April 4, 2024

Morningside High School Students Stage Walk-Out

By Veronica Mackey

Morningside High School students walked out of their classes on Wednesday to stage a protest against the planned closure of the school. The press conference was held on the front lawn of Morningside.

“What is happening at our school is wrong and every person who cares about our education should know, said Evelyn Perez, a senior who is a member of the Latino Student Union and Environmental Club. “As students, we continue to excel, winning 1st place in competitions, and even having the highest test scores in the district, but Administrator James Morris has chosen to ignore that and close our school. We will not sit silently while our educational needs are ignored and

Mystery Lights Over Southland Sky: Aliens, Foreign Spies, or Routine Testing? Housing in Inglewood and Nationwide Challenges Buyers, Renters and Developers

By Veronica Mackey

According to reports, a fast-moving luster of lights was visible around 1:30 am on Tuesday morning, before

By Veronica Mackey

developers began to decrease the number of residential building projects, further adding to the rise in rents as News sources around Los Angeles became embroiled with calls and videos of fireballs streaking across the Southland sky early this morning.

California is building fewer homes. The state could get even more expensive.

Last year across California,

Sacrifices of King and Chavez Are Rare Today

By Willie Brown

This week we celebrate the lives of two iconic leaders who fought for civil and human rights: Mexican leader of the United Farm Workers Union, Cesar Chavez, and African American Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Chavez was born on March 31, 1927. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

This is a history lesson about the mutual battles taken on by 2 selfless men— one Brown and one Black. Each demonstrated selfless service to humanity—a quality that I feel is sorely lacking in many of our leaders of today.

Although the two leaders never met in person, they admired and respected each other deeply, communicated by telegram, and praised each other publicly. They both fought against injustice and dehumanization through nonviolence and civil disobedience.

will be realized.”

In a 1990 speech, Chavez later noted the similar struggles of African Americans in the South to Latino farmworkers in the West.

In a 1966 telegram to Chavez, King said “You and your fellow workers have demonstrated your commitment to righting grievous wrongs forced upon exploited people. We are together with you in spirit and in determination that our dreams for a better tomorrow

“The same inhumanity displayed at Selma, in Birmingham, in so many of Dr. King’s battlegrounds, is displayed every day in the vineyards of California,” Chavez said. Both men struggled against grueling opposition from powerful politicians, big business, and even resistance

from their own people. King was jailed, beaten and even stabbed, and labeled a Communist by his opponents.

During that time, Communism was considered the greatest threat to America.

King’s number one nemesis was J. Edgar Hoover, the then-head of the FBI. For Hoover, the attacks against King became personal. He became obsessed with the fact that a Black man could wield so much power, and began to do everything from digging up dirt on King’s personal life to allegedly ordering the hit that ended King’s life.

Chavez, successfully launched a boycott of table grapes in 1967 and went on a 25-day fast to protest injustice against farmworkers that literally made him and his cause famous. It was a “David vs. Goliath” battle. Again, King reached out, saying he was “deeply moved” by the labor leader’s “personal sacrifice for

justice through nonviolence.”

The biggest obstacle for Chavez was California’s agribusiness, which didn’t take kindly to farmworkers unionizing. Another obstacle was the instability and powerlessness of farmworkers themselves. His struggles were made worse by an influx of foreign workers dead set on taking over jobs within the grape-growing industry.

One of the practical consequences of the United Farm Workers was the inability to establish roots in the communities in which they worked. Like some Black folks, they were resistant to rocking the boat. Being poor, they were heavily dependent on whatever jobs they could get no matter how dehumanizing.

The personal sacrifices made by each man, the willingness to look beyond race and unite for a cause greater than themselves is becoming more rare. I hope this is an encouragement to the up-and-coming young leaders of today. We’ve all heard the statement, “Together we stand. Divided we fall.” It’s going to take righteous indignation and moral commitment to overcome so much of the pandering and materialism that we see played out by our leaders today.

Let’s hope history will repeat itself by mimicking the positive efforts of Chavez and King.

Inglewood Today and CBCF Announce Spring and Summer Internships

Inglewood Today (https://inglewoodtoday.com) has announced immediate internship opportunities for aspiring journalists and data/research assistants. The 31-year old media company is considering college and high school students for 3-6 month internships working hybrid 4-8 hours per week.

Journalist interns will have an opportunity to build their writing portfolios while interviewing celebrities, elected officials and other community leaders. They will also cover issues related to Inglewood and surrounding areas. Data/research assistants will work behind the scenes maintaining databases and helping to organize and launch a new blog.

Interested candidates may apply by submitting resumes to veronica@inglewoodtoday.com. If applying for the journalist internship, candidates must also submit their best 2-3 writing samples.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) 2024 Summer Internship program is accepting applications from aspiring young leaders. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 5.

Successful candidates will gain hands-on experience in the public policy field, and make important connections, which can lead to job opportunities. This internship is based in Washington, DC. Free housing will be provided.

For more information, apply online at https://www.cbcfinc.org/ programs/internships/.

Reading Is a Right, and We Must Fight to Protect It

critical need to incorporate the “science of reading” into every classroom.

In the Black community, literacy stands as a cornerstone of empowerment, guiding our way toward liberation and advancement.

For centuries, African Americans have been denied their right to read either through the direct outlawing of literacy instruction and books for enslaved people of African descent, or more indirectly, by the systemic and systematic failures of public schools in effectively teaching children of color.

These failures are evident in California, where only two in 10 African American students from low-income communities are reading on grade level in the third grade. This is not just an education issue. It is the greatest social justice problem we currently face.

Research consistently shows that children who are not reading proficiently by the end of the third grade are four times less likely to graduate high school. This number increases to eight times less likely if the student comes from a family that is economically disadvantaged. Consequently, this leads to limited opportunities for a career above the poverty line. Even more troubling, limited literacy is directly linked to poor health, homelessness, disenfranchisement, and incarceration.

Given the urgency of this issue, the NAACP is championing a resolution that commits to ensuring that every child is reading by the first grade and masters reading by the third grade. Our organization has recently launched a nationwide partnership with The Right to Read film, seeking to bring awareness to the literacy crisis and the

Let us acknowledge the transformative power of words to inspire, educate, and uplift, and let us work tirelessly to ensure that every child in California and across the nation has the opportunity to write their own story of success and fulfillment.

Because of this, the NAACP California Hawaii (CA/HI) State Conference supports Assembly Bill (AB) 2222, an early literacy bill authored by Assemblymember Blanca E. Rubio (D-Baldwin Park). This legislation directly aligns with the NAACP 2024 priorities as it addresses the reading crisis head-on to prevent further discrimination in a child’s future.

While the cost of implementation may seem overwhelming during a state budget deficit, we must prioritize equitable access to opportunity for children by ensuring they can read. Accessible, quality education is at the forefront of the NAACP’s strategies for reforming education, and with a state education budget of over $120 billion and a state general fund budget of over $200 billion, we can surely find the money for the most important academic issue of our time.

Literacy isn’t merely about decoding words on a page; it’s about unlocking doors to opportunity, dismantling barriers to success, and nurturing critical thinking. Yet, despite our

resilience and unwavering commitment to education, disparities persist.

In spite of the odds, together, we will overcome generations of injustices and safeguard the freedoms of California’s children.

Literacy is not only a fundamental human right but also serves as a catalyst for social change and collective liberation and this is why the NAACP CA/HI State Conference wholeheartedly supports AB 2222 and remains committed to the mission of fostering literacy within California’s Black community and nationwide.

About the Author

Rick L. Callender ESQ is the California/Hawaii President of the NAACP.

This is what it takes to take on Alzheimer’s.

It’s not easy to accept that memory loss that disrupts daily life could be a sign of Alzheimer’s. Or that nearly two-thirds of people diagnosed are women, including Black women.

But there are steps you can take to reduce your risk, like monitoring Type 2 diabetes and lowering blood pressure.

Because you have what it takes to take on Alzheimer’s.

Talk to your health care provider about signs, screening and early detection.

Learn more at TakeOnALZ.com Fearlessness.

Rick Callender | Special to California Black Media Partners

Serving Ladera, Hawthorne, Westchester, Lawndale, Gardena, Carson

Area Communities Emotional Intelligence Academy

Launched for HBCU Interns

By Veronica Mackey

Navigating the transition into fulltime work, as an adult is something most were never taught in school.

Aside from general expectations such as promptness, liability, and meeting job qualifications, there are issues, rarely addressed in the workplace, that play an

emotional intelligence, accountability, and growth mindset, designed to prepare for their entry into the workforce.

The Lenserf Group’s pioneering “Exceed Your Potential Academy” launched last week in Philadelphia. The innovative, employer-sponsored training program is designed to help students

The curriculum is facilitated by a diverse group of coaches across North America and Africa who deliver a techenabled, multimodal learning experience in a psychologically safe environment.

“Feedback from employees who have completed our programs highlights significant improvements in managing

For over a decade, The Lenserf Group has been dedicated to aiding leaders and teams in cultivating mindsets centered around transformation and ownership. With its latest initiative, the organization continues its commitment to fostering a pipeline of emotionally intelligent, diverse emerging leaders.

important role in one’s quality of work life. Diverse habits, levels of emotional wellness, racial and cultural differences, for example, also impact the collective work experience

Over 20 student interns from six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are currently enrolled in an 8-week virtual course in

to navigate the challenges of cultural, geographic, and other changes that could impact their performance, wellness, and ability to build relationships during their internships. Topics covered include time management, building confidence, setting priorities, and overcoming procrastination.

conflict and stress. This heightened awareness not only enhances their quality of work and consistency but also fosters greater engagement,” says Farnia Fresnel, President of The Lenserf Group. “Introducing these students to such training at this juncture is exceptionally beneficial.”

Established in 2013, The Lenserf Group (TLG) is a certified woman and minority-owned leadership development, coaching, and consulting firm focused on elevating client performance.

Sports & Entertainment Any Given Sunday

By Charles Jackson

My daughter started chasing toy balls as soon as she could crawl. Something about those round bouncy things became her motivation. Her god brother was a starting guard for Texas A&M, and she often saw him play on Saturday, so I bought her a basketball for Christmas, and a backyard hoop the next year. She runs CIS cross country, has a couple of regulation footballs, and thanks to her uncles, a closet full of jerseys, and an NBA game for PS4. For her birthday just 2 weeks ago, she asked me for a 2024 Madden game. Did I mention that one of the coaches at her highschool is recruiting her and her

sister to play flag football.

The state of the art of athletics is facing dynamic change. Back in midJanuary, the LA Rams hosted a young men’s flag football tournament. This week the Rams closed out Women’s History Month with an inaugural Girl’s Flag Football Spring Classic.

The Rams are committed to

the promotion and development of this rising sport. This past Sunday afternoon there was an event that included teams of on-field girl participants, assembled to compete in the Spring Classic. The Rams Football Academy partnered with Bridgestone to present the games. It was a cold, windy afternoon, but the games played

on, teams of young ladies with an eye on the new sport that’s starting to open a lot of eyes. During the games there were off field festivities to further entertain friends and family, including a holiday easter egg hunt, photo ops with Rams cheerleaders and celebrity mascot, Rampage. Also on site was information leading to pathways for students to reach out to and pursue upcoming clinics. Some of these young athletes may ultimately rise to compete in the upcoming summer games, and potentially try out for the 2028 Olympic flag football games.

Beloved Actor and Activist Louis Gossett Jr. Dies at 87

By Stacy M. Brown | NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Louis Gossett Jr., the groundbreaking actor whose career spanned over five decades and who became the first Black actor to win an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor for his memorable role in “An Officer and a Gentleman,” has died. Gossett, who was born on May 27, 1936, in Brooklyn, N.Y., was 87. Recognized early on for his resilience and nearly unmatched determination, Gossett arrived in Los Angeles in 1967 after a stint on Broadway.

He sometimes spoke of being pulled over by law enforcement en route to Beverly Hills, once being handcuffed to a tree, which he remembered as a jarring introduction to the racial tensions of Hollywood.

In his memoir “An Actor and a Gentleman,” Gossett recounted the ordeal, noting the challenges faced by Black artists in the industry.

Despite the hurdles, Gossett’s talent shone brightly, earning him acclaim in groundbreaking productions such as “A Raisin in the Sun” alongside Sidney Poitier. His Emmy-winning portrayal of Fiddler in “Roots” solidified his status as a trailblazer, navigating a landscape fraught with racial prejudice.

According to the HistoryMakers, which interviewed him in 2005, Gossett’s journey into the limelight began during his formative years at PS 135 and Mark Twain Junior

High School, where he demonstrated early leadership as the student body president.

His passion for the arts blossomed when he starred in a “You Can’t Take It With You” production at Abraham Lincoln High School, catching the attention of talent scouts who propelled him onto Broadway’s stage in “Take A Giant Step.” His stellar performance earned him the prestigious Donaldson Award for Best Newcomer to Theatre in 1952.

Though initially drawn to sports, Gossett’s towering 6’4” frame and athletic prowess led him to receive a basketball scholarship at New York University. Despite being drafted by the New York Knicks in 1958, Gossett pursued his love for acting, honing his craft at The Actors Studio under the tutelage of luminaries like John Sticks and Peggy Fury.

seamlessly to television, Gossett graced small screens with appearances in notable shows like “The Bush Baby” and “Companions in Nightmare.”

with his commanding presence and versatile performances.

However, his portrayal of “Fiddler” in Alex Haley’s groundbreaking miniseries “Roots” earned Gossett critical acclaim, including an Emmy Award. The HistoryMakers noted that his golden touch extended to the big screen, where his role as Sergeant Emil Foley in “An Officer and a Gentleman” earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him a trailblazer in Hollywood history.

Beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Gossett was deeply committed to community activism. In 1964, he co-founded a theater group for troubled youth alongside James Earl Jones and Paul Sorvino, setting the stage for his lifelong dedication to mentoring and inspiring the next generation.

Gossett’s tireless advocacy for racial equality culminated in the establishment of Eracism, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating racism both domestically and abroad.

In 1961, Gossett’s talent caught the eye of Broadway directors, leading to roles in acclaimed productions such as “Raisin in the Sun” and “The Blacks,” alongside legends like James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson, Roscoe Lee Brown, and Maya Angelou. Transitioning

Gossett’s silver screen breakthrough came with his role in “The Landlord,” paving the way for a prolific filmography that spanned over 50 movies and hundreds of television shows.

From “Skin Game” to “Lackawanna Blues,” Gossett captivated audiences

Throughout his illustrious career, Gossett remained a beacon of strength and resilience, using his platform to uplift marginalized voices and champion social change. Satie and Sharron, Gossett’s children, survive him.

AI Revolution Empowering Small Businesses

By Aden Ferguson

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a futuristic concept - it has arrived and is rapidly transforming how businesses of all sizes operate. While large corporations have been leveraging AI for years, an array of affordable and user-friendly AI tools have recently emerged to help small and micro businesses gain a competitive edge.

AI is democratizing technologies that were previously only accessible to big companies with huge budgets and technical teams. From automating repetitive tasks to data analysis to creative content generation, the possibilities AI offers for small businesses are mindboggling.

Here are some of the top AI resources small business owners should know about:

Chatbots and Virtual Assistants

Platforms like ChatGPT, Replika, and Alexa for Business allow businesses to create custom chatbots and virtual assistants to handle customer service, scheduling, marketing, and more. These AI helpers free up staff to focus on higher priorities.

Automated Writing Tools

AI writing tools like Jasper and Writesonic use natural language processing to generate blog posts, emails, ads, and other marketing copy in seconds based on a few prompts. This can save businesses thousands on content creation costs.

Sales and Marketing AI

Tools like Salesforce Einstein, HubSpot, and Optimizely use AI and machine learning to qualify leads, personalize marketing campaigns, analyze customer data, and optimize sales strategies for maximum revenue growth.

AI Accounting and Bookkeeping

QuickBooks, FreshBooks, and

Botkeeper leverage AI to automatically scan receipts, categorize expenses, generate financial reports, and surface actionable business insights from financial data.

While AI undoubtedly offers immense opportunities, small businesses must

exercise caution. Make sure you have safeguards in place to protect customer data privacy and evaluate the AI’s outputs for potential bias or errors. AI is incredibly powerful, but it’s a tool - not a substitute for human discernment and oversight.

The AI wave is here, and savvy small business owners are riding it to new heights of productivity, efficiency, and growth. Ignoring it is not an option in today’s ultra-competitive marketplace.

plummeting toward earth.

KTLA news said it received numerous calls and videos from viewers in Anaheim, San Bernardino Ontario, Boyle Heights, Burbank, Ventura and Santa Barbara County. Speculation arose almost as fast as the curious objects appeared in the sky.

Was it a UFO? Remnants of a Russian surveillance mission gone wrong? Benign missile testing? Some suggested the spectacle was the result of a SpaceX rocket launch Monday

disrupted any longer.”

Morningside High students said the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s (LACOE) has refused to make improvements to their school.

“We feel like Administrator Morris has intentionally neglected Morningside High School by refusing to hire long term teachers, refusing to provide us with culturally appropriate classes that prepare us for the real world, and refusing to create a plan to help the district improve as a whole. Most of our teachers are substitutes

night from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.

The SETI Institute explained that what witnesses saw were remains of the Chinese Shenzhou 15 orbital module which launched into space in November 2022. The module had been predicted to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere on Tuesday morning.

That’s the official story. But is it true? UFO Watchers and conspiracy theorists please post below.

Monday, April 24 is Earth Day, an

annual observance by more than a billion people who celebrate the earth and remind fellow humans to protect the planet from things like pollution and deforestation. Inglewood Today will pay homage to Mother Earth during April, with insightful stories about the state of climate change, natural resources, animal life, and how politics and economics impact planetary changes. Stay tuned.

Continued from page 1: Housing... supply shortages worsened. Higher labor and material costs are making it harder to turn a profit.

The high cost of borrowing is the number one reason. Rising interest rates are challenging the pockets of borrowers wishing to purchase homes, as well as for contractors to build them.

“More than anything it is debt costs,” said Ryan Patap, an analyst for real estate research firm CoStar.

Preliminary data from the US. Census Bureau show a 12% decline nationwide in building permits for new homes, up 5% from a year ago.

Adding more challenges to the real estate market, L.A. developers are having to contend with the the dreaded

and the good teachers we have are highly overworked and underpaid, said Junior Ahmarei Reese, a cheerleader at Morningside High and member of the Knights of Need.

Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) teachers represent the lowestpaid educators in the state. At their press conference, students laid out a list of demands to Administrator Morris, LACOE, the California Department of Education, and the California Legislature.

This Walk-Out was prompted by

Administrator Morris’s announcement that he will be closing 5 IUSD school next school year. The IUSD has suffered under the control of the California Department of Education and the LACOE for the past 12 years. In 2012 IUSD accepted a $29 million dollar loan from the California Department of Education and in exchange for that loan, the Department of Education charged the school district almost 30% interest and took all legal rights, authority, and control of the elected school board.

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“mansion” tax.” Since the passage of Measure ULA—the citywide property transfer tax that took effect last year— apartment developers and real estate brokers are finding it harder to earn a reasonable profit.

The tax is 5.5% of all properties that sell for more than $5 million, and can be applied to gas stations, strip malls, apartment buildings or actual mansions. The tax was imposed to help fund affordable housing in L.A.

The Federal Reserve plans to cut interest rates later this year, which may help more projects make sense financially, as could rising rents.

Land sellers could also drop their asking prices to adjust for rising

developer costs, including ULA in Los Angeles.

The Picture in Inglewood

Here is the current outlook for buyers and renters:

• About 21.0% of Inglewood renters live in single-family homes.

• Overall, 43.6% of Inglewood housing units are single-family—the 15th smallest share among all small U.S. cities.

• Average apartment rent is around $2,500 on the high end

• Homes in Inglewood sold for 3.4% less than they did a year ago.

The median home price was $705,999 according to Rockethomes.com

Cowboy Carter Is A Love Letter to Creatives

By Maya Mackey

I’ve written about the drama and racism that preceded (and will likely continue to be a contender with) Cowboy Carter, Beyonce’s new album. Many will declare this her best album ever. I think it’s premature to declare that after only one week. Nonetheless, I will say this album serves a love letter to creatives and entrepreneurs that A.) you belong in any space you want to be in and b.) you’re allowed to push the boundaries of your creativity without permission.

When Beyonce declared, “This ain’t a country album. This is a ‘Beyonce’

After surviving a pandemic followed by yet another recession, I think it’s safe to say that we all might be in need of restructuring and reconnecting to our most authentic parts. There is a pattern in everything I’ve written about this year, from debates on what makes a good “Black” story to Beyonce’s Country era, to debates on who’s the GOAT of Rap and what room for versatility there is in Hip Hop while still being respected. I can see a common theme. People are wondering when will it be safe to be ourselves? When can we tell stories and create art that contains all our parts? When will

album”, I admit I was annoyed. Girl, why did you have us cuttin up and fighting white people in your defense if this isn’t a country album? What was the reason?”

Then I heard Cowboy Carter and it is in fact, not a pure country album but a Beyonce album. Cowboy Carter is all the parts of Beyonce. It’s hard, it’s ratchet, it’s emotional, it’s Southern, it’s deep, it’s healing, it’s fun. It’s everything she i,s as a 42 year-old woman, wife, and mother of three. The authenticity on this album mirrors that of her self-titled album, released 10 years ago, and I don’t think it’s surprising that her authenticity is receiving the rave reviews that it is.

culture and authenticity be a fusion instead of a competition? When will we be celebrated for pushing boundaries and innovating when the old ways and old stories get too old?

On April t, 2024, Beyonce was awarded The Innovator Award at the iHeart Radio Awards. In her acceptance speech, she said “Being an innovator often means being criticized, which often will test your mental strength. Being an innovator is leaning on faith and trusting that God will catch you and guide you…My hope is that we’re more open to the joy and

liberation that comes from enjoying art with no preconceived notions.”

So to the creators and innovators out there, regardless of the industry you claim, let Beyonce be the last permission you “need” to go out and do you. Make

the art you want to make and have faith there is a buyer, a consume, and an audience for it. The world needs your innovation. We’re waiting on you. Get to work.