March 09, 2023

Celebrating 31 Years of Service in Inglewood, Airport area Communities

ON THE CITY

City of Champions

Your Community Connection Since 1994

‘Bye-Bye Bronny… ...” See

Page 5

Gray leads incumbent Dotson in 1st District runoff

Inglewood’s District 1 residents appeared to favor Gloria Gray, a longtime member of West Basin Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors, to represent them on the City Council, according to semi-final results from the Tuesday, March 7 runoff election.

Gray had received about 65% support after the first two rounds of results, which the Los Angeles County registrar’s office released on Tuesday night. Incumbent Councilmember George Dotson had about 35% of the votes.

The first results, released shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m., were composed of vote-by-mail ballots and early ballots cast at the local Vote Center. The second round of results, which the registrar’s office posted at 9:34 p.m. Tuesday, included all ballots cast at the District 1 Vote Center on Election Day.

District 1 has more than 17,500

eligible voters — but only about 13% of those had voted, as of the semi-final results. An unknown number of ballots remain outstanding, including VBMS that were postmarked by Election Day but have not yet arrived at the registrar’s office, as well as conditional registration and provisional ballots.

The registrar is scheduled to provide another update on Friday, March 10.

Dotson — who has held the job since 2013 — and Gray originally faced off in the Nov. 8 general election, with the incumbent finishing first with about 30% of the votes.

The winner of Tuesday’s runoff will represent Inglewood’s First City Council District — which includes the Inglewood Park Cemetery and the Kia Forum, and borders Sofi Stadium and the Hollywood Park Casino — for a four-year term.

The California Black Media Political Playback: Black Advocates Celebrate Women’s History Month

By Tanu Henry and Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media

Your weekly news roundup of stories you might have missed.

Black Advocates Celebrate Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, and several California organizations are celebrating trailblazing women making history in our state -- whether it’s recognizing the record-setting number of women who are state constitutional officers or lauding the unprecedented number of women serving in the Legislature ((50 out of 120).

Last week, the Black Women’s Collective kicked off Women’s History Month with an event organized to help build an Economic Action Plan for Black Women. It brought together experts in policymaking, labor, economic development, and entrepreneurship.

“Black women serve as breadwinners in 80% of Black households in California with over 70% headed by

Continued on page 8

Rolling Loud LA

By Anuoluwapo Bamiro,

Welcome back to What’s Up with Anuolu. This weekend I was able to attend the Rolling Loud Los Angeles festival. It took place in Inglewood at Hollywood Park. It was a 3-day festival consisting of many hip-hop artists. The festival brought in many Californians from all over the state to enjoy and coexist in a way that we don’t always get a chance to.

The festival brought out many big heavyweights in the hip-hop community while also highlighting some of the talents right here in our own backyard/ state. With big names such as Playboi Cart, Kodak Black, Sweetie, Lil Wayne, Future, Nicki Minaj, the City Girls, and more. Many viral moments, hot performances, and just the excitement of having my favorite performers all in one place. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I can’t wait for it to happen again.

LA/Inglewood artists such as RJ, G Perico, D.Smoke, Ricci, O.T Genasis, Baby Stone Gorillas, and Kalan.FRFR. It made Rolling Loud California, very iconic as it was a glimpse of just how much Inglewood is becoming a hub for entertainment and fun. That to me was the best part. In addition to having many artists from LA/ Inglewood. There were also many artists repping for the Bay Area as well. Saweetie brought out TooShort, Kamiyah performed, and Larry

June performed with The Alchemist who is back rapping as well as being one of the most iconic producers and beat makers. Su’Lan the Bay Area duo performed as well.

Between the rides, the food, and the entertainment we hope Rolling Loud continues to bring the festival to Inglewood so that we can continue to enjoy the luxuries of the talent we have right here in our backyards. It was a miniature Coachella right at home. It was also amazing to see so many different LA media outlets at Rolling Loud. Everyone from Power 106 to Homegrown radio was at the festival speaking to artists and festivalgoers. It was beautiful to witness as well as very inspiring as a journalist myself. I loved to see it and can’t wait to be covering the next Rolling Loud California from backstage, instead of the front.

Being from Inglewood it is beautiful to see that the city I was born and raised in can have such amazing festivals where all my favorite hip-hop artists are in one place. I got to enjoy amazing food, have a great time with friends, and enjoy everything going on while having the iconic Forum right behind us. I’m so excited for more events to come to our city so that music, fashion, and more can be the focal point when people talk about Inglewood.

Contributing Writer

Public Health Emergency Protections Ends March 31

Medi-Cal Benefits Will Not Stop, But Updating Your Contact Information Is A Must!

In anticipation of the March 31, 2023, end to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency protections for Los Angeles County residents receiving Medi-Cal benefits, the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) is asking customers to update their contact information to help keep their coverage active.

Medi-Cal – California’s version of Medicaid – provides free or low-cost healthcare coverage for 3.7 million L.A. County residents with limited income and resources.

Late last year, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which established the end of the COVID 19 public health emergency as March 31, 2023. This action also ended the continuous health coverage protections in place during the pandemic.

Medi-Cal health coverage will not stop on March 31. DPSS will, over the next 12 months, reassess every case to determine ongoing eligibility. Therefore, it is essential that MediCal beneficiaries ensure that we have their most updated contact information, including names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email address.

During this time, beneficiaries will receive a renewal form in the U.S. mail. The form should be completed and returned as soon as possible in the pre-paid return envelope provided.

The form can also be submitted online, in-person or by phone.

For more information, please visit the Department of Health Services Keep your Coverage Page or visit the DPSS Website.

PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PROTECTIONS ENDS MARCH 31

Wilberforce

University

President is Honored by Parity, Inc., Dayton, Ohio

(Wilberforce, Ohio) Dr. Elfred Anthony Pinkard, 22nd president of Wilberforce University, was recently inducted as a Parity, Inc., Dayton Top Ten African American Male, Thursday, February 16th. The annual event was held in downtown Dayton at Sinclair Community College, building 12. Dr. Pinkard was selected for the prestigious honor because of his leadership of the nation’s first, private historically Black university. He joined Wilberforce University as provost in 2017 and became president in 2018. President Pinkard led the

university to maintain its academics during the COVID epidemic, including establishing partnerships with other universities, corporations and federal government agencies. He also moved Wilberforce, the nation’s first, private historically Black university from a probationary status to full accreditation in November of 2021.

Parity, Inc., is a non profit organization located in Dayton, Ohio that encourages community collaborations to advocate for social and economic equity within the African American community.

In-Person Public Health Media Briefing on COVID-19

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is hosting an inperson media briefing on the topic of COVID-19 at the Public Health building in Downtown Los Angeles.

Dr. Barbara Ferrer will present updated data and hold a Q&A with media.

Media must RSVP to media@ ph.lacounty.gov.

The event will be live streamed at www.youtube.com/lapublichealth. Media not able to attend can send questions ahead of time to media@ ph.lacounty.gov.

WHEN:

Thursday, March 9, 2023 2:00 p.m.

WHERE:

313 N Figueroa Los Angeles, CA 90012

8th Floor, Room 804

All visitors will be required to check in with security.

Metered parking is available on the street or visitors can park in the parking structure (entrance on Figueroa) for an $8.00 fee, cash only.

WHO: Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

CONTACT: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

Office of Communications & Public Affairs

www.publichealth.lacounty.gov

(213) 240-8144 – media

media@ph.lacounty.gov

COVID-19 and Monkeypox County websites: Los Angeles County: covid19. lacounty.gov

Department of Public Health: ph.lacounty.gov/media/ Coronavirus

Department of Public Health: ph.lacounty.gov/media/monkeypox

Media Accessibility for People with Disabilities & others with Access & Functional Needs

Federal Communication Commission rules under Section 255 of the Communications Act require telecommunications service providers to make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities, if such access is readily achievable. Where access is not readily achievable, service

providers must make their devices and services compatible with peripheral devices and specialized customer premises equipment that are commonly used by people with disabilities, if such compatibility is readily available.

211 L.A. County

Los Angeles County residents, renters, and business owners, including persons with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, may call 211 L.A. County at any time for emergency preparedness information and other referral services. The toll-free 2-11 number is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Area Communities

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

Final steel beam set in place for new Clippers arena

By Will Conybeare, David Pingalore, KTLA

The final steel beam was laid atop the Intuit Dome, the future home of the Los Angeles Clippers, on Tuesday.

The new arena is located at the intersection of Century Boulevard and Prairie Avenue in Inglewood.

Players, coaches, team staff and construction workers all signed the last steel beam, which was hoisted into the yet-to-be-completed rafters to the delight of team owner Steve Ballmer, who is particularly excited about one aspect of the new arena.

“Eleven-hundred and sixty toilets and urinals, three times the NBA average number of toilets and urinals,” Ballmer proclaimed. “We do not want people to wait in line, we want them to get back to their damn seats!”

Also, to be included in the new stadium are seats with chips implanted in them that will know when a fan sits in their seat and gets up among other data points.

The $2 billion arena is scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the 2024-2025 season.

NBA Foundation Awards Grant to Brotherhood Crusade Promotes equality and empowers Black youth in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles, Calif. –The NBA Foundation recently awarded a total of $12 million to 31 organizations including the Brotherhood Crusade, to help further economic empowerment in the Black community. This grant will support Brotherhood Crusade’s mission to champion equality and equity by removing and/or helping individuals overcome barriers by facilitating opportunities and youth development programs that positively change the trajectory of their future.

“We are excited and honored to be a recipient of the NBA Foundation’s eighth grant round, especially as we continue to work every day to support our youth in Los Angeles to pursue educational and financial success,” stated Charisse Bremond Weaver, president and CEO of Brotherhood Crusade. “Every year we serve over 24,000 community residents through a variety of programs to improve quality of life and we are grateful to have the support of an organization that aligns with our mission.”

The NBA Foundation has driven social change across the country by using its platforms and resources to

increase partnerships and support organizations that address education,

LA Clippers Chairman, Steve Ballmer poses for a photo during the Intuit Dome Event on July 21, 2022 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Inglewood Today News

Sports & Entertainment Bye-Bye Bronny… Here’s Jason Crowe Jr.!

There’s a new shooting star in town

By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

Lynwood

High

School’s babyface

freshman scoring machine Jason Crowe Jr. had more points after one quarter than Bronny James scored in his entire game in their CIF-State Regional Finals on March 7, but as one anonymous career began epically, the celebrated McDonalds All American concluded with a dud.

Bronny will have a couple of more nationally television all star games to close out a most disappointing high school career at sons of stars prep Sierra Canyon.

He never lived up to the billing of the son of arguably the greatest basketball player ever, starting his Southern California journey at Santa Monica Crossroads before transferring to Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth.

In four years, he will be remembered as the son of LeBron James who filled the seats not the stat sheet, but rarely was he even the best player on his team, frequently hampered by injuries during most of his junior season until finally getting his shot to star in a leading role during his senior season.

It all came to a crashing crescendo when the Trailblazers got blasted by Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 80-61 in the Division 1 Southern California Regional Final as the chosen son finished with a meager 10 points.

Meanwhile, east of the 10 freeway

on Imperial the son of another former pro basketball player was putting on another stellar performance in the Division V State Regional Final, pouring in 40 points.

Crowe Jr. is the son of former Inglewood High standout Jason Crowe, a former journeyman professional player who spent 13 years playing professionally in Europe, South America, Iran, Australia and New Zealand.

Once he hung up his sneakers, he laced up a pair for his namesake, who has mushroomed into a rangy 6’3, 150 pound flashback to the legendary Raymond Lewis.

Ironically, Crowe cut his teeth coaching at the Verbum Dei, the private Watts Catholic school that was once the most powerful basketball program in the nation.

Junior didn’t arrive on the high school scene until this past season under his father’s helm as head coach at Lynwood, but once unleashed he displayed Steph Curry like range from downtown that has fans oohing at his every launch.

A wicked southpaw, who with a flick of the wrist can swish it through the nets with ease from 45 out, a more than adequate ball handler who can slash to the goal with furry, while also possessing the IQ of veteran player.

Continued on page 7

EAT CROW---Lynwood head coach Jason Crowe, a former Inglewood High standout and his son Jason Crowe Jr., a freshman sensation for Lynwood who scored 40 points in the State Regional finals March 7 to lead the Knights to Sacramento where they will play for the CIF Division V State Championship on March 10.

BUPPIE | BUSINESS

Three Rap Legends Set for DC’s Hip Hop Museum’s Grand Induction Ceremony

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

This Saturday, March 11, is the National Hip Hop Museum of DC’s Grand Induction Ceremony, where they will honor CL Smooth, Special Ed, and Dres of Black Sheep.

The event will kick off at 4 p.m. with a live broadcast of “Master Gee’s Theatre,” the museum’s executive

made sense from a business standpoint for me to put those skills and abilities towards preserving the legacy of what we’re doing,” he stated.

released, the rhymes were mature and supremely confident; over half a million sales confirmed his arrival,” according to AllMusic.com.

director Rocky Bucano is huge for those who love hip hop and others who may not.

director’s weekly SiriusXM Show, where guests will reminisce about the legendary MCs, they grew up listening to.

Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio plans to read a proclamation at Mayor Muriel Bowser’s request.

“We felt like we would complement what was going on in New York down here in the DMV,” said Master Gee whose real name is Guy O’Brien.

Gee counts as one of the three members of the hip-hop trailblazer group, The Sugar Hill Gang, whose seminal hit “Rapper’s Delight” was the genre’s first hit.

“We had to put something in effect that would last over generations,” Gee said during an appearance on the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s morning news broadcast, Let It Be Known.

“Because we are the first commercially successful hip-hop group in the world, it

As one-half of the classic-era hip-hop duo Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, C.L. Smooth was responsible for penning some of hip-hop’s timeless classics, including “The Creator,” “Straighten It Out,” “Take You There,” and the landmark “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.).”

According AllMusic.com, the rapper’s smooth voice, effortless flow, and conscious lyrics were easily recognizable signatures of Smooth’s style, “and with Pete Rock’s soulful and funky backing, they distinguished themselves as a formidable duo even amid the flourishing of many other acclaimed alternative rap groups in the early “90s.”

Smooth, born Corey Penn, was raised on his grandparents” jazz music.

Growing up in Mount Vernon, NY, his grandfather always used to find ways of integrating jazz into many aspects of his daily life; “thus, it was only natural that Smooth would gravitate toward his literal soul partner, Pete Rock, a friend whom he met in grade school.”

Special Ed, whose real name is Edward Archer, is best known for hits like “I Got It Made,” and “I’m The Magnificent.”

“Though he was only 16 when it was

“There was a more romantic discourse evident on the follow-up, which while less abrasive, was still an exemplary introduction.”

According to MusicianGuide.com, Black Sheep became part of music’s hiphop landscape in 1991 with the release

He said his museum is in D.C. because “that’s the home of all the big museums.”

According to Gee and other officials, the Hip Hop Museum of DC is a “pop-up experience,” that serves as a “traveling art, food, fun, broadcasting, DJ, producer, performance, graffiti, B-boy, music concert experience that

of their debut album, A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, who’s single “Flavor of the Month” sealed the duo’s popularity.

At the time of their debut, Black Sheep were one of many New York City-based hip-hop and rap groups attracting national attention; Cypress Hill, Naughty by Nature, Brand Nubian, and L.O.N.S. had all paved the way for Black Sheep’s appearance.

Black Sheep’s members, Dres, whose real name is Andres Titus, and Lawnge – two friends raised in New York City –met in 1983 in Sanford, North Carolina.

Dres grew up in the Astoria housing projects in Queens and by the time he finished high school, he had served time in jail; this early brush with the criminal justice system convinced Dres not to glorify crime in his music, MusicianGuide.com reported.

Master Gee noted that the Universal Hip Hop Museum opening in New York next year and headed by executive

encompasses all aspects of hip-hop music, history and culture.”

The National Hip-Hop Museum opened “The Hip-Hop Shop”, their new flagship retail and event space, in January 2023. This 6,000 sq. ft. facility, located in the heart of Dupont/Adams Morgan, features the largest selection of Hip-Hop memorabilia on the East Coast including, vintage apparel, sneakers, toys, memorabilia, vinyl and art.

Gee said Rapper’s Delight opened up doors that he’d never previously envisioned.

“Rapper’s Delight is my license to the world,” Gee asserted. “It’s my permit, my passport to give me the ability to do what I do.”

To attend the ceremony and the museum, visit https://www. eventbrite.com/e/grand-inductionceremony-x-grand-opening-eventtickets-523737973377

PUBLIC NOTICE

Continued from page 4: NBA...

development programs that target Black youth.

“The NBA Foundation is proud to support the Brotherhood Crusade in their mission to remove barriers and create better outcomes for Black youth,” said NBA Foundation Executive Director Greg Taylor. “We share the view that ensuring young people have access to workforce development and wellness programs ultimately leads to meaningful job opportunities and improved quality of life. We welcome them to the NBAF family and look forward to seeing their continued impact on the next generation of Black leaders.”

Brotherhood Crusade’s partnership with the NBA Foundation will continue to keep lives of youth on track by positioning them for successful sustainable employment.

“When I was asked by the NBA Foundation if I had any local non-profits that I would recommend becoming potential grant recipients, specifically in the area of workforce development programming; that were actually meaningful in providing economic empowerment for black youth in our Los Angeles community – I immediately said, ‘Brotherhood Crusade is at the top of my list! They more than qualify in all the necessary categories,” said

Kiesha Nix, vice president of charitable affairs and executive director of the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation. “I don’t put my name behind something or someone I do not wholeheartedly believe in. The work of the Brotherhood Crusade I believe in. They equip our youth with the necessary tools, skills, and mindset and then instill in them the self-confidence required to compete in the game of life!”

Brotherhood Crusade offers a variety of youth development programs and services. To donate and learn more, visit brotherhoodcrusade.org.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Continued from page 5: Bye-Bye Bronny ..

He scored 1,219 points this season which is the fifth most points in a single season in California history as a 14year old, the rarest of commodities in an era of jolly old holdbacks.

During his game on March 7, one spectator suggested that Crowe Jr. was better than Bronny James, the most ballyhooed player since his father, but it’s not a far-fetched observation.

It is a fact that he is performing much better as a freshman than Bronny did in

any of his four years in high school.

Another spectator opined that Crowe Jr. is the next Ray Lew, raising eyebrows from many who hailed Lewis as the greatest basketball player to ever come out of California.

Crowe Jr. will lead the Knights to Sacramento on March 10 where they will meet Tollhouse Sierra for the Division V Boys Championship at Arco Arena after emphatically erasing Santa Monica Pacifica Christian 87-65

at Lynwood in the regionals.

It was yet another introduction of the new shining star to the Southern California prep basketball circuit.

The comparisons will escalate with each pull-up and swish, but when it is all said and being Jason Crowe Jr. will be more than sufficient as chronicles his own legacy as the face of high school basketball.

Continued from page 1: The California .. single mothers,” said Kellie Todd Griffin, President and CEO, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute. Griffin was citing statistics from a report on the State of Black Women in California from 2018 and 2022.

“Typically, Black women have higher labor force participation rates than other women, meaning a higher share of Black women are either employed or unemployed and looking for work,” Griffin continued. “However, the economic safety net is not secure as Black Women makes less than most of their counterparts making .55 cents to White males, which is one of the lowest in the nation equally the wage gap in Mississippi. California falls short of the national rate at .63 cents.”

Panelists at the event included Los Angeles City Councilmember Heather Hutt (CD10); Yvonne Wheeler, President, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor; Tunua ThrashNtuk, President and CEO, Center by Lendistry; and Denise Pines, CoFounder and CEO, Tea Botanics and Women in the Room Productions. Moderators were Griffin and Regina Wilson, Executive Director, California Black Media.

In Historic Los Angeles Ceremony, Malia M. Cohen Sworn in as Top State Accountant

It was a history-making moment as Malia M. Cohen was inaugurated the 33rd California State Controller at Los Angeles City Hall on Feb. 23. During the swearing-in, she was flanked by her husband Warren Pulley while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass administered the oath.

As California’s chief fiscal officer and top accountant, the State Controller’s office is an independent watchdog overseeing the disbursement of state and local funds, including one of the nation’s largest public pension funds.

Cohen, a San Francisco native will be the first Black person, and second woman Controller, as the state continues to make an intentional effort to break gender and racial barriers. Two of the top four largest cities, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are led by Black women Mayors, Karen Bass and London Breed respectively, and the state also elected its first Black in Secretary of State, Shirley Weber, who previously served under an appointment by Gov. Newsom.

“Mayor Bass and Congresswoman Lee: I know that you know all too well, that no matter the campaign budget difference, no matter how much they outspend you, leadership can’t be bought,” Cohen said in her inaugural speech.

California Black Freedom Fund Hosts Panel Discussions in Oakland

On Feb. 28 in Oakland, the California Black Freedom Fund (CBFF) hosted an event titled “Strengthening Democracy and Building Black Futures” followed by a reception for guests who attended.

The event included two panel discussions centered around the need for philanthropy to commit resources to building and sustaining a just, racially diverse, equitable and

inclusive civil society.

“Civil society is the basis upon which you have a democracy, and civil society needs to be informed. It needs to be about achieving something. It needs to reflect the broader society,” said Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder in Residence, Policy Link, who presented during one of the panel discussions.

CBFF is a “five-year, $100 million initiative to ensure that Black powerbuilding and movement-based organizations have the sustained investments and resources they need to eradicate systemic and institutional racism,” according to the organization’s website.

In April 2022, CBFF named Marc Philpart its Executive Director, a leader with broad experience in social advocacy working with grassroots and community organizations.

Panelists at the event included Blackwell; author Steve Phillips (Brown Is the New White); Lateefah Simon (president of the Meadow Fund); James Herard (Executive Director of Lift Up Contra Costa); Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker (District 1 Antioch City Council); Kavon Ward (CEO/Founder of Where Is My Land); and James Woodson (Executive Director of California Black Power Network.

Californians Impacted by Winter Storms Get Extended Tax Deadline

Both the state and federal governments are offering some relief to Californians impacted by winter storms in January and February.

In addition to allowing qualifying state residents to make deductions for disaster losses, last week Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state tax deadline for those affected by the winter storms will be October 16, 2023.

“As communities across the state continue recovering from the damage caused by the winter storms, California is working swiftly to help recovering Californians get back on their feet,” said Newsom.

The extension aligns with Biden administration adjustments to the IRS tax deadline for people affected by winter storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides in the following counties: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Kings, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, Yolo, and Yuba.

For filing instructions and more details on eligibility, visit the

California Franchise Tax Board.

Mayor Karen Bass Endorses “Friend for Decades” Rep. Barbara Lee

Last week, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass endorsed her former colleague and “friend for decades,” Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), in her bid to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein who is not seeking another term.

“I’ve seen her leadership firsthand. Her work in a divided government to secure billions of dollars in COVID relief for underserved communities is just one example of the type of principled and tenacious leadership she will bring,” Bass tweeted.

Both alums of the California Assembly, Bass and Lee served together for nearly 11 years as two of three Black women members of California’s delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives. The other Black woman is Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA-43).

Emerge California Announce Black Woman as New Board Chair

Emerge California, an Oaklandbased organization that recruits and trains women in the Democratic Party to run for political office, announced it has appointed Rhodesia Ransom to chair its Board of Directors.

“I’m excited to step into this role to lead our Board of Directors as we welcome Emerge California’s Class of 2023 – the most diverse class in organization’s history,” said Ransom, who joins four other board members, including Julie Waters, Board

Treasurer, and Jacqueline Piccini, Board Secretary.

Founded in 2002, Emerge California has trained over 800 women political candidates. The organization prides itself on a win rate of nearly 70 % and, last year, there were 125 alumnae of its training program on the November ballot, including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, State Controller Malia Cohen, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and seven state legislators.

SoCalGas Customers Can Apply for Hardship Assistance

Responding to spiraling inflation and a winter hike in gas prices, SoGalGas is offering hardship assistance to its customers that have been hit hardest.

“SoCalGas is stepping up to help customers in need with charitable donations of $10 million in shareholder funding to help customers with bill assistance and to bolster community resources for those who may be struggling financially,” the company said in a press release last week.

The assistance will be distributed through three channels: $5 million through the Gas Assistance Fund administered by United Way for “Income Qualified Customers”; $4 million through the company’s Fueling our Communities program, a community feeding program organized by local food banks and nonprofits; and $1 million to restaurant owners through its Restaurant Cares Resilience Fund.