The Hon. Gwen Moore Legislative Reception Celebrates Black Political and Civil Leadership
By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
On April 19, the California African American Chamber of Commerce (CALAACC) hosted the “Honorable Gwen Moore California Legislative Reception.”
The event celebrated the former California State Assemblymember with fond memories shared by colleagues, family, and friends. Moore, who passed away in August 2020, served in the California State Assembly from 1978 until 1994.
The reception took place in the ballroom of the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento. Former California state Sen. Roderick “Rod” Wright and former California Assembly Speaker Willie Brown discussed Moore’s extraordinary accomplishments in the political arena.
Brown, 89, explained that Moore did not vote for him when he became the first Black American Speaker of the State Assembly in 1981. She thought he was punishing her when he assigned her to an Assembly committee that Black lawmakers typically did not serve on.
Brown told the audience his intention was to place Black individuals in nonBlack chairmanships. He said during his speakership, he was determined to expand the roles of Black lawmakers beyond traditional committees.
Brown shared that Moore eventually expressed her gratitude to him saying, “I am indebted to you for life. You just given me the opportunity to do something that no other Black person in the history of California has had the chance to do.”
Wright,70, said he met Moore before she served on the Los Angeles Community College District Board in 1975. He worked on Moore’s campaign for the countywide position.
Like Moore before him, Wright served as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce, which oversees telecommunications, electricity, private water corporations, natural gas, and other issues related to exchanging goods and services between businesses.
“It was one of the things that I looked forward to doing. Gwen would say to me, ‘Let me tell you how this committee works,’” Wright said. “Because, unlike everyone before me, I had to chair (the Committee on Utilities and Commerce) in the middle of an energy crisis. Gwen Moore was a true asset to me as a Chair of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce.”
Former California-Hawaii State Conference NAACP President Alice Huffman could not attend the conversation portion of the reception. A statement was read in her absence.
“Gwen was a loyal member of NAACP, serving both on the state’s executive committee for several years
as well as on the National Board of the NAACP,” Huffman stated. “She was a loyal and dedicated member and gave her all to each of the boards she served. She embodied the true spirit of loyalty and dedication.”
The reception was attended by former and current lawmakers, business leaders, and members of the California Legislative Black Caucus. The event was hosted by KOVR 13’s Darla Givens and the Rev. Tecoy Porter, Senior Pastor of Genesis Church Sacramento, provided the invocation.
Timothy Alan Simon, CALAACC’s chair, provided an in-depth update of the business chambers’ goals for 2023 and introduced members of his organization and the California Legislature.
CALAACC is the state’s largest Black business chamber organization. Its mission is to “drive economic opportunity and wealth creation for African American businesses, connect and harness the collective strength of our statewide network of member organizations to elevate fiscal health,” according to the group’s website.
Simon highlighted that Moore was the architect and political force behind California General Order 156. This state supplier diversity program helped to strengthen and stabilize many California Black-owned, Women-owned and other
minority-owned small businesses by assisting them in securing lucrative state contracts.
“In 2022, the total spent under General Order 156 with our California investors’ own utility was $14 billion, 30.1% classified as diverse and $18.44% minority,” Simon said. “African American businesses received close to $2 billion in utilities contracts.”
Sponsors of the two-hour reception included AT&T, California American Water, Sempra, SoCalGas, Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs, and Southern California Edison.
CALAACC Government Relations Chair and mayor of Rialto Deborah Robertson and State Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) welcomed guests and speakers on behalf of the organization. Los Angeles City Councilmember Heather Hutt (10th District) introduced Ms. Moore’s family members while praising her accomplishments.
“She fought in the Assembly (and) she fought alongside iconic Speaker Willie Brown, and she also fought for small businesses,” Hutt said. “She was the queen of diversity, and she was the person to think about small businesses and how businesses can do business with other businesses.”
During the reception, a special award ceremony recognized African American
individuals whose ideas, leadership, business acumen, and political advocacy have improved the lives of people in communities across California.
The CALAACC presented the Gwen Moore Legislative Impact Award to Sen. Bradford, representative of the 35th District and Vice Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus; the Outstanding Advocacy Award went to Carolyn Veal-Hunter, Partner at Sloat Higgins Jensen and Associates; and Regina Wilson, Executive Director, California Black Media, received the Aubry Stone Outstanding Business Award.
The Gwen Moore California Legislative Reception Committee members Pat Watts, Ahmad Holmes, Caliph Assagai, Larry Bradshaw, Cheryl Brownlee, Deanna Roberts and Robertson were acknowledged by Simon for their efforts put into organizing an event in the name of an influential lawmaker and businesswoman.
“I’m honored to be here, not only the achievements of the California African American Chamber of Commerce, but the legacy of Gwen Moore,” Bradford said. “The impact that she had, not only public utilities, but the Legislature as a whole. The work that Gwen Moore started 30 years ago is still needed today.”
April 27 - May 3, 2023 Page 6
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non-Hispanic White people decreased by 4.5% between 2019 and 2020, while the rate for non-Hispanic Black people increased by 4% according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report.
Shakari Byerly, Managing Partner and Principal Researcher at EVITARUS, pointed to racism and social unrest as a potential explanation for this phenomenon.
“Everyday discrimination is associated with higher rates of depressive symptoms, and also what’s called suicide ideation, which are thoughts or contemplations of suicide,” Ms. Byerly said. “I think also the fact that depression and anxiety are gateways to suicide ideation as well.”
Dr. Kristee Haggins, Executive Director of Safe Black Space, said that while disproportionate violence
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literacy. A study conducted by the National Financial Educators Council found that only 24% of American adults have a basic understanding of financial literacy. This lack of knowledge can result in poor financial decisions, leading to debt, and financial instability.
Financial literacy is especially critical for young people. High school students are often ill-prepared to manage their finances when they enter college or the workforce. Many students take on student loan debt without fully understanding the longterm implications of their borrowing. This lack of knowledge can have lasting consequences, including difficulty repaying loans, damaged credit scores, and limited access to credit in the future.
As a lecturer on the subject, I have had the opportunity to stay connected with many of my former students through social media after they graduated. It’s not uncommon for me to offer them comfort when they discover that a salary close to $100,000 doesn’t stretch as far as they anticipated after accounting for taxes and living expenses. This is without even factoring in the weight of student debt, which cannot be eliminated through bankruptcy and can impact their credit for many years. Unfortunately, this is a harsh reality that catches many students off guard.
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how important it is to be oneself and continue to be ourselves and showcase our talents. She is also a mom and fiancée and exemplifies the narrative that women can and will do it all. She has an interview with the “On My Mind” podcast and she dives into her history and what makes her who she is.
I appreciate Reyna Biddy; as a writer who prides herself on being open and raw with my work. She has inspired me to keep going, to use my writing as a healing tool, and to never care about who may or may not like what I have to say. When you live where you write and perform you do fear who is going to be upset. You also fear the day you discover your loved ones don’t like or
targeting Black people is not a new occurrence, the level of exposure to incidents of anti-Black violence has increased.
“There’s this heightened view again, because it was splashed all across the media,” Haggins explained.
Maurice told CBM that repeated, highly publicized murders of Black men – specifically the murder of Ahmaud Arbery – is what inspired him to build his organization, stating that he started WalkGood to “fight for Black lives.”
The Black transgender community is also witnessing a surge in suicidal rates and this population has also been subjected to heightened levels of violence and hate crimes.
Rhonda Smith, Executive Director of the California Black Health Network, statewide organization committed to
According to a recent study conducted by SmartAsset, a person would need to net over $84,000 in annual salary to live “comfortably” in the San Francisco Bay Area. They would need to net $80,000 to live in San Diego or Chula Vista, and almost $77,000 to live comfortably in the Greater Los Angeles area. Those markets would require a person to earn a “pre-tax” annual salary of more than $100,000, which for a recent college graduate, is near impossible.
Financial illiteracy can have farreaching consequences that extend beyond the individual. When people make uniformed financial decisions, it can have a domino effect on the economy. For example, during the 2008 financial crisis, many people lost their homes due to subprime mortgages, which were offered. This triggered a recession that impacted the economy on a larger scale.
To address this issue, financial literacy education should be a priority in K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. Students should learn about budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt. They should also learn about financial products such as credit cards, loans, and insurance. Additionally, they should be taught how to protect their identity and avoid fraud.
Promoting financial literacy education should not be confined to the
support your work. Below is one of my favorite poems from Biddy. I think it’s important to show just how vulnerable she is in her writings and how she unapologetically loves love.
Dalliance
I love you in ways words could never explain.
It’s taken me time to accept that we don’t love the same.
You mean to me what tulips mean to May.
I’ve looked you in the eyes to see the promise of a new day.
We’re so fragile, yet so tamed, Promise me you’ll never consider me a mistake.
If I could go back to the first date, I’d
promoting health equity for African Americans and Black Immigrants, advises those struggling with suicidal ideation to reach out to people close to them, utilize resources in the community, such as churches, and call 988 if they are experiencing a crisis.
Smith – as well as Maurice and Averett – assured those who are dealing with depression and desperation that although you might feel otherwise, you are not alone.
For suicide prevention resources in your community and to learn more about the subject visit this page on the California State Senate website.
California Black Media’s coverage of Mental Health in California is supported by the California Health Care Foundation.
Fictitious Business Name Statement
File No. 2023075584
The following Person is doing business as:
Repair Clinic Wireless 18311 S. Western Ave. Gardena, CA 90248
Registered Owner(s): David Rodriguez, 18311 S. Western Ave., Gardena, CA 90248
This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on April 5, 2023
I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true
classroom. Employers can also play a role in educating their employees about managing their finances. Companies can sponsor financial education programs, including workshops and seminars. Additionally, employers can offer access to financial advisors and other resources to help their employees make informed financial decisions.
We hope the California Legislature will adopt AB 984 and forward it to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature.
AB 984 will go a long way in correcting this pervasive problem.
About the Authors
Mark T. Harris, Esq. is a Continuing Lecturer, Management and Business Economics at the University of California, Merced
Tatiana Howell is a junior majoring in Student, Sociology & Management and Business Economics at the University of California, Merced
Mr. Harris served as the Undersecretary for Business, Transportation and Housing under Governor Gray Davis and Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Commerce, under The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton. Currently, Professor Harris is on the faculty at the University of California, Merced, where he works alongside his student Ms. Tatiana Howell, who just completed a semester working at the Export-Import Bank in Washington, D.C.
probably say..
I’m not ready for love and all of its ways.
Some nights I stay awake and I pray for a better understanding on why you’ve given us up when you promised you’d stay. You told me you’d fight for me. Why don’t you feel the same?
I lost myself trying to love you, what a shame.
To be in love with a man who leaves you astray.
And cares nothing about you or your day.
I’ve tried my best to stop crying and.. I promise I’m trying.
I just want you so bad that it hurts.
than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.
The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.)
Original April 6, 13, 20, 27, 2023
IT0042230120020372 Inglewood Today
Fictitious Business Name Statement
File No. 2023060315
The following Person is doing business as:
Career Access 310 4027 Wade St. Los Angeles, CA 90066
Registered Owner(s): Joanne Nazarian, 4027 Wade St., Los Angeles, CA 90066
This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on March 20, 2023
I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)
Joanne Nazarian, Owner.
This statement was filed with the County Clerk on March 20, 2023
NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious
Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner.
A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.
The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.)
Original
April 6, 13, 20, 27, 2023
IT0042230120020373
Inglewood Today
it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.
The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.)
Original April 20, 27; May 4, 11, 2023
IT0042230120020374 Inglewood Today
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2023084600
The following Person is doing business as:
Digital Mixology
NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.
The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.)
Original April 27; May 4, 11, 18, 2023
IT0042230120020375 Inglewood Today
April 27 - May 3, 2023 Page 7
PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2023084600 The following Person is doing business as: Front Line Auto Appearance 10822 South Grevillea Ave., Suite 1A Inglewood, CA 90304 Registered Owner(s): Danny Leon, 10822 S. Grevillea Ave, 1A, Inglewood, CA 90304 This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on April 17, 2023. I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime) Danny Leon, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk on April 17, 2023. NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which
and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) David Rodriguez, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk on April 5, 2023 NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other
7825 West Blvd. Inglewood, CA 90305 Registered Owner(s): Charles Hollins, 7825 West Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305 This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on April 6, 2023. I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime) Charles Hollins, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk on April 6, 2023.
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health, education, community safety and jobs throughout Los Angeles over the last 36 years—all designed to close race, class and opportunity gaps that keep people from reaching their full potential.
“I joined on February 27, but I knew LISC previously because I spent about decade at JP Morgan where I had many roles but my last role was in a group called Intermediaries Lending where I was lending to CDFI’s (community development financial institutions) and their job was to lend responsibly to their end borrowers,” Williams explained.
LISC National was Williams client during that assignment and it was an outlier in her portfolio but it turned out to be a great thing because of the wonderful work they achieved together which included building the $100 million Entrepreneurs of Color Loan Fund and also produced $20 to $30 million general credit to LISC LA which they could offer in their lending activity.
“I did a ton of work with LISC before I actually got into this role,” she
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and a fitness center, along with a community room with a full kitchen and seating areas, a computer lab, library, piano, ping pong table, and television lounge.
The well-attended Open House was hosted by Chairman Saffron who introduced all of the VIP guests, that participated in the ribbon cutting. Mayor James T. Butts, Jr. acknowledged the presence of Councilmembers Alex Padilla, Eloy Morales, Jr., and Dionne Faulk. “The City of Inglewood is pleased to work once again with Thomas Safran & Associates to help steadily improve affordable housing availability in the City of Inglewood,” Mayor Butts said. “When developers, cities, and lenders come together like this, it’s a win-win for everyone, especially veterans and families that are an integral part of our
added. A role that she never expected to be in.
Williams eventually left JP Morgan for Bank of California where she served as senior vice president and head of nonprofit banking, responsible for all of their non-profit banking and built a team from the ground up before she actually got a call about the position at LISC.
“I thought. No no, no! Way too soon let me find someone else for you. So, I went calling around in my network and thought this was a great role so who do we know that we could suggest to this recruiter,” she added.
That exercise lasted for about a month before someone encouraged Williams to apply for the position and so she did and was hired.
She accepted what she feels is a unique opportunity for her to follow her goals to do well by doing good.
“My goal is to really take everything that I gathered in my career and apply it to having impact in the Los Angeles,” Williams stated.
It turns out to be a homecoming of sorts because Williams went to community.”
Inglewood City Manager Artie Fields and Economic and Community Development Director Christopher Jackson, Sr., were also present. Sarah
work for former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as senior director of economic development.
“He was an amazing mayor, amazing administration and we did a ton of work in LA when the city was really in a bad space this in 2010, trying to pull the city out of a down turn, people were being furloughed and it was a tough time but a time for creativity because we were doing all of these deals to bring new jobs and more business to the city so I learned a lot about negotiating and about tax incentives and about how the city works and I was able to build a really solid network earlier in my career.”
Williams hails from a family that is well versed in the political sphere. He mother has been employed by an Alderman which is a legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago.
Thus, the perfect stream of civic work, political work and banking experience are all of the ingredients that she feels is the right time to put it all together for the benefit of LISC LA.
During her tenure, Williams also helped lead the development and closing of the, an impact investment fund launched in collaboration with LISC to help CDFIs accelerate the flow of capital to minority-led businesses. Earlier, she served in the Government Banking group, providing treasury and credit solutions to municipal clients in Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area.
In addition to her professional work, Williams has long volunteered her time in a number of capacities, including as the board treasurer for the New Village Academy for Girls and as an executive council board member for the Northern California chapter of Women in Public Finance, as well as other taskforces and committees.
Williams has an MBA from the Graziadio Business School at Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Illinois at ChampaignUrbana. She is an alumna of the Los Angeles African-American Women in Public Policy Leadership Institute.
Estilal, Sr. VP, PNC Bank, addressed the project’s funding. Gloria Pulido External Affairs officer from CA Treasurer Fiona Ma’s office presented a commendation to Mayor Buts and Thomas Saffron. And finally, Tyrah Bufford and her daughter Symone, threemonth residents of Beach Terrace addressed those in attendance. lender Wells Fargo rep; and Beach Terrace residents.
“We are proud to open this beautiful property for lowincome seniors, families, and Veterans in the City of Inglewood,”
Jordan Pynes, TSA’s President said.
“Beach Terrace would not have been possible without Mayor Butts, the City Council, and the City staff who had the vision and creativity to form a publicprivate partnership
to make the property a reality. The need for affordable housing continues to be great around southern California, and Beach Terrace is an example of how to help solve the homeless and affordability crisis and move families into quality, permanently affordable housing. It was our aim to build a community within a community.”
Ms. Bufford, a recent widower with five children, moved into Beach Terrace three months ago from an undesirable neighborhood in Long Beach. Her emotional testimonial highlighted her appreciation for the management and staff of Beach Terrace for allowing her and her family to be among the earliest residents. When asked how Beach Terrace could be improved, she quipped, “you can’t mess with perfection.”
TSA has developed over 6,000 units of luxury, affordable, and mixed-use rental housing in Southern California. For over 40 years, TSA has specialized in developing and managing highquality properties, many of which have won awards from prestigious organizations. The company is committed to providing superior design, maintaining our properties to the highest standards, and enriching the lives of the people who reside in their buildings.
April 27 - May 3, 2023 Page 8
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