September 14 2023

1st ann i v e yrasr

Celebrating 31 Years of Service in Inglewood, Airport area Communities

ON THE CITY

VOL.

City of Champions

“Maternity Ward to close...” See Page 2

Inglewood Today Presents Small Business Academy

By Dr. Shindale Seale

Introducing the Inglewood Small Business Academy (ISBA): Taking businesses from start to scale!

Inglewood Today is proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration that promises to reshape the landscape of the Inglewood business community. We have teamed up with Business professor and Cultural Equity Expert, Dr. Shindale Seale, to form the Inglewood Small Business Academy (ISBA), the premium one-stop solution for all your business needs.

The ISBA has a treasure trove of meticulously curated resources that cover every aspect of the business journey. From comprehensive business guides and insightful industry reports to actionable marketing strategies and financial planning templates that are designed to empower both newcomers and veterans alike.

Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, ISBA’s learning paths cater to your individual needs. Embark on a journey of continuous growth with step-bystep courses, webinars by industry giants, and hands-on workshops. Upgrade your skills, enhance your business acumen, and watch your confidence soar.

With Inglewood Today’s ISBA, you can even promote your products or services in our dedicated marketplace, allowing you to reach a wider audience and boost your brand visibility. Leverage our platform to attract potential clients and investors, giving your business the spotlight it deserves.

Promotion:

Inglewood Small Business Academy: Taking businesses from start to scale!

Unleash Your Entrepreneurial Potential at Inglewood Small Business Academy!

Are you ready to make your dream a reality in our thriving city?

Look no further! The Inglewood Small Business Academy is thrilled to provide resources to aspiring visionaries, strategists, and gamechangers like YOU!

Why Inglewood Small Business Academy?

Cutting-edge Curriculum: Our meticulously crafted content is designed in collaboration with industry leaders, topnotch academics, and successful entrepreneurs. You’ll gain the skills and knowledge required to thrive in today’s dynamic business landscape.

Diverse Specializations: Whether it’s Marketing, Finance, Innovation,

or Leadership, our academy offers a wide array of specialized content that cater to your unique interests and aspirations. Customize your learning journey and become a true expert in your chosen field.

Industry Connections: Forge invaluable connections with accomplished mentors, industry veterans, and fellow ambitious students. Our extensive network will provide you with opportunities for internships, partnerships, and even potential funding for your ventures.

Dr. Shindale Seale is a cultural equity and diversity strategist who employs leadership and performance optimization concepts to help entrepreneurs, corporate and academic stakeholders, and Diversity & Inclusion professionals identify and reach their organizational culture goals.

For over two decades, Dr. Seale served in various leadership and training roles and sectors including the corporate environment, academia, and the non-profit arena. Her work has focused on business performance optimization, staff development, and creating sustainable and equitable working environments. She provides DE&I, leadership, and staff training to all sectors including education, law,

state, law enforcement, and utility departments, as well as emerging tech and research companies across the nation. Her research and consulting on creating equitable solutions in gender, race, age, and ability matters has led to her being a sought-after subject matter expert and speaker.

In addition to her coaching and consulting services, Dr. Seale is the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion inaugural Program Chair at the University of California Santa Cruz - Silicon Valley Extension, where she also develops and teaches courses on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in the workplace and academia. Dr. Seale is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Redlands where she teaches Leadership, Organizational Change, and Business Communication.

Dr. Seale holds a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Change and Leadership and a Master of Education degree, both from the University of Southern California (USC). She also earned her Bachelor of Arts with a focus on Language and Linguistics from California State University at Dominguez Hills (CSUDH).

Family calls for justice in death of Black mother: Maternity Ward to close

Centinela Hospital

Medical Center in California has announced the closure of its maternity ward, citing a decrease in demand for delivery services. However, this decision comes after a woman died while in labor at the hospital. April Valentine, a healthy 31-year-old woman, died during labor on January 10. The cause of death was determined to be a blood clot. Her family and partner have filed a wrongful death lawsuit, alleging negligence by the hospital and staff. They also filed a complaint with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, accusing the hospital of “systemic and racist practices.” The hospital has denied these allegations and stated that it provides compassionate care to all patients. The closure of the maternity ward is scheduled for October 25.

April Valentine was aware of the risks associated with giving birth as a Black woman in the United States, where Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-

related causes compared to white women. She took precautions such as working with a birthing doula and seeking out a Black physician. However, her family claims that the hospital failed to provide adequate care. They describe the conditions at the maternity ward as prison-like and allege that Valentine’s obstetrician did not arrive for hours despite multiple requests. The lawsuit also claims that Valentine was denied water during labor and that an epidural was poorly administered. Her condition worsened, and she eventually stopped breathing. Despite efforts to resuscitate her, she did not survive. Her baby girl was delivered via emergency cesarean section.

The California Department of Public Health conducted an inspection earlier this year and found that the hospital had failed to prevent deficiencies that could cause serious harm or death. The agency fined the hospital $75,000 and cited a maternal death without naming the patient. Inspection documents from 2019 to 2022 revealed other issues at the hospital, including failure to notify families about changes in patients’ conditions and improper medical care leading to a patient’s death.

The maternal death rate in California is relatively low compared to other states, but the rate for Black women is more than three times higher than for white women.

In response to April Valentine’s death, her family and friends are determined to raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies. They have organized protests and started an online campaign with the hashtag #Justice4April. They want to ensure

that what happened to April does not happen to anyone else, particularly

Black women who face higher risks during childbirth.

Kristian Walker Junior Writer

City Council Meeting of September 12, 2023

Executive Summary

The Inglewood City Council recently convened its monthly meeting, discussing topics ranging from property assessments to the proposed Inglewood Transit Connect project. Although the meeting was expected to cover a variety of issues, the Transit Connect project appeared to be the primary focus.

The discussion regarding the project began with public comment. During

He also addressed the issue of the cost of the project, saying that the assessed values of property could help to offset the costs of the project.

The council and assessor concluded by acknowledging the importance of providing transparency on the project’s cost, and the need to ensure that taxpayers are informed of the financial picture. The council committed to providing regular updates and to clearly outlining the costs associated with the project. The council and assessor also

estate-related activities, the council proceeded to the ordinance on fastfood restaurants which requires them to comply with specific zoning regulations. There were no questions and that portion of the meeting was adjourned.

Furthermore, numerous items and motions were discussed and voted on. Approval was given to continue a public hearing to the following meeting, authorize the issuance of taxable pension obligation bonds, and

Faulk mentioned the upcoming events and meetings, which include the city clerk’s voting session as well as the Hispanic heritage car show.

They also dedicated time to council members sharing their experiences and voting on agenda items. Councilman Via reported on the block club meetings he attended, and thanked the organizers for their hospitality. Additionally, he announced the pending closure of the North Park play area in order for the installation of a shade canopy.

The council members also celebrated the return of the police chief, shared their experiences, and voted on important agenda items.

Lastly, they remembered Mr. Juan Fragosa, the father of Commissioner Jak Fragosa, with words of respect and condolences. The council came together to make a positive difference for their constituents, and it is through their efforts and initiatives that Inglewood remains a strong and vibrant community.

this period, a speaker expressed concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the project’s cost estimates and funding commitments. The speaker urged the council to proceed cautiously in order to ensure that the project benefits taxpayers. Following the public speech, the county assessor, Jeff Prang, gave a presentation on the county’s property assessment. Prang outlined his role in valuing 2.4 million properties in LA County, which have a total value of close to $2 trillion. He also noted the importance of property assessment in providing insight into the local economy’s health and in aiding budget preparations.

Finally, the meeting concluded with a brief mention of potential delays caused by an upcoming Taylor Swift concert in the area. All in all, the meeting appeared to have been wellattended and lively, as concerned citizens and representatives from the county came together to discuss important topics related to the civic health of Inglewood.

The Inglewood City Council began by pledging allegiance and performing role calls. They then discussed the future of the Inglewood Transit Connect project, and one member of the public raised concerns about the lack of transparency and final costs. They said that taxpayers could be footing the bill for a project without having the full set of facts. The member requested more transparency and updates from the council and developers to provide an estimate of the total cost of the project.

The council responded by introducing the County Assessor who provided a presentation on the property assessment role in Englewood, including the growth of this role, the value of assessed properties in Englewood, and the revenue these properties generate for local services.

acknowledged the need for oversight and agreed that a final budget should be established before any commitments are made to work on the project.

In conclusion, the Inglewood City Council meeting affirmed the need for transparency and clarity regarding the cost of the Inglewood Transit Connect project. The member of the public was successful in drawing attention to the need to provide taxpayers with accurate financial information and the council and assessor agreed that regular updates should be provided and that a final budget should be established before any commitments are made.

The Inglewood City Council Meeting continued by discussing the flurry of activity in the commercial and industrial real estate market of the city. Amazingly, the value of its commercial and industrial parcels has surged to $16 billion - a staggering 143% increase in just 13 years.

Although there has been a slight dip in commercial parcels in the city, the speaker attributes this to a mere correction in the market, which had witnessed an overheated situation during the pandemic. The brisk movement in residential properties has been encouraging, as more and more home buyers are investing in the city of Englewood.

The speaker also detailed the various tax-saving programs on offer for homeowners, which helps to keep the finances of property owning families in check. In addition, the council also announced the launch of a novel service - the E-notification program, which is aimed at tackling home fraud. Residents are advised to sign up for their monthly newsletter for helpful tips on saving money and property ownership.

Having discussed the various real

approve agreements for the Inglewood Transit Connector project. These included a sewer relocation agreement and amendments to engineering and consulting agreements. The Council also authorized the approval of architectural and engineering services for residential units in the city’s sound insulation program.

The Council then discussed and voted to approve an ordinance to regulate pedaling, soliciting, and sidewalk vendors in accordance with amendments to the municipal code. A council member inquired on the location of these residential units, and it was clarified that they would be located within identified corridors rather than specific districts.

The City Manager’s Office provided updates on a successful podcast and upcoming events such as National Voter Registration Day. They also mentioned the numerous celebrity sightings in Inglewood, including Beyonce and the Prince and Princess of Sussex. In addition, the Council approved the Treasurer’s Report and minutes from various pertinent agencies.

A discussion began regarding the monthly treasurer’s report before moving on to the approval of minutes from past meetings.

Afterwards, a member of the public took to the podium to request office and meeting space for their nonprofit organization, to which the council gave warm regards and a standing ovation.

The next item on the agenda was then tackled: the appointment of members to the South Bay Workforce Investment Board. This was followed by the approval of a contract, which will improve the Darby Park walking track, providing a safe and inviting space for those who wish to exercise. Additionally, councilwoman Dion

The Inglewood City Council expressed their immense gratitude to the city’s Public Works department for their successful traffic handling during the recent concerts of Taylor Swift and Beyonce at the local stadium. The council went on to recognize the success of community events such as the ‘Let’s Get Healthy’ dance series and block club parties. Furthermore, Councilor Morales was commended for his March for Mothers event, as well as the 50th anniverSary of a couple in District 4.

The Council then acknowledged the significant contribution of the police department in assisting with a case of illegal squatting. They also celebrated the upcoming festivities for Hispanic Heritage Month and wished all participants a successful and safe month of celebration.

The Council then went on to discuss the importance of supporting local businesses, noting the success of the Urban League’s small business grants program. It was also mentioned that people from various parts of the world were attending different events in Inglewood.

The Council also highlighted recent copper wire thefts that were affecting street lights around the area and the necessary measures being implemented to address the problem. They also were encouraged by the significant increase in property values in Inglewood since 2010, marking many homeowners property millionaires.

The meeting concluded with a moving tribute to Juan Foso in honor of his dedication and contribution to the Inglewood community. The members of the Inglewood City Council left attendees with the feeling of appreciation for all of the hardworking members of the departments throughout the city who have contributed to making Inglewood an even better place to live.

Kristian Walker Junior Writer

Area Communities

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

Large amounts of sedentary time linked with higher risk of dementia in older adults, study shows

Researchers at USC used machine learning to explore the links between sedentary behavior and dementia, finding that the total time spent sedentary matters for brain aging.

Contact: Nina Raffio, raffio@usc. edu or 213-442-8464

Adults aged 60 and older who spend more time engaging in sedentary behaviors like sitting while watching TV or driving may be at increased risk of developing dementia, according to a new study by USC and University of Arizona researchers.

Their study showed the risk of dementia significantly increases among adults who spend over 10 hours a day engaging in sedentary behaviors like sitting — a notable finding considering the average American is sedentary for about 9.5 hours each day.

The study, published Tuesday in JAMA, also revealed the way sedentary behavior is accumulated over the course of the day didn’t matter as much as the total time spent sedentary each day. Whether spent in extended periods spanning several hours or spread out intermittently throughout the day, total sedentary behavior had a similar association with dementia according to study author David Raichlen.

“Many of us are familiar with the common advice to break up long periods of sitting by getting up every 30 minutes or so to stand or walk around. We wanted to see if those types of patterns are associated with dementia risk. We found that once you take into account the total time spent sedentary, the length of individual sedentary periods didn’t really matter,” said Raichlen, professor of biological sciences and anthropology at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

Researchers used data from the U.K. Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database of participants across the United Kingdom, to investigate possible links between sedentary behavior and dementia risk.

As part of a U.K. Biobank substudy, over 100,000 adults agreed

to wear accelerometers, wrist-worn devices for measuring movement, for 24 hours per day for one week. The researchers focused on a sample of approximately 50,000 adults from this sub-study over the age of 60 who did not have a diagnosis of dementia at the start of the study.

The researchers then applied a machine-learning algorithm to analyze the large dataset of accelerometer readings and classify behaviors based on different intensities of physical activity. The algorithm was able to discern between different types of activity such as sedentary behavior versus sleeping. The accelerometer data, combined with advanced computing techniques, provided researchers with an objective measure of the time spent engaging in different types of sedentary behaviors.

After an average of six years of follow-up, the researchers used inpatient hospital records and death registry data to determine dementia diagnosis. They found 414 cases positive for dementia.

Then, the team adjusted their statistical analysis for certain demographics (e.g., age, sex, education level, race/ethnicity, chronic conditions, genetics) and lifestyle characteristics (physical activity, diet, smoking and alcohol use, self-reported mental health) that could affect brain health.

Total time spent sedentary each

day drives dementia risk

While high amounts of sedentary behavior were linked with increased risk of dementia, the researchers found that there were certain amounts of sedentary behavior that were not associated with dementia.

“We were surprised to find that the risk of dementia begins to rapidly increase after 10 hours spent sedentary each day, regardless of how the sedentary time was accumulated. This suggests that it is the total time spent sedentary that drove the relationship between sedentary behavior and dementia risk, but importantly lower levels of sedentary behavior, up to around 10 hours, were not associated with increased risk,” said study author Gene Alexander, professor of psychology and psychiatry at the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Arizona and Arizona Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

“This should provide some reassurance to those of us with office jobs that involve prolonged periods of sitting, as long we limit our total daily time spent sedentary,” said Raichlen.

The study builds on their previous research, which used self-reported health data to investigate how certain types of sedentary behavior, like sitting and watching TV, affect dementia risk more than others.

“Our latest study is part of our larger

effort to understand how sedentary behavior affects brain health from multiple perspectives. In this case, wearable accelerometers provide an objective view of how much time people dedicate to sedentary behavior that complements our past analyses,” said Raichlen.

More research is needed to establish causality and whether physical activity can mitigate the risk of developing dementia, the authors said.

About the study

In addition to Raichlen and Alexander, other authors of the study include Daniel H. Aslan, M. Katherine Sayre, Mark H.C. Lai and Rand R. Wilcox of USC; Pradyumna K. Bharadwaj, Madeline Ally and Yann C. Klimentidis of the University of Arizona; and Silvio Maltagliati of the Université of Grenoble Alpes, France.

The study was supported by grants P30AG072980, P30AG019610, R56AG067200, R01AG064587 and R01AG072445 from the National Institutes of Health and funding from the state of Arizona, the Arizona Department of Health Services and the McKnight Brain Research Foundation. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health

Inglewood

Sports & Entertainment

From the Podium: Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford preview Week 2 vs. 49ers

Therams.com

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. –

Rams head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford on Wednesday each held press conferences with local media, discussing their initial impressions of the 49ers and more.

Here are some of the highlights and key takeaways from those conversations, which you can watch in their entirety below.

“They’ve got a new coordinator in Steve Wilks, but there’s still a lot of continuity and you saw a lot of similar

things that have made them the best, especially on that side of the ball.” –McVay

San Francisco’s defense still looks like the one McVay has been accustomed to seeing over the past several years.

The 49ers registered five sacks in Week 1 against the Steelers, led by defensive end Drake Jackson’s three.

Sean McVay on initial impressions of 49ers defense, Coleman Shelton’s command at center in Week 1

RELATED LINKS

Los Angeles Rams vs. San Fransisco

49ers: How to watch, listen to and live stream 2023 Week 2 regular season matchup

Rams Power Rankings: Week 2

First Look: Rams host 49ers in Week 2 for 2023 home opener

“I thought Coleman did a great job running the show up there.” – Stafford

Among the many positives from the play of the Rams’ offensive line last Sunday was the command and communication from Coleman Shelton at center.

Stafford said the offensive line overall

“did a great job” of keeping him clean in the pass game.

“I thought Coleman did a great job running the show up there.” – Stafford

Among the many positives from the play of the Rams’ offensive line last Sunday was the command and communication from Coleman Shelton at center.

Stafford said the offensive line overall “did a great job” of keeping him clean in the pass game.

BUPPIE | BUSINESS

Inglewood Ascendant

Intuit recently selected Inglewood as the location to announce a new program aimed at supporting small businesses owned by Black and Latino entrepreneurs in Los Angeles. In response, Inglewood Mayor James

through the caliber of individuals they now have working with them. Instead of just local vice presidents, they are now collaborating with global vice presidents like David Graham, Vice President of Intuit Expert Network, who happens to have a British accent. Intuit, known for its products such as TurboTax, Credit

Glorya Kaufman, a dedicated philanthropist based in Los Angeles, recently attended the topping off ceremony for her latest project: the Glorya Kaufman Creative Community Center in Culver City. Scheduled to open in early 2022, this 7,000-squarefoot space will be used by local

serves as an art museum, cultural center, and archive of the Cold War.

Over the years, Glorya Kaufman and her foundation have made multimilliondollar donations to various organizations, including the Los Angeles Public Library in Brentwood, UCLA (where Glorya Kaufman Hall was named in

Butts highlighted the progress that his city has made. When he first took office in 2011, Inglewood was facing financial difficulties and Butts faced protests after making cuts to city workers’ positions and benefits. However, Inglewood is now thriving, with the presence of SoFi Stadium and the future home of the Intuit Dome, where the Los Angeles Clippers will play.

Mayor Butts humorously noted that Inglewood’s progress can be seen

Karma, and QuickBooks, will support 30 local minority-owned entrepreneurs through this program. They will connect them with Intuit experts, professional coaches, and counselors. Those who successfully complete the 12-month program will receive a $10,000 grant. The program, called Intuit Ideas, is a partnership with the Los Angeles Urban League, and the acronym stands for invest, develop, empower, accelerate, and scale.

nonprofits and will feature a theater for live performances, a demonstration garden, art space for veterans, housing for artists, and a dedicated area for students from the Culver City Unified School District. Thanks to support from the Glorya Kaufman Foundation, all programs offered at the center will be provided free of charge to the community.

The community center is situated within the Wende Museum, which

her honor), and USC (which established the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance).

More recently, Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services unveiled the Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center in their facilities.

Glorya Kaufman is the widow of Donald Kaufman, who partnered with Eli Broad to establish Kaufman & Broad, now known as KB Home. Edythe Broad, the widow of Eli Broad, is Glorya Kaufman’s first cousin.

Kristian Walker Junior Writer

Weekly New COVID-19 Cases

Among Blacks are up for the Eighth Week.

September 13, 2023 - Black Wednesday Report – The Los Angeles County Public Health Department reported 514 new COVID-19 cases among Blacks over the last week, up by 38 cases. The County also recorded 2 deaths among Blacks since last week, up by 1 soul. In Los Angeles County the total number of diagnosed Black cases are 189,834 with 3,265 deaths. Black Women Rally for Action – Los Angeles County mourns with all the family members, friends, and individuals who have experienced losses and illness.

Key messages to share with your community.

Free testing, telehealth services, treatment and vaccines remain widely available throughout LA County

Contact Public Health’s Call Center at 1-833-540-0473 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. 7 days a week.

Stay Up to Date on Your Vaccines

·Getting vaccinated is a safe, effective and easy way to prevent severe illness.

1.Start planning to get the new COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available later this month. It’s also a

Continued on page 8

PUBLIC NOTICE

good time to update your vaccines for flu, RSV and other vaccine preventable diseases, like pneumonia and shingles.

2.Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about vaccines or if you want to know which vaccines are right for you and your family.

·Updated Booster Flier (English|Spanish|Tagalog)

·Update: After You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine (English)

· COVID-19 Updates: Learn About Symptoms and What To Do If You Are Sick (English)

· COVID-19 Updates: When to Wear a Mask (English|Spanish)

· What Parents Need to Know (English|Spanish|Tagalog)

·COVID-19 Vaccines (English|Spanish|Tagalog)

· Updated COVID-19 Booster Facts (English)

· Reducing the Risk of COVID-19 Infographic (English)

Black Women Rally for Action –

Los Angeles County is a coalition of individuals and groups who provide a mechanism for Los Angeles County Black women to advocate on behalf of their health and well-being. The coalition, which does not accept government grant funding, is dedicated to advancing health, economic, and social equity for all Los Angeles County Black women through direct action and connection to effective resources. In April 2020, the group launched a COVID-19 social media outreach campaign to address COVID19’s impact in the Black community.

Efuru Flowers, Director/Producer

Chair, Black Women Rally for Action - Los Angeles County

Brenda Watson, RN

Vice Chair, Black Women Rally for Action - Los Angeles County

Gwendolyn W. Young

Vice Chair, Black Women Rally for Action - Los Angeles County