Category: Business

As employment numbers continue to struggle in the South Bay, elected officials announce a new corporate partnership.

The San Jose Police Department verified that newspaper racks of several Bay Area publications, including La Oferta, were found in the recycling bin located behind the building of the San Jose Mercury News.

Having worked in both San Francisco, where minimum wage jobs pay $10.00 an hour, and in San Jose, where employers only have to pay $8.00 an hour, Anthony Mastracola shares his view on the impact the two dollar difference can make for youth and families.

San Jose resident Ookie Robinson pens a letter to the Mayor, explaining why supporting a minimum wage increase is not only smart, it's also necessary for survival in San Jose.

Immigrants of all backgrounds and ages come to the San Jose Flea Market to sell their goods to survive and create their own American Dream -- to be their own boss. Commentator Manuel Rocha shares his story of working at the Flea Market as a young man, selling shoulder to shoulder with elders from around the globe.

New-tech entrepreneurs met in Silicon Valley to show innovations from preventing arthritis degeneration to helping with eldercare for families of many cultures.

Chinese immigrants share their tale of coming to America with next to nothing, how they were taught to make burritos from Mexican immigrants, and their "second home" Peking House Restaurant where they serve the San Jose community -- from longtime regular customers to homeless in the area.

Over 250 Doubletree Hotel workers returned to the job on Friday, June 8 after a successful 4-day strike.

The suicide of a Chinese-American software engineer in Silicon Valley shocked the Bay Area Chinese-American community and sparked discussions in China's blogosphere.

Aging boomers will heighten demand for eldercare, and poor pay and job conditions are prompting unions to organize home care and nursing home workers.

For the first time this past year, more Latino students than white students applied for admission to California State University’s 23 campuses. These numbers not only reflect the growing Latino population, but the impact of early education programs.

Studies show that as the nation is becoming increasingly digital, more minority families are being left behind due to limited or no Internet access at home. Seeking to bridge the divide, Comcast Cable recently launched an Internet Essentials program during its inaugural Youth Tech Summit and Expo held recently in San Francisco.

After spending a night in the tents, author Marco Reyes comments on the significance of the Occupy Wall Street movement locally in San Jose, and what the movement means in the backdrop of history.

Adrian Avila, a young self-taught graphic designer, writes about how Steve Jobs was a catalyst to realizing his dreams and shows the connection between technological innovators and the working poor, many of whom are immigrants.

When "Edward" needs cash fast he relies on the one thing he has complete control over: his body.

A dental clinic for low-income Californians gives hope to some, but exposes painful, costly state and federal policies.

Green job-training initiatives implemented during Obama's presidency have fallen far short of the hype.

This summer, De-Bug and the San Jose Downtown Association teamed up to provide activities for youth at the weekly concerts. The collaboration was a tremendous success, but still the historic event may be coming to a close.

On August 15th the California Senate Appropriations Committee will decide whether California has the funds to pass the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, AB889, giving the estimated 200,000 nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers worker protections. Local members of the California Domestic Workers Coalition met with the office of Sen. Alquist to urge her to support the bill.

One of the longest standing small business’s in San Jose, Faber’s Cyclery has become a hub for Bay Area bicycle enthusiasts. Photographer Bernardo Grijalva captures the scenes of Faber’s – the people, the bikes, the community.

After foreclosure, homeowners pick up the pieces and re-imagine the California dream of homeownership.

For the first time in San Jose history, the San Jose Police Department just laid-off over 100 officers due to the strained city budget. India Currents writers debate the notion of cutting police budgets to balance budgets.

Former Abercrombie and Fitch employee, Hani Khan, says she was told she had to take her hijab off at work. When she refused, she was fired.

In the absence of government support, homeowners facing foreclosure are taking things into their own hands.

As states across the country look to enact their own immigration laws, the immigration debate has shifted to state capitols.

The publisher of India Currents shares her reflections on building a community institution, and the possibilities that lay ahead.

A longtime Caltrian rider reports on how budget cuts is threatening the services from San Jose to San Francisco.

High school student body presidents in the Bay Area say budget cutbacks are damaging their shot at a college education.

Walmart has teamed up with Jackson Hewitt, the tax preparation company, to offer "refund anticipation loans"—a scam that may target low-income minority communities.

On the heels of the one-year anniversary of a historic Supreme Court decision, attorney Angie Junck and organizer Raj Jayadev share lessons learned from a case of a San Jose man who beat a deportation order.

March is International Women's Month, and De-Bug will be highlighting women leaders in the Bay Area as a month long series. The first installment features the Malia Movement Company — a collective of female artists, dancers, and creators committed to being "fabulous."

T-shirt designers, jewelry-makers, and an assortment of other creative vendors created their own pop-up market in downtown San Jose – giving the community a chance to come together and shop local.

The Obama administration has focused on pushing green technology development. At the Center for Employment Training (CET), students learn practical skills needed in today's job market, while learning how to work on hybrid cars and how to install solar panels.

Days before news broke that the City Manager had picked the Interim Chief Moore as the next San Jose Police Chief, CJA sent a letter detailing why Chief Batts was most qualified to meet their community criteria. The City Council is expected to make their decisions regarding Chief Moore on Tuesday.

Music entrepreneur Playa Rae has been a driving force for local artists to be heard and to gain attention in larger markets beyond San Jose.

Filmmaker La Mar Williams profiles the lives of video game creators who are crafting out new media platforms.

A recent summit on entrepreneurship and small business growth in Silicon Valley, organized by the White House Initiative on AAPIs aimed to provide information on federal aid and programs to help them succeed.

With venues coming and going in San Jose, one has remained as an open outlet for local music talent, a place where you can catch a great show every week.

Cannery Park, located near Japantown, has emerged as a hub for a generation of new, innovative cultural business owners. De-Bug attended a collective showing to discuss their local businesses.

With young people desperate for jobs, many have fallen victim to job scams – seemingly great employment opportunities that turn out to be hustles. De-Bug writers share experiences of getting jobs that were, in fact, too good to be true.

In the scramble of holiday consumerism, some Bay Area stores and advocates are trying to separate authentic gift giving from corporate-driven buying.

In 2006, Art Calderon's father, who was 68 at the time, was beaten by SJPD officers. The Calderon family was given a $97,500 settlement by the city of San Jose as a result. In episode #5 of this series, Art Calderon Jr. speaks about how the new chief can create new positive relationships in the Latino community.

In Northern California, being a truck driver is a common profession of choice for many South Asians. Current changes to state regulations is putting a squeeze on their ability to make a living.

An undocumented immigrant writes, "The way I look at it , I don’t need the DREAM Act for me to live my American dream. I will always be a dreamer, no matter what."

The alcoholic energy drink Four Loko has generated national controversy after a repudiation from the FDA and has been banned in several states. Critics say the drink targets underage youth and offers a dangerous mix of caffeine and potent amount of alcohol. In this article, San Jose youth give their opinion on the drink that has been called "blackout in a can."

Hidden from view in East Side neighborhoods are Vietnamese restaurant bars frequented only by those in the know. De-Bug writer Patrick Thanh An Ngô gives us a rundown of what these establishments are and who goes there.

Senate candidate Carly Fiorina often cites her experience as the former CEO of HP to promote her platform of economic growth and job creation. But one former HP temp worker recalls his experience of low wages, no benefits, or job security under Fiorina's leadership — to challenge Fiorina's definition of a "quality job."

When California Governor candidate Meg Whitman was found to have employed an undocumented immigrant, many of the public expressed shock. Commentator Gil Villigran says what was exposed in the Whitman home speaks to a legacy of how immigrants are treated in this country.

Health care reform law experts answer questions from small business owners about policy and their obligations as employers.

In the tech world, the older you are, the less likely you'll be hired as an engineer. Silicon Valley companies don't care about your experience; they care about their pocketbooks, according to commentator Vivek Wadhwa, and hiring younger, inexperienced engineers saves them money.

We did it! SJ Beez held its first mixer and celebrated being the only multicultural media network in San Jose.

With employment prospects looking grim, some have turned to alternative means to earn income. One young commentator writes about the craft of "scrapping" which allows her to pull in a great income — that is if she doesn't get caught.

A multi-ethnic coalition has launched "Immigrant Vote!," a statewide effort to help immigrant communities be heard on the November 2nd ballot. They will be campaigning for Proposition 24 and 25, as well as Santa Clara County's Measure A.

With youth unemployment reaching an astounding high, one commentator talks about the feeling of being reborn through finally finding the ever elusive job.

Oscar Liendo, a 27-year-old clown from Texas, says that being a clown is an art form. He performs with the Ringling Bros., who recently toured the Bay Area.

The Mexican Consulate is recognizing Labor Rights Week from August 30 to September 6. Together with key city agencies, officials and the Department of Labor, the consulate is offering panel discussions, labor workshops and assistance to the community all week.

Eight years ago, the Tropicana Center, comprised of immigrant small business owners, faced being destroyed by City redevelopment plans. But the store owners and the community united, fought back, and are now doing better than ever.

Global business guru C.K. Prahalad had long argued that profit and social development should not be seen as oil and water. Today, “social entrepreneurship” has become an important development to help some of the poorest groups in the world like the rickshaw pullers in India.

Two views on whether the recent Metro PCS commercial starring two Indian characters, Ranjit and Chad, is harmless fun or racial stereotyping

Nutritious, delicious, and filling comfort food from the streets of India is redefining the country’s cuisine in the United States.

At many hotels and motels in San Jose and other locations across the country, travelers can now find in their nightstands copies of the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Hindu text of wisdom originated from India.

As Silicon Valley high-tech firms expand their production operations across the globe, local labor leaders are building international ties to elevate global health and safety standards in the industry.

Local advocacy group People Acting in Community Together, joined by local faith organizations and city council candidates, rallied community members to divest from Bank of America.

Farhana Huq Brings her Immigrant Women’s Entrepreneurial Program “CEO Women” to San Jose to offer language, financial literacy and entrepreneurial training.

Sitting on two wheels has never looked so good. Shorty Fatz, a San Jose-based design and manufacturing company owned by two young entrepreneurs, has evolved into the creator of some of the most innovative and sought-after low-rider bicycle frames in the industry.