The Talking Drums Newsletter

01/10/2026

If you're looking to get involved locally, connect and join the next Sacramento Poor People's Campaign Meeting

The Sacramento Poor People’s Campaign’s Zoom Meeting
When: Monday, January 12, 2026, 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Speaker/Topics: Rebecca Gonzales,CA4SSI Coalition
Updates on Housing, SSI, and SNAP

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Jan 12, 2026 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/.../register/hsTyP-LHTpeUmoh_e4tzvw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

For more info, please email: SacPPC2019

If you're looking to get involved locally, connect and join the next Sacramento Poor People's Campaign Meeting

The Sacramento Poor People’s Campaign’s Zoom Meeting
When: Monday, January 12, 2026, 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Speaker/Topics: Rebecca Gonzales,CA4SSI Coalition
Updates on Housing, SSI, and SNAP

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Jan 12, 2026 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/.../register/hsTyP-LHTpeUmoh_e4tzvw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

For more info, please email: SacPPC2019@gmail.com.
Thank you

01/10/2026

Homelessness disproportionately impacts Black women and their children due to racism (from other people of color), wage gaps, and housing discrimination. Rising rents, low wages, and economic instability force families into homelessness, disrupting employment and education. The long-term economic impact deepens poverty, limits upward mobility, and places lasting financial strain on mothers and their children.

• In California, African Americans are disproportionately overrepresented in the homeless population. While they make up approximately 6.5-7% of the state's general population, they account for over a quarter (more than 25%) of people experiencing homelessness statewide.
• Sacramento: Black individuals make up 33% of the unhoused population, but are 3.7 times more likely to experience homelessness than the average Sacramentan.

The Sacramento Poor People’s Campaign, Black Parallel School Board, NorCal Resist, Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee, Feed Sacramento Homeless, Oak Park Homeless Project, and Baker Energy Team SM are coming together to host the 4th Annual “Fight Poverty Not The Poor” Community Festival, Saturday, February 21 from 11-3 PM at the Fruitridge Community Collaborative’s Auditorium, 4625 44th Street, Sacramento, CA 95820.

Our goal is to celebrate Black History Month and educate the community about the importance of “Fighting Poverty, Not The Poor.” We aim to engage with, support, and provide community resources to unhoused and struggling community members in Sacramento. Free and open to all!!!

This year’s Community Festival will include a free community lunch, fun activities such as free books, free haircuts by Mariah, community resource tables, speakers, raffle prizes, and cultural entertainment, all suitable for the entire family.

To participate, community members should register. Please visit: https://bit.ly/4jkcRdL.

01/09/2026

AI is growing fast, but at what cost? Our 2026 Recommendations for Protecting Frontline Communities to Stop Dirty Data are designed to ensure AI data centers are built responsibly, equitably, and sustainably.
Clean air, clean water, and affordable utilities shouldn’t be sacrificed for innovation, and our communities deserve a say in how AI grows.

So glad to be a part of this great organization. Setting an example for my kids. Being a part of the change I want to see in the world. Starting in my own community!

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

The proposed solar farm, while promising clean energy, came at an unacceptable cost: the clear-cutting of ancient, irreplaceable old-growth oak woodlands.
For months, hundreds of community members, conservationists, and tribal voices showed up, spoke out, and protested. They made it clear: we cannot fight the climate crisis by destroying vital, established ecosystems.
The Board of Supervisors ignored them. SMUD LISTENED.
This decision proves:
✅ True sustainability balances energy needs with ecosystem protection.
✅ Community power can move major institutions.
✅ Sacrificing ancient, carbon-sequestering forests for industrial solar is not a "green" solution.
The fight for Coyote Creek continues. Other buyers could decide to purchase the power from the solar farm increasing the likelihood that it will be built and destroy the old-growth oak woodlands. Go to www.savecoyotecreek.com to stay up to date!

The proposed solar farm, while promising clean energy, came at an unacceptable cost: the clear-cutting of ancient, irreplaceable old-growth oak woodlands.

For months, hundreds of community members, conservationists, and tribal voices showed up, spoke out, and protested. They made it clear: we cannot fight the climate crisis by destroying vital, established ecosystems.

The Board of Supervisors ignored them. SMUD LISTENED.

This decision proves:
✅ True sustainability balances energy needs with ecosystem protection.
✅ Community power can move major institutions.
✅ Sacrificing ancient, carbon-sequestering forests for industrial solar is not a "green" solution.

The fight for Coyote Creek continues. Other buyers could decide to purchase the power from the solar farm increasing the likelihood that it will be built and destroy the old-growth oak woodlands. Go to www.savecoyotecreek.com to stay up to date!

01/09/2026

TODAY! Behind 650 Capitol Mall.

01/09/2026

GET OUTSIDE AND STAND UP FOR OUR COMMUNITIES! All weekend, front and back of 650 Capitol Mall in Sacramento or find a location near you.

01/09/2026

Tomorrow by 50501 Sacramento