Impact of Covid-19 on Census Participation and California’s Black Communities

C e l e b r a t i n g 2 6 Ye a r s o f Service in Inglewood, Airport area Communities

City of Champions Your Community Connection Since 1994

EYE ON THE CITY Rams

Chargers

April 9 - 15, 2020

Clippers

Forum

& Lakers

VOL. 35, No. 15

Carl Franklin Inglewood man says he got coronavirus at Kaiser Succumbs Turner Davis feared for his life and is still struggling Legendary

By Kenneth Miller, Publisher basketball coach Our local hospitals and health facilities are the focal point of the vastly spreading coronavirus (COVID-19) disease mentored stars at novel that has engulfed America and the world during the past several weeks.

Morningside The challenges for all of these

IT News Wire

Former legendary Morningside High School basketball Carl Franklin has died. He was 74.

News of Franklin’s death was first circulated on Facebook on Tuesday April 7th as current Morningside head coach Dee Meekins posted.

Franklin was among the most successful high school basketball coaches in Southern California and arguably the greatest in the City of Inglewood. He coach former Lakers such as Byron Scott and Elden Campbell at Morningside and spent 40 years at the school as an administrator and coach.

Franklin reportedly died early Tuesday at a hospital in Los Angeles after a short illness, according to a family member.

Born April 3, 1946, in Detroit, Franklin ran cross-country in high school in Detroit before moving to Riverside and attending Cal State Los Angeles, where he began to learn about coaching basketball and got his teaching credential. He was drafted into military service in 1966.

Franklin came to Morningside, which is down the street from the Forum, in 1971 first as a security aid and got some tips from the Continued on page 2

facilities are insurmountable, faced with a mad rush of people infected with the coronavirus disease, hospitals such as Kaiser and others has experienced a pandemic chaos.

Inglewood resident Turner Davis learned first hand how vicious the coronavirus disease is.

Davis, 65, took his wife Doris to Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center located at 6041 Cadillac Ave. on March 15th because she was experiencing a cough.

Since the explosion of coronavirus, every sneeze, cough, fever or level of discomfort is a cause for panic and alarm.

Not knowing if his wife had contacted Continued on page 2

TURNER DAVIS

Impact of Covid-19 on Census Participation and California’s Black Communities

By Anthony R. Jerry and Bergis Jules, IT Contributors

The Covid-19 pandemic has already impacted the U.S. Census Bureau’s operations nationwide, and California’s Census efforts are not immune to this disruption. Adjusting our 2020 Census outreach efforts to address these disruptions will be important because Black Californians are already hard to count, and the pandemic is threatening to make this situation even more severe. According to a Public Policy Institute of California report,1.6 million Californians are at risk of being under counted in the 2020 Census. This is a real issue especially because 72% of the state’s population belongs to one or more of the hard to count (HTC) groups; which include renters, undocumented immigrants, Latinos, and African Americans. As

DOWN FOR COUNT--From the empty shelves at the grocey market, to an isolated LAX, and mask being sold on sctree corners, the imact of coronavirus is evident everywhere and the Cenus participation is yet another casualty of the pandemic.

(Kenneth Miller/Photos)

Continued on page 3

Buppie is Back! See Page 6

Inglewood has instituted a Declaration of Emergency The following is a statement from Mayor James T. Butts, Jr. • Individuals MUST wear facemask and face coverings in public and also adhere to six feet social distancing regulations.

• 45 Day stay on Evictions both residential and commercial with 6 months to catch up the arrears rents.

• Cancellation of over 1,400 Street Sweeping citations issued during the declaration of emergency period.

• Forgiveness of the Trash Bills for all residential and commercial customers at an expense to the City of over $1 Million dollars.

• Opening of City owned parking lots during Street Sweeping hours to provide additional parking for residents at the Main Library lot, Parking Structure #2 (Locust & Queen Streets), the Arbor Vitae lots (Arbor Vitae west of Labrea extending to Inglewood Ave) • Forgiveness of all False Alarm response fees generated during the period of emergency.

• City Hall is open for business by appointment only.

• Contract nurses are on staff at City Hall throughout the day using infrared non-contact thermometers to take temperatures of staff and visitors. Employees with temperatures of 100.4 and higher will be sent home.

• N95 Masks have been made available for employees that desire them during the work day.

• Employees over 65 have been allowed to stay at home.

• Tele-commute analysis in in progress to pare down the number of employees that report to work during the Stay at Home period of State Emergency.

JOIN US ON

Page 2

April 9 - 15, 2020

EYE ON THE CITY GEORGE DOTSON

ALEX PADILLA

JAMES BUTTS

ELOY MORALES

RALPH FRANKLIN

AROUND THE CITY

Inglewood City Council Forges Ahead With Full Weekly Council Agenda

By Francis Taylor, Senior Writer

Continuing with the city council’s cautious plan to continue to conduct city business while keeping the council members, city staff and community members safe, the council conducted their weekly meeting without the presence of locals who were encouraged to view the proceedings online.

The council adopted a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 budget transferring $50,000 from the General Fund reserves for the hiring of a contract Deputy City Prosecutor (or two Deputy City Prosecutors) in the City Attorney’s Office.

The council authorized the Mayor to execute a Facilities Use Agreement for use of the running track located on St. Mary’s Academy property for the provision of the City of Inglewood Youth Track and Field program and approved a three-year agreement with Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions for access to Accurint for Law Enforcement to conduct background investigations.

Council members approved an agreement with Enerwise Global Technologies, Inc., dba CPower, to serve as a Curtailment Service Provider for Southern California Edison’s “Demand Response Auction Mechanism Addendum.

They also approved Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 18-134 with Electronic Waste Solutions (EWS) for litter removal, extending the term

by an additional two (2) years and Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 19-207 with CSDA Design Group, extending the term to October 31, 2020, to complete Acoustical Testing Services for the Residential Sound Insulation Program.

The council set a public hearing be set to consider an ordinance amending Chapters 8 and 12 of the Inglewood Municipal Code, including Zoning Code Amendment 2018-01 (ZCA2018-01) to establish Short Term Rental regulations and another to consider an ordinance amending Chapter 3 of the Inglewood Municipal Code to implement a Citywide Permit Parking Districts Program.

The council adopted a resolution to accept an irrevocable offer of dedication of 1,605 square feet of property at Cable Place in the city of Inglewood, form the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO).

The council approved an Initiative

by Mayor James T. Butts Jr., recommending the adoption of Executive Order No. 20-03 to declare the following: No residential property owner shall exercise a no-fault eviction during the Local Emergency Period; and No property owner may withdraw an occupied residential unit from the rental housing market under the Ellis Act during the Local Emergency Period.

Mayor James T. Butts Jr.,

Continued from page 1: Inglewood...

the coronavirus, Davis drove Doris to Kaiser and was relieved to learn his wife did not have coronavirus, she just had a random cough.

However, upon returning home, Davis says that he became severely ill. He is convinced that he contracted coronavirus while at Kaiser.

Inglewood Today reached out the Kaiser corporate office in Oakland, but was not able to get through for a comment.

“Two days later I was flat on my back,” he explained to Inglewood Today.

Doris took Turner to Kaiser and they kept him for two days.

“I could not get any air, I kept coughing, I had a fever and I felt terrible,” Davis said.

According to Davis, Kaiser prescribed him antibiotics and a Ventolin inhaler, an inhaler albuterol for asthma with

a built-in dose counter, to know how many sprays of medicine a patient had have left.

After being home for two days, Davis was rushed back to Kaiser again.

This time he was kept for three days and told that he had coronavirus.

Davis says that he was given the option of staying in the hospital for 10 days or to go home.

“I felt they were telling me there was nothing more they could do,” Davis explained.

He says he feared for his life.

“I have no appetite, I struggle getting out of bed and making it to the bathroom, and the bathroom is just steps away from my bed,” he said.

Davis says that he has been instructed to quarantine for 30 days. He says that he can’t walk a straight line and all he wants is air.

JOIN OUR WEEKLY

Continued from page 1: Carl...

While he admits that he is feeling better, he does not feel that he is out of the woods just yet.

Davis fits the category of those most vulnerable to COVID-19, the deadly virus. He has been diabetic and suffers from high blood pressure for the past 20 years.

However, he says that he is quite healthy and has not endured any other health issues. He says he doesn’t smoke or dink alcohol.

Davis illness also dispels the myth that African Americans can contact coronavirus.

Asked what he would tell African Americans or anyone about what he has experienced from coronavirus, and he answer was profound.

“Once you get it, you need to be right with God.”

FOR INSTANT NEWS

SIGN UP AT WWW.INGLEWOODTODAY.COM

NEWSLETTER

OR SCAN THIS CODE

head coach, Jim Harrick, who’d go on to coach UCLA to a 1995 national championship. Franklin took over as Morningside’s head coach in 1976.

“He was in the gym every day watching us,” Harrick said. “He was a wonderful guy.”

Among the players Franklin coached were Scott and Campbell, who ended up playing for the Lakers. His 1992 team featured Stais Boseman and won a state Division III championship. He went on to become an athletic director and administrator in the district. He retired in 2005 after a bout with cancer and had been living in Los Angeles.

In a Jockbio.com story, Scott said of Franklin, “I connected with Coach Franklin well early in my Morningside career. He was a great high school coach. We called him the little pit bull, because he was small in stature, but he was a big man on campus. Everyone feared him because he was so tough and such a disciplinarian, and everyone had tremendous respect for him because of his knowledge of basketball.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Page 3

April 9 - 15, 2020

Mother goes beyond teacher duty for child 10-year old receives bonus lesson during pandemic

By Francis Taylor, Senior Writer

Harmony Wortham and her tenyear-old daughter Anahnda have been holed-up in their Inglewood Apartment for nearly three weeks. Anahnda is a precocious young lady who is at the top of her 5th grade class academically.

She has taught herself how to make short films with her cell phone and believes that she will eventually be a triple threat in the film industry as a writer, producer and actress. She has also been a standout in her dance class and is able to do front and back flips that would make any accomplished gymnast proud.

Her mother has been faced with the huge challenge of keeping Anahnda grounded and engaged at home during the time that she would otherwise have been at school.

“I’m developing a much greater appreciation for what teachers deal with on a daily basis,” Wortham said. “With only one child at home, I can only imagine how difficult it is for a teacher with 25-35 hyperactive children.”

Anahnda has three teachers; reading and writing, social studies and science and a third teacher for math. Since the school closure, which has now been determined will be through the end of the school year, each teacher provides daily online lessons along with a video

PRESIDENT/ EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Willie Brown PUBLISHER Kenneth Miller VICE PRESIDENT Gloria Kennedy PRODUCTION Kenneth Denson QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER Gloria Kennedy Inglewood Today Weekly is a legally adjudicated newspaper of public cir­c ulation, published weekly

by Ads Up Advertising, Inc. News and press releases may be submitted for consideration by mail to 9111 La Cienega Boulevard, Suite 100, Inglewood, CA 90301 or by email to itnetworks@msn.com.

You can reach us at 310-670-9600 or by fax 310-338-9130 www.inglewoodtoday.com The artistic contents of Inglewood Today Weekly are copyrighted by Ads Up Advertising, Inc. and permission to reprint any article herein must be obtained in writing from the Publisher.

DISPLAY ADVERTISING 310-670-9600 X107 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 310-670-9600 X104 SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Subscriptions are available by mail for $100.00 per year.

Home Delivery may not be available in all areas, or gated communities.

inspirational message to the students that they may review with their laptop or desktop computer or with their smart phone.

“While I appreciate the fact that the teachers are trying to keep their students engaged,” Wortham said, “my daughter completes those assignments in about 15 minutes, far short of the one hour the teachers suggest is appropriate for those lessons. That leaves me with over two hours to find something constructive for Anahnda to accomplish.”

To fill the void, Wortham insists on one hour of daily keyboard typing practice, and a minimum of one hour reading a book of her daughter’s choice from the extensive library they have established at home. At the end of the reading hour, “Mom” asks her daughter to provide an oral book report summarizing what she read.

After school work is complete, Anahnda is allowed to talk and text her classmates on her cell phone and play her favorite online game, Tik Tok, the video-karaoke-like game that has taken the internet by storm.

Wortham noted that Tik Tok is reportedly owned by a China-based company and the United States State Department has banned the download of the game on federal hardware because it is capable of extracting confidential information from the cell phone or computer on which it is being operated.

Her daughter’s cell phone is not being used to log into banking sites or other sites where confidential information is being stored. Parents beware!

Wortham enjoys the Mommy bonding that is available during this unprecedented shut-in. However, she is concerned about her mother, a senior citizen health care worker who has come out of retirement to help members of her Seattle community.

“I have encouraged my mother to stay home because her age places her in the highest-risk category and she has refused, while at the same time I am proud of her desire to serve others, which she has done all of her life.”

Wortham concluded.

Now may be the time for some of us, or at least the believers among us, to accept the religious notion that suggests that when it is our time, it’s over. Until then, we should all do what our elected officials and health professionals have advised. Stay HOME!

Continued from page 1: Mother...

California rally’s to stop the spread of Covid-19 and enact policies to mitigate the virus’ devastating impact on public health and the economy, other challenges are coming to light that reinforce the necessity for the

state and the Black population to do everything possible to make sure we are fully counted.

The Census, which started the selfresponse mailing period on March 12th, is mandated by the Constitution and takes place every ten years. The data produced by this enumeration effort is used by the federal government to distribute funding to states for various programs and services that support healthcare, education, and infrastructure, and to redraw political districts locally and nationally, which determines representation in Congress. This is also the first time we will be able to complete the forms online.

But the first internet based Census in U.S. history could also create issues for reaching the hardest to count; those with poor or no broadband access, the elderly, and the housing insecure, who may need person-to-person contact in order to assist and motivate them to complete the form.

While the virus has disrupted many functions in daily life, the wheels that govern continue to turn, and the business of governing must go on.

And, even as Covid-19 continues to force us into a new-normal, however short-term, the Census is coming.

The question that remains is in what ways are the vulnerable populations, those hardest to count (HTC) in our communities, going to be represented and accounted for in this year’s Census? In some ways, the new normal relies on the same common sense that governed the old way of doing things; that is, historically as Black folks we have been undercounted, and for political reasons we have oftentimes failed to count ourselves. The Covid-19 pandemic will not change this fact.

On the contrary, the common-sense around Black participation could have a major impact on California’s Black communities in this time when uncertainty has gone viral. How might we counter the potential for us to slip even deeper through the cracks?

In order to capture an accurate picture of California’s various

population demographics (race, socioeconomic status, gender) the Census has created a three-pronged strategy for completing the Census form. For the first time, California residents will have three options (Mail, Phone, Internet) to respond to the Census without having any physical contact with another human being. What could be better in this time of not so voluntary isolation?

According to some accounts this has already allowed for 6.5 million voluntary responses to the Census and the self-response rate is rising every day.

Ironically, with the opportunity created by choice, comes the heavy burden of that choice. These options require us to self-select and choose to participate. Every decade, government officials, civic leaders, and community advocates alike organize a number of activities, from the grassroots all the way to officially funded government operations, in order to motivate those hard to count populations to be

counted. However, due to fears around the spread of the Covid-19 virus, many of the normal operations around Census activities have come to a halt, with the Census Bureau suspending its field operations until at least April 1st.

This will undoubtedly have a major impact on historically hard to count communities, such as the housing insecure/homeless and those with nonconventional addresses. However, the lack of person-to-person efforts will also have a major impact on those who are hard to count based simply on mistrust of government and historical exclusion. This means that, while suspending person-to-person efforts will undoubtedly impact the accurate count of our communities’ homeless, immigrant, and college student populations, California’s Black communities will be at an even higher risk of being under-represented in this year’s Census. In a year when selfselection has become the preferred method for counting the country’s diverse populations, what might our Black communities risk by sitting this one out?

Anthony R. Jerry is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of California, Riverside Bergis Jules is the Owner of Second Space Consulting

Page 4

April 9 - 15, 2020

Area Communities S e r v i n g L a d e r a , H a w t h o r n e , W e s t c h e s t e r, L a w n d a l e , G a r d e n a , C a r s o n

Preventing Price Gouging in a Pandemic Inglewood Today News

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion

by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to strengthen consumer protections against price gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supervisor also urged the public to be wary of scams and other attempts to exploit their fears, and to report complaints to the County’s Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA), which gained subpoena powers through his motion.

“It is imperative that the County take all reasonable and necessary steps to protect consumers from price gouging during this emergency,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said. “It is unconscionable for anyone to force people to pay more than they should for supplies that they need, particularly during a pandemic.”

The County’s Board of Supervisors and Department of Public Health declared a local and public health emergency on March 4, in response to the increased spread of COVID-19.

The Supervisor’s motion calls for strengthening the County’s existing price gouging ordinance, which states that for 30 days following an emergency declaration, it is illegal to raise the prices of consumer goods by more than 10 percent.

Since the emergency declaration, DCBA has received hundreds of

consumer complaints of price gouging and expects more. DCBA has also received complaints about businesses offering scam miracle cures. To date, no vaccine has been developed to cure COVID-19.

Supervisor Ridley-Thomas’ motion calls for giving DCBA subpoena powers to enhance its ability to investigate the complaints and refer them to the appropriate governmental agency for potential criminal or civil action. DCBA will coordinate enforcement with the LA Office of the County Counsel, LA County District Attorney, LA City Attorney and California State Attorney General as appropriate. It also called for extending the period during which consumer prices cannot be raised more than 10 percent after an emergency declaration.

“With coronavirus, the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs is on the front line in the fight against price gouging, especially when it comes to essentials like hand sanitizer, canned food, rice, toilet paper, medicine and other items,” DCBA Director Joseph Nicchitta said. “I thank Supervisor Ridley-Thomas and the Board of Supervisors for advancing the rights of consumers during this unprecedented time.” He also urged members of the public to submit complaints by going to the department’s website, dcba. lacounty.gov, or by calling (800) 5938222.

L.A. COUNTY RECOGNIZES NATIONAL CENSUS DAY Board of Supervisors Urges Residents to Be Counted Safely from Their Homes Inglewood Today News

LOS ANGELES, CA – The L.A. County Board of Supervisors join national and state government officials to observe National Census Day, urging residents to fill out and return their census forms, reinforcing the importance of being counted.

“Today, we take the opportunity to remind L.A. County residents that during this unprecedented time, your participation in the census must continue,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “Participation is quick and easy, and being at home provides the opportunity to safely complete the form in three ways – online, by phone or by mail -- while avoiding further spread of coronavirus in our communities.”

The County of Los Angeles is helping lead the region’s “Get Out The

Count” efforts, which are designed to urge residents to take part in the 2020 Census. Unlike other years, this year the census faces a challenge – a worldwide pandemic – which means millions of L.A. County residents are under “Safer at Home” orders and has forced a shift in outreach strategy.

Filling out the census form is simple and fast. Census forms can be completed online at my2020census. gov, by phone at 844-330-2020 (a list of in-language options is available here) or by mail if you receive a paper form.

“Census data helps fund research and programs that strengthen our public health system. Our communities depend on the census for hospital and medical resources that keep our families safe in times like these,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “In critical moments,

no one stands alone. We are all one community preserving our collective health. We can ensure L.A. County’s recovery in the months ahead is robust by ensuring everyone participates in the 2020 Census. Every person in L.A. County counts.”

The census influences billions of federal dollars for local hospitals, parks, schools and affordable housing programs in L.A. County. Census data guides significant funding for vital programs including the Title I School Funding, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, WIC, Head Start, and community health centers funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration Health Center Program. All of these programs have an impact on the most vulnerable communities, especially in times such as these.

“L.A. County leadership and our

community partners remain committed to the census and encourage our residents to do the same,” said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

“COVID-19 has demonstrated firsthand how crucial the census is to our ability to react to a national crisis.

We must remain steadfast in our efforts in ensuring every member of every household is counted.”

The 2020 Census officially kicked off on March 12, with the U.S. Census Bureau sending letters to all households in the county, inviting residents to participate in the census either online, by mail or by phone.

“The census is already underway and, even in the midst of this crisis, it is critically important that everyone is counted,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “The census will determine Continued on page 7

Page 5

April 9 - 15, 2020

Sports & Entertainment Kobe’s Hall Call Revives Painful Loss Death of Laker legend lingers amid COVID-19

By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

It has been a bit more than two months since that infamous Sunday in January when a tragic helicopter crash claimed the life of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others.

Just as the incredible process of a gut wrenching healing began with a public memorial at Staple Center a month after, basketball played out abundantly in every city, state and level soothed the grief, but it was still hard to imagine that Kobe Bryant was dead.

Then along came the wicked invisible monster better known as coronavirus (COVID-19) sweeping across the globe, invading every pocket of our once sacred life, shuttering all sense of normalcy we often took for granted, freezing us to a silent stand still.

The sports world was still grappling with the monumental loss of one of their iconic brethren, hoping the find some solace by participating in their field of endeavor.

On the other hand plumbers, clerks, lawyers, doctors, politicians, pastors, priest, girls, boys, women and men in all walks of life resurrected their own Mamba mentality to forge forward.

There were some that really did not want to proceed with life, but the mere thought of Kobe, inspired them also.

The Lakers were on the cusp of honoring Kobe with their first NBA title since 2010, but even that dreamful NBA

campaign has been utterly suspended, with no known date to resume.

On Monday Kobe was brought back to the forefront when its was announced that he would be inducted in the 2020 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

It had long been a foregone conclusion that Kobe would get the Hall call, but no one could imagine that he would not be here to receive it.

“It breaks my heart that he won’t be there to receive the award himself and give a great speech.” Magic Johnson said on Twitter.

Kobe averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game during the regular season. Along with his titles and Finals MVPs, the Lakers legend was basically Michael Jordan 2.0 for basketball fans around the world.

Bryant was an 18-time All-Star, twotime scoring champion and 15-time AllNBA Team member with the Lakers.

Charles Barkley called Kobe the best player behind Michael Jordan.

“Kobe Bryant is the best basketball player I’ve seen compared to Michael Jordan. I think Michael is the greatest I’ve seen and played against. I’ve always said this — Kobe’s the closest I’ve ever seen [to Michael]. I didn’t get to play against Kareem in his prime, or Wilt or Bill Russell or LeBron. But I’m telling you, Kobe Bryant’s the best player I’ve ever seen other than Michael Jordan.”

Kobe Bryant

Russell Simmons Brings Back Def Comedy Jam to Raise Money for Coronavirus Ravaged Areas

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent

Russell Simmons

Hip-hop and business mogul Russell Simmons has seen the devastation of the novel coronavirus and the effect it has had on his hometown of Hollis Queens, New York, and the rest of the world.

Now the iconic Def Jam founder is bringing back one of his legendary creations to help raise money for those devastated by the pandemic.

Simmons is leading a group of producers who, on Sunday, April 5, will premiere “Def Comedy Jam Presents: Healing Through Laughter,” a marathon fundraiser hosted by Cedric the Entertainer.

The program will air online beginning at 10 p.m. EST, and Simmons’ Instagram page will be updated to provide more information. Simmons has established

a GoFundMe page with the hopes of raising as much as $100,000 to help with supplies to assist those in need.

Supplies purchased and collected from proceeds will be distributed among essential workers in Queens and Brooklyn, New York, and those in the Logan section of Philadelphia.

“Let’s begin to fund the effort to raise money and awareness to make sure people putting their life on the line to work in our communities have the safety kits they need,” Simmons wrote on Twitter.

As of Thursday, April 2, New York had more than 92,300 confirmed coronavirus cases, including approximately 52,000 in the city. New York accounts for 42 percent of the virus-related deaths in the United States, and hospitals around the Empire State and, in particular, throughout the Big Apple, have been

overwhelmed with cases.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state’s stockpile contained 2,200 ventilators, but about 350 new patients daily needed them.

“2,200 disappears very quickly,” Cuomo said, according to the New York Times.

The goal of the Def Comedy Jam Marathon is to raise funds to provide basic needs for essential workers in vulnerable and underserved communities.

Supplies include items like hand sanitizer and masks for the most vulnerable communities currently impacted by COVID-19.

Simmons said 100 percent of the proceeds raised would be used to benefit individuals in inner-city communities Continued on page 7

Page 6

April 9 - 15, 2020

B UMichelle P PLyons IE | B U S I N E S S to leap into politics Former modeling executive is ready to serve

By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

Michelle Lyons discovered the value of education early in her childhood.

The daughter of former Laker cheerleader Marilyn Cole and criminal defense lawyer Michael Lyons, Michelle attended prestigious Crossroads High School in Santa Monica before graduating from Hamilton High School at the age of 16.

She went onto the University of California at Berkley where she majored International Studies, which swayed her to live abroad in Brazil, Italy, Barbados and London.

“I loved living in Barbados where everyone is educated and there is no poverty,” she told Inglewood Today.

Michelle, 38 years old, speaks four languages, learned from her vast travels throughout the world.

By the time she was just 25- years old, Michelle landed what she considered her dream job at the Washington Times in D.C. as the first Director of Advocacy the newspaper has ever hired.

It was while at the Washington Times the seed for public service was planted as she had the opportunity work alongside

the likes of Democratic power players Nancy Pelosi and Jim Clyburn to name a few.

However, before she would take the full splash into the political arena, there was a modeling career to nurture.

That started when she was named the executive director of Barbizon Modeling and Acting School in 2009. Barbizon is an international modeling and acting school headquartered in Tampa, Florida that provides instructional courses in modeling, acting and personal development including self-confidence development, proper posture, photo movement, voice diction, etiquette, job interviewing and makeup application.

Seven years later in 2016, Michelle opened up her own began her own modeling school, specializing in building self confidence and breaking down barriers in the modeling industry.

Her motto was “Beauty Comes in All Shapes and Sizes.”

Throughout the past few years she has had over 1,000 students at the Best Talent Group modeling school in West Los Angeles.

However, she says that after the

2016 election that saw the country elect Donald Trump as president, she became energized to make a difference in American politics.

Crediting the likes of former First Lady Michelle Obama and former Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren she believes the time is now for women leadership.

“I am all for education and I believe that have some of the finest universities in the world that are flooded by international students because our children are not properly prepared to take advantage of the opportunity,” Michelle stated.

She points the blame at a faulty primary education system in America that does not adequately provide the students with the essential tools to qualify for major universities such as Harvard.

“I am a believer in charter schools because I think they are doing their best to fill a critical educational gap.”

A co-parenting mother of two dotting children, Zion and Daria Wesley, Michelle plans to launch her political aspirations in 2021.

Having already assembled with the influential Black Women Democratic

Caucus, she is aiming for a potential city council bid in an as yet to be determine locale.

Michelle says her political values are more in line with Valerie Jarrett, who was a former businesswoman before becoming senior advisor to President Barack Obama.

Her mother went from Lakers cheerleader to Chef Marilyn, owner of one of most popular soul food establishments in Los Angeles for the past 30 years.

Michelle Lyons is hoping that her transition into public service will provide her with the opportunity to have a meaningful and unifying impact on women and people of color.

IN MEMORIAM: Earl Graves Sr., Black Enterprise Founder Dies

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

Tributes have poured in for Black Enterprise founder Earl G. Graves Sr., who died this week at the age of 85.

“At 9:22 p.m. this evening, April 6, my father and hero, Earl Graves Sr., the founder of Black Enterprise, passed away quietly after a long battle with Alzheimer’s,” Earl Graves Jr. wrote on Twitter. “I loved and admired this giant of a man and am blessed to be his namesake. Love you, dad.”

A tweet from Black Enterprise stated, “We will evermore celebrate his life and legacy, in this, our 50th Anniversary Year, and beyond.”

Born January 9, 1935, in New York, Graves learned hard work and perseverance from his parents, Earl Godwin and Winifred Sealy Graves.

After receiving a B.A. in economics from Morgan State University, he served two years in the Army, followed by a three-year stint as Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s administrative assistant, according to his profile on The HistoryMakers.

After Kennedy’s assassination, Graves entered the business arena, where he was to realize unprecedented

success.

Since founding Black Enterprise Magazine in 1970, Earl Graves has been named one of the ten most outstanding minority businessmen in the country by the President of the United States and

received the National Award of Excellence in recognition of his achievements in minority business enterprise. Black Enterprise Magazine is recognized as the definitive resource for African American business professionals, entrepreneurs, and policymakers in the public and private sectors, The HistoryMakers noted.

“We are grateful for the legacy, life, and leadership of Earl Graves Sr, and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family,” The King Center tweeted, along with a photo of Graves escorting Coretta Scott King to the funeral of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy just two months after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.

“It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the passing of Earl Graves Sr., Founder & Publisher of Black Enterprise,” Tweeted the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce. “Mr. Graves was a friend of the U.S. Black Chambers and a true advocate for Black entrepreneurship. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and

Move forward and not backwards

loved ones.”

New York Attorney General Tish James called Graves “the ultimate champion of Black business and a fighter for racial and economic justice in our nation.”

“He helped African Americans make a name for themselves in the business world and build their very own American dream. May He Rest in Peace,” James stated.

The family didn’t immediately announce funeral plans.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. emphasized, “On behalf of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), we express our profound respect and condolences to the family of iconic publisher, Earl Graves, Sr. Under the leadership of Graves, Black Enterprise, more than any other single publication, helped tremendously and effectively to support African Americanowned businesses for decades across the nation and internationally. While we all mourn, it is also important to rededicate ourselves to the high standards of excellence exemplified by the life and legacy of Earl Graves, Sr.”

Page 7

April 9 - 15, 2020

Real Estate/Classified LEGAL NOTICES

Electronically FILED by Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 3/23/2020 3:37 PM Sherri R. Carter, Executive Officer/Clerk,

By Nancy Jue, Deputy Clerk

Continued from page 5: Russell...

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WEST BASIN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT WATER STANDBY CHARGE West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) continues to expand its water recycling program. The program’s projects increase the supply of drinking water to property owners within West Basin’s service area by using recycled water for non-drinking water purposes (e.g., irrigation, parks, industrial cooling towers).

West Basin has adopted a resolution of intent to levy water standby charges. A copy of this resolution is available for public review by contacting West Basin’s Board Secretary at secretary@westbasin.org or by submitting a written request to West Basin’s below specified Avalon Boulevard Office. The resolution describes how West Basin will fund the debt service obligation on West Basin’s water recycling facilities by the proposed levying of a water standby charge. The proposed annual standby charge for a single-family home or duplex is equivalent to $2.00 per month per acre or per parcel of less than one acre; $1.33 per month per condominium unit, apartment unit, and hotel/motel room; and $10.00 per month per parcel or per acre for parcels larger than one acre for all non-residential uses.

NOTE: THIS IS THE SAME CHARGE AS CURRENTLY IN EFFECT. THERE IS NO RATE INCREASE WHATSOEVER. The charge, if adopted, will be collected on the annual property tax bill, or as directed by West Basin’s Board of Directors.

PLEASE NOTE that the Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on April 27, 2020, at 1:00 pm by teleconference at 1-800550-8102 (conference ID #660625) to receive comments and written protests, if any, on continuing the proposed water standby charges for West Basin’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020. In addition, the Board will review all public protests and/or written comments before considering adoption of the proposed standby charge. Any person may email or file a written protest with West Basin’s Board Secretary, at the street address below or by emailing secretary@westbasin.org, to be received no later than 12:30 pm on April 27, 2020. The protest must identify the landowner and contain a description sufficient to identify the land owned by the landowner.

West Basin Municipal Water District 17140 S. Avalon Blvd., Suite 210 Carson, CA 90746 (310) 217-2411 Patrick Sheilds General Manager West Basin Municipal Water District

– specifically targeting his hometown of Hollis, Queens, which has been highlighted as the most affected area in New York.

“Brave and inspiring people within the community are putting up a valiant fight against COVID-19, we must support them,” Simmons stated.

The original Def Comedy Jam aired on HBO from 1992 to 1997 and featured such talent as Martin Lawrence, Chris Tucker, Bernie Mac, and many others.

Simmons had said he was inspired to create the original Def Comedy Jam after watching Jerry Lewis’ “The Nutty Professor.”

The rebooted fundraiser is produced

by Erica Ford of the nonprofit Life Camp, Inc., Gushcloud, O’Neal McKnight, Bob Sumner, Althea Lim, and Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic.

Def Comedy Jam: Healing through Laughter will feature Def Jam’s original DJ, Kid Capri. It will include comedians Spice Adams, Tony Baker, Gary Owen, Mike Epps, Sommore, Bill Bellamy, Affion Crockett, Deon Cole, Corey Holcomb, Ashima Franklin, Adele Givens, Jess Hilarious, DL Hughley, JB Smoove, and Michael Blackson.

While a host of other comedians are expected to join, those making their debut under the Def Comedy Jam umbrella are GC Studio’s Reggie Couz, KMoore The Goat, and Kellye Hardy.

DJ Cassidy will lead an afterparty.

KRCD-FM The notice is as follows:

On March 25, 2020, an application was filed with the Federal Communications Commission for consent to transfer control of the license of KRCD(FM), 103.9, Inglewood, CA from Shareholders of Univision Holdings, Inc. (Transferor) to New Shareholders of Univision Holdings, Inc. (Transferee). A copy of the application and related material is available for public inspection at www.fcc.gov.

The current 10 percent or greater Shareholders of Univision Holdings, Inc. are: SCG Investment II, LLC and Multimedia Telecom S.A. de C.V. Following the transfer, the 10 percent or greater shareholders of Univision Holdings, Inc. and their officers and directors will be: ForgeLight Univision Holdings LLC, ForgeLight (United) Investors, LLC, ForgeLight (United) Investors MM, LLC, ForgeLight (United) Investors SM, LLC, WCD Services LLC, Wade Davis, Searchlight III UTD, L.P., Searchlight III UTD GP, LLC, Searchlight Capital Partners III GP, L.P., Searchlight Capital Partners III GP, LLC, Eric Zinterhofer, Erol Uzumeri, Oliver Haarmann, Ralf Ackermann, Andrew Claerhart, Francois Dekker, Andrew Frey, Darren Glatt, Thomas Hendrick, Albert Shin, Timothy Austin, Phil Bacal, Christopher Cruz, Heber Ramos de Freitas, Giles Marshall, Nicolo Zanotto, John Yantsulis, Emily Melchior, Nadir Nurmohamed, Multimedia Telecom, S.A. de C.V., Grupo Bissagio, S.A de C.V., Grupo Telesistema, S.A. de C.V., Grupo Televisa, S.A.B., The Azcárraga Trust, Emilio Fernando Azcárraga Jean, Alfonso de Angoitia Noriega, Alberto Baillères González, José Antonio Chedraui Eguía, Francisco José Chévez Robelo, Jon Feltheimer, Guillermo García Naranjo, José Luis Fernández Fernández, Salvi Rafael Folch Viadero, Michael Thomas Fries, Bernardo Gómez Martínez, Roberto Hernández Ramírez, Enrique Krauze Kleinbort, Lorenzo Alejandro Mendoza Giménez, Fernando Senderos Mestre, Enrique Francisco José Senior Hernández, Eduardo Tricio Haro, David M. Zaslav, Marcos Eduardo Galperin, Carlos Hank González, Herbert Allen III, Félix José Araujo Ramírez, Joaquín Balcárcel Santa Cruz, Julio Barba Hurtado, Leopoldo Gómez González Blanco, Jorge Agustín Lutteroth Echegoyen, Alberto Javier Montiel Castellanos, Raúl Morales Medrano, Guadalupe Phillips Margain, Carlos Ferreiro Rivas, José Antonio Lara del Olmo, Luis Alejandro Bustos Olivares, José Antonio García González, and Armando Javier Martínez Benítez.

Continued from page 4: L.A. County...

our ability to invest in our hospitals, emergency services, and provide for our residents for years to come. Don’t miss this opportunity to be counted.

Fill out and return your census form, online, by phone, or by mail, safely from your home.”

The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the nation’s population every 10 years. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in Congress and how much in federal funding is allocated to state and local communities for the next 10 years. Local government officials use the census to ensure public safety and plan new schools and hospitals.

Businesses use census data to decide where to build factories, offices and stores, which creates jobs. Real estate developers and city planners use the census to plan new homes and improve neighborhoods. Residents use the census to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life and consumer advocacy.

Completing the census is private.

Responses are protected by federal law, specifically Title 13 of the United

States Code. They cannot be shared with any other government agencies or other entities, including your landlord.

For non-English speaking residents, the L.A. County 2020 Census website offers county-specific information in 16 languages and the U.S 2020 Census website offers general information in 59 languages including in-language guides. Visit https://census.lacounty. gov/ and https://2020census.gov/ for more information.

In response to the evolving situation around COVID-19, the U.S. Census Bureau has extended the official deadline to participate in the census.

The last day for households to selfrespond online, by phone or by mail is August 14.

“We are calling on our residents to pay attention, come together and do their part to ensure that our neighborhoods have access to all the services they deserve, such as health, schools and housing,” said Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. “Now more than ever, this is an important way to support our communities and keep them safe.”

Page 8

April 9 - 15, 2020