Alyssah Hall

The United Domestic Workers (UDW) of America’s Riverside sponsored and hosted a Black Voice News Care in the Inland Empire Celebration, kicking off the month of March by honoring the caregiver community. 

The event highlighted work by BVN’s health reporter Breanna Reeves and BVN photojournalist Aryana Noroozi on the Care in the IE series that started in April 2024, an endeavor supported by UDW. This series touches on the growing need for caregivers, those who they care for, the price of care and how to access in-home care resources in the Inland Empire. 

BVN’s Director of Revenue and Audience Engagement Christen Irving was the master of ceremonies and featured guest speakers included UDW Regional Director Yvette Elam, BVN’s Executive Editor Stephanie Williams, caregiver advocate and local artist BerniE, among others who spoke on a series of panels.

The panels allowed experts and caregivers to discuss the reality of caregiving in the Inland Empire, allowed for guests to share comments and questions and concerns regarding caregiving and community.

Take a look at some moments captured during the Care in the IE Celebration.

BVN’s Stephanie Williams kicks-off  the Care in the IE Celebration at UDW in Riverside on March 1, 2025. Williams spoke about the origins of the Care in the IE series  and her own experience as a caregiver to her partner and family members. (Alyssah Hall for Black Voice News)
Artist BerniE shares his caregiver story with the attendees of the Care in the IE Celebration on March 1, 2025 at the UDW center in Riverside. BerniE was a former caregiver to his late mother and used his artistry to write the song “I Care” to aid him in his healing process after her passing. He also created a fund, and has been awarding grants to groups working on behalf of Alzheimer’s and other organizations to show appreciation to caregivers. (Alyssah Hall for Black Voice News)
During the first panel discussion at the Care in the IE Celebration event,  attendee Connie shared a story about her daughter, Mimi, who suffers from a traumatic brain injury due to a car accident that left Connie as her primary care taker. Connie expressed concerns to BVN’s Stephanie Williams about her need  for additional support. ( Alyssah Hall for Black Voice News)
BVN publisher Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds spoke about her and her husband’s five-year journey of caring for her late mother-in-law. Brown-Hinds pledged to support BerniE’s I CARE fund and gave the audience pens and paper at their tables to share with BVN what they as caregivers needed help with. (Alyssah Hall for Black Voice News)
MC Christen Irving directed questions during the second panel as Dr. William Reed. Dr. Reed spoke about equitable rights and access. He and his wife are also caregivers for their adult son who was diagnosed with autism over 40 years ago. (Alyssah Hall for Black Voice News)
Yvette Elam, regional director for United Domestic Workers/AFSCME Local 3930/AFL-CIO, speaks to event goers about the importance of UDW and caregivers. Elam stressed, “One thing that we know, we’re all getting older. At some point, we’re going to need a caregiver.” Elam has been involved with planning and organizing the Care in the IE series since the beginning.
BVN colleagues, Breanna Reeves and Aryana Noroozi, shared how working on the caregiver series impacted their view on their families/partners aging and eventual need for care. (Alyssah Hall for Black Voice News)
UDW members Andrea Dudley and Jermaine Moore proudly shared that through the support of the union and community programs, their sons are excelling in sports such as track and baseball and in other ways they never expected. (Alyssah Hall for Black Voice News)

Alyssah Hall is a multimedia journalist with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Cal State University Los Angeles. She joins Black Voice News as a UC Berkeley California Local News 2024-2026 Fellow. Born in SoCal and raised in Lynchburg, Virginia, Alyssah experienced what it was like to feel unrepresented and misunderstood. This upbringing inspired her passion for highlighting and uplifting the Black community and other minorities. Before working with BVN, Alyssah was a reporter for CSULA’s University Times and a freelance writer for the LA Sentinel. You can reach Alyssah for tips, comments or concerns at alyssah@voicemediaventures.com or via Instagram @alyssahhallbvn.