Havana, CUBA. Adelaida, tarot reader situated in the Plaza de la Catedral in Old Havana, blows on a selected hand of cards for a reading. Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

 

Havana, CUBA. Tarot cards that belong to Adelaida, fortune teller and tarot reader situated in the Plaza de la Catedral in Old Havana. Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

“Cuba is more than just revolution, beautiful waters, and music. The island is full of a rich tapestry of deep African heritage and culture that truly sets it apart. This unique historical perspective offers a deeper and more nuanced experience than one might initially expect.”
— Louis Bryant, III, OBSERVER
 

Havana, CUBA. Gentlemen play dominoes on a neighborhood sidewalk and invite us to observe a round. Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

 
 

Havana, CUBA. Abakuá dancing ceremony in the Callejon del Hamel. A small alley packed with locals and a few tourists observe dancing rituals tied to Yoruba religion. Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

Havana, CUBA. Emilio Ruiz Garcia, husband to Marta, poses for a portrait in his home after offering tea and biscuits. We visited his home in search of his granddaughter, Yuli. Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

 

Sacramento, CA. Dusty Baker standing behind main stage curtains as he awaits his introduction at the Guild Theater organized by community advocates Kevin Carter and Greg King. It was an opportunity for youth to get acquainted with a person who made the game of baseball his life. Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

 

Sacramento, CA. For Christen and Danielle Brown’s family, good nutrition is a way of life. Their oldest child, 10-year-old El Iyah Amen, bottom center, lives with sickle cell disease. He and his younger sisters Zara Imani, 6, and Trinyty Assatu, 4, have never eaten fast food. Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER

 

Zola Grey, 17, has spent much of her life in a gymnastics studio. Despite recently shifting gears to focus on another sport, she looks back at that time with fondness. Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

 

Sharon Saffold, left, is close with her mother, Julia, 89, who lives with dementia. She and her three sisters share in her care and are working to keep the local senior safe during the continued pandemic. Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

 

Area senior Julia Saffold has dementia and may not know the full extent of the coronavirus pandemic, but knows that her family is keeping her safe. Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

 
“Area senior Julia Saffold has dementia and may not know the full extent of the coronavirus pandemic, but knows that her family is keeping her safe.”
— Louis Bryant, III, OBSERVER
 
 

When vaccines were slow to get to communities of color, Dr. Kawanaa Carter says she couldn’t sit on the sidelines and do nothing. The local neurosurgeon has sponsored a number of clinics to protect area residents. Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

Dr. Kawanaa Carter has fought bureaucracy and vaccine hesitancy to bring vaccines to low income areas. Dr. Carter says stepping up is a “moral issue and commitment.” Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

“Watching COVID-19 data closely, Dr. Carter uses it to point her to where she’s needed most. ”
— Genoa Barrow, OBSERVER
 
 

As Sacramento County’s Public Health Officer, Dr. Olivia Kasirye leads the region’s COVID-19 response. For nearly two years, she has helped to educate and vaccinate thousands, and built bridges where there previously had been none, to protect the community. Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER

“I think the hardest, of course, was knowing that people were tired and they were hurting and yet, we still needed to tell them, ‘Hey, it’s too early to let our guard down’ and these are things that we needed to continue to do, and just reminding people especially as the numbers kept creeping up, that there are lives behind those numbers that died. We want to minimize the number of deaths and this needs to be done, as difficult as it is for everybody.
”
— Dr. Kasirye, Person of the Year, OBSERVER
 

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor is one of five women in the California Legislative Black Caucus. Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER

 

Assemblymember Lori Wilson, the Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, says she doesn’t hold back when it comes to helping Californians gain a high quality of life. Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER

 

Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) was handpicked by former Sen. Sidney Kamlager-Dove, her predecessor, to replace her when she left to serve in Congress. Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER

There aren’t many Black faces at the VFW Post 67 these days. Elmo Bailey works at the local post, taking care of its finances. Here, he points to a photo of its first Black commander, Hansel Burns. Louis Bryant, III, OBSERVER

 

Paula Villescaz, a San Juan Unified graduate, was elected to serve in the SJU School District Board of Education in 2016. Along with her role on the Board of Education, Villescaz is the director of legislative advocacy for the County Welfare Directors Association of California. She is a proud parent who cares for her community and school system, especially since now her daughter will be raised within the district. Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER

 

CLBC chairperson Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) outlined the goals of the package and stated its intention to right the wrongs of historical injustices that African Americans endured in the state of California.

 
 

Joe Stinson, 89, is proud of his time in the Marines and the reserves. Stinson wants to see more mention and recognition of past and present Black servicemen. Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

 

A soldier salutes toward the 777 Air Force II arriving at Sacramento International Airport. Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER

 

Vice President Kamala Harris touched down in Sacramento Jan. 25, greeted by the warm embrace of local and state officials. Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

Vice President Kamala Harris greats the excited crowd gathered at Sacramento International Airport before transitioning to her motorcade heading toward downtown Sacramento. Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

 

Dr. Elysse Versher, the former assistant principal at West Campus High School, consoled by a community member in support of justice and accountability for the former school leader who recently resigned due to racism, harassment and inaction at the local campus. Louis Bryant, III OBSERVER

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The safe parking shelter known as Camp Resolution on Colfax Street in North Sacramento on Nov. 20. (Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER)

Brown Sugar, has been unhoused for several years due to the rising costs of rent and says she has little faith the city will fix the problem. Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER

The inside of Brown Sugar Davis’ Sacramento home is covered in rugs and decorated with plants and photos. She says that though she’s homeless, she still wants to create a comfortable place to live. Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER

Brown Sugar has been unhoused for a few years, but it has done nothing to change her instincts as a homemaker. Louis bryant, III OBSERVER

 
 
 

Brown Sugar Davis stands in front of her home off the side of the road in Midtown Sacramento on Nov. 10. Since her husband died in 2009, the years have been difficult, but she said her Christian faith has helped her persevere. Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER