leadership, Sharifa Batts is hoping she can secure the seat in the March election....

Most of us can't remember our favorite toy at the age of 3. That could be because that toy did not ignite a passion within us. Clifton Weaver is not like most of us. While we were begging our parents for the latest toy, Weaver was fervently asking his parents to play the 1974 album "Fire" by the Ohio Players. Instead of playing the same album for their determined toddler over and over, Weaver's pa...

In a time when supporting local businesses is more critical than ever, the city of Long Beach took a significant step forward in November by introducing the Shop Long Beach app . This citywide initiative not only celebrates entrepreneurship but also aims to provide a lifeline for small business owners struggling with financial challenges. The Shop Long Beach initiative offers a platform for small...

Long Beach resident Jerlene Tatum has been a vocal advocate for justice, equity, and community empowerment. In 2022, she stood as a liaison for the Rodriguez family after a Long Beach Unified School District officer fatally shot 18-year-old Mona Rodriguez . Earlier this year, Tatum pitched her tent at Silverado Park, opposing the city's plan to repurpose the park's gym into a temporary homeless sh...

The Long Beach Post and the Long Beach Business Journal have embarked on a new chapter: The publications now comprise the city's largest nonprofit newsroom after forming under a new charity called the Long Beach Journalism Initiative . This move means we are now relying on the community for support. A key player in this transition is Melissa Evans, former executive editor who has led this transiti...

In July 2020, Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, underwent surgery to remove bullet fragments from her foot. At the time, the circumstances surrounding the incident were hazy. Less than a month later, Tory Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, was named as the shooter. Although charges would not be officially filed until October 2020, Lanez had no intention of letting the ca...

In July of 2020, hip-hop artists Tory Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion left a party in Los Angeles. Prosecutors say that at some point, an altercation escalated between the two, resulting in Lanez firing at Stallion and causing injuries to both feet. Stallion underwent surgery to remove bullet fragments, and Lanez was charged with felony assault in October of 2020. Ultimately, Lanez was charged with...

In the world of entrepreneurship, challenges are commonplace, but for Black-owned businesses, these hurdles can be especially daunting. Marvin Wilcher, CEO of Camp Nova, a marketing, media, and brand design company, believes that dwelling on these disadvantages can hinder the progress of new entrepreneurs. "Yes, there is a disadvantage in being an African American-owned business in some industries...

For cinephiles and avid TV consumers, the months-long Hollywood writer strikes spelled impending doom for beloved shows and movies as the entertainment industry came to a grinding halt. There was the possibility that actors like Bella Ramsey—known for her role as Ellie in "The Last of Us"—could age out her iconic role. For the writers themselves, it was a fight for a livable wage. Fortunately, the...

Long nights in the studio and early mornings in a classroom. This was the early reality for Long Beach native and Cambodian-American singer-songwriter Satica. A lot has changed since Satica was a young teenager who posted her music on MySpace just to see if anyone would appreciate her sound. Now, at 30, Satica looks back and reflects on attending Poly High School, her Cambodian parents, the city o...

In the vibrant culinary landscape of Long Beach, a new star has emerged to capture the essence of the city's diverse and mouthwatering cuisine. Caitlin Antonios joined the Long Beach Post as a food reporter in May and has quickly become a cherished voice in the community. From her understanding of the Long Beach Health Department, her news background and her insight into what might tantalize the t...

I knew it was going to stir intense emotions when I wrote about a prominent white woman in Long Beach repeating a racial slur, but I didn’t realize it would still be causing controversy months later. It is interesting to sit back and watch how things play out. When I originally wrote the column addressing a long-standing staple in the food community and the creator of Long Beach Black Restaurant W...

In a market dominated by cultural preferences, Black Americans have demonstrated a significant financial commitment to the beauty and haircare industry. According to the 2018 Nielsen report, African Americans spent $54 million on beauty and haircare products in 2017. Despite the substantial spending power, Black entrepreneurs often struggle to own beauty supply stores as more than 70% of stores in...

On Nov. 10, 2013, 39-year-old Donte Jordan was shot in the back by police officers as he walked away from them. Police said Jordan fit the description of a man shooting a gun at a Shell gas station shortly before police arrived. Although Jordan had dropped the gun he'd been holding before he was shot, the District Attorney's office concluded the officers “acted lawfully in self-defense and the def...

In 2014, the nonprofit Students for Fair Admissions was formed with a single goal: to challenge affirmative action policies. Nearly a decade later, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down race-conscious admissions at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. What does this mean for the country? California may give a glimpse. The state banned affirmative action at publi...

Most Black people in America understand that people often see skin color before they see intelligence, talent or ability. Executive Chef Denise Smith has found a tasty way to work around that: Lead with food that looks and tastes delicious. Smith grew up on a farm with her grandparents and learned every aspect of preparing food, from raising and slaughtering chickens to growing vegetables, and of...

On Aug. 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc’s “Back to School Jam” in the Bronx helped shape the future of music. That was the moment when an emcee (rapper) was paired with a selector (now known as a DJ) and hip-hop was born. Next month marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. While Long Beach may not be its birthplace, it is certainly the city that paved the way for West Coast rappers to dominate the airwaves....

Necessity often gives birth to innovation, and for Sharifah Hardie, it was becoming a teen mom at 18 years old that sparked her love for the internet. In the early '90s, as the internet was just emerging, Hardie recognized a unique opportunity to be a working stay-at-home mom by building websites. Starting with creating websites for herself and her family members, Hardie soon ventured into her own...

On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation designating Juneteenth as a federal holiday, acknowledging its significance as a milestone in the African American community. Often referred to as "Black Independence Day," Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black people in Texas on June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The story of Junete...