Thursday, May 14, 2026 | Vol 40 No 9

WESTSIDESTORY NEWSPAPER

Ruthie Hopkins, Pioneering Black Publisher and San Gabriel Valley Community Leader, Passes at 83

Ruthie Hopkins

PASADENA, CA Ruthie Hopkins, co- founder and publisher of The Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley Journal News and one of the San Gabriel Valley's most celebrated commu- nity voices, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2026. She was 83.

Born October 16, 1942, in Oakland, Califor- nia, Hopkins relocated to Altadena in 1969, where she would spend the next five decades

CITY OF RIALTO INVITES YOU TO THE 23RD ANNUAL

• MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE
• KEYNOTE
• SPEAKER
• LISA MONCUR
• GOLD
• STAR MOTHER
• Monday

May 25 2026

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM RIALTO PARK CEMETERY 200 N WILLOW AVE., RIALTO building a legacy that spanned publishing, en- trepreneurship, education, and community ac- tivism.

Together with her late husband, Attorney Joe C. Hopkins, she co-published The Journal beginning in 1989, growing it into an award- winning weekly newspaper serving the Afri- can American community across eight cities in the greater San Gabriel Valley. The paper remains one of the region's most enduring Black-owned media voices.

Beyond publishing, Hopkins was an entre- preneur, author, sorority leader, and devoted missionary at Pasadena First AME Church. Her business ventures included the Pasadena Black Expo, Professional Careers Institute, and Hopkins Village-a Pasadena-based hub for small businesses and community events. In 2010, she authored Miss Ruthie Speaks, in- spired by her husband's book written about her life.

A hallmark of her community work was the Annual Pasadena Women of Achievement Breakfast, an event she hosted for over a de- cade celebrating Black women entrepreneurs, educators, activists, and political figures who made an impact across the San Gabriel Val- ley. The event became a cherished tradition, shining a light on women whose contributions might otherwise go unrecognized.

Hopkins also created "Sister Chat,” an an- nual day-long program that brought together

SAN DIEGO, CA- Airman Connor Dwain Campbell, a native of Redlands, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Carl Vinson, a U.S. Navy aircraft car- rier operating out of San Diego, California.

Campbell graduated from Red- lands High School in 2022.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Redlands.

"Growing up with a strict mom and dad helped me stay out of trou- ble and pointed me in the right di- rection," Campbell said. "My dad and uncles gave me a good work ethic by always having me work with them, and that helped me aphigh school girls with panels of professional women to discuss health, education, and per- sonal development. Designed for young Af- rican American adolescent and teen girls, the program became one of her sorority chapter's signature initiatives and reflected her deep commitment to mentoring the next generation. From empowering teenage girls to celebrating established community leaders, Hopkins dedi- cated her life to lifting up Black women and girls at every stage of life.

Among her many honors, Hopkins received the YWCA's Outstanding Woman of Achieve- ment in Communications award, was rec- ognized by the California Black Legislative Caucus as a Civil Rights Pioneer in the San Gabriel Valley, and was celebrated at Turner Broadcasting's annual Trumpet Awards. She was also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Al- pha Sorority, Inc., Eta Lambda Omega Chap- ter, where she served as President from 2016 to 2017.

Hopkins was preceded in death by her hus- band of 61 years, Attorney Joe C. Hopkins, who passed away October 30, 2023. She is survived by her three sons, Yusef, Omar, and Jamal Hopkins; seven grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

A Celebration of Life service will be an- nounced at a later date.

Redlands Native Serves Aboard One of the World's Largest Warships

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Melanie Perez, Navy Office of Community Outreach ply that to the Navy."

Campbell joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Campbell serves as an undesignated sailor in the Airman Professional Apprentice- ship Career Track (A/PACT) pro- gram.

"My grandfather is prior Navy and fought in World War II, and my cousin is currently serving in the Navy," Campbell said. "Hear- ing their stories about their time in the military inspired me to dive in and do the same."

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