2026 California State Fair

Felicia Roberts took an idea, gathered a few people to reach into a minority community to highlight the positive, using a minority newspaper, the Central Valley Voice. Roberts was joined by her sisters Carolyn Williams, Alleashia Thomas, niece Hermonie Lynn Williams, nephew Ron Williams, cousin Jerald Lester, Jay Slaffey, Greg Savage, Tim Daniels, and the late J Denise Fontaine. Each individual played an important role in the birth of the newspapers. Since then, many have stood strong behind the success of the newspapers and its goal to fill a void in the Central Valley community The Central Valley Voice published its 1st issue in November 1991. Its purpose was to highlight the achievements of minorities in the Central Valley. The Voice focuses on the accomplishments of African Americans and Hispanics, giving young people role models while diminishing the stereotypical pictures of gangs, crime, and violence that permeate the minority communities. Since 1991, the Central Valley Voice has provided an important voice for the minority community throughout Madera, Merced. Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.