>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AT THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THE FUTURE OF THE OB PEER.

WHY IT MIGHT BE TIME TO TEAR DOWN AND REBUILD THE OCEAN BEACH LANDMARK.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S FIRST BLACK ARTS AND CULTURE DISTRICT IS COMING ALIVE.

SEE WHAT IS NEW IN ENCANTO SINCE GETTING THE DECLARATION.

>>> EXERCISING THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

SAN DIEGO'S SHIRLEY WEBER WORKS TO INCLUDE MORE YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

>>> WE START WITH SOMETHING THAT WON'T SOLVE SAN DIEGO'S HOUSING CRISIS BUT IT WILL HELP GET MORE PEOPLE OFF OF THE STREET.

HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN RECENTLY GOT A TOUR OF THE CITIES NEWEST THE SHELTER.

HE SHOWS US OF THE WORK THAT GOES INTO MAKING IT HAPPEN FROM SETUP TO OPENING DAY.

>> Reporter: THIS UNASSUMING TENT STRUCTURE IN THE BACK LOT OF THE COUNTY HEALTH COMPLEX IS WHERE THE CITY AND COUNTY NEWEST HOMELESS SHELTER IS.

THE LAYOUT OF THIS SHELTER IS SIMILAR TO OTHER ONE IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

THIS ONE HAS 150 BEDS.

YOU CAN SEE THE BUNKBEDS LAID OUT.

THIS ONE IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

IT WILL HAVE 24 HOUR INTAKE.

>> THE GOAL OF HAVING THIS BE A TRANSITION SPACE.

SOMEONE COMES IN, THEY GET HELP, WE FIND A REPLACEMENT AND FREE UP A BED FOR THE MINISTER COMING.

>> Reporter: SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER SAYS THE CITY IS PAYING FOR THE SHELTERS OPERATION WHILE THE COUNTY IS PROVIDING THE LOCATION AND CONTRACTING WITH VISTA HELP FOR ON-SITE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

>> WE KNOW KNOW ONE SHELTER IS GOING TO SOLVE EVERY PROBLEM BUT IT IS ANOTHER STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> Reporter: WITH 150 BEDS, SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA SAYS THE CITY'S TOTAL SHELTER CAPACITY IS NOW AROUND 1600 BEDS.

HE SAYS MORE TEMPORARY HOUSING OPTIONS ARE COMING, INCLUDING NONECONGREGATE SPACES.

>> WE KNOW IT IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE INCOMING FLOW OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BECOMING HOMELESS.

I AM UNDETERRED.

I AM AS FRUSTRATED AS EVERY OTHER SAN DIEGANS.

THERE ARE SOLUTIONS.

IT IS MORE HOUSING AND MORE SERVICES.

>> Reporter: GLORIA SAYS THE MIDWAY COMMUNITY HAS BEEN FRUSTRATED WITH AND INCREASING NUMBER OF UNSALTED UNSALTED RESIDENTS.

THEY OPERATE TO SIMILAR SIZED SHELTERS DOWNTOWN BUT THIS IS THE ONLY LARGE ONE OUTSIDE OF THE DOWNTOWN CORE.

>> MY EXCITATION IS IT WILL GO UP.

WE DON'T CALL THE SHELTERS.

WE CALL THEM COMMUNITIES BECAUSE THEY ARE.

>> Reporter: OVER PROJECT CEO BOB McELROY ALSO RUNS A SMALLER SHELTER JUST DOWN THE STREET ON SPORTS ARENA BOULEVARD.

HE HAS BEEN DOING OUTREACH IN THE MIDWAY AREA, GETTING READY FOR MONDAY'S OPENING.

>> WE ALREADY KNOW WHO MOST OF OUR FOLKS ARE OUT THERE.

THEY KNOW THEY ARE COMING IN.

WE ARE GOING TO GO OUT AND FIND THEM AND PICK THEM UP ON MONDAYS AND START WELCOMING PEOPLE IN.

THIS IS THEIR STORAGE.

>> Reporter: COUPLES AND THAT WILL BE ALLOWED AT THE MIDWAY SHELTER.

THE STRUCTURE IS BEING PROVIDED BY THE LUCKY DUCK FOUNDATION.

IS COSTING THE CITY $4.8 MILLION TO KEEP OPEN THROUGH NEXT JUNE.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT IS OPENING DAY SO THERE WILL BE A LOT OF HUSTLE AND BUSTLE.

>> IT IS THE MORNING OF THE MIDWAY SHELTER OPENING.

ALPHA PRODUCT OUTREACH SPECIALIST ROBERT McKINNEY IS HEADING OUT WITH HIS PARTNER, ELIZABETH.

THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH LOCAL UNSALTED RESIDENTS AND HAVE A LIST OF WHO THEY PLAN TO BRING IN.

PART OF McKINNEY'S JOB IS HELPING TO PROCESS SOME OF THE SHELTERS FIRST RESIDENTS.

>> IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU THINK YOU HAPPEN HOMELESS?

>> Reporter: AT THIS NEW SHELTER IS FOR MEN AND WOMEN AND IT HAS ON-SITE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

IT IS NOT TOTALLY FILLED RIGHT AWAY.

ON THE SHELTERS FIRST DAY OF OPERATIONS IN JUST 15 RESIDENTS WERE ALLOWED IN AND THAT MEANS A FEW OF McKINNEY'S CLIENTS, LIKE SANDY, HAVE TO WAIT.

>> HERE IS THE DEAL, BAD NEWS, THEY ONLY ALLOW US TO BRING 15 PEOPLE IN TODAY.

BUT, TOMORROW, WE WILL GET YOU IN TOMORROW.

>> Reporter: IT IS NEVER EASY TO TELL PEOPLE KNOW, EVEN IF IT IS ONLY TEMPORARY.

>> IT IS DISAPPOINTING TO LET THEM KNOW WE ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE FOR THEM.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TAKE SOME INTO THE TOP OF THE HILL, YOU REMAIN?

THAT EXPERIENCE, IT HURTS.

IT IS HARD TO FEEL THAT WE WANT TO LET THEM KNOW AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE STILL HERE FOR YOU.

IT MAY NOT BE THE DAY BUT TOMORROW, WE WILL MAKE SURE WE TRY OUR BEST.

>> HERE YOU GO, SANDRA.

THAT SHOULD HOLD YOU.

>> Reporter: THE MIDWAY SHELTER IS ACCEPTING PETS AND COUPLES.

WHEN A SPACE DOES OPEN UP, SANDRA WILL BE ABLE TO BRING HER FRIEND ALONG WITH HER.

McKINNEY SAYS NOT EVERYONE LIVING ON THE STREETS IS INTERESTED IN THESE TEMPORARY SHELTERS.

SOME WOULD RATHER JUST WAIT TO GET A HOUSING PLACEMENTS.

>> YOU MAY NOT WANT IT TODAY BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT MIGHT COME NEXT WEEK.

THERE IS NO PRESSURE.

THEY HAVE TO WANT IT THEMSELVES.

>> HE IS CLEARED FOR A BETTER THERE.

>> Reporter: McKINNEY HASN'T BEEN HOMELESS HIMSELF.

WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER, HE LIVED COUCHED ACCOUNTS FOR A TIME.

FOR HIM, THIS JOB IS ALL ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE.

>> I SEE PEOPLE MONTHS AND MONTHS.

ALPHA PRODUCT SAVED MY LIFE COMMUNITY MEAN?

JUST HEARING THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.

>> Reporter: THE SHELTER IS ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE IN TAKES 24 HOURS A DAY PENDING THAT AVAILABILITY.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP CALIFORNIA'S FARMS IN BUSINESS ARE WATCHING GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM THIS WEEKEND.

HE HAS YET TO SIGN A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR FARMWORKERS TO PARTICIPATE IN A UNION.

KITTY ALVARADO SPOKE TO ONE OF THOSE WORKERS WAS HOLDING VIGIL AND HIM AND AND A LOCAL FARM OWNER, WHO WASN'T SOLD ON THE PROPOSED LAW.

>> Reporter: FARMWORKER NUNEZ DOCUMENTS THE LAST MILE OF HER 335 MILE JOURNEY.

SHE LEADS A CHANT AND PROCESSION OF THOUSANDS TOWARD THE CAPITOL IN SACRAMENTO ON AUGUST 26th.

SHE WALKS IN LOCKSTEP WITH LABOR LEADER DOLORES HUERTA.

THE VERY ICON WHO COINED THE BATTLE CRY SI SE PUEDE.

NUNEZ MADE THE JOURNEY TO GET GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM TO SIGN AB 2123.

HE DIDN'T SIGN IT AND NOW SHE AND A FEW FARMWORKERS REMAIN AT THE CAPITOL, HOLDING VIGIL AND HOPES THE GOVERNOR WILL CHANGE HIS MIND.

SHE SAYS THE NEXT STEP FOR ME IS A HUNGER STRIKE.

BECAUSE HE DOESN'T COME OUT AND SAY ANYTHING.

IF WE ARE ESSENTIAL LIKE HE SAYS WE ARE, PROVE IT.

NUNEZ SAYS SHE IS ANGRY THAT WHILE THE FARMWORKERS WAITED FOR THEIR BILL TO BE SIGNED, THE GOVERNOR SIGNED OTHER LEGISLATION TO PROTECT FAST FOOD WORKERS.

>> THEY ARE JUST ASKING FOR A SAFE WAY TO VOTE FOR A UNION.

>> Reporter: THAT IS LORENA GONZALEZ FLETCHER OF THE CALIFORNIA LABOR FEDERATION.

SHE AND HER HUSBAND, SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD SUPERVISOR FLETCHER, WALKED WITH THE FARMWORKERS FOR 35 MILES.

SHE SAYS THE BILL IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE FARMWORKERS ARE IN A FAR MORE VULNERABLE POSITION THAN OTHERS WHO TRY TO UNIONIZE.

>> WHEN A BOSS WANTS TO RETALIATE, THEY OFTEN DEPORT THESE WORKERS.

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF LOSING ONE'S JOB BUT IT IS ABOUT BEING DEPORTED AND LOSING THEIR LIVELIHOOD.

WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR IS A SAFE, SECRET WAY BY WHICH THEY CAN VOTE IN A UNION ELECTION AND THEIR BOSS DOESN'T KNOW.

>> WE THE FARMERS AGREE WITH THE GOVERNORS NOW THAT HAVE VETOED THIS SAME BILL SAYING THAT THE CURRENT LAWS ALREADY IN PLACE ARE ADEQUATE.

>> Reporter: AL STALEY IS THE OWNER OF STALEY GROVE MANAGEMENT AND IS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SAN DIEGO FARM BUREAU.

HE GROWS AVOCADOS, GRAPE AND TANGOS ON HIS FARM IN VALLEY CENTER.

HE HAS 30 EMPLOYEES.

>> I YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS OVER 40 YEARS.

SOME OF MY EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN WITH ME THAT LONG.

I DON'T THINK ANY EMPLOYER IS GOING TO LET A GOOD EMPLOYEE GO BECAUSE HE OR SHE APPROACHED HIM FOR A RAISE OR DIFFERENT HOURS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WE ARE IN AN ERA OF COMPROMISE.

>> Reporter: STALEY SAYS THE BILL TAKES AWAY THE RIGHTS OF FARMERS.

>> WE THE FARMERS DON'T WANT TO ERODE OUR PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS BY HAVING TO GIVE ACCESS TO THE UNIONS TO THE PROPERTY, NOR DO WE WANT TO GIVE UP OUR FREE SPEECH RIGHTS TO BE ABLE TO TALK WITH OUR EMPLOYEES ABOUT ANY UNION ORGANIZATION.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT WOULD ALSO LEAD TO PRESSURE ON FARMWORKERS.

>> THE MAIL-IN BALLOT OR THE CARD CHECK, DELIVERED BY UNION ORGANIZERS, IS JUST A FORMULA FOR INTIMIDATION AND ARM- TWISTING.

>> Reporter: THOSE ARGUMENTS DON'T MAKE SENSE TO NUNEZ, WHO RENTS FEW MOMENTS OF REST BETWEEN VIGILS AT THE CAPITOL.

EVENING, SHE IS PRAYING AND PLEADING WITH THE GOVERNOR.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] .

>> Reporter: IT IS THERE IN BRIEF MOMENTS SHE SAYS SHE ALLOWS HERSELF TO DREAM.

ABOUT WHAT THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL WOULD MEAN FOR FAMILIES LIKE HERS AND THE LEGACY LEFT BY HER HERO EMMA CESAR CHAVEZ ALLOWS HER TO FIGHT ON.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: THAT IS THE LEGACY CESAR CHAVEZ LEFT ME TO LET YOU FIGHT WITH YOUR SOUL AND YOUR LIFE IF NECESSARY.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE OCEAN BEACH PIER REOPENED THIS SUMMER AFTER MONTHS OF CLOSURE FOR REPAIRS.

NOW IT'S LONG-TERM FUTURE IS IN DOUBT.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AERE SAYS THE LOCAL LANDMARK MIGHT HAVE TO BE TORN DOWN AND FULLY REBUILT.

>> Reporter: OB PIER FIRST OPENED IN JULY 1966.

NOW, OVER 50 YEARS LATER, IT MAY GET A FULL MAKEOVER.

THE INITIAL STEPS TO REBUILD OCEAN BEACH PIER STARTED TODAY WITH THE CITY EXPLORING COST AND RECONSTRUCTION OPTIONS.

>> THERE BEEN STUDIES DONE THAT SHOW THE PIER IS AT THE END OF THAT SERVICEABLE LIFE.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT OF THE OCEAN BEACH TOWN COUNCIL COREY BREWER WINS SAYS OF THE PIER REOPENED AFTER REPAIRS FOLLOWING STORM DAMAGE.

>> OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS RECENTLY, REALLY KIND OF THE PAST FIVE THEM AS THE KING TIDE COMING SEASONALLY, IT IS A BATTERING AWAY AT THE END OF THE PIER.

THE CITY HAS BEEN DOING A LOT OF EMERGENCY REPAIRS FOR A WHILE.

>> Reporter: LINDSAY POPE COMES TO THE PIER WITH HER FAMILY MOST EVERYDAY.

SHE TOLD KPBS SHE WOULDN'T MIND A FULL REBUILD TO ENSURE EVERYONE'S SAFETY.

>> IT WITH SAINT OUR WALK A LITTLE BIT EVERY MORNING.

JUST CHANGED OUR ROUTINE A LITTLE BIT.

WE WOULD BE SAD TO SEE IT GO FOR A LITTLE BIT.

WE WOULD LOOK FORWARD TO IT BEING BACK, THAT IS FOR SURE.

>> Reporter: THE ORIGINAL OB PIER WAS BUILT FOR FISHING BUT THE NEW DESIGN WILL INCLUDE MORE USES.

OVER $80 MILLION IN STATE GRANTS AUTHORITY BEEN SET ASIDE FOR THE REBUILD.

BRUINS TOLD KPBS THE TOTAL COST WILL BE MUCH HIGHER.

>> ON THE LOW-END, 62 $80 MILLION.

COULD BE UPWARDS OF $100 MILLION.

CONSTRUCTION COSTS ARE RISING ALL THE TIME.

I IMAGINE BY THE TIME THAT WE BREAK GROUND IT WILL BE A COUPLE OF YEARS, AT LEAST.

>> Reporter: BRUINS AS THE CITY IS LOOKING FOR THE COMMUNITIES INPUT ON THE PROJECT.

THE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND STRUCTURE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE AGENDA ITEM TODAY AND IT WILL MOVE FORWARD TO THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL TO BE HEARD SOMETIME IN THE COMING MONTHS.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER A SURGE IN PET ADOPTION DURING THE PANDEMIC, LOCAL SHELTERS ARE FILLING BACKUP.

THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY SAYS IT HAS HUNDREDS OF DOGS THAT NEED A FOREVER HOME, ESPECIALLY OLDER DOGS.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL SHOWS US HOW THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS TRYING TO MAKE IT EASIER TO CONNECT ANIMALS WITH THEIR NEW FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY HAS A SPACE PROBLEM AS IN MUCH LESS SPACE THAN USUAL TO CARE FOR HUNDREDS OF ADULT DOGS.

>> WE HAVE PROBABLY TWICE THE NUMBER OF DOGS STAYING LONGER THAN I HAVE EVER STAYED BEFORE.

>> Reporter: NOW THROUGH SUNDAY, ADOPTION FEES ARE BEING WAIVED ON ALL DOGS AT SEVEN MONTHS OLD AND UP.

IF YOU HAPPEN TO HUMANE SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS, YOU PROBABLY WON'T RECOGNIZE THIS SPACE.

THIS IS WHERE THE LOBBY WAS AND THIS AREA WAS ALSO HOME TO SPACE FOR ANIMALS.

IT IS BEING RENOVATED, MAKING SPACE TO HOUSE ADULT DOGS, ESPECIALLY CHALLENGING.

>> WE HAVE TO DOUBLE UP.

TWO SIDES OF A DOG RUN TO MAKE SURE THOSE DOGS HAVE SPACE, EACH OF THEM.

WE WOULD NORMALLY WANT TO GIVE THEM BOTH SIDES SO THEY CAN HAVE A BETTER EXPERIENCE WHILE THEY ARE AT THE SHELTER.

>> WE ARE LOOKING TO ADOPT A DOG.

>> Reporter: IV AND HER HUSBAND THINK IT IS TIME TO BRING A DOG INTO THEIR LIVES.

AS SHE SAID, THIS POOCH IS MAINLY FOR MATTEO.

>> WE WANTED TO GET SOMETHING HE CAN GROW UP WITH AND PLAY WITH.

>> Reporter: FOR THE THOU FAMILY, LET ME A PUPPY.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN AN ADULT DOG, THE HUMANE SOCIETY WANT TO KNOW EVERY ANIMAL IS A SPAYED OR NEUTERED AND MICROCHIPPED AND THEY ARE HERE FOR YOU EVEN AFTER ADOPTION WITH TRAINING, FOOD, AND MEDICAL CARE.

>> WE JUST OPENED UP A BRAND- NEW MEDICAL SERVICE.

SO, IF PEOPLE DO NEED HELP AND THEY CAN'T AFFORD MEDICAL CARE FOR THEIR DOGS OR CATS OR RABBITS OR ANYBODY, WE WANT TO BE THERE FOR THEM AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE MEDICAL CLINIC IS MOBILE TWO DAYS A WEEK AND AT THE GAINES STREET LOCATION FOR ANOTHER TWO DAYS.

INFORMATION ON THAT AND EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW IS ON THE HUMANE SOCIETIES WEBSITE, SDHUMANE.ORG.

IN THE CENTRAL COURTYARD, THERE ARE WORDS OF WISDOM.

THE GREATNESS OF A NATION AND ITS MORAL PROGRESS CAN BE JUDGED BY THE WAY ITS ANIMALS ARE TREATED.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT BRINGING A DOG INTO YOUR LIFE, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO TREAT ONE TO ITS FOREVER HOME.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THAT STORY AND ALL OF OUR LOCAL REPORTING CAN BE WATCHED ANYTIME WITH THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

WE ALSO HAVE EPISODES OF SOME OF OUR ORIGINAL AGREEMENT LIKE CROSSING SOUTH AND CAN CREAMERS ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO.

AND YOU CAN LIFESTREAM KPBS EVENING EDITION WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK ON KPBS.ORG .

UPDATED COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE.

OUR STORY INCLUDES DETAILS ON WHERE TO FIND THEM AROUND SAN DIEGO.

>>> VISTA HIGH SCHOOL CANCELS FOOTBALL GAMES THIS WEEKEND AS IT LOOKS INTO MISCONDUCT AND ABUSE ALLEGATIONS INVOLVING PLAYERS.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S NEWEST RHINOCEROS IS THRIVING.

RESEARCHERS TELL US HOW THE NEW EDITION IS PART OF A PLAN TO HELP SAVE OTHER RHINO SPECIES.

>>> WE ARE NOW HIM HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.

CELEBRATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS LATINOS HAVE MADE TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

SOME OF THAT IS IN THE FORM OF MURALS POPPING UP ALL OVER SAN DIEGO.

KITTY ALVARADO MET THE ARTIST CREATING THESE LITTLE TRIBUTES.

>> Reporter: WITH THE SHAKE OF A CAN AND PUSH OF A BUTTON, PAUL GIMENEZ CREATES MAGIC IN LIFE LIKE YOU MURALS.

HE IS HALF OF A TEAM THAT MAKES UP GROUND-FLOOR MURALS.

ON THIS DAY, HE AND HIS PARTNER ARE PAINTING A MURAL FOR THE ANIMAL SHELTER IN CHULA VISTA.

BUT, THEIR WORK CAN BE SEEN THROUGHOUT THE SAN DIEGO AND FEATURE THE CITY SPORTS LEGENDS.

IT ALL STARTED WITH TONY GWYNN.

>> EVERYONE WAS UPSET AND DOWN AND THERE WAS A LOT OF TENSION IN THE AIR IN SAN DIEGO DURING THE PANDEMIC AND COVID-19, IT WAS MID PANDEMIC.

I PUT OUT THERE I WANT TO PAINT TONY GWYNN SOMEWHERE.

IF ANYONE HAS A WALK I WILL DO IT FOR THE COST OF SUPPLIES.

>> Reporter: THE BIG LEAGUES CALLED.

>> ALL OF SAN DIEGO WAS STARTING TO POST IT, IT WAS ALL OVER THE NEWS.

THAT IS KIND OF HOW WE INTRODUCED OURSELVES TO SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: WHAT MADE THAT MURAL SPECIAL FOR HIM IS THAT IT BROUGHT THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER DURING A DARK TIME.

>> THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME TO BRING THE CITY TOGETHER WHEN I FELT LIKE WE WERE ALL KIND OF TORN APART AND DOWN IN THE DUMPS.

>> Reporter: AND THAT COMMUNITY IS WHAT ALWAYS FEELS HIS PASSION.

>> FOR ME, ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS EVER IS WHEN WE GET TAGGED BY OUR FANS, OUR SUPPORTERS.

IT IS ALWAYS THE IMAGE OF THE WHOLE FAMILY THAT IS IN FRONT OF THE MURAL.

IT IS ALWAYS THE IMAGE OF THE LITTLE KIDS LOOKING UP AT IT.

I REMEMBER BEING THAT LITTLE KID AND SEEING MURALS AND BEING SO INSPIRED.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO FIND THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN THE ART THEY SEE AROUND THEM AND HE FEELS BLESSED HE FOUND INSPIRATION IN HIS DIVERSE COMMUNITY.

>> THE INFLUENCE OF CHICANO PARK WAS HUGE FOR ME.

WAS THE FIRST TIME I FELT PROUD TO BEAT THIS SKIN COLOR, PROUD TO BE MEXICAN VERY PROUD TO BE FROM SAN DIEGO KNOWING THAT THIS WHOLE PARK IS DEDICATED TO MY PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: HIS PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS CLOSE BY.

HIS NANA, PAULA CHAVEZ, HAPPEN TO STOP BY WHILE HE WAS PAINTING THIS ONE.

>> SHE SAYS CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE.

SHE SAYS SHE VISITS EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR MURALS.

>> SHE DOES, YES.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE THAT GOD GAVE HIM THE INTELLIGENCE AND THE CAPACITY TO PAINT SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

SHE SAYS SHE IS BEYOND PROUD OF YOU.

HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL WHEN SHE SAYS THAT ABOUT YOU?

>> IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I AM DOING EXACTLY WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

>> Reporter: IN TWO SHORT YEARS, SPORTS STARS GIVE SHOUT OUT AND THE MAYOR OF CHULA VISTA STOPS BY TO CHECK ON THE PROGRESS OF THEIR LATEST MURAL.

>> HE IS IN HIGH DEMAND AND WE ARE PROUD OF HIM.

>> Reporter: GIMENEZ WANT LITTLE KIDS WHO LOOK LIKE HIM TO DREAM BIG.

>> ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

I TRULY, TRULY BELIEVE IT.

>> Reporter: KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MURALS ARE JUST SOME OF THE ART YOU WILL FIND IN THE NEWLY DESIGNATED SAN DIEGO BLACK ARTS CULTURE DISTRICT.

YOU CAN FIND IT IN THE SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO NEIGHBORHOOD OF ENCANTO.

JACOB AERE TELLS US WHAT THE DESIGNATION MEANS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: WALKED INTO THE WORLD THEY MISS IMPERIAL OR SHOP AND YOU WILL FIND IT CHOCK FULL OF PAINTINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND ARTIFACTS THAT PAY HOMAGE TO BLACK HISTORY.

IN SAN DIEGO AND BEYOND.

THE SHOP SITS IN THE HEART OF THE RECENTLY DESIGNATED BLACK ARTS AND CULTURE DISTRICT IN ENCANTO.

>> WE WANT THIS COMMUNITY TO GROW .

GROWING MEANS ART IS THE FOUNDATION OF THAT GROWTH.

>> Reporter: THE ART ISN'T JUST INSIDE.

IT'S BACKING PART FEATURES THE LARGEST ART PIECES TO DATE.

>> WE HAVE HAD ARTISTS COME OUT HERE TO PAINT CERTAIN ART ABOUT OUR EXPRESSION OF WHERE WE ARE AT MENTALLY AND CULTURALLY.

SO, WHAT YOU SEE RIGHT HERE IS BASICALLY A WHOLE THING OF JUST DIFFERENT ARTISTS THAT COME OUT IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO THAT IS VERY, VERY TALENTED.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT COMES IN ALL SHAPES, SIZES, AND COLORS AS LOCAL ARTIST KIM PHILLIPS.

>> I HAVE PAINTED A NUMBER OF MURALS ON THE STREET AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS OVERJOYED THE DISTRICT BECAME OFFICIAL.

>> I WAS CRYING TEARS OF JOY, OF COURSE.

THE REASON WHY IS JUST BECAUSE WE SEE IN OTHER COMMUNITIES LIKE WE GO TO CHICANO PARK, YOU IMMEDIATELY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE.

YOU FEEL THE SENSE OF CULTURE, YOU FEEL THE SENSE OF PRIDE.

SO, THAT IS SOMETHING I HAVE ALWAYS FELT WE DESERVE AND THAT WE NEED.

>> Reporter: THE NEW CULTURAL DISTRICT COVERS EIGHT BLOCKS ALONG IMPERIAL AVENUE, INCLUDING MEMORIAL PARK.

THAT SAME PART OF TOWN ONCE HOSTED STREET FAIRS.

>> VENDORS FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER.

HEADLINER BANDS AND JUST EVERYBODY.

TO COME OUT HERE IN THIS WONDERFUL WEATHER IN AMERICA'S FAVORITE CITY AND JUST ENJOY EACH OTHER.

THIS PARK BECAME A STAPLE OF THAT AND WE WANT TO BRING THAT BACK.

>> Reporter: THAT IS CEO OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION URBAN WARRIORS.

HE SAYS SAN DIEGO USED TO BE KNOWN AS HARLEM OF THE WEST AND HE HOPES IT WILL SOON BE THAT AGAIN.

>> IF WE DON'T DO THIS ON PURPOSE, CREATE AN EPICENTER TO WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME IN A COMMON GROUND AND SEE PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE THEM, SEE HERE THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS, YOUR MUSIC THAT SPEAKS OF US, YOU CAN KIND OF FORGET WHO YOU ARE.

>> Reporter: THE ARTS DISTRICT IS PART OF SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT FOR, REPRESENTED BY COUNCILMEMBER VERONICA MONTGOMERY STOUT.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PRESERVING HISTORY.

THIS IS THE DISTRICT THAT HISTORICALLY HAS HOUSED THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN SAN DIEGO.

THIS IS THE DISTRICT THAT EXPERIENCED THE REDLINING.

THIS IS THE DISTRICT WHERE REFORMED COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE DESIGNATION MEANS FUNDING TO IMPROVE STOREFRONTS, ENHANCE LANDSCAPING AND TO SUPPORT SMALL BLACK- OWNED BUSINESSES AS WELL AS ADDING FREEWAY SIGNAGE.

GRANT FUNDING WILL BE OVERSEEN BY THE SAN DIEGO AFRICAN- AMERICAN MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, WHICH IS FORMING AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO GET COMMUNITY INPUT.

HE IS THE MUSEUM'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

>> WHEN PEOPLE COME TO SAN DIEGO, THEY WERE WONDERWARE THE BLACK COMMUNITY IS.

MY PEOPLE THAT PROBLEM.

HAVING AN AREA DESIGNATED GIVES US THAT DESIGNATION FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE AND BE PART OF THE AREA.

>> Reporter: PENNIES AT THE DISTRICT WILL LAUNCH A WEBSITE FOR THE ADVISORY BOARD IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

PHILLIPS PLANS TO PROVIDE HER VOICE AND VISION FOR THE DISTRICT EVOLUTION.

>> A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING, FROM STOREFRONT IMPROVEMENT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF A STRUCTURE CHANGES AS FAR AS DRIVING DOWN IMPERIAL.

BEAUTIFICATION WHEN IT COMES TO JUST THE LANDSCAPING, TREES, DEFINITELY MORE MURALS.

BUT, WE JUST WANT TO SEE LOVE POURED INTO THE AREA.

>> Reporter: BACK AT THE WORLD- FAMOUS IMPERIAL BARBERSHOP, BARAKA SAYS SHE'S ALREADY STARTING TO SEE THE COMMUNITY'S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE HEALING THIS DESIGNATION CAN BRING.

>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CULTURE TO BUILD A COMMUNITY WHERE WE WILL ALWAYS BE A HOOD.

SO, THE CULTURAL PART OF IT HAS TO COME, WHETHER IT IS ART, WHETHER IT IS SPORTS, IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING THERE THAT PEOPLE CAN GRAB A HOLD TWO.

I BELIEVE ART IS LIKE THE UNIVERSAL MESSAGE FOR BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW, ART IS BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER AT MARIE WHITMAN MEMORIAL PARK.

THE PARK WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES IN THE DISTRICT TO SEE UPGRADES.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE ARE LESS THAN TWO MONTHS FROM THE GENERAL ELECTION AND WORK CONTINUES TO GET PEOPLE REGISTERED TO VOTE.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER ANGIE PEREZ VISITED A COLLEGE CAMPUS IN THE SOUTH BAY, WHERE CALIFORNIA SECRETARY OF STATE IS 20 GET YOUNG PEOPLE TO USE THEIR POLITICAL VOICE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS DEMOCRACY IN ACTION.

THE SET UP FOR DAY THREE OF A VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE HERE ON THE CAMPUS OF SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE.

AND SPONSORED BY THE ASSOCIATED STUDENT ORGANIZATION.

LEONARDO VANEGAS IS THE ASO PRESIDENT.

>> THE ASO IS MAKING SURE SOUTH BOSTON COLLEGE AS A WHOLE HAD A BIGGER VOICE IN THE COMMUNITY.

OF COURSE, WE ARE VERY INVOLVED.

WE ARE THE COMMUNITY.

AFTER ALL, WE ARE A COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

BUT, PUBLIC SINCE THE PANDEMIC, WE REALLY HAVEN'T BEEN HAVING A VOICE.

>> IT IS THE ONLY WAY YOU ARE GOING TO BE HURT EFFECTIVELY, IS TO VOTE.

WHEN YOU DON'T VOTE, GIVE UP YOUR POWER.

>> Reporter: SECRETARY OF STATE, DR. SHIRLEY WEBER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF 22 MILLION VOTES IN CALIFORNIA.

SHE IS THE FIRST AFRICAN- AMERICAN TO HOLD THAT POSITION AND SHE HAS LED THE WAY TO REGISTERING 900,000 COLLEGE AGED VOTERS THIS YEAR ALONE.

SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE IS HER LATEST STOP ON A CAMPUS TO GET EVEN MORE VOTERS.

>> THIS IS YOUR MOMENT.

WHERE IS YOUR COURAGE?

WHERE IS HER COURAGE TO STAND UP AND FIGHT?

WHERE IS THE COURAGE TO GET OUT AND REGISTER PEOPLE TO VOTE?

WHERE IS YOUR COACH TO VENT YOUR DEMOCRACY, THE RIGHT OF ALL OF US TO HAVE A RIGHT TO VOTE?

>> Reporter: STUDENTS AT SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THEIR POLITICAL VOICE.

SECRETARY WEBER'S APPEARANCE MARKS THE END OF A WEEK OF HEAVY HITTERS WHO CAME TO CAMPUS TO LISTEN TO WHAT STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY.

THESE PICTURES CAPTURE MOMENTS WITH SAN DIEGO REPETITIVE SARAH JACOBSEN WEDNESDAY AS STUDENTS WERE WILLING TO STAND IN THE BLISTERING HEAT WITH A CHANCE TO BE HEARD BY THE U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN.

YESTERDAY, JUAN VARGAS, REPETITIVE OF THE 51st U.S. DISTRICT, VISITED A SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE CLASSROOM AND MET WITH STUDENTS ONE ON ONE.

THE PAST THREE DAYS, MORE THAN 50 STUDENTS HERE HAVE BECOME NEWLY REGISTERED VOTERS.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOL WE HAVE IS VOTING.

YES, USING YOUR FIRST AMENDMENT TWO OUT AND PROTEST IS A VERY INFLUENTIAL PART OF IT BUT ACTIVISM WITHOUT VOTING, THEY HAVE TO COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER.

>> Reporter: SECRETARY WEBER REMAINS COMMITTED TO THE U.S. DEMOCRACY, DESPITE EACH CHALLENGE THE PAST FEW YEARS.

>> OUR DEMOCRACY BECOMES WEEKEND BY A PEOPLE'S NATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT IT IS NOT REAL, IT DOESN'T WORK ALL THE SENSE OF THINGS.

BUT, IT HAS SURVIVED ALL OF THESE YEARS THROUGH THE DIFFICULT CHALLENGES THAT IT HAS FACED AND IT IS REALLY THE BEST SYSTEM WE HAVE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A MARKER SEE IN ACTION.

ANGIE PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

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