March 03, 2023

Your Community Connection Since 1994

‘Black Americans have obesity...” See Page 3

Gloria Gray District 1 Candidacy in hands of voters

Former City Clerk Yvonne Horton among endorsers

Gloria D. Gray was elected as the first Black woman to lead the West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) Board of Directors in 2006, representing the City of Inglewood in Division ll, and on March 7 she is aspiring to become the second Black woman on the Inglewood City Council as she faces a runoff against incumbent George Dotson.

Gray survived a crowded field of candidates to advance to the runoff and throughout the final phase of the race she has accumulated a slew of endorsements representing former elected officials such as Inglewood City Clerk Yvonne Horton and of her husband retired Assemblyman Jerome Horton.

Perhaps, just as impressive Gray has

managed to secure the backing of former Inglewood Mayor candidates Fredrisha “Sha” Dixon and Miya Walker and District 1 candidates Leonard Redway and Cindy Giordina, in addition to local business owner Billy Campbell, Carolyn Fowler

(Democratic Party/Women’s Caucus Chair), Patt Sanders (Vice Chair. L.A. County/Democratic Party), Richard Galindo (Community Advocate), Pat Douglas (Owner Pat Douglas Realty) and Inglewood Today owner Willie Brown.

Gray was appointed to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) Board of Directors in 2009 to serve as one of two West Basin representatives. In 2018, she was elected Chair of the MWD Board and was unanimously re-elected in 2020, but her term concluded in December 20222. Gray is the second woman and first person of color to serve as Chair of the MWD Board, also the first African-American woman to serve as Vice-Chair, the first African-American woman to chair a Board meeting and currently serves on the Executive

The Importance of Black-owned Coffee Shops and Creative Lounges in Inglewood

By Anuoluwapo Bamiro, Contributing Writer

Welcome back to What’s Up with Anuolu. I want to shed a light on black-owned coffee shops and creative lounges in the city of Inglewood. The two that I have found so far are Hilltop and Sip & Sonder.

As a kid, Downtown Inglewood was the place to grab some jewelry, clothing, and other accessories, if we didn’t want to go all the way to the Slauson Swap-meet nor the mall. They also had a beauty supply so that we could grab things from them while shopping and get something good to eat. It was always a hidden hood gem to me where I could do a plethora of things while still being down the street from my home.

Hilltop’s vibe is communal, they have

a whole coffee bar, food, and pastries. The vibe is a little loud, everyone is

either working on something, having dope conversations and or working

in groups. The vibe of the place and how brightly lit it elevates my personal energy and allows me to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to conquer my to-do list. My favorite thing to get at Hilltop is a hot matcha latte with a couple of sticks of honey inside as well as their breakfast sandwich with turkey sausage instead of bacon. Hilltop is open from 8:00 am-3:00 pm.

I discovered Hilltop through an acquaintance when they wanted us to have a meeting about working together. As soon as I walked in, I realized that the location of Hilltop when I was a teenager was a Louisiana’s Chicken/ Chinese food spot. When we would be getting off the bus and wanting to grab

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Dear Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) Staff, Students, Families and Community,

In our continued commitment to serving our community and providing current information, we have some important updates in this week’s message.

IUSD All-Star Employee Recognition

We are thrilled to name Natalia Castillo - Custodian - District Office as our AllStar Employee for the February 27, 2023 - March 13, 2023 time period. Congratulations, Natalia, and thank you for your hard work, dedication, and vital contributions to IUSD!

Every 2 weeks a classified employee from the District Office will be named as the All-Star Employee, offering them the privilege of parking in the first parking spot of the District Office labeled: “IUSD All-Star Employee”.

IUSD Trustee Area 3 Coffee Chat at Worthington TK-6

We are launching a new series of IUSD Trustee Area Coffee Chats that we will hold throughout our school communities in the coming weeks. Each trustee area coffee chat will be hosted by their Trustee Area Board Member and the District’s County Administrator. On Tuesday February 28, 2023, we will host our first two IUSD Trustee Area 3 Coffee Chats at Worthington TK-6 Elementary. The coffee chat will be held in the Auditorium at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The Trustee Area 3 Coffee Chat will offer a space where students, staff, families and community members can have thoughtful and heartfelt conversations with Board President Brandon Myers and County Administrator Dr. James Morris. We look forward to having you join us at our Coffee Chat at Worthington TK-6 Elementary, as we work together in the best interest of our students.A Celebration of Black History Month at the City of Inglewood’s 40th Annual King Fest

History Month Career Panel event. At the event, the LADF featured Dodgers employees who shared their experience working in sports and how their pathway interests began in high school. Students also had the opportunity to network with employees, allowing them a space to learn more in depth about the various career pathway opportunities that are available in the sports entertainment industry.

IUSD Collaborates with PlayEquity in Celebration of Black History Month

Immunization Update

Willie Brown PUBLISHER

Kenneth Miller

VICE PRESIDENT

Gloria Kennedy PRODUCTION

Kenneth Denson QUALITY

This past weekend, the District joined the City of Inglewood in their celebration of Black History Month. The District hosted its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Art Expression Exhibition and Literacy Village. This remarkable event was filled with live entertainment, children’s literacy village, fun-filled family activities, student art exhibition themed: Why must the dream go on and where do we go from here?, a student MLK speech contest, and student awards. The District is extremely thankful for our remarkable partners who played an important role and contributed to the success of our event: the Inglewood Educational Foundation, California Department of Education, Brotherhood Crusade, and the City of Inglewood. A special thank you to our Board Vice President, Dr. Carliss McGhee for her visionary leadership, passion, and commitment, to offering our school communities a space where our student’s talents are showcased and literacy is supported and encouraged. The event was attended by members of our Board of Education, District Administrators, staff, students and families.

In celebration of Black History Month, the Play Equity Fund is highlighting the contributions of coaches that are making a positive impact in the community. Our Athletic Project Coordinator, Coach Omar Bray was profiled in the series, along with other coaches in the Los Angeles region. The Play Equity Fund is focused on bringing the transformational power of sport and play to all children and has partnered with our District on numerous projects. Coach Bray has been instrumental in ensuring new resources, programs and opportunities are leveraged to our students. Thank you Coach Bray for your steadfast commitment to the District. To view Coach Bray’s Social Media profile video, click here.

Black History Month

Over the past several weeks, notification letters have been sent to families whose children’s immunization records are not up-to-date. It is very important that families provide their child’s school with up-to-date immunization records, in order for their child to remain in school. Students who have been enrolled 30 days prior to February 1, 2023 and currently do not have up-to-date immunization records will not be able to attend school. Students will be marked absent, as required by the California Department of Education. In addition, we understand that there may be some exemptions to the requirement of student immunization records, as determined by the California Department of Education. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact IUSD Student Support Services at (310) 680-5170.

District Committee Meeting Updates

310-670-9600

Parents from the Child Development Center enjoyed an inspirational celebration of Black History Month with the Dream Big Assembly for parents with students singing and sharing their future career goals. The celebration began with a rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing, also known as the Black National Anthem, and included other performances such as the I am Special song, an oration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s, I have a Dream speech, and ended with students sharing their future career aspirations. We will have a great representation of careers in the future from our CDC students including doctors, nurses, firemen, police officers, race car drivers, ballerinas, and even a paleontologist! Thank you Dr. Clifton for organizing this great event and supporting students’ future goals.IUSD High School Students Attend the Black History Month Career Panel at Dodger Stadium

On Thursday, February 23, 2023, our high school students from City Honors International Preparatory School, Inglewood High School, and Morningside High School had the opportunity to attend the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s (LADF) Black

Our District is proud to join the nation in celebrating National Black History Month. A month dedicated to honoring and celebrating the valuable contributions that African Americans have made in our country and our communities. In an effort to recognize the significant contributions of African American, we have kicked off a series by introducing African American owned businesses throughout the City of Inglewood. This week we are spotlighting Body Butter Lady.Body Butter Lady is an original line of shea butter products with all natural extracts from fruits and flowers. Founded in 2003, Senegalese Entrepreneur, Marianne Ndiaye’s, organic soap and shea butter from Ghana and Mali, has been a huge success among Los Angeles County residents. Some of her products have been featured in events such as Pan African Film Festival, UCLA Jazz Festival and more! The Body Butter Lady offers a wide range of products, including body scrubs, candles, bath oils, lip care and beauty kits.

What’s Happening in Our District and Schools?

Board of Education Meeting

At our Board of Education meeting, held on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, Educational Services recognized students, staff, families, and members from the City Honors International Preparatory School and Hudnall TK-6 school communities for their stellar achievements and contributions. We want to thank all of those recognized for their commitment to our mission and positive impact to our District.Important

In an effort to keep our community informed, our Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee will take place on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at the District Office Board Room. The meeting is open to the public to attend, listen, and provide public comments. Please click here for information regarding our committee meeting agenda and supporting documents that will be posted 72 hours prior to the meeting. Furthermore, our LCAP Educational Partner Committee will take place via Zoom on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. To access the Zoom meeting link, click here.

Facilities-At-A-Glance February Newsletter

Our District would like to share some highlights and updates on the District’s current and completed school modernization and improvement projects. The modernization and improvement projects have been funded through the use of Measure GG and Measure I bonds funding proceeds, alongside private donations. To learn more about how the funding proceeds have impacted our schools, please click here.

Community Events and Resources

How to Pay For College Community Presentation

The Inglewood Public Library has partnered with the Growth Ready Organization and the Next Generation Champions, and will be hosting a community presentation on How to Pay for College. This event will take place on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at the Inglewood Public Library from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. To learn more about the community presentation, click here.

Thank you staff, parents, students, and community members for your ongoing support and commitment to the success of our district.

Together, #WeAreInglewoodUnified

Sincerely,

James Morris, Ed.D. County Administrator

Black Americans have obesity

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Obesity Care Week 2023 (OCW) kicked off on Monday, Feb. 27, with a focus on the disproportionate impact of obesity on communities of color.

Health officials responsible for OCW said racial and ethnic minorities have a higher rate of chronic diseases. African Americans have the highest rate of chronic diseases.

According to recent data, almost 50% of African Americans have obesity, and approximately 4 out of 5 Black women have overweight or obesity.

The causes of obesity are complex, and a person’s access to healthy food, safe places to exercise and play, stable and affordable housing, access to quality health care, and social attitudes about body weight all play a role in whether a person will have obesity.

However, communities of color face unique challenges in each of these areas, health officials stated.

For example, in the United States, only 8% of African Americans live in a census tract with a supermarket, while 31% of white Americans have one.

This means that minorities more often shop in small stores or bodegas or eat at fast food restaurants. These places usually have less fresh food and more processed food.

Cultural attitudes about body weight also play a role, with non-Hispanic white women more satisfied with their body size than non-Hispanic Black

women, and Hispanic women more interested in losing weight and eating healthy.

Evidence shows that the African American population has less of an impact on existing weight loss interventions, with Black men and women achieving smaller weight losses.

Health officials noted that this suggests that intensive behavioral programs result in lower levels of adherence in Black people than whites.

Founded in 2015, Obesity Care Week has a global vision for a society that values science and clinically based care

and understands, respects, and accepts the complexities of obesity.

Organizers have focused on changing the way society cares about obesity and have worked to empower individuals by providing affordable and comprehensive care and prevention programs, increasing awareness of weight bias, and working to eliminate obesity.

Researchers said obesity not only affects overall health, but it also increases the risk of complications from COVID-19.

According to a recent study of hospitalized patients in the US, obesity

may also predispose patients to getting the virus and is the strongest predictor for COVID-19 complications.

Unfortunately, African Americans are also disproportionately affected by COVID-19. According to the CDC, 33% of those hospitalized with the virus were African Americans, compared to 13% of the US population.

Inequities in access to and quality of care result in poor overall health and many chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes.

This can affect individuals’ chances of getting COVID-19.

The communities in which African Americans live may place them at greater risk for developing chronic illnesses. For example, they may not have access to healthy foods or safe places to play or exercise.

For people who try to eat healthy, living in a food desert means that they must go to a grocery store.

They often must do this by public transportation.

These disparities need to be addressed so that all communities have the resources and support they need to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

“Obesity Care Week 2023 highlights the need for comprehensive and inclusive approaches to obesity care that consider the unique challenges faced by communities of color,” organizers stated.

Area Communities

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

Black, Unhoused and Mentally Challenged: The Case for Housing and Health Care

By Dr. Lenore A. Tate | Special to California Black Media Partners

Numerous studies have confirmed that homelessness and behavioral and mental health problems affect African Americans at disproportionate rates in California and around the United States.

On a very primary and personal level, homelessness affects an individual’s mental health. Looking at the data: approximately 30% of people who are chronically unhoused have a mental health condition, about 50% have a cooccurring substance use problem and 42% have a disabling condition such as a developmental disability, HIV/AIDS or injuries from combat such as posttraumatic stress disorder.

In California, 43% of the Black Californians interviewed reported that someone close to them has experienced homelessness – a rate much higher than any other racial group in the survey, according to a survey conducted by the California Health Care Foundation, Black women in particular – are at a higher risk for exposure to mental health stresses.

“A variety of circumstances put Black women at high risk for mental and emotional stress - economic insecurity, responsibilities of caregiving, neighborhood violence, lack of social support and physical illness or disability,” reads the website of the California Black Women’s Health Project.

“As a result, many are plagued by tension, anxiety, worry and fear. Because of the powerful and complex links between the mind, emotions and body, chronic states of stress and anxiety can have dangerous and sometime fatal, health consequences. In addition, the daily struggles of coping with racism and sexism further exacerbate mental and emotional stress,” the write-up on the website reports.

When these intersecting issues go unaddressed, they can compound and adversely affect individuals.

Black people make up 13.6% of the population in the United States and account for approximately 21% of those living in poverty. Blacks in California comprise 6.5% of the population but are more than 40% of the homeless/ unhoused population! In fact, in most shelters, food banks, drop-in centers for the unhoused, the majority of those served are from Black or Brown communities. Black people outnumber White people 12 to 1 among the homeless population.

California has more unhoused than any other state. Seventy percent of California’s homeless are living on the streets and in tents, etc. while in New York, data reflects that only 5% of their

homeless are living on the streets.

California has instituted several policies and passed a series of laws to address the mental health and homeless crises. Last year, during his annual budget proposal, Gov. Gavin Newsom connected the challenge of solving homelessness in the state with inadequate approaches the state has taken so far to address mental health.

Among different approaches taken to address the state’s mental health challenges and, consequently, the homelessness crisis is the passage of the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Act (CARE) Act in California last year. This law, which Newsom signed into law, establishes CARE Court, an alternative to the Criminal Justice System for people who are mentally ill.

But more needs to be done if we are to address the mountainous monumental challenges of our mental health and homelessness crises, particularly as it affects minorities. The resources and programs the state has made available have simply not kept up with the demand for services.

California was the first state in the country to propose housing as a human right under Assembly Constitutional Amendment 10 (ACA-10) (Bonta 2020). This amendment would ensure shelter for the unhoused and recognize that housing as a human right. However, after more than 70 years, housing still appears to be treated as a commodity rather than a human right.

Across the board – from prevention and early intervention to strategically providing housing and chronic care -- we need to do more in the Golden State across the board.

Medical professionals need to be provided cultural sensitivity training and more needs to be done to destigmatize mental health care in the Black community. Social support systems must be strengthened, and more resources need to be committed to outreach and research so that both care and information can be targeted to serve

the needs of Black Californians. We need a combination of solutions working at the policy level, within the health care delivery system and among our social and community networks that attack the problems from various angles.

Committing to funding, decreasing hurdles in zoning, working collaboratively with public and private sectors, and creating space for ingenuity would be steps towards solving these crises. Recognizing that Black and Brown communities, children, families and seniors are unhoused as well as those that carry the weight of mental illness,

leads us to act and consider prioritizing vulnerable populations of unhoused.

We must utilize all our available resources so that every Californian will be afforded the right to have housing and a ‘home’ and adequate mental health care, allowing for security, safety, and comfort.

About the Author

Lenore A. Tate, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Sacramento. She has previously worked as Principal Consultant to the California Assembly and Senate Health Committees as well as the Senate Office of Research. Dr. Tate has also served as a university professor in Texas, Arizona and California. She specializes in neuropsychology, geriatrics and behavioral health.

California Black Media’s coverage of mental health in Black communities is made possible with the support of the California Health Care Foundation.

Sports & Entertainment

5120 Entertainment Partners with Black Newspapers for FALL BACK IN LOVE ALL Comedy & Music Jam

By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Headlined by Grammy-winning R&B artist Monica, the Fall Back in Love Comedy & Music Jam, also features Trey Songz, Mario, Jacquees, Lil Duval, and August Alsina.

Featuring MONICA, TREY SONGZ, MARIO, RIP MICHEALS, AUGUST ALSINA, WOODLAND HILLS, CA – Black owned 5120 Entertainment has partnered with four Black newspapers in three cities to promote the spectacular Rip Micheals hosted Fall Back in Love Comedy & Music Jam in Dallas, Houston and Detroit starting on February 24, February 25 and March 3rd

Headlined by Grammy-winning R&B artist Monica, the Fall Back in Love Comedy & Music Jam, also features Trey Songz, Mario, Jacquees, Lil Duval,and August Alsina.

Event producer Rip Micheals also serves as host and will be joined on stage by fellow comedians Emmanuel Hudson, Conceited, Zoie Fenty aka GotDamnZo, Daphnique Springs, and Brandon T. Jackson. The tour also features DJ Envy on the turntables.

In Dallas, 5120 which is sponsoring the event collaborated with Texas Metro News and The Dallas Examiner; in Houston it was The Houston Forward Times and Publisher/NNPA Chair Karen Carter Richards; and in Detroit it was Publisher/NNPA Board Member Hiram Jackson and The Michigan Chronicle.

5120 provided more than 350 tickets among the four publications to promote the event.

“We want to demonstrate how important the Black press is in America and for our company to come into these cities and not engage with these newspapers is not in the best interest of our business model,” said Eugene

Parker, CEO of 5120 Entertainment.

In September 2022, a preview of the Fall Back in Love Comedy & Music Jam tour made stops in Washington, DC, Chicago, and New York, showcasing a lineup similar to the 2023 tour, with the addition of Tory Lanez for two out of the three dates. The Chicago show made headlines when it was reported that Tory Lanez allegedly punched August Alsina backstage. Additional artists and tour dates for the 2023 Fall Back in Love Comedy & Music Jam are yet to be announced.

About 5120 Entertainment 5120 Entertainment was created to shift the culture of modern film, television, live events, and production distribution. 5120 is able to do this with its unique financial partnerships that empower creators on both traditional and non-traditional platforms.

BUPPIE | BUSINESS

Reparations: San Diego Tax Code Discussion Was Preamble to Task Force Meeting in Sac This Week

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Two tax planning lawyers shared their perspectives on one of the ways to pay for the racial injustices suffered by Black Californians with the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparations Proposals for African Americans.

At the task force’s last two-day meeting held in San Diego on Jan. 27 and Jan. 28, the estate and tax planning attorneys Raymond “Ray” Odom and Sarah Moore-Johnson proposed several options to the ninemember task force for funding reparations through the federal tax code system -including an estate tax as a means to increase racial equity.

The tax discussion, held about a month ago, was as a lead-in to the task force’s next meeting in Sacramento focused on compensation and titled “Redressing the Harms Delineated in Report 1.” That meeting will be held Friday, March 3 and Saturday March 4 at the Byron Sher Auditorium at the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) Headquarters, beginning at 9 a.m. both days.

Moore-Johnson kicked off her presentation at the San Diego meeting during a panel titled “The Forgotten 40 Acres: Repairing Wealth Disparity

Using the Estate Tax and New Charitable Incentives.” She said, “the tax code has incentivized White wealth building for years,” and that she and Odom have now found a way to redistribute wealth through tax exemptions at the state level.

“For years, Ray and I intuitively understood that if we could harness those tax incentives to create a public-private partnership to help fund reparations we could get our wealthy clients to willingly enthusiastically embrace using their own money to pay for reparations,” MooreJohnson said. “We believe that tax deductions should be allowed for private contributions to racial repair because individual taxpayers would be paying a debt of the federal or state government on the government’s behalf,” MooreJohnson said.

Potential revenue sources, the attorneys say, could be the state estate tax, mansion tax, graduate property tax, and metaverse tax.

Johnson mentioned that the graduate property tax revenue would not apply to California because of Proposition 13, a law that restricts increases in the state tax code.

Odom and Moor-Johnson’s presentation was a condensed introduction to the wealth disparity resulting from chattel slavery and Jim Crow law and the connection to wealth transfer and wealth taxation. Odom, however, emphasized that their idea to use the tax code is intentional but it is not a manipulation of the federal tax system.

“I really think that it is so important to set the narrative -- and that narrative isn’t around who’s getting something for nothing, but what we are going to do about this gross wealth disparity,” Odom said. “We need to solve this problem for all Americans, but especially for Black Americans.”

Odom – a Chicago estate and tax planning attorney who works at Northern Trust and conducts racial wealth disparity speaking engagements across the country – is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). He is one of five Black tax attorneys among ACTEC’s 2,500 fellows.

Established in Los Angeles in 1949, ACTEC is a nonprofit association of lawyers and law professors skilled and experienced in the preparations of wills and trusts; estate planning; and probate

procedure and management of trusts and estates of the deceased, minors and helpless.

Odom and Moore Johnson explained that the racial wealth gap started to expand in 1981 when Ronald Reagan was in office and the biggest tax cut in history took place. Odom said reparations would be an opportunity to replace “swollen wealth” with the “stolen wealth” of Black people.

Moore-Johnson, an estate planning lawyer and a founding partner at Birchstone Moore in Washington DC, became president of the Washington, DC, Estate Planning Council three weeks after George Floyd was murdered in 2020. She is also an ACTEC fellow.

In March of 2021, during a national ACTEC meeting, Odom and Johnson came up with the idea of funding reparations for slavery through the estate tax. They started their research to better understand the history of slavery, postslavery, reparations and the wealth gap. Through their research, the duo learned that the racial wealth gap exists, partly, because of the way the federal tax code is set up.

Task force member Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) stated that the tax attorney’s recommendations provided a “clear road map” to reparations.

“All that said, I think it’s comforting, informative and powerful,” Bradford said after the tax attorneys’ presentation. “As a legislator, the takeaway is, we can

afford it. This is a debt that’s owed.”

Dorothy A. Brown addressed the task force by teleconference and shared her views about reparations and the tax code. She is a tax professor at Georgetown Law and the author of the book “The Whiteness of Wealth: How the Tax System Impoverishes Black Americans and How We Can Fix It.”

Brown’s literature goes to the core of how the complex federal tax system disadvantages the Black community and how it has helped White households secure more solid financial standing.

“Our tax laws as written have a racially disparate impact. Black Americans are less likely to gain access to their tax breaks than their White peers receive,” Brown said. “Therefore, (Black Americans) are more likely to pay higher taxes than their White peers.”

Brown told the task force that she supports a “wealth tax credit applicable to all taxpayers and households,” which would serve the majority of Black people and be available to all “regardless of race and ethnicity.”

“I want to be clear that I’m not providing tax advice or guidance for providing a possible analysis of any reparations payments,” Brown said. “I leave it to your tax council (economic experts) to make a final determination that you would rely upon moving forward.”

Continued from page 1: Gloria Gray...

Committee.

Moreover, her expansive resume includes being appointed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to serve on a water quality Community Task Force in 2009, which is part of the County’s Clean Water, Clean Beaches Initiative to address pollution in our local waterways that include rivers, lakes, bays, beaches, and coastal waters. Gray, an Inglewood resident, was elected to the Inglewood Unified School District Board of Education in 1995 and served as President for two terms.

In April 2010, Gray was also appointed to the Delta Stewardship Council by former Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and served a four-year term. She served through July 2014 and was the first African-American and African-American woman to serve on the Council. In 2011, she met with state stakeholders and suggested the Delta Council hold public forums to gain broader knowledge in order to develop a comprehensive Delta Plan. She was also invited and made

Continued from page 1: The Importance ..

presentations on the status of the Delta Plan and water resources management to the Association of California Water Agencies, Southern California Water Committee, Urban Water Institute, Council for Watershed Health, Los Angeles African American Public Policy Institute, California Latino Water Coalition Delta Summit, Leadership Southern California and Water Environment Federation Technical Conference.

In May 2012, she was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors as a member of the Oversight Commission for the dissolution of the City of Carson Redevelopment Agency. In 2013, Gray was recruited by the White House Obama Administration to interview for a Cabinet position in the Department of the Interior.

“As your next council member, I assure you that I will be an INDEPENDENT-ACTIVE VOICE and RELENTLESS ADVOCATE for DISTRICT 1. I believe my years of policy and budget management will

help me to best represent the shared values of hard-working everyday families. I will stay engaged to identify issues, assess the needs of the district and be accountable and accessible to all residents,” Gray stated in her pitch to voters.

She added; “My experiences as a former Healthcare Administrator, School Board member, and currently Water Board Director along with my education, experience and leadership skills give me the background to serve effectively.”

“I will fight to preserve our quality of life while leading us towards a better future. As an Inglewood resident for over 30 years, I will always strive to keep our neighborhoods safe, attractive, and prosperous. I respectfully ask for your vote to serve you and continue to advance our great community.”

George Dotson has represented District 1 since 2013 and has the backing of Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, Jr.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Fictitious Business Name Statement

File No. 2023026533

The following Person is doing business as:

Compassion Elevated Therapy

10736 Jefferson Blvd., #1127 Culver City, CA 90230

Registered Owner(s): Jetena McGhee, 10736 Jefferson Blvd., #1127, Culver City, CA 90230

This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on February 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.)

Jetena McGhee, Owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on February 6, 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

February 9, 16, 23; March 2, 2023

IT0042230120020367 Inglewood Today

PUBLIC NOTICE

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2023009321

The following Person is doing business as:

The Williams Healing Company Will Heal Co 1011 North Chester Avenue, A Inglewood, CA 90302

Registered Owner(s): Janee Williams, 1011 North Chester Avenue A, Inglewood, CA 90302

This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on January 13, 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.)

Janee Williams, Owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on January 13, 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 February 16, 23; March 2, 9, 2023

IT0042230120020367

Inglewood Today

PUBLIC NOTICE

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2023038205

The following Person is doing business as:

GOTTA GO CARS 15123 Cranbrook Ave.

Lawndale, CA 90260

Registered Owner(s): Joel Alarcon, 15123 Cranbrook Ave., Lawndale, CA 90260

something affordable to eat, they weren’t the nicest, or most accommodating to our demographic. So, becoming an adult and seeing Hilltop, excited me so much. The place that once was so dark and unwelcoming became a staple to me, the neighborhood, and the creative community.

Sip & Sonder has a mellower vibe. It is for studying and working, while also grabbing a cafe drink from their coffee bar and enjoying one of their delicious pastries. Their vibe is quieter and a little on the dimmer side. It allows for focus and individual work to be done. The peace in this place is unmatched and they are open from 7:30 am-5:00 pm.

Sip & Sonder is located on the iconic Market Street behind the Inglewood

Swap-meet, which as an Inglewood baby is just as iconic to me. I remember being a child and seeing this place filled with all types of black-owned businesses, hair schools, uniform stores, and boutiques. So, to be able to experience the new waves of blackowned businesses in these spaces, even with all the changes and the demographic of residents being different, and usually not from California makes a native like me so happy to witness.

My favorite thing to get at Sip & Sonder is a Rose Matcha latte with a splash of vanilla and honey. It is so warm and soothing and makes me feel like I am drinking self-love in a cup. My favorite pastry to grab here is a cinnamon roll and a croissant out of their pastry case. But you must come

early in the morning to get a pastry as by mid-day they are sold out or down to a couple of them left.

Being able to experience blackowned creative lounges in the city that I grew up in. It does something amazing for the kid in me. I am so happy that this generation of adults and teens gets to experience such a space to plan, execute, work, and build on their dreams. I’ve seen everybody from writers to artists, to people in tech, to people with non-profits. We all come to these spaces and build on our dreams, plan what we want our business to be, and just thrive as creatives. I am so happy that these spaces exist especially in my backyard. May we continue to see more of these spaces not only in Inglewood but across the world.

This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on February 21, 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.)

Joel Alarcon, Owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on February 21, 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 February 23; March 2, 9, 16, 2023

IT0042230120020368 Inglewood Today