The Great Recession, and then the pandemic, did in some of the last holdouts. But not Berkeley's Back Room, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary this month. The Back Room's survival is due to the passion of its founder, Sam Rudin, the musicians who love it and come back time after time to play there, and the commitment of audience members who know the experiences they have there are truly memorable.
California has achieved a significant increase in transitional kindergarten enrollment, with 62% of 4-year-olds participating in publicly funded early childhood programs, a rise from 42% in 2019-2020. However, access remains uneven, as nearly 40% of eligible children are still not enrolled, indicating a need for increased awareness and support for families.
Carl Cokine Anthony redefined the relationship between racial equity, regionalism, and the environment, establishing a foundation for future environmental justice initiatives.
Shortly after being elected, Barbara Lee unveiled a 10-point plan for getting Oakland back on track. Point number three was to establish public-private partnerships to "improve Oakland's economy and increase public safety," and point number seven was to "generate entrepreneurial and philanthropic investment in Oakland." So far, Lee has been delivering on these promises. Since being sworn in last May, Lee has helped raise millions of dollars from private companies and foundations to support city services, programs, and civic initiatives.