February 25, 2021

C e l e b r a t i n g 2 7 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

Clippers

February 25 - March 3, 2021 VOL. 36, No. 08

A Question for Black Americans: Vaccine or Body Bag?

Forum

& Lakers “Young Chef Kevin” See Page 6

Billions in New COVID Relief: From $600 Stimulus Checks to Black-Run Vaccine Sites

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at faithful Central Bible Church and is joined by (from left) Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr., State Senator Steve Bradford and Faithful Central Bible Church Senior Pastor Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, D. Min., Ph.D. (California Black Media/Photo)

By John E. Warren, Publisher, The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

Today there is a crisis in Black America that is greater than the Tuskegee experiment itself. That experiment for more than 30 years deliberately used Black men as lab rats to test the effects of syphilis on men infected with venereal disease.

It took over 30 years, but the experiments were discovered and exposed. The people conducting those experiments were all White.

But some things have changed.

One such change is the presence of Black scientists engaged in research affecting Black people.

Today in the case of the development of a vaccine to fight COV19, a female Black Scientist named Dr. Kizmekia Corbett, at the National Institutes of Health’s Vaccine Research Center has led the research. She has been the lead scientist in the development of one of the two vaccines currently being used.

But Black people, who are at the greatest risk of dying from Covid 19, have the lowest rate of receiving the vaccine, it appears, for two reasons: one, we have logistical issues of appointment, locations and transportation; and two, we actually have people refusing to take the vaccine in spite of current scientific data developed by a Black scientist that proves the Continued on page 7

Bo Tefu | California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom visited Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, a predominantly Black congregation that serves its local community with a number of outreach ministries. The church is hosting a mobile COVID-19 vaccination site.

“We’re not doing enough. We need to do significantly more programs like this,” said Gov. Newsom at the Faithful Central Bible Church. “We’ve got to get people back to work. We’ve

got to get people back into church.”

The California Department of Public Health also announced Sunday it has administered 7.3 million COVID-19 vaccines.

Last week, Gov. Newsom announced several steps the state is taking to provide much-needed financial relief to people in the state who are facing financial hardships due to the pandemic.

California residents from households with income below $30,000 will receive a one-time $600 stimulus

check to reduce economic hardships related to the pandemic, the governor’s office says.

According to Newsom, the state reached a federal deal worth $9.5 billion for COVID-19 relief funds. The money is expected to help individuals and families, college students, as well as local business owners. More than $2 billion will be allocated to small businesses impacted by the pandemic, Continued on page 2

Free Brandon Spencer

By Francis Taylor, City Writer

In 2014 Los Angeles Times Columnist Sandy Banks wrote a critical column about then Inglewood resident Brandon Spencer who had been hastily convicted of a shooting on the campus of the University of Southern California that resulted in the wounding of four individuals, none of whom named Spencer as the shooter.

On February 19, 2021, Banks wrote another column where she expressed regret for writing a column that found no injustice in the 40-year sentence for a shooter at a party. She said that she is now rethinking things and wrote the following: ‘In April 2014, I’d written a column castigating Spencer, who had just been sentenced to 40 years in prison

for a mass shooting that wounded four people at a Halloween party on the USC campus in 2012.

The column was a harsh take on a tragic case. I was sick of writing about the innocent victims of senseless gun violence, like 7-year-old Evan Foster, who was caught in the crossfire of a gang feud at an Inglewood park and died in his mother’s arms.

I had no tears to waste on Spencer’s merciless sentence. “Pull a gun, go to jail,” I wrote. “This is real life, not a video game.”

Afterward many readers complained that I’d been cruel and unyielding in painting Spencer as little more than a “gun wielding troublemaker.”

Continued on page 7

JOIN US ON

Page 2

February 25 - March 3, 2021

Continued from page 1: Billions in New...

including funding for the taxdeductible Paycheck Protection Plan.

The federal funds also include over $400 million for critical childcare resources. The state allotted $100 million in emergency relief funds to support community colleges. An additional $6 million will support college supplemental food programs.

Gov. Newsom said support from lawmakers to provide relief funds is what Californians need after nearly a year of attempting to fight the pandemic and recover.

“These actions are critical for millions of Californians who embody the resilience of the California spirit,” he said.

Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), California Senate President pro Tempore, said the emergency relief funds echo the state’s long-term plans to promote equity for communities most affected by the pandemic.

“People are having a hard time making ends meet,” Atkins said.

“People are hungry and hurting, and businesses our communities have loved for decades are at risk of closing their doors. We are at a critical moment, and I’m proud we were able to come together to get Californians

some needed relief.”

Racial Equity, Vaccinations and Overcoming COVID-19 California and the Biden-Harris Administration opened two new community-based vaccination sites in Oakland and Los Angeles, among the first in the nation, as part of a larger initiative to promote equity in areas across the country where Black and Brown people live.

The pilot sites co-run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the state of California and the Department of Defense administered vaccinations to residents Tuesday morning at the OaklandAlameda Coliseum and California State University Los Angeles.

Bob Fenton, acting FEMA Administrator said, “these sites demonstrate how we can provide more opportunities for vaccination to the hardest hit communities and ensure everyone who wants a vaccine can get one.”

Gen. Glen VanHerck, Commander of U.S. Northern Command, said military medical providers have supported various hospitals across California.

“Defense Secretary Austin has made clear we must move further and faster to eradicate the devastating effects of the coronavirus,” said VanHerck.

The governor’s office also partnered with more than 100 community organizations, “to safely, swiftly, and equitably vaccinate all Californians,” said state officials.

The state awarded an additional $17.3 million to various communitybased organizations for outreach and efforts to alleviate racial disparities in the healthcare system.

The selected organizations offer a variety of critical services, resources, and information to help communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The community-based organizations cater to diverse populations, including African Americans and other minorities, LGBTQ individuals, as well as faithbased groups.

Gov. Newsom said systemic inequalities in the government and healthcare systems have put many Californians at a higher risk of COVID-19. The state plans to use the community-outreach model of the census to help underserved communities.

“We must reach these disproportionately affected Californians through trusted messengers and community-based partners to minimize the spread of the virus, overcome vaccine hesitancy and

save lives,” said Newsom.

The community partnerships also aim to provide workplace protection and public health guidance for people working in sectors hit the hardest by the pandemic as part of its outreach.

In California, the majority of lowwage essential workers are Black and Brown individuals. More than 80 % of low-wage essential workers perform their duties in close proximity to others reports the University of California Berkeley Labor Center.

In the report, co-authors and researchers Adriana RamosYamamoto and Monica Davalos said it is time for California policymakers, “to declare racism a public health crisis,” emphasizing that the pandemic has hit Black and Brown people the hardest.

The coronavirus exposed that the damaging effects of racism in California are “not by accident, but by design,” the report stated, citing unequal access to health care, unemployment, housing and education.

“This devastation must be the catalyst for California policymakers to acknowledge that racism has caused lasting and negative impacts on communities of color,” the report pointed out.

California Black Women Leaders Organize to Open Paths for Others in the United States Senate, a coalition of California Black women leaders After launching a campaign last year say they are not defeated. They are to push for another Black woman to organizing. replace Vice President Kamala Harris Many of the women – federal or state legislators, other elected officials and political leaders –have made history in California and across the nation. Now, they have come together to organize, launching an effort to ensure that more Black women are voted into elected PRESIDENT/ EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Willie Brown office in California.

Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media

of the Black Women’s Roundtable, moderated the virtual event.

“After we were disappointed that we were not able to keep the seat for the United States Congress, we wanted to make sure that we did not lose our momentum, so we brought together this collective of Black women across California to make sure that we stay visible and active and engaged,” said LaNiece Jones, Executive Director of Peralta Colleges Foundation and

women in government.

They also work in solidarity with the #WinWithBlackWomen initiative, which advocates for Black women lawmakers nationally.

The congresswomen spoke about how they ended up serving in the state legislature and later Congress, with all of them mentioning that they were ushered in by other Black legislators who called them to serve.

Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA).

According to the event’s organizers, the goal of CBWC is to amplify the priorities of Black women and organize with the goal of securing adequate representation for Black

CA-37) said she entered the race for the California Assembly because other Black legislators were going to Congress and there weren’t going to be any African American women serving in the state legislature had she not run and won.

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.

On Feb. 15, the California Black Women’s Collective (CBWC) hosted “Conversation with Congresswomen Karen Bass, Barbara Lee and Maxine Waters.” Melanie Campbell, President and CEO of the National Coalition of Black Civic Participation and convener

Page 3

February 25 - March 3, 2021

AROUND THE CITY Council Honors Dola Jones for BHM, Lunch at the Inglewood Library Program Approved by City Council

EYE ON THE CITY

GEORGE DOTSON

ALEX PADILLA

JAMES BUTTS

ELOY MORALES

RALPH FRANKLIN

By Francis Taylor, Sr. Writer

Following no scheduled city council meeting last week, in the last council meeting during Black History Month Mayor Butts read a proclamation acknowledging the accomplishments of Inglewood resident Ms. Dola Jones who served for many years as a public health nurse and later founded Great Beginnings for Babies.

The council received a formal presentation on the progress of the Inglewood Transit Corridor project and another presentation concerning the 1st Quarter of the City of Inglewood’s fiscal health for the period October 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. The report concluded a projected one year budget shortfall of $9.79 million for the year extrapolated from data in the 1st Quarter. The ultimate deficit amount will likely be significantly reduced as the effects of COVID-19 are removed and the California State Board of Equalization advances collected funds to the City of Inglewood.

The council approved South Bay Workforce Investment Board’s request for approval that responds to selected criteria by the State of California Workforce Development Board to be the Adult and Dislocated Worker Career Services Provider.

Thc council also approved Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 18-221 with MGT Consulting Group, Inc., for the review costs to establish fees for the Housing Protection Program; and to devise a plan to create a transportation impact fee program for the City that complies with California Government Code Section 66000 et seq.

The council approved the acceptance of the Lunch at the Library Program Grant funding from the California State Library in the amount of $9,800 and adopted a resolution authorizing acceptance of Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funds and amending the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget in the amount of $180,369 from the Public Safety Grant Fund.

The council approved an operational agreement with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for the implementation and use of the Electronic Charge Evaluation Request portal, that will end December 31, 2026.

The council authorized a four-year

JOIN OUR WEEKLY

annual purchase order to AT&T/ FirstNet for the purchase of air cards for the Police Department’s mobile data computers with funds derived from General and Grant Funds.

The council reviewed the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 First-Quarter Budget Review Report.The council set a public hearingto consider an ordinance amending Inglewood Municipal Code Chapter 2 (Administration), Article 5 (Purchasing) to add Section 2-196.1 (Inglewood Transit Connector Procurements) to authorize the use of alternative project delivery methods; and to establish certain requirements for procurements and contracts related to the proposed Inglewood Transit Connector Project initiated pursuant to such authorized alternative project delivery methods.

At the close of the meeting Mayor Butts provided an overview of how COVID-19 has impacted the City of Inglewood. He indicated that there have been 2,854 cases and 254 deaths and that the city is pulling out all stops to work with the County and local venues to vaccinate as many Inglewood residents as possible. He closed the meeting in honor of Ms. Soledad Martine and 92-year-old Judge Albert Mathews.

FOR INSTANT NEWS

SIGN UP AT WWW.INGLEWOODTODAY.COM

NEWSLETTER

OR SCAN THIS CODE

WE ARE ALL BETTER

TOGETHER Across the nation, the Black community is disproportionately affected by COVID-19 cases.

In California, Black residents are the 4th most affected group by COVID-19, making up 4% of all California cases.

Historically known as advocates and providers, Black churches across the state are stepping up to bridge the gap between the government and free access to community-based testing.

As leaders in the community, the church testing sites are exemplifying the way to properly engage the Black community in providing resources and reducing the spread of COVID-19.

AACEC-CAL.ORG/COVID19TESTING

Page 4

February 25 - March 3, 2021

The newly redesigned 2021 Hyundai SANTA FE. A bold reimagining with family fun in mind.

In sunshine, snow, and rain, the redesigned SANTA FE puts all other SUVs in its class to shame. Comfort and safety aside, this tech-forward SUV offers a bold design with a premium and sophisticated interior and exterior that showcases a stylish, rugged elegance. With available features like in-dash Blind-Spot View Monitor, Safe Exit Assist, Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert, HTRAC All Wheel Drive and a 10.25-inch full-touch infotainment screen, you can relax, knowing your family is covered and so is your style game, in or out of the city. It’s so much better, together.

Preproduction model with optional features shown. Hyundai is a registered trademark of Hyundai Motor Company. All rights reserved. ©2021 Hyundai Motor America.

Page 5

February 25 - March 3, 2021

Celebrating Black History Month: Inglewood’s Very Own ‘Do It All” Paul Pierce Inglewood Today News

Paul Anthony Pierce (born October 13, 1977) will in inducted in the 2021 NBA Hall of Fame.

A former professional basketball player who played 19 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), predominantly with the Boston Celtics.

He is currently an analyst on ESPN’s basketball programs The Jump and NBA Countdown.

Pierce was a high school McDonald’s All-American and earned consensus first-team All-America honors in his junior year at Kansas. After being chosen by the Boston Celtics with the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft, Pierce spent the first 15 years of his career with Boston. Pierce’s nickname, “the Truth”, was given to him by Shaquille O’Neal in March 2001. He starred as captain of the Celtics, earning 10 All-Star selections and becoming a four-time All-NBA team member. Pierce combined with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in 2007 to form a “Big Three” that led Boston to two NBA Finals and an NBA championship in 2008. Pierce was named NBA Finals Most Valuable

Player in 2008. Along with Larry Bird and John Havlicek, Pierce is one of only three players to have scored more than 20,000 career points with the Celtics.

In July 2013, Pierce was traded to the Brooklyn Nets along with teammates Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry. He signed with the Washington Wizards as a free agent in 2014. After one season with the Wizards, Pierce signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, reuniting him with former Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. He spent two seasons with the Clippers before retiring in 2017. On

July 17, 2017, the Celtics signed Pierce to a contract, enabling him to retire as a member of the organization with which he spent his first 15 NBA seasons.

Pierce was born and raised in Oakland, California. His family later moved to Inglewood, California, where he attended Inglewood High School.

He was cut from Inglewood High’s varsity basketball team his freshman and sophomore years, and seriously thought about transferring before spending extra time in the gym and becoming the star of the team by the end of his junior

year. In his senior year he averaged 27 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists per game Pierce went on to participate in the 1995 McDonald’s All-American Game alongside future NBA stars Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, Stephon Marbury, and Antawn Jamison, and was a contestant in the game’s Slam Dunk Contest, which was won by Carter. He grew up a Los Angeles Lakers fan and dreamed of playing for the team.

Hyundai recognizes the value of community. Learn more at HyundaiDiversity.com.

Continued on page 8

Art by Ronnie Phillips. RonPhillipsArt.com.

Hyundai Celebrates Black Excellence The journey and societal contributions of African Americans is an epic tale worthy of retelling time and again. Their traditions and rich heritage combine for a legacy to remember. Hyundai is proud to join in on the celebration of Black History, this month and all year long. We salute contemporary Black artists like Ronnie Phillips, who firmly believes that children are the future, stating, “I like the idea of connecting images of present-day Black children to their past as a way of honoring the continuity in our culture.” Hyundai and Ronnie Phillips, building upon the past together while constructing a better future for all.

Hyundai is a registered trademark of Hyundai Motor Company. All rights reserved. ©2021 Hyundai Motor America.

Page 6

February 25 - March 3, 2021

BUPPIE | BUSINESS

Young Chef Kevin Cooper Spicing It Up

By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

He’s only 28-years old, but already a husband and a father Kevin Cooper is not allowing for COVID to prevent him from living out his dream of becoming a chef.

Happily, wed to the beautiful Brianna and dad of sons Trent (6 years) and Roman (one year old), Cooper of Long Beach considers himself to be a man who ears many hats proudly, but the one that fits his head like a crown is that white floppy chef lid.

His yearning to become a chef started at a very early age when the Food Network seemed to hold him captive as he gazed upon it endlessly throughout his childhood.

This infatuation of the chef culture manifested into a reality when Kevin got his first opportunity in the industry at the age of 15, participating in an ROP program offered by Lakewood High School.

This is how he landed an internship at a small chef driven restaurant, Delius, run by owner/chef Louise from England, to which he owes much credit for laying a strong culinary foundation.

He credits famous cookbook author and TV host Gerry Garvin (aka G. Garvin) most widely known for his television series, Turn Up the Heat with G. Garvin, which ran for seven seasons on TV One as his inspiration.

Cooper’s journey led him into several different sectors of the industry which

included restaurants, the Marriott, Ace Hotel, catering services, private chef servicing, as well as school nutrition.

Although he obtained the essential experience, he also knew he needed to fully immerse himself in culinary arts, which inspired him to earn his bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management at California State University of Long Beach.

Artistic, ambitious, and now educated Kevin’s journey is beginning to take off, he launched Urban Pantry, a specialty shop focusing on hand crafted spices and seasoning blends inspired by flavors around the world.

In addition, he is currently a contestant in Bon Appetit’s FavChef competition, with hopes of using the potential earnings to launch a not-for-profit business dedicated to providing hands on experience to local communities interested in the hospitality industry while offering gourmet food services to the less fortunate.

Cooper says his favorite culinary dish is Gumbo Greens, a delicious collaboration of collards and gumbo medley.

While for many the coronavirus pandemic has been a curse, Cooper sees it as a blessing of sorts.

“I have a different outlook because I see the many people in need of nourishing food and I want to work Although his book is in the early to improve kids nutrition as well,” he chapters, Kevin’s story is already an explained to Inglewood Today.

inspiration to all who understands the value of hard work.

Page 7

February 25 - March 3, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE COVID-19 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPTIONS Due to the existing COVID-19 health emergency and the social distancing measures currently in effect, and pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20 (https://www.gov.ca.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2020/03/3.17.20-N-29-20-EO.pdf), please note that members of the public will only be allowed to observe and address the City Council Meeting of April 6, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. by telephone, video and other electronic means, as follows: Viewing and Listening to the Meeting without Making Public Comments: • On Spectrum Cable Local Channel 35 with audio and limited video. Please check with your cable provider for details.

• Live online through Facebook Live, with audio and limited video, at https://www.facebook.com/cityofinglewood/ • The above access options provide the public with the opportunity to both observe and listen to the meeting.

• However, members of the public who wish to orally address the City Council must use the public access options noted below: Listening to Meeting and Oral Public Comments: The meeting’s telephone number and access code will be provided no later than 72 hours before the meeting on the meeting agenda published at https://www.cityofinglewood.org/AgendaCenter/City-Council-3 and/or by contacting the Office of the City Clerk via email at aphillips@cityofinglewood.org.

Please observe the following tips when phoning in: • When you call-in, the operator will provide further instructions on how you can make public comments via phone.

• If you are calling from a cell phone, please call from an area with good reception.

• If you are watching the meeting on Facebook or Channel 35 while also accessing the phone line, it is requested that you mute the sound of your video feed as it is offset by 3 seconds from the phone transmission. Additionally, when you are making public comments on the phone line you will be inaudible due to feedback.

Written Public Comments: Members of the public can submit comments electronically for consideration by the Inglewood City Council/Successor Agency/Housing Authority/Finance Authority/Parking Authority/Joint Powers Authority (Legislative Body) by sending them to the City Clerk/Secretary at aphillips@cityofinglewood.org, and Deputy City Clerk at aallen@cityofinglewood.org. To ensure distribution to the members of the Legislative Body prior to consideration of the agenda, please submit comments prior to 8:00 A.M. on the day of the meeting, and in the body of the email, please identify meeting date and subject matter. Comments received on day of the meeting but after 8:00 A.M. and before the start of the meeting will be made part of the official public record of the meeting. Contact the Office of the City Clerk at 310-412-5280 with any questions.

Accessibility: If you will require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 4125280, One Manchester Boulevard, 1st Floor, Inglewood, California 90301. All requests for accommodations must be received 24 hours prior to the start of the City Council Meeting.

The City Council of the City of Inglewood, California, will hold a public hearing on April 6, 2021 at the hour of 2:00 p.m., to consider the following: Ordinance of the City Council of the City Of Inglewood adding Section 2-196.1 INGLEWOOD TRANSIT CONNECTOR PROCUREMENTS to Article 5 of Chapter 2 of the Inglewood Municipal Code to authorize the use of alternative project delivery methods and establish certain requirements for procurements and contracts related to the proposed Inglewood Transit Connector project initiated pursuant to such authorized alternative project delivery methods.

This notice is given pursuant to Article XXXIII, Section 8 of the Inglewood City Charter and is dated this 23rd day of February 2021.

Aisha Thompson, City Clerk City of Inglewood, California In the event that the City Council meeting of March 16, 2021 is not held, or is concluded prior to this public hearing agenda item being considered, the public hearing will automatically be continued to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

"Si no entiende esta noticia o si necesita mas información, favor de llamar a este numero (310) 412-5280."

PUBLICATION:

February 26, 2021

Continued from page 1: A Question...

vaccines save lives.

No one is thinking of forcing any of us to take the vaccine if we decide not to. But we should understand that the virus and its developing mutations, which have taken almost 500,000 lives in the United States alone, appears to come down to two choices: the vaccine or a body bag.

The body bag is what we use to remove the bodies of those who die, regardless of the cause. Those who refuse to take the vaccine should know that you become possible transmitters of the virus, if not affected directly yourself. This means that family and loved ones can die as a result of contact with those who have not taken Continued from page 1: Free...

Spencer, 19 at the time of the shooting, had legions of supporters who vouched for his character in court, including an LAPD officer. But police found the trappings of gang life — gunplay and gang signs, taunts and threats — in photos and posts on his phone.

The jury took only three hours to convict him. “Brandon Spencer ought to be considered an object lesson by wannabe gangsters carrying guns,” I wrote back then.

It never occurred to me that Spencer might be innocent. But that is what the podcast I was urged to listen to contends.

“Unjust & Unsolved,” created and hosted by radio producer and reporter Maggie Freleng, examines the cases of people who say they were wrongly convicted.

A recent episode featuring Spencer’s case argues that the evidence against him was thin, the prosecutors bloodthirsty, the defense attorney ineffective, and that USC was desperate to look tough in the wake of three high-profile murders of international students.

“Brandon should not be serving another day in prison,” Freleng said on the podcast last month. His legal advocate Patricia Cardenas insists he is an innocent kid “who was just thrown to the wolves.”

The podcast is insightful and intriguing — and it bolstered my belief that Spencer was innocent. Two years ago I was asked by Spencer’s father to join him in a meeting with an individual who testified against Brandon who wanted to recant his incriminating testimony.

Aside from the fact that there were no fingerprints or other DNA material on the gun that was found after the shooting that matched Spencer’s; there was no gun powder residue on his hand or clothing and there was no video evidence against him, the USCeducated prosecutor, supported by a USC-educated District Attorney, was able to convince a jury to find Spencer

the vaccine as a means of stopping the transmission of the virus.

This also means that until such time as we have full vaccinations of the entire country, those of us who have not had the vaccine yet will have to rethink our personal relationships with those close to us who refuse to take the vaccine. Let us not forget that each person has a right to refuse the vaccine, but that right must not get confused with our right to choose to live.

The choice really is between the vaccine and the body bag. We know the body bags will go to those who did not take the vaccines first, but will their refusal cause others among us to die and get a body bag also? guilty of the shooting as they hastily reached a verdict late on a Friday afternoon so they would not have to return the following week to continue deliberations.

The podcast makes clear the injustice of a mandatory 40-year term for a young man who killed no one.

Spencer had no significant criminal record, worked steadily as a security guard, and had plenty of upstanding people in his corner.

Brandon was reared in Inglewood, when guns were plentiful and warring gangs battled openly. In 2011, he was shot in the stomach outside the Proud Bird restaurant. The theory was advanced that the USC shooting was payback for that, even though as previously indicated, neither the primary victim nor the three additional victims identified Spencer as the shooter. In addition, the eye witness that I interviewed acknowledged that Spencer was not the shooter. And Spencer has denied being the shooter from the very beginning.

Recently elected DA George Gascon is trying to do away with sentencing enhancements that add prison time and California has plans to revise its juvenile prison system, which could have an indirect baring on Spencer’s parole hearing.

Spencer has a court hearing scheduled for the near future. It is his hope and that of his family and loved ones that he be released from the state penitentiary for time served, which will give him another lease on life and an opportunity to be a positive and contributing member to the community and the City of Inglewood.

Page 8

February 25 - March 3, 2021

Ms. Crab Boil Lady Delivering Seafood Delight

By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

Regina Gordon evolution of a seafood delivery specialist was never really a deliberate goal of hers.

Gordon, 42, was a stay at home mom of three children while residing in Lancaster when she decided to cater to Continued from page 5: Celebrating Black...

In 2012, Pierce was honored as one of the 35 Greatest McDonald’s AllAmericans.

Pierce spent three years at Kansas between 1995 and 1998. He earned honorable mention All-Big Eight honors and was selected second team Freshman All-American by Basketball Weekly. He was also honored as the Big Eight CoFreshman of the Year with Colorado’s Chauncey Billups. During summer of 1996, Pierce earned a spot on the roster of the USA’s Under 22 team and helped USA go unbeaten in the World Championship-qualifying tournament

neighbors who were working an hour and 18 minutes and 70 miles drive away in Los Angeles when her business idea was hatched.

“These were working people who could not get home in time for dinner and I just wanted to make sure they had a nice cooked meal,” Gordon explained to Inglewood Today.

Since she was 10 years old, she had always had an affinity for cooking and read various cook books and was intrigued by their recipes.

As she got older and frequented multiple eating establishments such as Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen, Harold & Belle’s and Lawry’s Steakhouse she would go home and experiment with spices and seasons.

Born in Los Angeles and a former student at Westchester High School and El Camino College, Gordon was infatuated with the art of cooking.

Ultimately her passion led her to seafood dishes and began cooking lobster tails, crab, shrimp, butter corn on the cob, potatoes and toasted garlic bread.

“I guess the seafood came from somewhere down in my soul because I don’t have any physical connection to New Orleans cuisines,” she added.

Her idea has caught on tremendously and while managing to care her children, two adults a 12-year old daughter and a grandchild she toils for 8 hours over the stove to make the delicious entrees available under the Ms. Crab Boil Lady umbrella.

Many of her clients are individuals who had been attracted to her Facebook and Instagram post, but some are major corporations.

While COVID has slowed her business from its peak, it has not prevented her from committing to preparing the best seafood dishes money can buy.

“I have a good vendor and I built my own website, but mainly my customers hear about me through referrals and social media.”

She caters to events such as weddings, funerals, businesses large and small and provide prompt hot and fresh delivery of her products. She can be reached at mscrabboillady.com and at 562 9688938 or on Facebook under the name Gina Good.

in Puerto Rico. As a sophomore, Pierce captured the first of two Big 12 Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player awards after averaging 21.7 points and guiding Kansas to the inaugural tournament championship.

As a junior in 1997–98, Pierce won Most Valuable Player honors in both the Preseason NIT and the Big 12 Conference Tournament. He was selected First Team All-Big 12 Conference by both the AP and Coaches, and was named Associated Press First Team All-American and a finalist for the 1998 John Wooden and Naismith awards. He scored 777 points as a junior—the fifth-most single-season point total in Jayhawks history. He ranks

as the fifth-leading scorer in Kansas history (1,786 points) and 11th on the all-time rebounds list (676).

Pierce left the University of Kansas following his junior season and entered the 1998 NBA draft.

Boston Celtics (1998–2013) Pierce was selected with the 10th overall pick in 1998 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics, a team he despised growing up. A starter from the get-go, he scored 19 or more points in 10 of his first 11 contests, and was on his way to being one of the best young players in the game. For the year, he averaged 16.5 points and finished third in the voting for Rookie of the Year honors. In his second

season, he raised his scoring average to 19.5 points per game, and was turning into one of the elite offensive players in the NBA. By his third season in the league, Pierce was ready for a breakout year. In the 2000–01 season, Pierce appeared in 82 games (all starts), averaging 25.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.68 steals in 38.0 minutes.

He led the Celtics and finished eighth in the league in points per game, fourth in total points (2,071). He was named NBA Player of the Month for March 2001 after averaging 30.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.60 steals for the month.