March 7, 2024

Publisher’s Message

Man Vs Technology: Who’s Winning?

By Willie Brown

www.theroot.com, the photos are photoshopped. Talk about fake news!

Everywhere you look now— especially on social media—we see perfectly photographed posts, that represent fantasies, limited only by the imagination of the designer.

Scrolling through Facebook recently, I saw a beautiful miniature horse. It was dark brown with a white mane running down the center of its head What a beautiful horse, I thought; until one commenter suggested that it was created by AI. There went my fantasy.

With technology running amok, it makes me think about the future of publishing. Scientists predicted that the day would come when information would be created and distributed by robots. My stomach sank just thinking about it.

Yet, here we are. Machines are replacing real writers. While it certainly speeds up production, AI, in my opinion, could never replace the human brain.

Like driverless cars, robots are not as adept as humans when it comes to judging unique situations, maneuvering, and overriding logic. We’ve all experienced the frustration of having our bill payments end up in default due to faulty computer programming.

With companies like UPS, Macy’s, Microsoft, and American Airlines cutting jobs and closing their doors, you have to wonder about the collateral damage. We can count on higher prices, a decline in humanbased customer service, for starters.

Can robots and AI do a better job than humans? Some things, but sure, but not all. I just hope our government gets its act together and put effective laws in place before it’s too late.

With the closure of polls, the 2024 statewide primary election has concluded, leaving Long Beach and South Bay area residents to await the final results for their local government representatives.

The anticipation now turns to identifying the victors of the election.

Check out the most recent election outcomes.

Early on Wednesday, Dean Logan, the County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, disclosed the preliminary figures from Tuesday’s Presidential Primary Election. The count included 910,857 ballots, representing 16% of registered voters. Logan noted the presence of many ballots yet to be counted, though a precise figure was not provided. An update post-election day is planned for Wednesday, March 6.

Below is a snapshot of the semiofficial standings in local contests within Avalon, Lakewood, Paramount, Gardena, and Compton.

Avalon

In the race for mayor of Avalon, incumbent Anni Marshall is significantly ahead, securing around two-thirds of the votes against her challenger, Daniel Felts, who has obtained about one-third.

Serving as mayor for a decade, Marshall represents approximately 3,700 citizens.

Incumbent councilmembers Lisa Lavelle and Yesenia De la Rose were unchallenged for their four-year term seats.

Treasurer Oley Olsen similarly faced no opposition.

Lakewood

In Lakewood, two City Council seats were contested, with both located in the central area.

For District 3, Jeff Wood, the challenger, held a substantial lead with nearly 61% of votes, leaving incumbent Ariel Pe with about 39%.

District 3’s boundaries include Bellflower to the north and Long Beach to the south.

In District 4, business owner David Arellano led with nearly 65% of the vote against appointed Councilmember Vicki Stuckey, who secured about 35%.

The District 4 borders feature Cerritos and a segment of Bellflower to the north, Long Beach to the south, and Hawaiian Gardens to the southeast.

Stuckey was appointed in 2022 to fill the term left by retired Councilmember Diane DuBois.

Since 2022, residents have voted for councilmembers by district rather than a citywide vote.

Paramount

Mayor Isabel Aguayo, along with Councilmembers Brenda Olmos and Vilma Cuellar Stallings, contended against three challengers in a citywide reelection bid: teacher Yesenia Maria Cuarenta, small business owner Jose De Leon, and university administrative coordinator Carmen Patricia Gomez.

Early results showed the incumbents leading, with Olmos at the forefront with 27%, followed by Aguayo at nearly 20%, and Stallings close behind at about 17%.

Gardena

In Gardena, incumbents Mark Henderson and Paulette Francis were ahead in the council seat race, competing against teacher Aimee Midori Yamada, and veteran and first responder Anthony Dixon.

Henderson captured 32.29% of votes, Francis secured around 25.36%, with Dixon and Yamada trailing.

Compton

In the District 1 council race, appointed

Inglewood Today News

In this age of Photoshop and Artificial Intelligence, it’s sometimes hard to tell the real from the fake.

Photos of ex-President Donald Trump, surrounded by smiling black people have been popping up all over the place. But according to

Office of Violence Prevention, California Community Foundation Invest $25 Million in Violence Prevention, Intervention and Healing Services

By Los Angeles County Public Health

The Department of Public Health’s Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), in partnership with the California Community Foundation (CCF), has awarded 56 grants totaling $25 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to communitybased organizations across Los Angeles County dedicated to violence prevention. The federal funds were distributed to agencies as part of the Trauma Prevention Partnerships (TPP) in seven categories: Hospital Violence Intervention, Street Outreach, Peerto-Peer Learning Academy, Youth Programs, Trauma Informed Care, Crisis Response, and School Safety Transformation.

In addition to their awards, several organizations also received $30,000 each from a Community Hardship Fund, which will allow recipients to address immediate client needs, including rent, food, utilities, or school supplies; support to grieving families; and support for self-care activities for peer workers.

Awardees are listed here:

http://ph.lacounty.gov/ovp/ARPA. htm

The Office of Violence Prevention received $25 million in ARPA funds as part of the County’s COVID-19 recovery plan to support violence prevention, intervention and healing services and programs. As the fiscal lead agency for this public-private partnership, CCF managed the contract solicitation and disbursement of the funds and works closely with OVP to provide programmatic support and capacity building for the funded organizations. These supports include program evaluation in partnership with Loyola Marymount University’s Psychology Applied Research Center, and community engagement services provided by Social Good Solutions.

Awardees included grassroots and community-based organizations that will implement innovative programs to promote peace and healing. The funds are intended to prevent violent incidents; implement crisis response when violent incidents occur; address factors contributing to gun and gang violence; increase access to traumainformed care and healing-centered services and supports; and invest in upstream youth programs, youth engagement, and youth leadership opportunities across Los Angeles County.

The ARPA investments represent an expansion of the Office of Violence Prevention’s existing initiatives, including crisis response, traumainformed care, and the Trauma Prevention Initiative, which is currently implementing hospital intervention programs and street outreach strategies in nine communities across the County that experience disproportionate rates of violence.

“This grant opens up so many opportunities for organizations to do innovative work that is outside the box of what grants traditionally expect and demand,” said Dr. Angela Parker, Director of Education and Training, Jenesse Center, one of the grantees. “By trusting that community organizations know how best to use the resources they have been given, the Trauma Prevention Partnership funding allows us to create culturally sensitive programming that sustains the work we are currently doing, while expanding the scope of that work, and the populations we can reach.”

“As Los Angeles County communities grapple with gun violence and its effects, our hope is that these investments will provide individuals and families with the resources they need to heal, thrive, and reach their full potential,” said Andrea Welsing, Director of the Office of Violence Prevention. “ARPA funding is directed towards communities in Los Angeles County with the highest rates of ongoing violence and violence exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful to the Biden administration for including violence prevention and intervention as a key component of COVID-19 recovery and to the Board of Supervisors for allocating these funds to the Office of Violence Prevention.”

“California Community Foundation’s Trauma Prevention Partnerships is excited to partner with the Office of Violence Prevention and a total of 56 community-based programs to address violence from a holistic approach,” said Dr. Adrienne Hillman, California Community Foundation Trauma Prevention Partnerships Program Officer. “We are looking forward to helping individuals receive needed resources to assist with their healing. Our hope is that this funding will have a profound impact on the countless lives that our grantees are able to touch through their work.”

“Trauma Prevention Partnerships is a first-of-its-kind violence prevention initiative not just in California but in the nation,” said Cheryl Grills, Loyola Marymount University, Principal Investigator, Trauma Prevention Partnerships Evaluation and Learning Partner. “Trauma Prevention Partnerships is moving from a more siloed approach to community violence prevention to a holistic approach through the inclusion of violence prevention strategies with promising evidence such as Trauma Informed Care, Crisis Response, and Youth Programs. Historically, Hospital Based Violence Intervention, Street Outreach, and School Based Violence Prevention have generated strong evidence of

effectiveness either uniquely or in concert with one another” (Evans et al., 2021; Department of Health and Human Services, 2007).

“Trauma Prevention Partnerships is providing a more robust and nuanced set of strategies with investments in under-resourced and disenfranchised communities of color with an equity framework to combat the consequences of historical oppression, racism, and discrimination,” added Grills. “The evaluation of Trauma Prevention Partnerships strategies will shed light on the ways in which multiple strategies implemented concurrently can contribute to reductions in community violence in LA County.

California Community Foundation and Office of Violence Prevention’s commitment to funding communitybased organizations closest to the issue and who know what is best for their communities is critical. In other words, those most impacted now have a seat at the table leading efforts that directly impact their quality of life.”

For more information, please go to: http://www.calfund.org/nonprofits/ featured-funds/trauma-preventionpartnerships/

http://www.publichealth.lacounty. gov/ovp/ARPA.htm

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Smart Marketing for Small Businesses

By Aden Ferguson

Women’s History Month is upon us, and it presents an opportunity for small businesses to engage with an important cultural movement while also giving their marketing efforts a timely boost. By acknowledging the vital roles women have played in society, companies can connect with customers, employees, and their local communities authentically.

Aligning your business with positive social values can pay dividends, both in terms of brand reputation and revenues. Women’s History Month is the perfect time to honor women’s achievements and also highlight women entrepreneurs and leaders.

Here are some strategies small businesses can employ to celebrate Women’s History Month:

Highlight Women Business Leaders

Whether profiling the company’s female founder or managers or showcasing outstanding women entrepreneurs in your industry or community, use social media, your website, blog, and email marketing to share their inspiring stories. This celebrates Women’s History Month while also personalizing your brand.

Partner With Women’s Groups

Co-host or sponsor an event with a local women’s organization focused on professional development, networking, or a relevant cause. This allows you to reach new audiences and demonstrate your commitment to empowering women.

Support Women’s Causes

Select a women’s non-profit organization and donate profits from certain product sales or services during March. Promote this initiative so customers know their purchases support

an important cause linked to Women’s History Month.

Offer Promotions and Discounts

Create special discounts, bundles, or premium offerings for women consumers or business owners. This celebrates their importance as a customer base while

also driving sales.

The key is to make your Women’s History Month efforts authentic and meaningful, not an empty marketing ploy. Customers will see through superficial initiatives. But if it’s grounded in genuine values and a desire

to uplift women, it can pay off.

By thinking creatively about how to celebrate and support women, small businesses can generate positive wordof-mouth, media attention, and customer goodwill this March, while also standing out from corporate competitors.

Continued

Duhart secured 41.53% of the votes, Jackson 40.21%, and Marquez 18.26%.

In District 4, appointed Councilmember Lillie Darden was ahead in the contest against Alysia Rivers, Terrance Cumby, and Joel Estrada.

Darden led with nearly 38% of the vote, followed by Estrada, Rivers, and Cumby.

City Clerk Vernell McDaniel was behind in her reelection effort against Compton Unified Board member Satra Zurita and business person Lynn Boone, with Zurita leading the count.

Los Angeles Rams To Continue Celebration Of Read Across America Day With School Visits Throughout March

By LA RAMS

Rams Cheerleaders & mascot Rampage to visit three local elementary schools to read team’s children’s book Ride with Rampage.

In continuation of Read Across America Day and as part of the Los Angeles Rams literacy program,

Rams Legend ROLAND WILLIAMS, Rams Cheerleaders, mascot Rampage and staff members will visit classrooms at Yerba Buena Elementary School to read the team’s children’s book Ride with Rampage to more than 250 first through third grade students on Thursday, March 7. The event is part of the Rams’ March Staff Days of Service community efforts.

In continuation of these efforts Rams Cheerleaders and Rampage also will visit Woodland Hills Elementary Charter for Enriched Studies to read Ride with Rampage to first through third grade students.

At all three of the reading events, each student will receive their own copy of the book and a Rams bookmark to take home.

Ride with Rampage is a key component of the Rams Readers program, which encourages students to explore the excitement that reading can provide while helping improve literacy rates among students throughout Los Angeles.

The Rams kicked off the Rams Readers literacy program and released Ride with Rampage on March 2, 2022, in celebration of Read Across America Day. Since launching the program, the Rams have visited 59 schools and distributed over 10,000 copies of Ride with Rampage to first through third grade students in Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) and Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Copies of

Ride with Rampage can be purchased at www.ramsfanshop.com, Amazon, and in select Barnes & Noble locations across Los Angeles. All proceeds from retail purchases will benefit the Los Angeles Rams Foundation.

Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley (BGCWV) sparked the connection between the Rams and the schools they will be reading at. Their Cooper Literacy Program aligns with the Rams literacy efforts as it encourages the love of books and enjoyment of reading among children at BGCWV’s after school programs and provides members with activities including the Cooper Reading Challenge.

WHO:

Rams Legend Roland Williams

Rams Cheerleaders and mascot

Rampage

Woodland Hills Elementary Principal

Christina Desiderio

Yerba Buena Elementary Principal

Jessica Marshall

Willow Elementary School Principal

Tina Johnson

More than 550 elementary students

WHEN & WHERE:

Monday, March 4 from 10:00 a.m. –11:10 p.m. PT

Woodland Hills Elementary Charter for Enriched Studies located at 22201 San Miguel St, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

Thursday, March 7 from 10:00a.m.11:10 a.m. PT

Yerba Buena

Elementary School located at 6098 Reyes Adobe Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301

The

Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.)

Original February 22, 29; March 7, 14, 2024

IT00422301200203103 Inglewood Today ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case # 24TRCP00089

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS

Petitioner: Somtoochukwu Gabriella-Tony Muonagor, 735 N. Eucalyptus Ave., Apt 1, Inglewood, CA 90302, has filed a petition with the Superior Court Of California, Torrance Courthouse, 825 Maple Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503, to change the name.

FROM: Somtoochukwu Gabriella-Tony Muonagor –TO: Somtoochukwu Gabriella-Tony Okpala

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing on, April 12, 2024, 8:30 A.M., Dept. P, to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name change described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

California Assembly Passes Reparations Resolution; Paves Way for Compensation Discussions

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

The process the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) promised to initiate to pass a package of reparations bills began Feb. 26, on the Assembly floor at the State Capitol with the passage of Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 135.

Authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), ACR 135 -- or the “Human rights violations and crimes against humanity on African slaves and their descendants” -- recognizes the “harms and atrocities committed by representatives of the State of California who promoted, facilitated, enforced and permitted the institution of chattel slavery,” according to the language of the resolution.

The measure was unanimously approved with a 57-0 vote on the Assembly floor.

“ACR 135 is not only a resolution to affirm the (California Reparations Task Force) report,” Weber. Said during her presentation on the Assembly floor. “It is also meant to educate ourselves on California’s history. Ida B. Wells wrote, ‘The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.’ The reparations task force turned the light on truth, and this is laid out in ACR 135.”

The nine-member reparations task force submitted a comprehensive 1,075-page report to the Legislature on June 28, 2023. The report contains the panel’s findings from a two-year study that involved investigations of harms, testimonies from community members, and up to 115 recommendations for compensation for eligible Black Californians.

On Jan. 31, the CLBC announced the introduction of the 2024 Reparations Priority Bill Package, which includes 14 pieces of legislation that represents the first step in a multi-year effort to implement the legislative recommendations in the report.

ACR 15 was among the list of considerations.

Regarding the passage of significant legislation related to reparations for Black Californians, Weber is following in her mother’s footsteps.

Her mother, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, authored AB 3121, the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans, as an Assemblymember representing the 79th District. This legislation was the first-inthe-nation bill created at the state level to study and recommend redress for past injustices against the descendants of African people enslaved in the United States.

During the announcement of the rollout of the bills on Feb. 21, CLBC Chair, Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), said the package was part of “30 reparations bills” the Black lawmakers are developing. A bill requesting a formal apology from the Governor and the Legislature for California’s historical injustices against African Americans is next in line,

McKinnor (D-Inglewood), and Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento).

Other members of the Assembly body shared their sentiments about ACR 135 as well.

Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland), the first Native American elected to the California Legislature, expressed his support for the bill.

“The consequences of those 246 years of slavery and a 100 of segregation still plague African Americans today, and indeed plagues all Americans today,” said Ramos. “It is a history of trauma that still needs to come to light to make sure we can overcome and start the healing process – not only in our nation but here also in the state of California. During those times of slavery, bondage and oppression, many African Americans fled that type of treatment to find solitude with Native American tribes.”

Assemblymember Bill Essayli (R-Corona) condemned the state’s dark past.

“I rise in commendation of racial discrimination and the despicable indefensible treatment of Black Californians in our state’s early years,” Essayli said. “But I also rise as a proud Californian and believe that despite the bleak history of our early days our state has often been at the forefront of the fight for racial equality.”

Wilson said.

The passage of ACR 135 will officially open discussions about reparations, Wilson said.

“This year’s legislative package tackles a wide range of issues from criminal justice reforms to property rights to education, civil rights, and food justice,” Wilson stated. “The Caucus is looking to make strides in the second half of this legislative session as we build towards righting the wrongs of California’s past in future sessions.”

Before the vote, members from the CLBC spoke about the significance of the report, educating their colleagues about the issues that affected the Black community after slavery, and the task ahead to get the reparations bills to the Governor’s desk.

The members of the CLBC that spoke on the floor were Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (DLadera Heights), Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson), Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Riverside), Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D- Los Angeles), Assemblymember Tina

Asm. Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) discusses on the Assembly floor the importance of ACR 135. The resolution “formally recognizes and accepts responsibility for all of the harms and atrocities committed by representatives of the state who promoted, facilitated, enforced and permitted the institution of chattel slavery,” the language stated. CBM photo by Robert Maryland.