By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Gov. Newsom Joins National Leaders at Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Funeral; Orders Flags at Half-Staff
Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Chicago last week to attend the funeral of Rev. Jesse Jackson, joining a gathering of prominent political leaders, clergy and civil rights figures paying tribute to one of the most influential voices in the modern civil rights movement.
The memorial service, held March 6, brought together national figures from politics — including former Presidents Clinton, Obama and Biden and former Vice President Harris – as well as faith communities and social justice organizations. They honored Jackson’s decades-long fight for racial equality, voting rights and economic justice.
Earlier in the week, Newsom ordered flags at the State Capitol and all state buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of the civil rights leader as the nation prepared to lay him to rest.
Public memorial service for Jackson was followed by a private ceremony on March 7. Flags across California remained lowered until sunset March 8, according to the governor’s office.
The order came as political leaders and civil rights advocates across the country remembered Jackson’s decades-long role in pushing the United States to address racial inequality and expand opportunities for marginalized communities.
“As we pay our final respects to Reverend Jesse Jackson before he is laid to rest this weekend, I am ordering flags to be flown at half-staff in his honor,” Newsom said in a statement. “Reverend Jackson paved the righteous path that we now must walk to fulfill his vision of a better world, and his lifetime of lessons and wisdom leaves us well-prepared to do so.”
Jackson spent more than half a century advocating for civil rights, economic justice and greater political representation for underserved communities. A prominent national figure, he helped organize voter registration drives, led protests and pushed policymakers to address systemic inequities.
Members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) also praised Jackson’s legacy and influence on generations of activists and public servants.
“Reverend Jesse Jackson was a giant among us, who spent his life pushing America to live up to its promise,” said Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego), chair of the caucus. “His commitment reminds us that real progress happens when people from every background stand together in the pursuit of dignity and equality.”
Black Judges Now 9.9% of California Bench, New Judicial Diversity Report Shows
Black judges now make up 9.9% of California’s judiciary, more than double their share two decades ago, according to the 2026 Judicial Officer Demographic Data report released March 2, by the Judicial Council of California.
The annual report shows California’s bench continuing a long-term trend toward greater diversity. Data collected from judges and justices as of Dec. 31, 2025, indicate that the share of Black or African American judicial officers has increased from 4.4% in 2006 to 9.9% in 2025.
Overall, the report finds that the state’s judiciary has become steadily more representative of California’s population over the past 20 years. During that period, the percentage of Asian, Black, and Hispanic justices and judges combined has increased by more than 140%, while the share of women on the bench has grown significantly.
Women now make up 44.9% of California’s judges and justices, compared to 27.1% in 2006, an increase of 17.8 percentage points, according to the Judicial Council survey. The findings are based on voluntary demographic responses from judicial officers, with a response rate of 93%.
The report also shows growth among other racial and ethnic groups. Hispanic or Latino judges account for 13.1% of the bench, up from 6.3% in 2006, while Asian judges now make up 11.9%, compared with 4.4% two decades ago. White judges represent 55.8% of the judiciary, down from 70.1% in 2006.
Judicial branch leaders say increasing diversity remains a priority. Programs such as the Pathways to Judicial Diversity toolkit and statewide judicial mentorship initiatives encourage attorneys from underrepresented communities to pursue judicial careers.
Since taking office in 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed 695 judges, with more than half identifying as women and more than half identifying as Asian, Black, Hispanic, or Pacific Islander, according to the report.
The Judicial Council is required by state law to release the demographic survey annually. This year marks the 20th edition of the report, which tracks long-term trends in gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other characteristics among California’s justices and judges.
17 Small Businesses Receive $2 Million in State Funding; Applications Open for More Grants
On March 5, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced more than $2 million in state funding for small businesses developing new technologies, while encouraging entrepreneurs to apply for additional grants through a statewide innovation program.
The funding, awarded through the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)Innovation Grant Awards, supports startups working in sectors such as health technology, clean energy, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Officials said the program is designed to help early-stage companies grow and bring new products to market.
Entrepreneurs across California received grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to help expand operations, develop technologies and move innovations closer to commercialization. Newsom’s office said the investments aim to strengthen local economies and maintain California’s reputation as a global hub for innovation.
“California continues to be a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Newsom. “Today’s investments reflect the state’s commitment to help all, boosting local economies through new small businesses in our communities across the state.”
More than 70% of the companies receiving grants are pre-revenue startups, meaning they are still developing products before entering the marketplace. Several awardees have already secured patents or filed patent applications, highlighting the program’s focus on emerging technologies and research-driven innovation.
“Everyone knows that California is ground zero for innovative entrepreneurship,” said Elmy Bermejo, director of CalOSBA. “But our office is working to diversify the state’s innovation economy by recognizing early-stage businesses and founders from all backgrounds struggling to break through barriers to capital.”
The grants are part of the state’s Accelerate California initiative, which connects startups with mentorship, technical assistance and access to funding through regional innovation hubs.
Since 2023, the program has supported more than 29,000 startups and small businesses and helped create more than 3,200 jobs statewide, according to state officials.