LAWT 04-11-2013

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Vol. XXX, No. 1331

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Thursday, April 11, 2013

L.A. Watts Times

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Thursday, April 11, 2013

HOROSCOPES A

RIES ~ Your enthusiasm has an effect on the outside world on Monday and Tuesday. It’s almost as if flowers lift higher out of the earth when you walk by.

Midweek, walks are great, and in keeping with your mood, when progress is a concern but speed is not.

Thursday and Friday are especially molasses-filled days, but, like molasses, they are not without a certain amount of sweetness.

AURUS ~ You are of two minds about everything at the beginning of the week. The best advice is to shop around. Don’t take the first thing that catches your eye if it’s not right. Don’t feel pressured to accelerate through the decision-making process. Starting Wednesday, everything will be easier, and you'll feel good just from being in the company of people who know you. Thursday and Friday find you happy as well.

EMINI ~ Whatever you’re feeling on Monday, you’re not alone. The people around you are more complicated (and more understanding) than you may realize, and talking with them – or finding another way to express yourself – is a grand idea. Tuesday’s great for communicating as well. Wednesday and Thursday are more introspective days (you will have to call on inner resources to get everything handled).

ANCER ~ The slightest suggestion recalls a whole world to you on Monday and Tuesday. A smell, a color, even a word brings you right back to something from your past (and all the attendant emotions). On Wednesday and Thursday, dinner parties, charming people and your house all figure strongly, and Friday is full of crazy ideas and a sense of urgency about generating newer, crazier ideas.

EO ~ A nice-to-meet-you attitude on Monday and Tuesday is the way to go. Prepare to shake hands with someone who, in the course of a casual conversation, will change your opinion of something. On Wednesday, you won’t see anyone except the people you work with, and on Thursday you won't have much room for thoughts except those related to work. But Friday is a total mixed bag: celebrities, the law, your boss, your ego – all of these things may figure in.

IRGO ~ High-spiritedness can quickly become combativeness when tempers run short. On Monday and Tuesday, keep your head on long-term goals (your relationships with the people around you, for instance) rather than short-term questions (who stole your stapler?). It isn’t until Wednesday that you begin to feel truly compatible with others this week.

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IBRA ~ Whatever else happens, Monday and Tuesday afford you time to spend with you-knowwho – time stretching into forever. What will you do together? It’s entirely up to you. But a dose of selflessness isn’t a bad idea. What would this other person like to do?

Wednesday and Thursday, your mind is still on other people (attachments and alliances are strong themes).

CORPIO ~ While your impulse to deal with issues as they arise is a good one, it’s not the right impulse on Monday and Tuesday. Avoiding conflict is the order of the day. Things could easily get out of hand. Wednesday and Thursday are better suited to working things out – although, to your frustration, the best solution most likely requires that you give in on some point (a small point, a painless concession).

AGITTARIUS ~ Your checklist is a game on Monday and Tuesday – a competition with yourself, a true test of your effectiveness. You welcome the challenge. You like creating these kinds of games for yourself, and you like getting things done. The secret to Wednesday is in the details, but Thursday and Friday you’d be wise to take a step back and look at everything through wider goggles.

APRICORN ~ Your family is in your thoughts on Monday and Tuesday. You are feeling loyal and worried in that loving, protective way, and the best thing to do might be to pay a visit. If that’s not possible, try to connect in some other way. Wednesday is much more youcentered – a creative project will have you grinning – and Thursday or Friday evening might be right for a small trip somewhere, for a couple of hours or overnight. Camping?

A motel with a pool in a no-name town?

QUARIUS ~ You’re easing into a new approach to your life. Monday and Tuesday, you're feeling a bit radical, a bit bohemian – or maybe you're just reading too many French novels. It’s changing the way you dress though, no? And the way you interact with people? Your values? Wednesday and Thursday, your self-discovery takes on even more dimensions, and on Friday you are baffled not only by your own strangeness but by the strangeness of life itself.

ISCES ~ Everything takes on a certain murkiness on Monday, and by Tuesday you’ll have no idea which way is up. That kind of disorientation can be fun, so long as you’re in the mood for it. Wednesday and Thursday, find antidotes to the ambiguous abstractedness. Make dinner at home. Put down your thoughts in writing. Play an album you know by heart. On Friday, nothing is as strong as the pull of your heart, which may explain why, on Saturday, you’ll open up a book of poetry.

LA High School students offered music industry career education and workshops through BET Experience Youth Program

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AEG and BET NETWORKS education initiative, Next Level, in partnership with the GRAMMY® Museum, will provide a free, threeday educational and empowerment program for Los Angeles area high school students ages 16-18 who are interested in careers in the music industry during the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE, June 28-30, said event organizers. Students will learn about careers in music including event production, music journalism, as well as the history and impact of African American culture in music.

“We’re so thrilled to expand the impact of the BET Experience to include a music education element,” said Debra L. Lee, chairman and CEO of BET Networks. “We will create an environment where students interested in a career in music have the opportunity to get a unique educational and empowerment program.”

The BET Experience Youth Program begins on Friday, June 28, with a full day of educational activities at the GRAMMY® Museum including a guided tour of the BET exhibit featuring Lifetime Achievement Award recipients curated especially for the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE and the first of several scheduled lectures over the course of the program.

BY TERRY COLLINS ASSOCIATED PRESS

Beverly Cook – Publisher, Managing Editor 1976 – 1993 Charles Cook – Publisher 1976 – 1998 Melanie Polk – Publisher 1998 – 2010

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BY LAWT NEWS SERVICE

On Saturday, June 29, students will have the opportunity to attend a Music Matters Showcase concert, attend a live taping of “106 & PARK” and engage in a Q&A with the hosts, as well as attend a rehearsal of the BET Awards show. On Sunday, June 30, BET Experience Youth Program attendees will attend the “SUNDAY BEST” concert featuring Kirk Franklin & Friends, visit the Genius Talk seminars and participate in a Fan Fest Educational Scavenger Hunt. To conclude the program, students will attend the BET Awards ’13th telecast.

“AEG is committed to increasing educational opportunities for young people, especially in the area of music education,” said Martha Saucedo, executive vice president, External Affairs of AEG. “We are pleased to provide a hands on opportunity for students to learn about pathways to a career in the music and entertainment industries.”

Eligible students may apply for the BET Experience Youth Program online at www.lalive.betexperienceyouthprogram.com. A total of 40 students will be selected to participate. In addition to the online application, students are required to include a letter of recommendation from a teacher and write a 1-2 page essay on the history of African American music and its impact on their lives.

Calif’s 4 a.m. last call bill already fuels debate

WEEKENDER

Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. ............Executive Publisher & Executive Editor Brenda Marsh Mitchell ..................................Executive Vice President Tracey Mitchell ......................................................................Controller Brandon I. Brooks........................................................Managing Editor Kenneth Miller ..............................................Assistant Managing Editor Jennifer Bihm................................................................................Editor Dennis Hunn ......................................................Director of Advertising Benjamin Samuels ....................................................Graphic Designer Kim McGill ............................................................Production Designer

BET Experience Youth Program

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BlackFacts.com

April 11, 1899 Chemist Percy Julian born in Montgomery, Alabama. Julian studied at DePauwm, Fisk, Harvard and Vienna (Germany) Universities.

In his lifetime he discovered several synthetic substances including one that made paint water-tight, cortisone and a fire suppressing foam.

April 12, 1989 Sugar Ray Robinson, five-time winner of the world middleweight boxing championship and unbeaten welterweight champion, dies.

(AP) — The last call for drinks is 2 a.m. in California, but one lawmaker believes that’s just too early to set down the shot glasses and beer steins.

State Sen. Mark Leno’s proposal to let the liquor flow until 4 a.m. as a way to draw more tourists — and with them more revenue and jobs — is already spawning a sharp debate from Sacramento to watering holes in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Leno said the measure would make the state more competitive with other hotspots like New York, Las Vegas and Miami that serve alcohol later into the wee hours of the morning or 24 hours a day.

Night-spot owners say a later last call will be good for business, but law enforcement officials argue that it increases the chances that cities will see more public drunkenness, violence, drunken driving and possibly fatalities.

Leno’s proposal, however, wouldn’t set a uniform standard across the state. Instead, it would give each municipality the option to push their last call back to 4 a.m.

“It will be up to the cities whether they want to participate or not,” said the San Francisco Democrat, whose dis-

trict encompasses clubs in the trendy South of Market district. His bill is expected to get its first public committee hearing on April 23.

At Steff’s, a sports bar near the San Francisco Giants’ AT&T Park, patron Armand Gaerlan liked the idea of a 4 a.m. last call. “I’ve lived in New York City. If it’s working there, it can definitely happen here,” said Gaerlan, who thinks the move would allow for making later dinner reservations.

At nearby Nova Bar and Restaurant, customer Kendra Chrysler said it was a bad idea. “I’ll pass. I feel like nothing good happens after 2 a.m.,” she said.

In Los Angeles, there is a buzz about a later last call, said Barbara Jacobs, chief operating officer at a 1920’s-themed downtown nightspot, The Edison. She said the bar is making plans for a midnight breakfast and cocktail menu in case the proposal passes.

“We’re creatively driven and so we’re going to take advantage of it,” she said.

Industry groups such as the California Restaurant Association and the Hollywood Hospitality Coalition are endorsing the 4 a.m. last call.

Los Angeles hosted a record 41.4 See LAST CALL 4 A.M., page 4

Thursday, April 11, 2013

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Bradley family supports Wendy Greuel for Mayor

Maxine Waters adds woman power for Greuel Waters says Wendy Greuel is a woman of honesty and integrity

Lorraine Bradley says the legacy of her father Tom Bradley will be in good hands when Wendy Greuel is elected Mayor of L.A.

Valerie Goodloe for Sentinel

BY KENNETH MILLER ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR Six weeks from the most significant election for Los Angeles since the past two presidential elections, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D43) has launched her support for Controller Wendy Greuel in the race for the next mayor of Los Angeles.

Waters is considered to be one of the most powerful women in American politics, having gained a reputation as a fearless and outspoken advocate for women, children, people of color and the poor.

Earlier this week, Waters stood side by side with Greuel at City Hall, both wearing matching bright red jackets as the 12-term congresswoman made her endorsement of Greuel official.

“Wendy Greuel is a woman of honesty and integrity, someone with the leadership, experience and toughness to get Los Angeles back on track,” Waters said. “I have fought my whole career to empower Angelenos, and that’s exactly what Wendy will do as mayor. She’ll fight to grow our middle class and bring good jobs and opportunity to every part of the city, with special attention to the areas with the greatest needs.

And she could make history by becoming Los Angeles’ first woman mayor. I’m proud to be a co-chair on her campaign, and I am excited to join Wendy’s efforts to reach out to voters across the city.”

The 37-year public servant who is iconic in the Black community will also be joining Greuel’s campaign as a co-chair and has pledged to do ‘whatever it takes’ to secure Greuel’s mayoral bid to become the first woman in city history to serve in that capacity.

Waters 43rd Congressional District includes a large part of South Los Angeles that has increasingly become a key battleground region for the two candidates.

As the ranking member of the House Committee on Financial

Services and as co-chair on Greuel’s campaign, Waters will help lead outreach to African-Americans, Latinos, Asian Pacific Islanders and women throughout the city.

Waters also praised Greuel as a leader who will fight for equality and equal pay for women. Her endorsement comes the day before Equal Pay Day, which highlights the pay gap between men and women. Women continue to make just 77 cents for every dollar made by men. The disparity is even greater for women of color.

“Maxine Waters has dedicated her life to service. As one of the most powerful women in American politics and a tireless advocate for women, children, people of color and the poor, she’s fought her entire career fighting to bring economic opportunities to South Los Angeles,” Greuel said. “I’m proud to have her endorsement, and together we will partner to invest in jobs and job-training programs, spur economic development and support the creation of small businesses in Los Angeles so every Angeleno has an opportunity to succeed.”

The congresswoman joins prominent leaders including President Bill Clinton, Leader Nancy Pelosi, Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas, West Angeles Church of God in Christ Bishop Charles E. Blake, basketball legend Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, The Rev. Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray and Sentinel Publisher Danny J. Bakewell Sr. in endorsing Greuel.

In addition to Greuel’s long tenure of being an advocate of the Black community, Rep. Waters is equally encouraged to support a woman of stellar credentials for the city’s high office.

It was Waters who was instrumental in the 2008 presidential campaign for Hillary Clinton. After a combative primary and subsequent loss to eventual President Barack See WATERS ENDORSES GREUEL, page 15

Photo by Troy Tieuel for Sentinel

LIVING LEGACY: Lorraine Bradley, daughter of late iconic Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, this week announced her support for Wendy Greuel to continue her fathers legacy as mayor.

BY JENNIFER BIHM LAWT EDITOR “When I see Wendy, I see a strong person,” said Lorraine Bradley, retired school teacher and daughter of the late Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.

Lorraine Bradley recently announced her endorsement of Controller Wendy Greuel as the city’s next mayor, pointing to her “great leadership qualities” as one of the reasons.

“She learned from the best how to be a leader and what that entails,” she said.

“The best,” being her late father, who led the city for 20 years (from 1973 to 1993) and whose (as some have put it ) “accomplishments transcended his flaws.” One biographer wrote: “A man of quiet determination, Bradley spent a lifetime bridging racial barriers and used his skills to forge extraordinary coalitions, most notably between Blacks and Jews and between labor and business. He presided over a period of enormous growth in Los Angeles… Bradley also was key to the racial peace that the rapidly diversifying city enjoyed during most of his five-term hold on the mayor's office. He opened doors for minorities and women to serve on city commissions, to rise in the ranks of City Hall employees and to share in city contracts…”

As a young woman, Greuel had been a beneficiary to Tom Bradley’s brand of humanitarianism and basically grew up, said Lorraine, in her dad’s office.

“When he took office and became mayor, he involved a lot of people, mostly young people and trained them to become what they are now,” she recalled.

“That’s what he liked to do. He liked to take young people and let them be trained in the correct way so they could see how things functioned, then put them in so they could do it. They would learn. And then, they had the See BRADLEY FAMILY SUPPORTS GREUEL, page 15

Metro Briefs Go Metro To Dodger Stadium Take advantage of a winning combination to reach Dodger Stadium this season. Just Go Metro to Union Station and connect with the Dodger Stadium Express. You’ll avoid tra;c and help reduce air pollution; and your same day Dodger ticket is good for the fare! The Dodger Stadium Express is made possible by Clean Transportation Funding from MSRC. For more information, visit metro.net.

Festival of Books April 20–21 At USC Go Metro to the largest book festival in the country the weekend of April 20–21 at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. This free event at the USC North University Park Campus includes author events, storytelling and poetry readings. Enjoy it all without tra;c and parking hassles; just take the Metro Expo Line to Expo Park/USC Station.

LA To Venice At The Next CicLAvia April 21 The nation’s largest open–streets event takes place again on Sunday, April 21 when CicL Avia will transform more than 15 miles of L A into a linear park for bicyclists, pedestrians, runners and anyone else going car-free. The new route extends between Downtown L A and Venice Beach. Find out more at ciclavia.org.

Celebrate Earth Day April 22 Do your part to improve the environment as we participate in Earth Day 2013 on Monday, April 22. Go Metro to work, shopping or running errands. Or learn about rideshare options such as carpools and vanpools. Plan to reduce your environmental footprint and >nd out how to get started at metro.net.

Get Metro News, Service Alerts On Twitter Twitter is the way of instant information, so it’s only right that Metro uses it to send immediate updates on news and alerts.

Stay informed on LA County transit topics and service alerts in your area. Sign up and follow Metro at twitter.com/metrolaalerts and twitter.com/metrolosangeles.

If you’d like to know more, visit metro.net.

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I AM EVERY WOMAN: Powerful Congresswoman Maxine Waters (left) joined City Controller Wendy Greuel (right) at City Hall this week to pledge her public endorsement of Wendy Greuel for the first woman mayor of Los Angeles.

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Thursday, April 11, 2013

Karen Bass delivers remarks on gun violence

Councilwoman Perry Endorses Sen. Price to replace her in City Council 9th District

BY KENNETH MILLER ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR

Last weekend, Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Calif.) spoke out on the need for Congress to enact comprehensive reforms to reduce gun violence in America.

Her remarks came as President Obama traveled back to Connecticut to again urge Congress to adhere to the

wishes of 90 percent of Americans who favor tougher gun laws.

Speaking at both a town hall hosted by her Congressional Office as well as a forum with local NAACP leaders on Saturday April 6, Bass reiterated her commitment to fighting for tougher gun laws and doing more to ensure that reform efforts include provisions related to mental health and the impacts of chronic violence in urban communities.

Following the events, Bass said: “Everywhere I travel across the 37th Congressional District, I am reminded that Americans want and deserve a vote

on comprehensive measures to reduce gun violence. When 90 percent of Americans agree on an issue, it’s time for Congress to stop all the political posturing and deliver for our constituents and all those who have lost their lives or the life of a loved one to senseless gun violence. I support President Obama in his calls for Congress to act on this issue and I urge my Republican colleagues to end their threats to filibuster the desires of an overwhelming majority of the American people so that both the House and Senate can enact common sense reforms.”

Councilwoman Jan Perry takes to continue economic investment to South Los Angeles that brings jobs and greater opportunities to the people who need them the most.

“Jan is a strong leader and a cultural bridge-builder, which is why she so successfully represented our wonderfully diverse community for 12 productive years,” said Price, who was born and raised in the 9th District. “We in are thankful for the hard work she has done to set our district on course for a very bright future, and I am grateful to have her endorsement.”

Perry adds to the list of powerful See PERRY ENDORSES PRICE, page 15

LAST CALL 4 A.M. Continued from page 2

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BY LAWT NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry announced this week that she is backing State Senator Curren Price to continue her legacy in the 9th District for the City Council run-off on May 21.

It is after much thought and consideration that I have decided to endorse Senator Curren Price for the Ninth District. I don’t take endorsements lightly. This is a very special community—one that I have proudly represented for 12 years. For this reason, I took my time talking to people in the Ninth District to ensure that their best interests are met in the future. With this in mind, I believe that Curren Price is the right leader for the Ninth District. As part of his campaign, Curren has pledged to right the disparity that has resulted from redistricting and will work to restore the revenue connection between the southern portion of the district and Downtown. This connection will ensure the economic future of our neighborhoods and is an important promise that will help support the people of the Ninth District today and in the future. Finally, I believe Curren has a strong track record for supporting business development in our state and the region and understands what it

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million visitors last year, one million more than in 2011. And, the city said, guests spent more than $16 billion in 2012. The San Francisco Travel Association said the city drew 16.5 million tourists who spent nearly $9 billion in 2012, up from the previous year.

Jim Lazarus, a senior vice president for the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, said he believes it will be especially appealing to businesses already with after-hours permits to stay open past 2 a.m. — without serving alcohol.

“There’s clearly a demand,” he said. “I think the younger population, especially the young tech workers — they’re working hours that are different from the traditional 9 to 5. They work later, so they party later.”

However, law enforcement officials argue that establishments serving alcohol past 2 a.m. will produce significant problems.

John Lovell, a lobbyist for the Sacramento-based California Police Chiefs Association, said an extended last call will further stretch many depleted law enforcement agencies that will be forced to monitor inebriated patrons when the bars close.

“That will be a whole new dynamic with those leaving a bar at 4 a.m. hitting the road when the early commute

is in progress,” Lovell said. “That brings a whole new danger.”

Although San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr said he thinks the extended hours are a bad idea, Leno’s bill has the support of Mayor Ed Lee, who said that if the bill becomes law he would seek input from police, local bar owners and neighborhood leaders before the city opts for a late last call.

Leno said he authored a last call bill geared for San Francisco in 2004, which was rejected by the state Assembly. But he expects this one to fare better because it leaves the ultimate decisions with the cities.

Ludwig Chincarini, an associate economics professor at the University of San Francisco, said recent studies in the U.S. and abroad do not provide very clear links between longer last calls and impacts on crime and local economies.

Extended drinking hours may add more tax revenue, particularly from tourists, Chincarini said, but they are unlikely to bring a windfall to major California cities.

“The tourists who already come here could take advantage of possibly drinking for an extra couple of hours, that’s all,” he said. “I don’t think people are going to be traveling to San Francisco and Los Angeles to get the ...

Las Vegas experience in terms of extensive drinking and partying.”

Thursday, April 11, 2013

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Survivor of ’63 Ala. church On the offensive: Was Minister bombing seeks funds Farrakhan’s Twitter account attacked?

BY JAY REEVES ASSOCIATED PRESS

BY JESSE MUHAMMAD SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE FINAL CALL (FinalCall.com) – If you have monitored the Twitter account of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan over the past two years as closely as some of us have, then you would have noticed something major that occurred recently.

His number of Twitter followers dropped by over 20,000 within a 48hour period!

Before you chalk this up as merely a “glitch in the matrix” or another so-called Nation of Islam conspiracy theory (smile), let’s examine what occurred just before this loss of followers.

In a February 9 chess move, unforeseen by his enemies, Minister Farrakhan flew to Los Angeles to have lunch with Grammy awardwinning singer Mary J. Blige and her husband Kendu Isaacs. This was done in the midst of controversy stemming from the release of the Lifetime film, Betty and Coretta.

He followed that up by posting sharp responses to questions from social media related to Betty and Coretta and the assassination of Malcolm X. “I did not kill Malcolm X,” he tweeted.

Minister Farrakhan also released exclusive photos via his Twitter account and FinalCall.com from what he described as a “joyous lunch with my good friend Mary J. Blige and her husband.”

All of this and more was used to infiltrate the #BettyandCoretta Twitter hashtag and resulted in a critical takeover of the online dialogue.

The information was continuing to spread and digital warfare had been waged by the Nation of Islam social media army and its supporters.

On Feb. 11, Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons had his website GlobalGrind.com post the images of Minister Farrakhan and Mary J. Blige to let readers know that there was no beef between the two. He then tweeted to his 2.5 million followers, “Guess the rumors about @LouisFarrakhan and @MaryJBlige are false.”

Later that same day, Wyclef tweeted to his 3 million followers, “I love the unity being exhibited by @LouisFarrakhan and @MarjBlige to dispel the rumors!”

Then on the afternoon of Feb. 12, Mary J. Blige tweeted this beautiful message to her 3.5 million followers: “Thank you @LouisFarrakhan for spending time with us and sharing your words of wisdom with us. We love you so much.”

That’s a combined nine million Twitter followers between those

AP Photo/Paul Beaty

Minister Louis Farrakhan enters the U.I.C. Pavilion during the Saviours’ Day annual convention in Chicago, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. celebrities who publicly mentioned Minister Farrakhan, who had over 170,000 followers at that time.

Within a few hours of Mary J. Blige’s tweet, the follower count for Minister Farrakhan started rapidly declining by the hundreds, then the thousands.

We filed multiple complaints via Twitter’s ticketing page. And even a supporter of Minister Farrakhan, who is considered a social media guru, sent an e-mail on our behalf directly to his contact at Twitter, Inc. to expedite the investigation.

Within a week, Minister Farrakhan’s account had dipped to nearly 141,000 followers.

Now over a month later of continuous email exchanges, the only responses and explanations we have been provided from Twitter Support are “users with large amounts of followers often have following numbers that fluctuate a great deal” and “we don’t currently have any known issues or bugs involving follower counts. It’s common to see some regular attrition of followers.”

The fact that Minister Farrakhan’s account has never experienced such a drop in followers like this in his two years of tweeting and that we do not own this social media site, it’s very difficult to accept this on face value.

It’s a shame this beautiful man can’t even have a Twitter page without something like this occurring. He has sacrificed countless hours responding to thousands of questions tweeted to him by his followers. It’s not out of vanity, it’s born out of his love to meet people where they are in hopes of providing life-saving guidance and warning.

You would be hard-pressed to See FARRAKHAN, page 6

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The lone survivor of a 1963 Alabama church bombing that killed four black girls said Wednesday she wants millions in compensation for her injuries and won't accept a top congressional award proposed to honor the victims.

Sarah Collins Rudolph, in an interview with The Associated Press, said she feels forgotten 50 years after the blast shocked the nation. Rudolph lost an eye in the Sept. 16, 1963 bombing at Birmingham's Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and says she never got restitution.

“We haven’t received anything, and I lost an eye,” said Rudolph, who lives north of Birmingham. “They just want to throw a medal at us.”

Congress is considering whether to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the four girls who died: 14-year-olds Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley, and 11-year-old Denise McNair. Addie Mae was the sister of Rudolph, who was 12 at the time and was in a downstairs washroom with the four girls when the blast occurred. At least two dozen others were injured.

The brother of Cynthia Wesley said he isn’t interested in the award either and wants compensation, partly because history didn’t even record his sister's name correctly.

U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell, a Democrat, and Spencer Bachus, a Republican, announced a bipartisan effort in January to award the medal to the church bombing victims. The medal represents the highest civilian honor that Congress can bestow. Recipients have ranged from George Washington to civil rights figure Rosa Parks, Pope John Paul II and “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz.

The church bombing shocked the nation and was a galvanizing moment in the civil rights movement.

The five girls were preparing for Sunday services in the washroom near the wall where the bomb was planted outside.

It was more than a decade before any successful prosecutions were brought in the case.

Juries convicted three Ku Klux Klansmen in the bombing years later, and one suspected accomplice died without ever having been charged; one of the four is still in prison and the others are dead.

But Rudolph said she still hasn’t gotten justice like other crime victims who receive restitution payments.

“My sister was killed and I lost my eye. Why should I be any different?” said Rudolph, who says she still suffers from painful memories, physical scars and posttraumatic stress syndrome.

Rudolph said she wants compensation “in the millions” for her injuries and the death of Addie Mae, but she hasn’t settled on an exact amount.

Fate Morris said he also will refuse the medal and wants compensation like Rudolph for the death of his sister, typically referred to as Cynthia Wesley. Morris said her real name was Cynthia Morris, and no medal will

AP Photo/Jay Reeves

Sarah Collins Rudolph, the lone survivor of a 1963 church bombing, and Fate Morris, whose sister died in the blast, discuss their desire for compensation from the bombing during an interview in Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday, April 10, 2013. Rudolph was badly injured in the bombing, which killed sister Addie Mae Collins, and Morris said he is still haunted by memories of digging through the church rubble. The two say they will turn down a proposed Congressional Gold Medal honoring the victims. replace the mistake.

“It’s a smoke screen to shut us up and make us go away so we’ll never be heard from again,” Morris told AP. Morris said his sister was staying

with a family named “Wesley” at the time of the bombing to get into a good school, but she still came back to the Morris household on weekends.

See CHURCH BOMBING, page 10

Emergencies Do Happen

Know your neighbors.

Plan together.

Be ready.

Wind Storms, fires, earthquakes or floods can strike at anytime. These emergencies do happen, and it’s important to be ready. That means knowing your neighbors, making a specific plan and working together to be prepared. Take the first step today. Visit bereadyla.org.

This project was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number 2U90TP917012-11 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC.

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Thursday, April 11, 2013

Cancer research needs LA Office of Minority Health seeks to County to join the fight LAWT NEWS SERVICE From April 18 through May 9, the American Cancer Society is sharing an unprecedented opportunity with LA County Residents to change the face of cancer for future generations by enrolling in a historic long-term study. 300,000 diverse men and women ages 30 to 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer are needed to enroll in the Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3), to help determine which genetic, lifestyle, and

FARRAKHAN Continued from page 5 find anyone on Twitter delivering the type of divine wisdom in tweets like Minister Farrakhan’s #AskFarrakhan chats. If you’re not following him on Twitter, you’re missing out greatly. He is striving to get God’s Way trending in our thoughts and actions.

Thus far one victory has been secured in the midst of this digital debacle. Twitter decided to give Minister Farrakhan a blue verification seal for his page. This is something afforded mostly to important figures.

environmental factors cause cancer.

The goal of CPS-3 is to eliminate cancer as a major health concern by examining what factors can cause cancer. ACS is looking to the Los Angeles community to join the fight.

To enroll, LA County residents can schedule an appointment online or by phone for a local enrollment site.

Participants first fill out a survey at home, and upon completion receive a confirmation ID to bring to the appointment, which will take place between April 18 and May 9. While

We had been fighting for this as well, yet it took this incident for it to finally happen.

How can you help? Follow these four easy steps: 1) Go to www.Twitter.com and Sign up for an account.

2) Check your e-mail for the verification link 3) Sign-in and go to Minister Farrakhan’s page http://twitter.com/LouisFarrakhan and click the “Follow” button.

4) Invite all of your Twitter followers and Facebook friends to follow him.

on-site, participants will fill out a short survey, provide a waist measurement and small blood sample as small as seven tablespoons.

The blood sample will be stored securely, and will be used for analysis if cancer cases occur. The remaining commitment is very simple.

Participants will receive a follow-up survey about their lifestyle habits for at least 20 years.

“What we really want the LA community to know is how important these studies are to help identify major factors that affect cancer risk,” said Alpha V. Patel, Ph.D., principal investigator of CPS-3. “We know now that smoking links to lung cancer, but we wouldn’t know this without the commitment of individuals that participated in Cancer Prevention Studies I & II.” Dr. Patel added, “CPS-3 holds the best hope of identifying new and emerging cancer risks, and we can only do this if members of the community are willing to become involved.”

LA County residents can choose from several community enrollment sites. Information about local sites and to make an appointment can be done by visiting www.cps3la.org or by calling (888) 604-8888.

improve Black lives During National Minority Health Month, BET.com talks to J. Nadine Gracia about new programs within the department

BY JONATHAN P. HICKS SPECIAL TO LAWT It is an office within the executive branch of the federal government that is little known, but the Office of Minority Health has been playing an active role in raising consciousness about health disparities while helping to educate millions of Americans to live healthier lives.

The office was established in 1986, during the administration of President Ronald Reagan. But the office, which is part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, has been particularly busy during the presidency of Barack Obama.

The office works with federal and state agencies to develop policies and practices that help advance health among minorities who have traditionally lagged far behind white Americans in health patterns.

“We also are able to fund projects in communities that are working to address health disparities and improve minority Photo: Health and Human Services health,” said OMH Director J. Department/ Official Portrait Nadine Gracia, in an interview J. Nadine Gracia with BET.com.

“We also help to advance and set policy that will help to ment for Reentering Ex-Offenders.

“We help them to be able to reimprove the health in minority comenter their communities and have a munities,” she said.

Gracia also served as deputy successful reentry,” Gracia said, assistant secretary for the Department explaining that HIV rates have long been highest in the African-American of Health and Human Services.

One of the most successful cam- community.

“We assist them with [housing], paigns, she said, has been in curbing the disparity in infant mortality, education and ways to deal with sufwhich has long had far higher rates in fering from substance abuse,” she the African-American community. added. “The program is in place in Through a program called “A Healthy New York, Florida and Texas. They Baby Begins With You,” the office has were chosen because they have the trained more than 2,000 college stu- highest number of ex-offenders with dents to serve as counselors to go into HIV in the country.”

A pediatrician by training, Gracia communities and discuss the importance of health conscious lifestyles for has served in academic medicine and government for several years. From women who are pregnant, she said.

“The program takes place on 2010 to 2011, she was the chief medmore than 90 colleges, including his- ical officer for the Health and Human torically Black colleges and universi- Service’s Office of the Assistant ties,” Gracia said, adding that the lead Secretary for Health. She coordinated spokeswoman for the campaign is a number of programs in the fields of Tonya Lewis Lee, the wife of film- child and adolescent health, disaster preparedness, environmental health, maker Spike Lee. “We see a greater awareness and global health, Haiti recovery and the we see that among students, many White House Council on Women and become leaders, health ambassadors Girls.

She led the development of the and then pursue education in public department’s 2012 environmental health,” Gracia said.

Another area where the office has justice strategy, which addresses the been particularly involved is in disproportionate exposure of minoriassisting people who emerge from ty and low-income communities and prison and are diagnosed with HIV. Indian tribes to environmental hazThe program is known as HIRE, ards and promotes healthy communiwhich stands for Health Improve- ty environments.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

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Sweden to South L.A. Presidents discuss From Sweden’s ‘Back Up’ violence prevention team visits South L.A. to countries’ successes learn techniques from PCITI and Africa’s future

BY KATHY WILLIAMSON LAWT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Photo by Shevry Lassiter

It is customary for the evening news and other media outlets to characterize Africa in the most negative and derisive manner. Droughts, coups, famine, civil unrest and poverty often take center stage while any number of success stories and the many positive developments occurring among the continent’s 54 nations are often ignored.

BY BARRINGTON M. SALMON SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE WASHINGTON INFORMER So last Friday’s panel discussion with three presidents and a prime minister at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) was a breath of fresh air because an audience of several hundred heard the leaders talk about their efforts to institute and strengthen good governance, the rule of law, and transparency.

The leaders took part in a wide-ranging discussion entitled, “Consolidating Democratic Gains, Promoting African Prosperity” at USIP in Northwest, at a function that was televised live and on Twitter.

“The Africa of today is far from the cliches of war, famines and coups,” said Senegalese President Macky Sall.

“We’re moving toward democracy and growth. We’re the cradle of mankind, a magical continent with diversity and resources. Africa today is a continent on the march.”

Sall was joined by Presidents Ernest Bai Koroma and Joyce Banda and Prime Minister José Maria Pereira Neves. Each detailed their governments’ roles in fostering the social and economic upswings of their respective countries, the seemingly intractable challenges and their vision of an independent, self-sufficient and transformed Africa during what moderator Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnny Carson called “a very stimulating and delightful” conversation.

“They’re here because of the contributions they’ve made to strengthen democratic institutions in their countries,” said Carson, who retired from the State Department on Friday, March 29.

“They have developed independent judiciaries, free press and vibrant economies to protect their democracies.

Sierra Leone held free, fair and credible elections where 90 percent of the citizens participated peacefully.”

“This was the second term for President Koroma to continue his agenda for prosperity. The economy is expanding rapidly.”

The quartet was invited to the White House by President Barack Obama on Thursday, March 28 because of what Obama said was recognition of

the fact that each leader had “undertaken significant efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, protect and expand human rights and civil liberties, and increase economic opportunities for their people.”

Carson spoke of Sall’s election a year ago, and the instability and economic contraction surrounding his predecessor’s attempts to secure a controversial third term. Since then, Sall has instituted economic reforms, worked to reduce conflict, unrest and tension in the southern Casamance region. In fact, Carson said, Senegal’s economy is expected to grow by five percent this year.

Sall prompted laughter when he said he was putting one of the two presidential jets up for sale but with no takers, may have to offer it to a museum.

Both he and Banda said they have scaled back on ministerial perks and she has gotten rid of fleets of vehicles as well.

Banda was the vice president in President Binguwa Mutharika’s government until he died suddenly in April 2012. Mutharika dismissed Banda and attempted to appoint his brother leader of his political party and Malawi’s next president. When he died, some in the cabinet, his wife and others questioned Banda’s legitimacy to succeed Mutharika even though the constitution was clear on succession. Banda is said to have called Malawi’s army commander who agreed to support her and stationed troops around her home. She also acknowledged America’s role behind the scenes in ensuring her ascension to the presidency.

Toward the end of his presidency, Mutharika managed to alienate the U.S., Britain, the European Union, the World Bank and other lending institutions and all, including some other European countries suspended financial assistance. His critics expressed concern about his erratic policies and actions that threatened Malawi’s democratic institutions.

“One year ago, she implemented tough political and economic reforms, including a currency devaluation, and removed price controls for fuel,” See AFRICA’S FUTURE, page 14

A group of serious young adults from Nookoping, Sweden raised money through multiple fundraisers to travel to Los Angeles for the purpose of learning skills that would aid them in their ground level quest to stop violence in their communities.

Nookoping has a population of about 130,000 compared to Los Angeles’ (city) population of over 3.8 million. Burgeoning violence in recent years prompted the group (“Back Up”) to seek techniques from Aquil Basheer and PCITI (Professional Community Intervention Training Institute).

On Thursday, March 28, Back Up observed the 16th PCITI certification class during demonstrations of situational scenarios and mediation roleplaying.

“If you don’t build collaborative networks to do the process then you do yourself a disservice because it only works in your neighborhood or comfort zone. The process has to be replicated… it’s like speaking the same language in different venues,” explained Basheer.

“This group from Nookoping visited us in 2009 to learn some skillsets and operational structure to get ahead of the surge of violence in their communities.

They have now returned to get some advance training to bring back to Sweden.”

Michelle Miller, a Los Angeles transplant, social worker and trip coordinator for Back Up said, “The problems are not all at the same levels that they are in Los Angeles…there is drug abuse… and different areas of town that are fighting each other. Most of the ‘gang violence’ is people trying to copy gangs here in the United States.”

Miller also described culture clashes between groups that have immigrated to Sweden to escape problems in Iraq and the Middle East; and Swedish youth against Asian youth, etc.

“Violence is so universal,” said

Basheer. “At the request of organizations and governments, PCITI has traveled to China, Argentina, Israel, El Salvador, Africa, Canada and multiple areas of the United States to share proven, structured training and protocol.”

Miller said that Back Up is looking forward to continued collaboration with PCITI and using the skills that the group has learned to advance peace in their communities.

PCITI can be reached at www.MaximumForceEnterprises.org or (800) 926-2155.

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Thursday, April 11, 2013

F E AT U R E

L.A. Watts Times WEEKENDER

JEFF CLANAGAN

Hollywood’s Real Black Power

BY KENNETH D. MILLER LAWT Asst. Managing Editor ‘Free Angela’, a gripping documentary reflecting the historic events that catapulted a young Angela Davis into a controversial political icon during the turbulent late 1960’s will made it’s limited release recentluy.

In Hollywood there are very few Black distributors and there isn’t one on the level of CodeBlack Entertainment’s Jeơ Clanagan.

Moviegoers will see Jamie Foxx, Denzel Washington and Halle Berry on the big screen and feel sense of connection to their character.

Then there are your successful Black screenwriters such as Tyler Perry, Spike Lee and John Singleton who are also behind the lens directing their projects.

Hollywood has not always been kind to Blacks. Since the turn of the century when Oscar Micheaux became the first Black film star in 1914, the industry has mass-produced a negative perception of Blacks.

Way before the success of current stars, Blacks could only get in front of the camera if they wanted to play the role of the maid or the butler, as white filmmakers such as D.W. Griƥth produced such despicable films such as ‘Birth of A Nation’, until an even worse--Black filmmaker- Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry- arrived with the character of ‘Stepin Fetchit.’

Clanagan is determined to embrace the Black market and thus become responsible to it.

“The reality is there have been a lot bad experiences for African Americans because we are trying to assemble in Hollywood instead of creating our own commerce and business,” explained Clanagan in a recent exclusive interview from his Lionsgate oƥce Santa

Monica oƥce.

Clanagan is the CEO of CodeBlack Entertainment, the first independent, vertically integrated Black owned film studio, actively engaged in the business of feature film production, film distribution, worldwide DVD and digital assets distribution, urban marketing consulting and production of programs for television broadcast and syndication.

He blames as divide and conquer syndrome and crab in the bucket mentality among Blacks as one of the primary obstacles.

“There are five or six major studios and four or five networks, but they don’t have an obligation to give us anything,” he declared. “The people who run those studios or networks are descendants of people from the past, so they don’t have an obligation to us.

So, we go in with our hands out and we get crumbs as opposed to recognizing our economic power that we have proven and harnessing that power to create our own business.”

CodeBlack Entertainment was created to facilitate positive representations of AfricanAmericans in film. A multi-faceted entertainment organization, CodeBlack provides a consistent stream of urban-themed programming that is distributed across theatrical, digital, broadcast and internet-based platforms.

It owns the larges catalog of Black material in the world, an expansive library that consists of dramatic, comedic, romantic and faith-based titles featuring top African American and Latino talent.

In just a short period of time Clanagan has already established CodeBlack Entertainment as an independent distributor of urban-themed content releasing urban content through theatrical, DVD, and broadcast channels and has further increased its equity by devel-

oping a strategic business alliance with one of Hollywood’s biggest media conglomerates Lionsgate.

The company has a multi-picture deal with Lionsgate, to produce original urban films targeting the African-American market.

Previously he enjoyed such a relationship with Fox where he produced film adaptations of the 1980s OơBroadway gospel musical hit Mama, I Want to Sing! as well as the popular play A Good Man is Hard to Find. In June 2009, the entered into a partnership with basketball player Shaquille O’Neal to produce and distribute the All Star Comedy Jam series. Featuring some of the most celebrated stand-up comics.

Most recently CodeBlack has enjoyed enormous success with comedian Kevin Hart and has a long working relationship with Lionsgate.

Clanagan elaborated; “Once you are able to create you own business and can do it on your on, then instead of asking for stuơ you are able to create partnerships based on your ability to produce. I am not saying that you have to be in business with studios, but there is a way that you can be in business with them as a partner.”

As he sees it there isn’t a system for Black executives to exist at the studios and networks and conversely when Blacks attend college they are not learning about public relations and marketing jobs behinds the scenes, but instead are taught to go for the more popular jobs in front of the camera.

“The other part of that dilemma is that as actors and producers we fail to arm ourselves with the proper information so that we can go in and intelligently negotiate the best deal for us,” he added. “What I mean by that is we don’t understand the numbers and the economics of the movie business.”

Clanagan decided upon the name CodeBlack to directly deal with the stigma of racism in the industry. He courageously ran to who his race, instead of from it.

Studios executive have ultimately respected him for his stance.

So, CodeBlack Entertainment doesn’t just have the right man for it’s job, but Hollywood has the right man to be The Black Power of Hollywood.

www.lawattstimes.com

Thursday, April 11, 2013

CARLOS KING Behind the Scenes The successful television producer who helped to bring you Love and Hip Hop Atlanta discusses his journey into reality TV and what’s in store for season 2.

BY CHELSEA BATTLE LAWT Contributing Writer “Be patient, work hard, know that God’s working for you, and never let your age define your success.”

Carlos King oơers up this sage advice from the standpoint of one who has lived its truth. With his recent success working as Co-Executive Producer for Love and Hip Hop Atlanta, a reality show which attracted an enormous following of more than 3 million viewers with its season premiere alone, King is living proof that patience, faith, and hard work can indeed pay oơ.

As a young boy growing up in the “Motor City” under the watchful eye of a father who toiled for the Ford Motor Company for twenty long years, Carlos King had already set his sights elsewhere. He recalls living amongst many plant workers who defined their success by whether or not they worked for one of the “Big 3” plants. While he respected the work that his father did, he decided early on that Detroit life was not for him.

He kept himself sane by watching television, a past time which fueled his dreams of working in the entertainment industry.

“Detroit isn’t really the type of place for entertainment,” King explains. “Being somebody that just knew that I wanted to get involved in the entertainment industry somehow, I was always this kid who just dreamed of making it big and moving to New York City.

I always had this type of ambition because I knew that I didn’t want to just live in Detroit for the rest of my life,

and when the opportunity came for me to move to NY you know the rest was history!”

After moving to New York in 2002 and interning for big time shows the likes of The View and 20/20, he eventually went on to work for BET as a production assistant. It was during his stint there that his mentor, Joy Chen, called and oơered him the opportunity to work on the then new reality show called The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

“I was like, ‘Oh God—I got to move to Atlanta for like 3 months’, and the money wasn’t going to be good; I was going to have to take a pay cut, so it wasn’t going to be an easy transition for me. But I always saw the bigger picture because I wanted to do reality. I started working on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and it was the best decision I ever made, because that kind of jumpstarted everything for me. It has been nonstop for me since 2008. That show really propelled my career to unforeseen heights, and you know I never regretted that decision.”

He continued to work on Atlanta housewives as a producer for four years before moving on to become the Co-Executive Producer for Love and Hip Hop Atlanta with Mona Scott Young, the Executive Producer of the series. Through word of mouth he heard that Young was bringing the then New York based show to Atlanta, and he eagerly jumped at the opportunity. The show became an immediate success, earning recognition as the top rated cable show for women 18-49 years old.

“I called Mona Scott Young myself and I told her that I wanted to work on the show,” King recalls. “We had a meeting like the next day and she fell

in love with me; I fell in love with her—and she got me a position as Co-Executive Producer. When I came on board they were already casting and I cast Carly. I was like, ‘Mona, Carly is going to be good; she’s messy, trust me!’ I knew immediately after seeing Jocelyn and the whole love triangle that this show was going to be a monster hit. And then it became the number one show on cable!” King proudly exclaims.

As though having the number one cable reality show isn’t noteworthy enough, King also has a few other projects under his sleeve. He has been working on a new show with his good friend and mentor, Tyler Perry. Called Tyler Perry Comes to OWN, the show premieres May 26th on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network. Prior to working on this project, King worked with Winfrey as a show producer for Oprah Behind the Scenes for a year. It was under Winfrey’s tutelage that he learned how to run a production empire as the Oprah Winfrey show was embarking on its final season.

“It was definitely a blessing being able to work with her,” says King, “and just kind of be a sponge and watch how she operates, and just really learn how to run an empire.”

King also has a new production company called Kingdom Reign that he is especially proud of. The company came into fruition in September and has been growing ever since. In addition to developing shows, the company provides consultations for people who are interested in pitching shows. It also helps develop talent for those who are interested in doing, or are already involved in, reality television.

“I want to continue developing shows that are hot topics discussions for people who love to watch reality TV, explains King. “I don’t think this genre is going anywhere, so I really just want to take things to the next level and have my company be the premiere destination for the reality shows that ignite controversy and conversation [while oơering] really quality programming.”

Season 2 of Love and Hip Hop Atlanta will premiere on Monday, April 22nd at 8p.m.

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Thursday, April 11, 2013

The state of equality and justice in America: ‘No one can change the change’

BY DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS, ESQ. The state of equality and justice in America is shameful-especially since the election of President Barack Obama. Unlike many of my friends who think America is going to hell in a hand basket, and have given up thinking things will get better for those who’ve been marginalized for so long, I still have hope for a better day.

When Barack Obama was running for President of the United States, a close friend told me, “Mark my word.

When Senator Obama is elected, some people will go absolutely crazy, and after he’s re-elected, they will go mad!” His rationale was that the average White person had never had the opportunity to wake up every morning and see a brilliant Black man on television who was the most powerful man in the world! Unless they were wed to FOX News and the O’Reilly, Hannity, Beck,Von Sustern programs, they would learn so much about us — so many good things they had refused to acknowledge before.

So many of our people are brilliant in what they do, but never had a fair chance to be seen in a positive light in their daily newspapers or on mainstream television or heard on major radio stations. Now, here we are after the Obama victories. He's there every single day! The madness really swung into high gear with the Tea Party, Michelle Bachman, Sarah Palin, Senator Ted Cruz and a whole lot of others. Some I didn’t mention because they were already on the list of what most of us have come to know as the “crazies”, such as Rush Limbaugh and his horrible ilk.

Black women like our First Lady, Michelle Obama, had not often been seen on the evening news, except when they were there crying over a

Dr. E. Faye Williams son or daughter who’d been shot or accused of being involved in some kind of wrongdoing. Now, here she was-beautiful, smart, Mom in Chief, presiding over social events for world leaders and their first ladies. She was dealing with real American challenges-such as military families and childhood obesity. She was out making speeches and inspiring women of all backgrounds.

With people who could not stand all these positive scenes and unbelievable accomplishments, insanity set in, and instead of grinning and bearing the strides America was making, they began trying to set us back to what they called “the good ole days”. Some make every effort to send Black people to the back of the bus, send immigrants of color back to from wherever they had come, send gay people back into the closet, and force women to go

back to the kitchen! They began talking about taking back their country as though they didn’t take it from the Native Americans and as though immigrants and enslaved people had done nothing to build this country.

Many in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate tried to block every thing President Obama supported-even if they had supported the same things in the past.

They were tone deaf to the phrase “Where there is no justice, there will be no peace!” With a President who truly tried to make all levels of government look like America by appointing women, Hispanics, Asians, gays and lesbians, Democrats and Republicans and being totally inclusive of all of us, those who’d gone mad did not understand that you cannot put a genie back in the box.

We may be going through a rough period as far as progress on equality and justice, but I still believe there are enough good people who will work through their prejudices and biases with which they were reared as they understand that those of us who’ve previously been left out, won’t turn back. I still have hope. No one can change the change for which we've worked so hard.

Dr. E. Faye Williams is national chair of the National Congress of Black Women.

This article — the 13th of a 20-part series — is written in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. The Lawyers’ Committee is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to enlist the private bar's leadership and resources in combating racial discrimination and the resulting inequality of opportunity — work that continues to be vital today. For more information, visit www.lawyerscommittee.org.

CHURCH BOMBING Continued from page 5 Authorities mistakenly recorded her last name as “Wesley” and never fixed the error, he said, until the family sought an amended death certificate decades later.

Morris said he vividly recalls hearing the blast that morning and running to the church with friends to help dig through the rubble. He remembers people calling out about finding bodies amid broken bricks but said he left in fear before his sister’s remains were found.

Morris, sobbing during an interview, said a friend told him moments later that Cynthia’s decapitated remains had been found. He said he’s never shaken the pain.

“I left her buried in a pile of bricks.

That’s all I could think of,” he said through tears.

Stephanie Engle, an activist who is publicizing the families’ push for compensation, said victims of the bombing deserve reparation just like Japanese Americans who received payments through a $1.6 billion program decades after being held in internment camps during World War II. Birmingham’s entire Jim Crow structure of racial segregation created a climate of fear and hate that resulted in the girls’ deaths, she said. Engle said “medals, statues, and ‘pomp-and-cir-

cumstance ceremonies’ are not a substitution for justice, moral, and historical accountability.”

Press aides to Sewell and Bachus did not return messages seeking comment on the status of the legislation for the medals.

The Alabama Crime Victims’ Compensation Commission helps crime victims and families with expenses stemming from a crime, but Executive Director Cassie Jones said state law does not allow it to address crimes that occurred before the agency was created in 1984. She said it doesn’t matter if the conviction occurred after 1984, as happened in this case.

“We are not able to compensate anyone where there was a crime before it became an agency,” she said.

She said the Justice Department has a program to assist crime victims, but she doesn’t know how far back it can go.

Robert Sedler, a law professor at Wayne State University in Detroit who has litigated major civil rights cases, said Congress has the power to approve compensation to victims such as Rudolph.

“These people are victims of a long and tragic history of racial discrimination in the southern states and Congress on behalf of the people can

provide compensation for the victims,” he said.

As for the church bombing victims and families, Sedler said their argument is strengthened by the fact that Alabama authorities were nor protecting the rights of blacks at the time. He noted that Birmingham’s public safety commissioner then was the notoriously racist Bull Connor.

“Violence was encouraged,” he said. “Local law enforcement officials did not enforce the law to protect minority rights... The people who blew up the church, they believed that they could do it with impunity.”

The viciousness of the bombing drew national attention to Birmingham, where authorities used fire hoses and police dogs to turn back black marchers months earlier the same year.

Congress passed the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act within a year of the bombing, which came to symbolize the depth of racial hatred in the South.

Rudolph’s comments come a week after Alabama lawmakers address another major episode in civil rights history. Legislators voted to allow posthumous pardons for the “Scottsboro Boys,” nine black teens who were wrongly convicted of raping two white women more than 80 years ago.

The burden of unemployment

BY JULIANNE MALVEAUX NNPA COLUMNIST Unemployment rates were “little changed” in March 2013 – they were either holding steady or dropping by a tenth of a percentage point or so. The unemployment rate dropped from 7.7 to 7.6 percent representing a steady, if painstakingly slow, decrease. This declining unemployment rate was reported with some circumspection because even as the rate dropped, nearly half a million people left the labor market, presumably because they could not find work. Further, in March, the economy generated a scant 88,000 jobs, fewer than in any of the prior nine months. An economy that many enjoy, describing as “recovering,” has not yet recovered enough to generate enough jobs to keep up with population increases.

Of course, there are variations in the unemployment rate, which is 6.7 percent for Whites, but 13.3 percent for African Americans.

Hidden unemployment pushes the actual White rate up to 13.8 percent and the Black rate to 24.2 percent.

More than 4.6 million Americans have been out of work for more than 27 weeks.

I parse these numbers on the first Friday of each month and note the vacillations in these rates. In the past four years, we have seen a downward drift in rates, but it neither been as rapid or as inclusive as we might like. We know that, in spite of talk of economic recovery, job creation is stagnant, not keeping up with increases in the population.

In no month have we created the 300,000 jobs we need to “catch up” and push unemployment rates down.

We should pay attention to unemployment vacillations, but we might also consider the human cost of unemployment. Those who are unemployed experience malaise, displacement, and often depression. This malaise, or worse, affects dynamics in families, workplaces, and communities.

Some workers exhale when they dodge the bullet of a layoff.

Next, they inhale when they realize that, thanks to layoffs, their workload will increase. In families and communities, the unemployment of just one person has a series of unintended costs for those close to them.

Speaking to the National Association of Black Social Workers conference last week, I reminded them that social workers are among those who bear the burden of unemployment. These committed public servants work with the threat of layoffs in their worksites, given sequestration and state budget cuts. Yet they are also challenged to advise those who have experienced the fate they may have to grapple with themselves. As employment is cut among social

Julianne Malveaux

workers, others are forced to take on larger caseloads. Unless some of these social workers are superhuman, there will be clients who will slip between the cracks.

Heretofore, we have mostly looked at unemployment data as a reflection of the number of jobs our economy generates. We’ve also looked at those who hold them, those who lose them, and what this means in terms of poverty, education, and community health. We could expand our understanding of the employment situation if we looked at those who bear its burden.

There are politicians who rail that people are unemployed because they are lazy. The fact is people are unemployed because the economy is not generating enough jobs. The French philosopher, Albert Camus, mused, “Without work all life is rotten.” Everybody wants to be useful; and until “use” is defined as something other than paid employment, many will feel marginalized because of their vocation situation.

When unemployed, people hear about our “recovering” economy.

They wonder what is wrong with them. We all need to wonder what is wrong with an economy that generates such unemployment. We need to wonder about an economy that has soaring stock prices and robust corporate profits, while so many individuals are struggling financially. We need to do more to include those at the margins into the vitality of our “recovering” economy. And we need to understand that if one in four African Americans and one is six of the overall population, experiences unemployment, this is not a personal problem, but a societal one. Will our society fix it, or let it roll? And who pays?

Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer. She is President Emerita of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

11

e v e n t LISTINGS

3-4 / 2013 happening these months

L.A. Watts Times Calendar, Compiled by Brandon I. Brooks, Co-Managing Editor THIS WEEK 4/11 – 4/14

will benefit scholarships for the LEAD scholars. For more information and tickets please call (626) 975-3947.

REVIVAL 2013, “SAINT STILL

ON

FIRE”:

Come and be revived and refreshed. WHERE: Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 9300 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA. WHEN: Thursday, April 11 and Friday April 12 (7:30 p.m.), Sunday, April 14 (10:30 AM). For more information call the church at (323) 757-1739 or email holytrinityinglewood.com and FACEBOOK at: www.facebook.com/HTELC.

4/13 BLACK RESOURCE CENTER PRESENTS LIFE IS A SAXOPHONE 28TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION: Celebrate National Poetry Month with legendary poet and “word musician”, Kamau Daáood, who has been captured on film while blending his poetry to the music of giants such as Billy Higgins, and to the movements of internationally renowned dancer Lula Washington.

The film, “Life Is A Saxophone: 28th Anniversary Edition”, will be followed by a Q S. Pearl Sharp & A session with poet, writer, essayist, and award-winning independent filmmaker, S. Pearl Sharp. The DVD will be available after the program. WHERE: AC Bilbrew Library150 E. El Segundo Blvd. Los Angeles, Kamau Daáood CA 90061.

WHEN: Saturday, April 13 at 2:30 p.m. For more information please call (310) 538-3350 or visit colapublib.org. For ADA accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter or materials in an alternate format, call (562) 940-8462 (voice) or (562) 940-8477 (TTY), M-F, 8-5, at least six days prior to event.

AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILY DAY: Hamilton High School and Webster and Palms Middle Schools are holding an AfricanAmerican Family Day on the Hamilton campus.

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The day will include workshops for parents and students and a keynote speech by Ryan Smith, Director of Education Programs and Policy for the United Way, Los Angeles. There will be a special appearance by actor and Hamilton graduate, Paula Patton. Ms. Patton will receive a Distinguished Alumni Award in a presentation at 12:30 p.m. We expect approximately 400 parents and students. WHERE: Hamilton High School 2955 South Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles, 90034. For more information call (310) 869.9682 or email lauri.marsh@yahoo.com.

4/14 ENJOY

THE SOUNDS OF

MOTOWN:

WHEN: Sunday, April 14. WHERE: At the South Bay Double Tree by the Hilton Torrance.

Ladies for Ethnic Advancement and Dignity (LEAD) presents the Motown Revue. Proceeds

ON GOING MONDAY’S FREE SMALL BUSINESS ADVISING: The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is conducting free advising for business owners and new entrepreneurs. WHEN: The informational workshops are scheduled every Monday at 9 a.m. Some of the topics include how to start a new business, licensing and permits, the planning process, how to grow your existing business, and how to obtain a business loan.

WHERE: St. Lawrence of Brindisi Church 10122 Compton Ave. Los Angeles. For more information or to confirm your participation, please call Martha G. Castro (562) 212-0312 or Email: wattsadvising@gmail.com.

NOW – 4/27 THE ARKESTRY

OF THE COSMOS: The Universe Language of Sun Ra - In 1969, Sun Ra’s first Los Angeles appearance was at the Dorsey High School Auditorium on Farmdale Avenue, just blocks from where The William Grant Still Arts Center is today. To honor our

neighborhood as well as Sun Ra’s groundbreaking career as a visionary jazz composer, ARKESTRY OF THE COSMOS: THE UNIVERSE LANGUAGE OF SUN RA will exhibit archives, art, and interviews on Sun Ra, members of The “Ark” and their quest to expand minds, music, and souls through musical experimentation for over a half-century.

WHEN: Now – April 27. Culminating Youth Concert - Saturday, April 20, Time TBA. Center Hours – Tuesday – Saturday, Noon – 5:00 p.m. WHERE: William Grant Still Arts Center, 2520 South West View Street, Los Angeles, CA 90016. The cost is Free! For more information call William Grant Still Arts Center (323) 734 – 1165.

NOW – 4/28 FIRST ANNUAL L.A. PUPPET FEST 2013: L.A. Puppet Fest, a celebration of the art and creativity of all things related to puppetry to be presented by a myriad of puppetry organizations located throughout greater Los Angeles. WHEN: Now – April 28. Come together to create a great experience for locals and visitors of all ages. This inaugural citywide festival offers a variety of events, shows, exhibitions and classes for all ages and tastes, bringing the best puppetry can offer to fans, those who want to learn and those who want to

participate. L.A. Puppet Fest 2013 is sponsored in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA). For more information please visit the L.A. Puppet Fest website at www.LAPuppetFest.com or you can check each participating event has its own contact information. Events range from Free to $25 per person and may have age recommendations. L.A. Puppet Fest can be found on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LAPuppetFest and on Twitter @LAPuppetFest.

4/15 – 4/25 & 5/6 – 5/16 CSUDH ANNUAL STUDENT ART & DESIGN EXHIBITS: Works of art ranging from giant posters, rebranding identity, packaging and web design to mixed media assemblage, ceramic sculpture, and paintings—all created by 40 California State University, Dominguez Daniel Monroe Hills studio art and design graduates—will be featured in two exhibits with the combined title of “Annual Student Art and Design Exhibitions: B.A. Graduates” in the University Art Gallery. WHEN April 15 to 25; the Design exhibition will run from May 6-16.

Both exhibitions will include special exhibits featuring photography and motion graphics created by students in studio art, design, as well as digital media arts. The graduating students will be honored at opening receptions on April 15 (Studio Art) and May 6 (Design), both from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the gallery. Admission to the gallery and the reception is free and open to the public.

WHERE: The University Art Gallery is located in room A-107 on the first floor of LaCorte Hall on the campus of CSU Dominguez Hills, 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daily parking passes are available at each campus lot for $4. For more information about the University Art Gallery, visit http://cah.csudh.edu/art_gallery or call (310) 243-3334.

UP & COMING 4/18 100 DAYS TOWN HALL: This is an opportunity to talk with Assemblymember Chris Holden about issues that affect our district - from transportation to business to education; bring your ideas and we will supply cookies and coffee. WHEN: Thursday, April 18, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. WHERE: District Office – 600 N. Rosemead, Suite 117, Pasadena. RSVP: (626) 351-1917.

LAPD SOUTHWEST AREA COMMUNITY YOUTH PROGRAMS: The Los Angeles Police Department's Southwest Area will be hosting a fundraiser for its youth programs. This event will also consist of a meet and greet as well as

having information on display for the youth programs. WHEN: Thursday, April 18th, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. WHERE: McDonald's 1081 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Los Angeles. 15% of all Dine-In Sales will help pay for upcoming South LA Police Youth Conference expenses.

For any questions, please call (213) 847-5800.

4/20 CONCERNED BLACK MEN OF LOS ANGELES PRESENTS COLLEGE LIFE AND WHAT TO EXPECT: The Concerned Black Men of Los Angeles, a non-profit mentoring organization, offers a powerful series of youth mentoring workshops through its signature Welcome-to-Manhood Program, promoting education, career and life skills guidance, and instructions in the importance of self-mastery and personal achievement. Workshops and youth activities are free. Workshops are designed for youth 11 to 19 years of age.

WHEN: Saturday, April 20, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Library 2205 West Florence Avenue, Los Angeles at the corner of Florence and Van Ness. For more information please call (213) 359-3378 to preregister for yourself and friends.

4/22 JAZZ SINGING SENSATION JACKIE RYAN CD RELEASE SHOW: Jazz vocalist Jackie Ryan has thrilled audiences across the globe

Jackie Ryan

with her powerful 3 ½ octave range and her warm, audience-friendly stage presence. She has a style that is uniquely her own. Jackie's shows include songs from gospel and blues to Brazilian bossa novas. From Latin to bebop, from vocalese to the most heartfelt ballads. Jackie’s new CD, LISTEN HERE, featuring John & Gerald Clayton and a top cast of young sidemen, was released January 22.

WHEN: Monday, April 22. Performance sets start at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. WHERE: Vitello’s Jazz & SupperClub 4349 Tujunga Ave. Studio City. Tickets are $20. For reservations call (818) 769-0905.

TO MAKE A CALENDAR SUBMISSION: Include event name, date(s), time, location, contact/RSVP information and admission price, if any. Use BRIEF paragraph format (no lists, line breaks, or all caps). All calendar submissions are space-permitting and may be edited for brevity. Send submissions, along with any images, to brandon@lasentinel.net with the subject heading “LAWT Community Events.”

Please include text in the body of your email, not in an attachment.

12

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Sacramento mayor reveals new investor in Kings bid

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Kevin Johnson addresses the media at the St. Regis Hotel on April 3, 2013 in New York, New York.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson has announced a new investor to help fill the role vacated by billionaire Ron Burkle in the city’s bid to keep the Kings from moving to Seattle.

Johnson said at his weekly news conference Tuesday that Sacramento developer Mark Friedman has joined the group. The announcement comes a day after Burkle backed out because of a conflict of interest stemming from his ownership stake in Relativity Sports, which manages some NBA players’ careers.

Friedman said he will help build the planned arena in downtown Sacramento. He also said he had been in contact with the mayor since January and the timing of Burkle's decision had nothing to with his emergence.

Sacramento is trying to block a bid from a group that has a deal with the Maloof family to buy the Kings and move the franchise to Seattle next season. NBA owners are vetting both offers.

US judge in Philly weighs NFL concussion suits

Mike Tomlin named to NFL competition committee PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has been named to the NFL's competition committee.

Commissioner Roger Goodell named Tomlin to the committee on Tuesday. Tomlin will replace former Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt. Tomlin had worked on the coaches subcommittee of the Competition Committee since 2009.

The 41-year-old Tomlin is 6836 in six seasons with the Steelers and led them to victory in the 2009 Super Bowl.

“Coach Tomlin will bring additional strength to the committee from the coaching perspective,” Goodell said. “Mike has strong, perceptive views about the game and is effective in expressing them. We look forward to his contributions to the committee’s ongoing mission to improve the game.”

Tomlin says he is “excited” AP Photo about the appointment and is Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Head looking forward to contributing. Coach.

The nine-man committee — which is co-chaired by Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay and St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher — recommends rules and policy changes to the NFL.

34 charged in probe of illegal sports betting

BY MARYCLAIRE DALE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BY TIM TALLEY ASSOCIATED PRESS

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody has a billion-dollar problem on her hands.

Brody, of Philadelphia, heard arguments Tuesday on whether lawsuits that accuse the NFL of glorifying violence and hiding known concussion risks belong in court or in arbitration.

Brody could side with the 4,200 players and let them pursue lawsuits, or she could rule for the league and find that head injuries are covered under health provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.

Or she could issue a split decision, letting some of the fraud and negligence claims against the NFL move forward in court. Her decision could be worth more than a billion dollars and is expected to be appealed by either side, spawning years of litigation.

“There are people who aren’t going to be able to be around long enough to find out the end of this case, and my husband is one of them,” said Eleanor Perfetto, the widow of guard Ralph Wenzel, who played for Pittsburgh and San Diego from 1966 to 1973. “He died last June, and I’m here for him. He was sick for almost two decades and, in the end, had very, very severe, debilitating dementia.”

In the closely-watched court arguments Tuesday, NFL lawyer Paul Clement insisted that teams bear the chief responsibility for health and safety under the contract, along with the players’ union and the players themselves.

“The clubs are the ones who had

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A federal indictment unsealed Wednesday accuses 34 people and 23 companies, many of them registered in Central America, of operating an illegal sports bookmaking business that solicited more than $1 billion in bets.

The 95-page indictment, handed up by a federal grand jury in Oklahoma City on March 20, accuses the defendants of operating from San Jose, Costa Rica, and Panama City to take bets almost exclusively from gamblers in the U.S. The indictment says that since 2003 the operation known as Legendz Sports used the companies to operate as payment processors, launder gambling funds and make payouts to customers. It alleges a conspiracy and accuses the defendants of violating federal racketeering and money laundering statutes as well as operating an illegal gambling business.

The indictment also accuses the defendants of violating illegal gambling statutes in several states, including Oklahoma, California, Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, New York and Texas.

“Legendz Sports solicited millions of illegal bets totaling over $1 billion on sports and sporting events from gamblers in the United States,” the indictment alleges. As part of the conspiracy, Legendz Sports operated Internet websites and telephone gambling services from facilities located in Panama, the indictment says.

U.S. Attorney Sanford Coats of Oklahoma City said the charges cul-

AP Photo

Former NFL player Dorsey Levens, left, walks to the U.S. Courthouse Tuesday, April 9, 2013, in Philadelphia for a hearing to determine whether the NFL faces years of litigation over concussions injuries. doctors on the sidelines who had primary responsibility for sending players back into the game,” Clement said at a news conference after the hearing.

The players argue that the league “glorified” and “monetized” violence through NFL Films, thereby profiting from vicious hits to the head.

Players’ lawyer David Frederick also accused the league of concealing studies linking concussions to neurological problems for decades, even after the NFL created a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury committee in 1994. The panel was led by a rheumatologist.

“It set up a sham committee designed to get information about neurological risks, but in fact spread mis-

information,” Frederick argued.

In recent years, scores of former NFL players and other concussed athletes have been diagnosed after their deaths with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, including popular Pro Bowler Junior Seau and lead plaintiff Ray Easterling. Both committed suicide last year.

About one-third of the league’s 12,000 former players have joined the litigation since Easterling filed suit in 2011. Some are battling dementia, depression or Alzheimer’s disease, and fault the league for rushing them back on the field after concussions.

Others are worried about future problems and want their health monitored.

See NFL CONCUSSION, page 15

minated a multiyear investigation by the FBI and Internal Revenue Service.

“The defendants cannot hide the allegedly illegal sports gambling operation behind corporate veils or state and international boundaries,” Coats said.

The acting chief of the Justice Department’s criminal division, Mythili Raman, said the government is determined to crack down on illegal online gambling by U.S. citizens, regardless of where the business operates or where the defendants live.

“These defendants allegedly participated in an illegal sports gambling business, lining their pockets with profits from over a billion dollars in illegal gambling proceeds,” Raman said.

Among the individual defendants listed in the indictment is Bartice Alan King, 42, of Spring, Texas, who's accused of conspiring with others to operate gambling services that took wagers almost exclusively from U.S. gamblers.

The enterprise allegedly used bookies in the U.S. to illegally solicit and accept sports wagers as well as settle gambling debts. The 34 individual defendants were allegedly employees, members and associates of the Legendz Sports enterprise, the indictment says.

Bob Troester, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oklahoma City, said King remained at large Wednesday but that 22 other defendants including King's former wife, Serena Monique King, had been taken into custody.

If convicted, the defendants face See ILLEGAL BETTING, page 14

Thursday, April 11, 2013

13

Deborah Cox loves Damien Wayans gets personal With the wrap of his first season starring in Second Generation the ‘beginning of Wayans, Damien talks Wayans’ life behind the scenes a new chapter’

BY CHELSEA BATTLE LAWT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

BY MARK KENNEDY ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK (AP) — Every performer has a special routine before hitting the stage.

For the last few months, you may have found Deborah Cox singing into a computer.

The actress and singer was on a 25-week national tour with “Jekyll & Hyde,” which meant being apart from her husband and three young children back in Florida.

So before the curtain went up in places like Philadelphia or Dallas, Cox would sing lullabies to her oldest, 9-year-old Isaiah, who would take a computer to bed to hear mommy.

“That was the hardest thing when I made the decision to go out on the road: It would mean not being with them the way I want to,” she says, tearing up.

“It was a tough time. Tough time. Tough time. Oh, I’m getting emotional.”

Photo by Ryan Miller/Invision/AP Those pre-curtain checkIn this Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 photo, cast ins are still necessary, but the grueling road trip is thankfully member Deborah Cox poses during the over. A battle-tested “Jekyll & party for the opening night performance of Hyde” has rolled into “Jekyll & Hyde” The Musical at the La Broadway and opens this Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, in month at the Marquis Theatre. La Mirada, Calif. Cox loves the “beginning “It’s the end of the road of a new chapter” as she brings “Jekyll & and the beginning of a new Hyde” to Broadway. chapter,” Cox says in her new “I’m more introverted. I’m more a dressing room, a lit candle flickering on a coffee table and two newly deliv- hopeless romantic. I’m much more ered trunks with clothes and “lots of positive and easygoing and non-confrontational. And Lucy is the complete shoes” awaiting unpacking.

“It really tests your faith and your opposite. I’m much more laid-back.”

A knack for music came early for decision-making. But it makes you better. I’m a better performer because the Toronto-raised Cox, who recalls of it. I can handle anything now, I adoring Disney movies like “Snow think,” she says. “We thugged it out, White” and listening to her mom's and grinded it out. And now we’re favorite singers, from Dinah Washington to Billie Holiday. here.”

“Billie Holiday’s voice to me was Cox seems the opposite of a diva, even though she has every right to be like the first character voice. She was one. A slender beauty with a powerful like this woman who was wounded. voice, she is a Grammy Award nomi- Her voice just sounded exactly like nee with six top 20 Billboard R&B sin- how she looked. That’s where it all started.” gles.

Cox sang commercials, did studio She’s also a self-confessed introvert who adores foot massages and work and joined every band she could, cheers with delight when drag queens from jazz to calypso. She landed a spot sing her songs back to her. Cox, who as a backup singer for Celine Dion, and turns 40 in July, has paid her dues and when Dion’s tour pulled into Los works hard. When it’s pointed out that Angeles for a “Tonight Show” appearher dressing room is labeled No. 2, she ance, Cox and her manager (and soonreplies: “It has hardwood floors, so it’s to-be husband, Lascelles Stephens) managed to get a demo cassette to No. 1 to me.”

In the musical, Cox plays Lucy, a record producer Clive Davis.

Weeks later, they all met at the brothel worker who is a love interest for both Jekyll and Hyde — the dual Beverly Hills Hotel and Cox was soon title role played by Constantine signed to Arista Records, which also Maroulis — and belts out several was home to Whitney Houston, one of songs including a sassy “Bring on the her idols.

“People always ask me, ‘How was Men” and the torch song “Someone it being on the same label as Whitney?

Like You.” “It’s one of the most challenging What were the expectations?’ It’s kind roles I’ve ever done. She’s such an of hard to come out expecting to sell extrovert and so uninhibited and so 10 million records on your first sexy and such a vampy woman. It’s album,” she says, laughing. “Can we just a totally different character from just get the record out?” who I am,” she says.

See DEBORAH COX, page 15

Wayans. The mere mention of the name likely brings to mind the talented siblings who took Hollywood by storm in the 1990’s and successfully created a dynasty that traversed the decade and reigns to this day. Determined to carry the torch, the latest generation of Wayans is working hard to earn their rightful place on the throne.

Says Damien, “There was always a misconception of what it’s like being a Wayans or a second generation Wayans.

A lot of people thought we were just born into money and it was like— nope—it was a tough road, a tough journey.” But the Wayans are nothing if not tough. The new kids on the Wayans family block have taken the popular misconception of a cookie cutter lifestyle and capitalized on it, resulting in the launch of BET’s Second Generation Wayans show.

“You know, me and my cousin Craig [who co stars in the show] were project kids, project bred—we were not born with a silver spoon in our mouths,” Damien reveals. People look at you in a good light sometimes and people look at you in a negative light sometimes.

Because you are a Wayans, they expect you to be [like] your family at times.

Damien Wayans (left) Craig Wayans (right) We’re trying to carve our own name and ground ourselves, like our uncles grounded themselves.”

In keeping with family tradition Marlon Wayans, Damien’s uncle, is one of the executive producers for Second Generation Wayans. The show, which Damien says is largely based on real life experiences, reflects years of the ups and downs, successes and failures which he and the younger Wayans have

experienced while trying to break into showbiz. Because ‘elders’ Shawn, Keenen, and Marlon have frequently appeared in the spotlight, the assumption is that the entire Wayans family is solidly linked into the film industry.

With Second Generation Wayans Damien, his cousin Craig, and Uncle Marlon wanted to dispel that notion and portray the true path which the younger See DAMIEN WAYANS, page 15

UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH RELATIEXECUTIVE VITYMEDIA A CHERNIN ENTERTAINMENT/MONOLITH PICPRODUCED TURES/RADICAL STUDIOS PRODUCTION A JOSEPH KOSINSKI FILM TOM CRUISE “OBLIVION” OLGA KURYLENKO ANDREA RISEBOROUGH THE GRAPHIC NOVEL PETER CHERNIN DYLAN CLARK BARRY LEVINE DUNCAN HENDERSON BASED ON ORIGINAL NIKOLAJ COSTER-WALDAU AND MELISSA LEO MUSICBY M83 PRODUCERS DAVEMORRISON JESSE BERGERSCREENPLAY JUSTIN SPRINGER BY JOSEPH KOSINSKIDIRECTED STORY BY JOSEPH KOSINSKI AUNIVERSALPICTURE

BY KARL GAJDUSEK AND MICHAEL DEBRUYN

BY JOSEPH KOSINSKI FEATURING THE ORIGINAL SONG “OBLIVION” BY M83 (FEAT. SUSANNE SUNDFØR) SOUNDTRACK ON BACK LOT MUSIC

© 2012 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

IMAX® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF IMAX CORPORATION

LOCAL LISTINGS FOR STARTS FRIDAY, APRIL 19 CHECK THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

14

Thursday, April 11, 2013

White House celebrates the As Jay-Z sells, sounds of Memphis soul Nets losing minor owner, big name

AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

First lady Michelle Obama waves to students as she introduces the panel of a workshop, “Soulsville, USA: The History of Memphis Soul,” Tuesday, April 9, 2013, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington.

Mrs. Obama hosted an event for students before tonight’s “In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul”.

BY DARLENE SUPERVILLE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP) — A White House celebration Tuesday night of Memphis soul music is an affirmation of the decades of hard work that went into making it a classic American music sound, said some of the artists tapped to perform.

“I’m proud to do this,” said Sam Moore, half of the Sam & Dave soul duo, known for the hit “Hold On, I’m Comin’.”

Moore said he was kicking off the concert in the East Room after an introduction by President Barack Obama.

The 77-year-old said it's his first time meeting Obama and he joked about possibly wearing a diaper — just in case.

“You just hope you don’t slosh in your shoe,” he said in between rehearsals. Moore did not give away any details about his performance.

Artist William Bell said the concert reaffirms years of hard work that began in the 1960s when Stax Records was created in Memphis, Tenn., and the label cranked out one soul and R&B hit after another for more than a decade.

Among its artists were Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, The Staple Singers, Bell and Sam & Dave.

“As kids coming up, we didn't think it would last this long,” the 73-year-old Bell said of the music genre during a rehearsal break. He said he would perform one of his hits, “You Don’t Miss Your Water.”

Tuesday’s concert is the 10th in the “In Performance at the White House” series. The lineup includes Alabama Shakes, Steve Cropper, Ben Harper, Queen Latifah, Cyndi Lauper, Joshua Ledet, Charlie Musselwhite, Mavis Staples, Justin Timberlake, Bell and Moore, with Booker T. Jones as music director and band leader.

Al Green was listed in the original lineup but, about an hour before the show, the White House released a statement from the singer’s spokesman who

said Green had suffered a back injury that will keep him from traveling and that he will be unable to perform. Green sent his regrets.

The entire program is set to air next Tuesday on PBS stations nationwide. It will also be broadcast at a later date over the American Forces Network for service members and civilians at Defense Department locations worldwide.

The program also honors Memphis, where whites and blacks came together in the 1960s to make a soulful blend of gospel and rhythmic grooves despite it being a segregated city.

Earlier in the day, the first lady kicked off a workshop featuring Moore,

Staples, Timberlake, Musselwhite and Harper for students from 16 schools and organizations in Virginia, California, Memphis, New York City, Maryland, Florida and Washington, D.C. She noted Memphis’ history as the birthplace of Elvis Presley’s rock and roll and B.B. King’s blues.

“And while you can hear both of those influences in Memphis soul, this music has a style and a story uniquely its own,” Mrs. Obama said, before launching into the story of Stax Records.

She noted that the label also represented “somebody my husband thinks he sounds like” — Green. “Let’s just tell him he does, OK? Since he is the president, we like to boost him up a little bit.”

It was a reference to Obama singing a few bars of Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” in February 2012 during a Democratic fundraiser at New York’s Apollo Theater.

Mrs. Obama also tried to encourage the students, including some aspiring musicians, by noting that the artists perched on stools in front of them have spent decades perfecting their talent to get where they are.

She recalled playing the piano as a young girl and said she regretted not keeping it up. But she said the skills learned through music can be useful in other avenues of life.

“The discipline, the patience, the diligence I learned through the study of music, those are all skills that I apply every single day in my life,” Mrs. Obama said. “I applied them as a student, as a lawyer, as a first lady, and definitely as a mother.”

Started in February 2009, the “In Performance at the White House” series has celebrated the music of Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Hispanic music, music from the civil-rights era, Motown and the blues, Broadway and country music.

AFRICA’S FUTURE Continued from page 7 Carson explained. “In the first 100 days, she turned the country around. The economy has expanded and continues to grow.”

Banda, who has been involved in women’s issues for 30 years, said a number of austerity measures and policy proposals that she’s enacted have been deeply disliked but vowed to continue even if it costs her personally.

“We’re on track, strengthening government institutions and increasing the level of comfort for donors to return,” she said. “The 100 days was used to also improve relations with our neighbors. I reversed all the laws that were not good and in July 2012, we started a national dialogue on the economy. Using mining, energy, tourism, infrastructure and agriculture, we will be able to create wealth for Malawians.

“For 14 months, we have implemented a very, very unpopular reform program. I should have backtracked because elections are next year but it’s OK …”

Koroma is guiding a country that still bears the scars of a brutal civil war that ended in 2002. He spoke of developing institutions to foster democratic change, such as the Independent Media

Commission and the National Commission on Democracy, the work undertaken to bolster the economy and critical sectors such as mining and agriculture and restructuring police and security forces so they adhere to human rights standards. Despite the challenges, he said he’s pleased with the progress.

“What we take pride in is that we’re committed to moving forward,” he said.

“We have peace and a rapidly developing country … we’ve built on the peace and positioned ourselves for growth. This is why we believe that Sierra Leone is no longer a country of blood diamonds … I believe that Sierra Leone is on the move.”

Neves presides over a string of islands – Cape Verde – off the coast of West Africa that have been lauded by Obama and other administration officials for fostering a favorable environment for investment, for its high and steady economic growth and for having one of the highest literacy rates in the world.

“I think that in order to ensure continuity, we must respect scrupulously the rules of the game,” said Neves, in answer to a question about keeping democracy on-track. “We must build consensus on See AFRICA’S FUTURE, page 15

AP Photo

Jay-Z sits courtside at a Brooklyn Nets game.

BY BRIAN MAHONEY ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets are losing one of their biggest names as they prepare for the playoffs.

Jay-Z owned just a little piece of the team, but was a large presence when the franchise changed homes and identities this season.

The rap mogul is selling his stake in the Nets so he can become certified as a player agent, possibly before the end of the season. The process is underway, with paperwork already filed, a person with knowledge of the details said Wednesday.

NBA rules prevent anyone from being involved in ownership and player representation.

Yahoo Sports, which first reported Jay-Z’s plans, said his Roc Nation company has partnered with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and hopes to compete for players in this June's NBA draft.

Jay-Z owns less than 1 percent of the Nets, but has had a major impact with the franchise's move to his hometown. He had input and in some cases complete control of everything from the interior of the $1 billion Barclays Center to the design of the

team’s black-and-white uniforms, which he debuted himself during his run of eight sold-out concerts in September that served as the debut of the arena.

A spokesman for Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, did not respond to a message.

Friendly with LeBron James and a number of sports superstars, Jay-Z could quickly make Roc Nation a force in the agency field. The company recently signed New York Yankees All-Star Robinson Cano. The Nets hoped his reputation and friendships would help them three years ago when James led a loaded field of free agents, but the Nets, then playing in Newark, failed to land any of them.

Jay-Z attended only a handful of games this season, but his affiliation with the franchise provided a necessary buzz for its first season in Brooklyn. He sat in his courtside seat next to wife Beyonce in November when the Nets beat the Knicks in their first matchup as New York rivals, providing the trash talk afterward when he tweeted that the city was under new management.

The Nets have clinched their first playoff berth since 2007 and are in position to have home-court advantage in their first-round series.

ILLEGAL BETTING Continued from page 12 up to 20 years in prison for racketeering, up to 20 years for conspiring to commit money laundering, up to 10 years for money laundering and up to five years for operating an illegal gambling business.

In addition, the indictment seeks forfeiture of at least $1 billion in numerous assets including real estate, bank accounts, brokerage and investment accounts, certificates of deposit, IRAs, domain names, an aircraft, a

gas lease and several vehicles.

Troester said the investigation is not related to illegal gambling charges against Teddy Mitchell, 58, who is awaiting trial on a federal indictment that accuses him of making millions of dollars by hosting illegal high-stakes poker games at his Oklahoma City home and by illegally taking bets on sporting events.

“This is a completely separate case,” Troester said.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

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BRADLEY FAMILY SUPPORTS GREUEL Continued from page 3 opportunity to choose what they wanted to be…”

Greuel served in Tom Bradley’s office for 10 years, mainly as his spokesperson to the City Council, various departments and Los Angeles residents. She left in 1993, the end of his term, to work for then President Bill Clinton as field operations officer for Southern California’s Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program.

During that time, Greuel had been involved in job creation and homeownership projects, social services and economic development.

She served on Los Angeles’ City Council from 2003 to 2009, taking the job of controller in July that same year.

“All those years, [she was] a fight-

er, a go-getter, someone who was always in there pushing and trying to do the right thing,” Lorraine Bradley said.

“From the beginning when she came to work as a teenager for daddy, she had no idea what all of this entailed… what politics was about.

Obviously over the many years she found out what politics was really about. And, yet she’s managed to work in private industry and come back to public [as a] councilperson, controller and knows what she wants to do and how she wants to help people, because my father was all about helping people. And if that wasn’t what you wanted to do and be involved in on a daily basis then you didn’t work for him.

“And so, she knows about working with people, to try to get them to solve problems. Because, you can’t work in a vacuum. You can’t solve problems unless you work with others.”

Her friendship with Greuel notwithstanding, Lorraine Bradley as a Los Angeles resident and voter said she wants the city’s next mayor to focus on generating more revenue here.

“Hopefully more of it will come to us so that programs that are so important to the city and to the people of the city will continue. I think more than anything that will be [Greuel’s] objective, to try to balance the budget so that people aren’t hurt. She knows what she needs to do. She’s the controller so she knows where the money is.”

Continued from page 3 introduction of the nation’s first plant closure law.

Congresswoman Waters has long been highly visible in Democratic Party politics and has served on the Democratic National Committee (DNC) since 1980. She was a key leader in five presidential campaigns:

DEBORAH COX Continued from page 13 Cox has released six albums since 1995, with perhaps her most famous single being “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here.” She’s sung for President Barack Obama, and she made her Broadway debut in the lead role in Elton John and Tim Rice’s musical “Aida.”

But lately Cox has grown disillusioned with the singles-driven, fragmented music business. She thinks audiences aren’t getting a chance to know artists.

“It’s less about artistic development and the music and what an artist brings

PERRY ENDORSES PRICE Continued from page 4 political endorsements led by Gov. Jerry Brown, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsome, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Congresswoman Karen Bass and former Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke.

State Senator Curren Price vies to keep an African American representative in the Ninth District that has traditionally been held by a Black public servant.

He has the support of an impressive list current and former elected officials, union organizations, clergy and the majority of sitting state senators; Congresswoman Diane Watson (Ret.), Congressman Tony Cardenas, Congresswoman Gloria Negrete-McLeod, Congressman Juan Vargas, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark RidleyThomas, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson, Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz, Los Angeles City Councilman Dave Cunningham (Ret.), Los Angeles City Councilman Robert Farrell (Ret.) and Los Angeles City Councilman Nate Holden (Ret.) Price earned the right to be the choice in the run-off against former city hall aide Ana Cubas whom he beat in the primary.

Price continues to campaign on his solid record of achievement on one of

the most pressing issues facing Los Angeles: access to quality, affordable healthcare.

“Our 9th District communities are uniting behind this campaign, because the people in our neighborhoods understand the urgency as it relates to matters of health and wellness — particularly for our children, young families and elderly,” said Price. “It will take proven leadership to make the kind of change we need in the 9th District, and expanding access to healthcare is central to improving the quality of life in South Los Angeles.”

Sen. Edward Kennedy (1980), Rev. Jesse Jackson (1984 & 1988), and President Bill Clinton (1992 & 1996).

In 2001, she was instrumental in the DNC’s creation of the National Development and Voting Rights Institute and the appointment of Mayor Maynard Jackson as its chair.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will hold a public hearing on its proposed FY2014 budget (July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014) at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013.

The meeting will be held in the MTA Board Room on the 3rd floor of the Gateway Plaza Building, One Gateway Plaza, and Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Copies of the budget document will be available for public distribution 15 days in advance of the hearing and can be obtained by E mail to the Records Management Center (RMC) at RMC@metro.net.

The document can also be picked up at RMC on the Plaza level of the Gateway Building or viewed on the internet at www.metro.net.

CNSB#2469241

GOVERNMENT

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will receive proposals for RFIQ No. PS4730-3053 to establish the Highway Programs Planning & Deliverables Bench. Metro is seeking to establish Bench Contracts in various professional disciplines to assist Highway Programs in general planning and design of multimodal transportation projects, environmental assessments, public outreach services, program/project/construction management support, and right of way/surveying services.

Details are outlined in the Statement of Qualifications on file at the LACMTA Office of Procurement, One

All proposals must be received on or before 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 at the address listed above, sent to the attention of Erika Estrada, Interim Contract Administration Manager. Proposals received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the proposer unopened. A Pre-Proposal conference will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Wednesday April 16th, 2013, GATEWAY PLAZA CONFERENCE ROOM, 3rdFloor located at the address above.

Copies of the RFIQ will be available as of April 8th, 2013 via the website at www.metro.net. You may also obtain a copy of the RFIQ by calling PROCUREMENT RECEPTIONIST DESK (9th Floor) at (213) 922-1037, or via Fax at (213) 922-1004.

4/11/13 CNS-2467341# WATTS TIMES INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) No. 1735-A THE RESTORATION AND PAINTING OF THE EXISTING WROUGHT IRON SECURITY DOORS AND WINDOW BARS The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) invites vendors to submit firm fixed price bids for the restoration and painting of the existing wrought iron security doors and window bars, perimeter fencing, handrails and guardrails at the following public housing developments located at: Rancho San Pedro Housing Development, 275 W. 1st Street, San Pedro, CA 90731, Estrada Courts Housing Development, 3232 Estrada Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023, Pueblo Del Rio Housing Development, 1801 E. 53rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90058, San Fernando Gardens Housing Development, 10995 Lehigh Ave., Pacoima, CA 91331. Copies of the IFB may be downloaded from the internet at www.hacla.org under “Doing Business with HACLA”, then click on “Procurement Opportunities” and click “Construction Goods and Services”. Bids will be accepted by the General Services Department at 2600 Wilshire Boulevard, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90057, until 2:00 P.M., Pacific Daylight Saving Time, May 7, 2013.

4/4, 4/11/13 CNS-2463567# WATTS TIMES

DAMIEN WAYANS to the table and it’s more about celebrity. That’s a completely different journey now,” she says. “You can become a celebrity just by merely doing a sex tape or walking around naked.”

The opportunity to return to Broadway came via the Frank Wildhorncomposed musical “Jekyll & Hyde.”

Though she hadn’t seen any of his shows, Cox was very familiar with his pop songs, including Houston’s recording of “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.” “Here I am sort of in transition myself, looking for a great project to sink my teeth into and here comes ‘Jekyll & Hyde,’” she says. How often does a role like this come up? For a black woman that doesn’t deal with race? That just deals with a woman falling in love? That gets to sing incredible songs every night? It’s a dream come true.”

For his part, Wildhorn is happy he landed such a bona fide star to sing his songs on Broadway. “She’s so soulful.

She’s got a real sadness in her voice,” he says.

Cox is settling into her New York routine and is already cooking up new music. Her single “Higher” was just released, and she’s planning a dance version of “Someone Like You” soon.

She even has a project waiting in the wings: starring in a musical about Josephine Baker.

“I think I found my rhythm now,” she says with a big smile.

AFRICA’S FUTURE Continued from page 14 the issues and we must strengthen the social dialogue with unions, businesses and management. By carrying out a government of rules, governments become more legitimate every day. They must provide answers to social needs, develop new channels of access and ensure that civil society has room to develop and grow.”

Neves said it is critical to cater to the needs of young people and women, adding that every African country’s success is tied to including them in all aspects of the country’s growth and

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY PROPOSED FY2014 BUDGET

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORATION AUTHORITY (METRO) REQUEST FOR INTEREST AND QUALIFICATIONS (RFIQ) RFIQ NO. PS 4730-3053

WATERS ENDORSES GREUEL Obama, she gave her full support to the Democratic ticket for president.

Waters has been on the cutting edge, tackling difficult and often controversial issues. She has combined her strong legislative and public policy acumen and high visibility in Democratic Party activities with an unusual ability to do grassroots organizing.

Prior to her election to the House of Representatives in 1990, Waters had already attracted national attention for her no-nonsense, no-holdsbarred style of politics. During 14 years in the California State Assembly, she rose to the powerful position of Democratic Caucus Chair.

She was responsible for some of the boldest legislation California has ever seen: the largest divestment of state pension funds from South Africa; landmark affirmative action legislation; the nation’s first statewide Child Abuse Prevention Training Program; the prohibition of police strip searches for nonviolent misdemeanors; and the

Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (9th Floor).

development in ways that go well beyond lip service.

“We must invest in education, university training and professional and technical training to create conditions so that they can be employed,” he said primarily of young people. “Women represent the future of humanity, period. I have budgets that include gender questions and issues. We must reduce the inequality of the distribution of power and wealth.”

“We must now say, ‘beside every great man is a great woman …’”

Continued from page 13 generation has taken.

“Hollywood is a very fickle town,” explains Damien. “It’s a very ‘What have you done today?’ type of town especially now a days. They’re not making certain types of movies like they used to. Sometimes you feel like Hollywood is its own clique, so that’s why I’m happy I got my clique—my Wayans clique!”

Underneath it all is the rocky, albeit quirky, and genuine love that is the glue that bonds the Wayans together.

“It’s always fun being able to do what you love, and my family is my best friend; so throughout the years that I’ve been working with family it has kind of become second nature. You know, we have our arguments; we have our disagreements, but at the core of it all we are family, and we love to have fun with each other.”

Outside of the show when he’s not working out at a spin class, or chowing down on some Crazy Rocking Sushi on Santa Monica Boulevard, he’s writing and working on projects for his production company. In addition to developing a movie, he’s also directing a six part You Tube web series called That’s a Friend. The series is designed to make viewers beg the question “Is my friend really ride or die?”

“It’s about putting your friend to the ultimate test,” says Damien. “So if you’ve ever wondered, ‘How ride or die would my friend really be in a time of need?’ we take scenarios and we see how ride or die that friend really is.”

The multifaceted Damien Wayans is slowly proving his staying power in this industry, leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind that he is indeed a ride or die Wayans.

NFL CONCUSSION Continued from page 12 Brody honed in on whether the collective bargaining agreement specifies that head injuries are workplace safety issues and belong in arbitration.

“It has to be really specific. That’s what I have to wrestle with,” she said.

Frederick called the contract “silent” on latent head injuries, and said players therefore have the right to seek damages in court. Brody is not expected to rule for several months.

Players and family members on hand for the hearing included Kevin Turner, a former Philadelphia Eagles running back now battling Lou Gehrig’s disease; Dorsey Levens, a veteran running back who made a 2012 documentary on concussions called “Bell Rung,” and Easterling’s widow, Mary Ann. One wrinkle in the NFL’s argument is what it calls the “gap year” players, who played from 1987 to 1993, when there was no collective bargaining agreement in place. The league, eager to avoid opening up its files in a court case, argues that those players were bound by previous con-

tracts or contracts later in effect when they collected pensions.

“I certainly admit that the gap year players ... are the most difficult cases,” said Clement.

However, he said very few people played only those years, and not before or after. For most, “there’s no way to say the only hits that hurt you are the hits from those years,” he said.

Tom McHale played in the NFL from 1987 to 1995, before the All-Ivy League athlete died of an accidental overdose in 2008. He was 45 and had battled depression and addiction toward the end of his life.

Lisa McHale, of Tampa, Fla., hardly recognized her once-gregarious husband. After his death, he was also diagnosed with CTE. She believes the player lawsuits, and the willingness of retired players to go public with their problems, will help her three teenage sons understand their father’s illness.

“To know it wasn’t his fault, that there was something neurological going on, it helps,” she said.

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Thursday, April 11, 2013

BET Networks’ 13th Annual Celebration of Gospel Held at the Orpheum Theatre on March 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California

Dr. Bobby Jones

Tye Tribbett

Jonathan Butler

Pastor Shirley Caesar

Smokie Norful and son onstage

Steve Harvey

Donnie McClurkin & Anita Baker Tyrese Gibson

Dorinda Clark-Cole

Tamar Braxton

Viola Davis Karen Clark Sheard and KiKi Sheard

Yolanda Adams

Tamela Mann

(Photos by Valerie Goodloe/PictureGroup)