In January, portions of the Sacramento Convention Center came tumbling down, the first phase of a remodel and expansion after two years of planning for a larger and more efficient facility. The Panattoni Building at 15th and K streets that houses the administration offices surrendered to the wrecking ball to make room for what will be a new entrance to a bigger and better convention center.

As they say, timing is everything. I’m writing this on the one-year anniversary of the death of Stephon Clark, an unarmed African American man who was shot by two Sacramento police officers in his grandmother’s backyard.

Ever since the Golden Spike was driven into the ground, 150 years ago this month, trains have played a critical role in Sacramento’s growth and identity.

California is now the fifth-largest economy in the world. As a global leader, we have some of the best minds tracking our budget and finances, but there are few third-party groups that focus on objective analysis of our state’s finances.

Many of us hear about the hurdles moms can face in the workforce. Falling behind while out on maternity leave. Career tracts blunted. Grappling with guilt over not being there enough for our kids.

Here’s how your organization can encourage greater diversity in the C-suite.

Some studies suggest women have better track records in finance, including investing in the stock market and managing hedge funds. Corporations who put us on their boards perform better. Perhaps it’s not entirely surprising for some, particularly from older generations, to wonder what the rest of us are still going on about.

Most of us are familiar with  the “motherhood penalty,” a systemic bias that puts working mothers at a disadvantage in terms of pay and perceived competence. But what would the inverse of the phenomenon be called?

The North San Joaquin Valley — made up of San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties —  may be the most misunderstood and overlooked region in California. Historically, these three counties have been lumped together with larger San Joaquin Valley or Central Valley in a variety of policy, planning and economic development circles.

Businesses that truly seek to give back don’t rely on ad campaigns to effect change.