L.A. Focus Newspaper August 2023

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RV Encampment Crisis Hits Home for L.A. Churches Who Are Hopping

On the Florida and Slavery Controversy

18

When To Tip Controversy Reaches New Tipping Point

Biz

21

22

The High Cost of Looking Better

Lizzo Slammed with Lawsuit, Tina Knowles Calls it Quits with Richard Larson, Blue Ivy’s $80K Barbie, Terry Crews Avoids Cancer Scare

Ice Cube

Red Carpet Style

Barbie Premiere

A Stellar Night For Pastor Mike, Detrick Haddon’s New Grove

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Western State Baptist Convention Holds 133rd Session, Baptist Hold City Wide Revival, Pastor Michael Fisher, Norman Hutchins, Soul Seekers and Major Among Performers at Carson Family Fest

First Lady Files

Dretona Maddox

Barry Settle

25

J.J. Johnson

26 In Good Taste Saving Grace

Glynn Turman

Last month, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (55th district) was named the new Majority Leader of the California State Assembly. He is the first Black appointed to the post since Karen Bass held the title in 2006.

Correction: Last month’s guest chef (In Good Taste) was incorrectly listed as Kardea Brown. The recipe should have been credited to L.A. caterer Patricia James

____ J. Benjamin Hardwick, E.Wayne Gaddis and Douglas Nelson

Conviction In Search of a Crime”

TThe Federal Criminal Justice System has a long history of treating Black defendants unfairly. The recent conviction of Mark Ridley Thomas puts another spotlight on this continuing history of unequal justice for Black defendants.

On March 30, 2023, a jury returned a verdict of not guilty on 12 of 19 charges and guilty on 7 charges. Mark Ridley-Thomas was not proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt nor did he receive a fair trial as guaranteed by our constitution.

This was not a case of kickbacks involving sexual affairs, misusing public funds for personal gain. This was not a case of using an elected position to extort money or favors from individuals or entities and threatening them with adverse consequences if demands were not met. This was not a case of using his power and influence to benefit specific interest groups or lobbyists in exchange for financial contributions. This was not a case where Mark Ridley Thomas had any corrupt intent.

This was a case about a perception that a Black father, an elected Black official, who wanted to help his Black son–with a $100,000 donation to the United Ways Foundation to continue the good work he was doing to benefit the Black community at the time of his resignation from the state legislature–must be guilty of having a corrupt intent.

During the trial it was conceded that the Mark Ridley-Thomas donation of $100,000 from his own campaign funds was not illegal. If the donation was from his campaign fund, not public funds, was not illegal what is the crime? If the donation was not illegal how could there be a victim of a non-existent crime? This was a conviction in a case in search of a crime.

The prosecution suggested the $100,000 donation–that was “funneled” through USC’s School of Social Science to the United Ways– came with a threat to USC, yes a threat to USC, the most powerful and influential single entity in Los Angeles County, whose alumni serve on the most important boards of directors, and serve in high governmental positions, many of whom serve as judges,– that Mark Ridley-Thomas would and could sin-

gle-handedly kill future contracts to USC. On its face this is preposterous. No elected official in Los Angeles County has the capacity or means to threaten to kill future contracts to USC.

The indictment against Mark Ridley-Thomas reflected a classic example of what lawyers refer to as “overcharging,”–the practice of prosecutors bringing an excessive number of charges against a defendant. The effect intended or not, plants a seed of shock and awe in the jury’s mind, that “Mark Ridley-Thomas” must really be a very bad person, and that’s when the “he must be guilty of something syndrome” comes into play.

Overcharging had an undeniable unfair and negative impact on MRT’s persona in the press and helped the prosecutor to paint a draconian picture of one of the most accomplished Black politicians in American political history. Overcharging comforts the racial biases of jurors and feeds their stereotypes of Black defendants.

Overcharging leads to “compromised” and thus unfair verdicts. The jury returned 12 not guilty verdicts out of 19 charges. A “compromised” verdict is a violation of MRT’s constitutional rights.

The jury consisted of two Black males, six Latino females, two white females, one Asian female, and two Latino males. The only Black female jurors were eliminated by the prosecution.

Jurors bring their own personal biases or stereotypes regarding race into the courtroom. These biases can be conscious or unconscious, and they will impact how jurors perceive and evaluate evidence, testimony, or the credibility of witnesses.

From the Editor

“Telling Our Stories”

Ihave often said that if I won the lottery (which I play very rarely) or came into a huge sum of money, I would use a huge chunk of it to help Black folks caught up in a legal system that is heavily weighted to those who have money.

Whether it’s a Mark Ridley-Thomas, who has had to shell out seven figures to defend himself or a Black man or woman who can’t afford to pay bail, the consequences of the latter can in some cases mean the difference between life and death.

An op-ed in the L.A. Times reported that a 29-yearold died in L.A. County Sheriff’s Department custody last month, bringing the number of those to die in that jail system to 26 this year. Most of them–Black or Latino–had not been convicted and were in custody because they could not make bail.

For them, like so many others, justice in this country boils down to money. And while money may not even ensure that one gets a fair trial–as was the case with Mark Ridley-Thomas (see our feature story beginning on page 10),– it can be a critical factor in keeping one from being incarcerated pending trial.

The fact is that in large urban areas, Black felony defendants are over 25% more likely than white defendants to be held pretrial. Further, that young black men are about 50% more likely to be detained pretrial than white defendants and that despite being less likely to be able to afford it, Black and Brown defendants receive bail amounts that are twice as high as bail set for White defendants. Even in states like California that have implemented

pretrial reforms, racial disparities persist with the inability to make bail could mean a loss of jobs, severed family ties, and other collateral consequences.

It is stories like these that it is incumbent upon local news media outlets like L.A. Focus, the Wave, Our Weekly, KBLA and others to tell.

If we aren’t bearing witness to what is going on in our courtrooms, in our streets and in our jails, the inequities flourish and the truth is white-washed in more ways than one.

It is often at great sacrifice that many of us–working with stretched resources–bring the news to you through a prism that is so often ignored in mainstream media. The prism of culture. The prism of history. The prism of pride in the accomplishment of a people who have overcome so much with so little.

That said, I may not have won the lottery, but L.A. Focus had the good fortune of being among the eight out of 25 newspapers selected to be included in the LMA Bloomlab, a digital transformation lab–helping to drive digital revenue and audience growth for Black newspaper publishers–funded by the Knight Foundation.

Since the Knight x LMA BloomLab launched in Spring 2022, the focus has been on leveraging technology to grow revenue and audience, leading to long-term sustainability in a market that has not been kind to local media.

In fact, it is reported that somewhere around 2,514 weekly publications closed down or merged with other papers between 2004 and 2022, with the number of non-

MANSFIELD COLLINS Guest Columnist

Juries are supposed to act as a check on the power of the government and the legal system by reining in overzealous prosecutors and exposing judges who fail to protect the rights of the accused. The jury system acts as a “bulwark” of liberty for individuals accused of a crime.

The idea of a jury of one’s peers can be traced back to ancient times and consisted of local individuals who were familiar with the parties involved. The jury pool in this case included Orange County, Ventura County, San Bernardino County, Riverside and Los Angeles County.

A jury consisting of local individuals is best equipped to guard against abuses of authority by reining in overzealous prosecutors and exposing judges who fail to protect the rights of Black defendants. A jury comprised of remote individuals does not.

Prosecutors did not want any Black female jurors whose daily life experiences validate the existence of continuing systemic discrimination and racism on this jury. The removal of two Black female jurors, and retention of 9 non-Black female jurors was a denial of equal protection and a denial of MRT’s right to a fair trial by a jury of his peers.

It is time for the Black community and our legislature to address the disproportionate under-representation of Blacks on juries, especially when the defendant is Black. It is time to unconditionally end the removal of Black jurors whose daily life experiences validate the existence of continuing systemic discrimination and racism.

It is also time for the Black community to embrace jury duty. Jury service is a vote for due process, equal protection and a fair trial for Black defendants. Equal justice can never be achieved if potential Black jurors do not show up to serve on juries.

It is my belief that a jury of Mark Ridley Thomas’s actual peers would not have found him guilty on the remaining seven charges in this case. As it now stands, Mark Ridley-Thomas’ best chance for justice will be an appeal, where his chances of having his conviction overturned are very high.

Mansfield Collins is an L.A.-based attorney who has practiced in both federal and L.A. courts.

LISA COLLINS Publisher

daily papers falling from over 7.4 thou sand to just 5.1 thousand in that period, and dailies dropping from closed to 1,500 to under 1,250. This includes over 100 dailies which changed to weeklies.

Over 360 of them have closed since the start of the pandemic all of which points to a significant loss in community news coverage and a growing wave of 'news deserts' across the country, where residents lack access to credible and comprehensive news about their own communities.

L.A. Focus, however, is excited to say that our future is bright. We are excited to have been chosen for the Bloomlab opportunity, and equally excited to not only tell your stories, but in the next year to be able to expand our coverage and our audience reach to have more penetration with the stories we share. Stories of your successes, stories of the news we believe you need to know, and stories that share a fuller picture of news that may have otherwise been slanted to a narrative that has does not accurately portray our struggles, our truths, and our victories. So keep reading and…

Keep the faith.

“A

UpFront

California Atty General Rob Bonta Takes Action to Protect Section 8 Renters

It took authorities in Los Angeles 12 years to process and approve Delsean Keys’ Section 8 housing application.

After finally being accepted into the federal government’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program for low-income households, the 41-year-old Keys was informed that he had only 90 days to find an apartment before his housing voucher would expire.

"Most landlords wanted to do a background and credit check along with income verification,” Keys, who lives in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles, told California Black Media (CBM).

After securing Section 8 housing at his current residence, where he’s lived for five years, Keys’ challenges did not end.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, our landlord tried to raise rent, but we as tenants petitioned against it, pushing back that they couldn't do that,” Keys said. “We were facing a global pandemic at no fault of our own. Many of us were on unemployment and they even attempted to receive back rent.”

Keys eventually accepted a minimal rent increase due to a change in his income which is allowed as income must be reported to the local Housing Authority.

For many tenants like Keys, who receive rental assistance through the HCV program, the California Department of

As California grapples with an unprecedented housing crisis, it’s critical we work together to protect those most at risk of losing their homes. Section 8 recipients are some of the most vulnerable of California’s tenants and subjecting them to illegal and burdensome rent increases is unfair and may contribute to homelessness.

“Justice (DOJ) reports that it is common for landlords to raise their rents in violation of the law, while adhering to established rent caps for renters who pay market rates.

On June 30, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a letter to all housing authorities in the state, reminding them that tenants who receive Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are protected under California’s Tenant Protection Act (TPA).

According to the DOJ’s Housing Justice Team, there have been numerous complaints about some local housing authorities approving rent increases that exceed the TPA’s rent cap.

Landlords receiving approvals for rent increases may think they are in compliance with state and local law, but Bonta clarified in his letter that any rent increases outside of the guidelines of the TPA violate state or local laws and are “plainly wrong” and that the DOJ is taking those violations seriously.

Bonta emphasized that recipients of Section 8 vouchers are equally protected under laws that establish rent caps.

“As California grapples with an unprecedented housing crisis, it’s critical that we work together to protect those most at risk of losing their homes,” said Bonta. “Section 8 recipients are some of the most vulnerable of California’s tenants and subjecting them to illegal and

LILA BROWN CA Black Media

burdensome rent increases is unfair and may contribute to homelessness.”

In the letters, Bonta explained that California’s TPA, which bars landlords from raising rent for most tenants by more than 5%, plus inflation, or 10% total each year, whichever is lower, applies to recipients of the Section 8 Housing Choice vouchers and other similar housing assistance programs.

“Unfortunately, there are some shady landlords who are not in compliance with how Section 8 operates,” says Joel Green, 38, a landlord who provides permanent and supportive housing for the elderly at Abode Communities. “Some private landlords discriminate, or they judge tenants based on their previous experiences, which is not fair. We need to shine light on what's actually going on with those landlords who are doing things that are not compliant with Section 8 rules.”

The federal government’s Section 8 HCV program — whose waiting list is currently closed for public registration due to a backlog of applicants -- is the country’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are al-

Section 8 renters continued to page 24

UpFront

RV Encampment Crisis Hits Home for L.A. Churches Who Are Hopping Mad That They Are Getting No Help From the City

Pastor Jeffrey Lewis is at his wit’s end. He contends that the RV encampment around his church, New Antioch Church of God in Christ,–located on the corner of Vermont and 79th– is out of control.

“We’re one block from a school and to see kids daily have to walk through filthy sidewalks and pass right by individuals engaging in drug and human trafficking is so disgraceful,” Lewis said. “What makes it worse is when we call for help, we’re passed from department to department and it seems as if no one is willing to take responsibility. South Los Angeles is in crisis and we need help.”

Elim Los Angeles, one of the city’s largest Latino congregations, is having the same problem at their South L.A. church that was once home to Greater Bethany (now City of Refuge).

Speaking for the church, Luis Munoz, reported that they, too, had reached out to city officials to no avail.

“We have called and there is no response. Nothing has been done,” Munoz said.

Both churches are among the growing number of churches dealing first-hand with the troubling issue of how to have the unsightly RVs moved from the streets surrounding their churches.

A 2020 Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority report estimated that there were over 9,000 individuals living in vehicles, including RVs, within the city limits. To that end, the emergence of Recreational Vehicles (RVs) parked in front of churches has become an escalating concern. From obstructing the view of architectural and historical church fronts and passageways to creating sanitation and

parking problems for con gregants, the presence of RVs is disrupting the peaceful ambiance and sanctity associated with these religious spaces and elevating the concern for safety.

In a May 24, 2023 letter to L.A. City Coun cilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson that was signed by representatives of eight-area churches–including Crenshaw Christian Center, Elim L.A. Church and 88th Street Temple COGIC, Lewis wrote, “the issue that needs to be considered are the individuals living in those vehicles and tents have no place to relieve themselves nor to deposit their litter, thus they use the sidewalks. There is one RV that I have called 311, your office and the City of LA and noted how our children, on their way to school, must walk through trash, feces and drug paraphernalia daily. To date, nothing has been done.”

Some churches, trying to balance compassion with community obligations, find themselves in a difficult position, given that the RVs are used by those unable to find affordable housing–an issue that they’ve been called on by new Mayor Karen Bass to assist with.

Bass is calling for a holistic approach that provides safe temporary locations for the RVs, while also connecting residents with crucial resources to transition towards stable, permanent housing. "Moving these RVs from sight is not the solution to the problem, it's merely sweep-

LADWP Customers Can Go Back to Three-Days-A-Week Watering

After experiencing a record snowpack created by the unprecedented amount of precipitation earlier this year, the Mayor and City Council have approved LADWP’s recommendation to revert back to threedays-a-week outdoor watering.

“We want to thank our customers for continuing to lead on conservation and helping us exceed our water conservation goals,” said Anselmo Collins, LADWP Senior Assistant General Manager of the Water System. “Over the past year, Angelenos reduced their water use an additional 10%, which is a remarkable achievement considering this was on top of the substantial long-term water conservation our customers had already achieved.”

The return to three-days-a-week watering means customers with street addresses ending in odd-numbers may water on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and customers with even-numbered street addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m., when the evaporation rate is appreciably lower than during the middle of the day.

D.T. CARSON Staff

Blacks and Latinos Account for Nearly 80% of Arrests in Los Angeles

Blacks and Latinos make up about 56% of Los Angeles’ population, but they account for about 80% of all arrests in California’s largest city, according to an analysis of about 300,000 arrests between 2019 and 2022 conducted by L.A. Controller Keith Meija’s office.

According to the report released last week, for almost every year of the study, Council District 14 led all other districts for the total number of arrests. In 2021, it came in second to Council District 8 by a difference of only three arrests.

In all four years, the LAPD recorded more arrests for misdemeanor and infraction offenses than for felonies.

ing it under the rug,” Mayor Bass has stated. “We must tackle the roots of this crisis, and that means addressing our city's affordable housing shortage headon. Our focus should be on creating more affordable housing units and providing support for those living in these makeshift homes, not just on removing the RVs from our streets."

The L.A. City Council is also actively addressing the RV situation, identifying solutions that balance the needs of both the RV dwellers and homeowners. Measures under consideration include the establishment of designated RV parking areas with access to necessary amenities, such as water and waste disposal. The council is also exploring partnerships with non-profit organizations providing support for individuals living in RVs.

In the meantime, pastors like Lewis continue to seek solutions and have banded together to forge a plan that they hope will result in greater cooperation from city officials to resolve the problem.

Senator Tim Scott Surges in the Polls

Hand watering is allowed every day before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. if the hose is equipped with a self-closing water shutoff device.

The following water conservation practices continue to be in place under Phase

2. They include:

• Limiting outdoor watering with sprinklers to eight minutes per station on permitted watering days

• Watering with sprinklers using waterconserving nozzles are permitted for up to 15 minutes, twice a day, on the permitted watering day

• No water should flow off of your property

• No water should leak from any pipe or fixture

• No watering within 48 hours after a measurable rain event

• No hosing of driveway or sidewalk

• No washing of vehicles using a hose without a self-closing nozzle

In other LADWP news, THBoard of Water and Power Commissioners has unanimously re-elected attorney and public policy strategist Cynthia McClain-Hill as President

Senator Tim Scott is steadily emerging as a strong contender, ranking third in the crowded field behind former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantos. A recent NBC News poll found him to be the second-choice candidate for a growing number of Republicans.

As early polls stand, Scott is making a strong impression in the crucial early battleground states which host the first presidential primaries and caucuses, setting the stage for the rest of the election cycle. In Iowa and New Hampshire, he ranks second and third respectively

Scott continued to page 24

At least 400 arrests were made yearly in the "dependent" category, which accounts for children taken into custody due to parent or guardian abuse, neglect, endangerment, or runaway children, according to the analysis.

“The data available is unclear about the nature of these interactions, but raises questions about the frequency that children and youth are coming into contact with the LAPD," the report stated.

On July 26, California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber announced that initiative 1942 became eligible for the November 5, 2024, general election ballot. The initiative would expand local government’s authority to enact rent control on residential property.

Current state law (the CostaHawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995) generally prevents cities and counties from limiting the initial rental rate that landlords may charge to new tenants in all types of housing. It also prevents cities from limiting rent increases for existing tenants in, residential properties that were first occupied after February 1, 1995, single-family homes and condominiums.

Concerns Mount Among Dems As Black Voter Turnout Drops

Democrats are increasingly worried about a potential drop in Black voter turnout next year, particularly among Black men, their most loyal constituency, who played a pivotal role in securing President Biden’s victory in 2020 and are crucial to his bid for reelection.

The Washington Post analyzed the Census Bureau’s turnout survey and found that Black voter turnout saw a significant ten percentage-point decline in last year’s midterms compared to 2018, a more substantial drop than among any other racial or ethnic group.

While Democrats initially downplayed these warning signals due to other victories in 2022, such as gaining a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania and Senator Raphael G. Warnock’s reelection in Georgia, the decline in Black turnout has become a significant concern for the party as they look ahead to the next presidential contest in 2024.

Measure Expanding Local Gov’t Power to Enact Rent Control Makes It on November Ballot

HeadToHead

On the Florida and Slavery Controversy

n fifth grade, my classmates and I were taught that slavery was not that bad. Why? Because our enslaved ancestors were provided with free food, water, and shelter, my teacher said. That was Georgia in the mid-2000s, but fast forward to 2023. Middle school students in Florida will now be taught that free skill development was another upside of slavery.

In Order for Americans To Love Our Country in Full, They Must Acknowledge Its History in Full

To make sure we are all on the same page here, let us recall that slavery involved over 12 million Africans being dragged from their homes and thrown onto ships headed to the Americas. The bodies of the nearly two million of those men, women, and children who died during the treacherous Middle Passage journey were thrown overboard to feed hungry sharks. Those who reached American shores were rewarded with a lifetime of hard labor, abuse, degradation, and violation.

In her Nobel Prize-winning novel, Beloved–which is now banned in libraries and schools across Florida–Toni Morrison describes slavery as a jungle that spread so horribly that even white folks were “so scared…of the jungle they had made.” This jungle has since evolved into a system of oppression so pervasive that years later, we can spot signs of it in every corner of society: mass incarceration, economic inequality, racial disparities in education, and more.

H ow then can anyone argue that enslaved people benefited from their bondage? For some, this egregious bastardization of history is driven by a blind sense of so-called patriotism that forbids the acknowledgment of any wrongdoing on the part of the United States. (These are the same folks who proclaim, “America is not a racist country” to shut down uncomfortable conversations regarding structural inequality, privilege, and inevitably, slavery.)

Others believe that since slavery was abolished over 150 years ago, it should cease to be a topic of conversation altogether. And then there are those who would rather dilute the horrors of slavery than acknowledge the truth: that white people–not enslaved people–benefited and continue to benefit from the institution of slavery.

While Black people were run into the ground, white people (specifically white men) were running their respective races to advance their educations, further their careers, and build generational wealth. Even after slavery, formerly enslaved people and their descendants received reparations in the forms of convict leasing, Jim Crow, segregation, redlining, and other discriminatory practices that have caused existing inequities to grow even deeper.

Today, there are Republican politicians in Florida–as well as states throughout the country–who hope that we will forget about the story of the jungle. But because they know that will not just happen, they are doing everything in their power to erase it from the minds of young leaders by erasing it from lesson plans and curricula. However, as Vice President Harris declared in Jacksonville in July: we will not have it. We know that revising–or even worse, denying–the history of slavery is erroneous and dangerous. When that occurs, our nation’s future leaders are hoodwinked and hamstrung in their ability to fix what is broken in this country. For that reason, we continue to speak out against these efforts and demand that students have the freedom to learn–and teachers have the freedom to teach–the full, accurate history of our nation, no matter how painful and shameful some of that history might be. In so doing, we allow our fellow citizens to grapple with that history and channel their emotions toward progress.

At this very moment, we are in a national reckoning; one in which leaders on both sides of the aisle are denouncing this recent attempt to so grossly misrepresent history. It is up to us to do more than just denounce and condemn because we have an opportunity to pitch an affirmative vision for the future we want for America: a future in which all students fully know their country so that

We are on week #2 of the press, Democrats, and the Biden administration continuing to deliver the same scathing narrative that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is commanding Florida schools to revise the historical impact of slavery. Media outlets have been delivering red-faced punditry, and the White House saw fit to send Vice President Kamala Harris to the Sunshine State to deliver a rebuke of a speech, decrying that anyone would dare say slavery benefitted black people. It is all so deeply dramatic serving as a case of grand theater. Unsurprisingly, it is all rooted in a lie.

The Lie About Florida Schools and Slavery Gets Completely Exposed

sentence that enslaved people developed skills that "could be applied for their personal benefit."

Just take a moment to absorb the lack of enormity behind this — "a sentence." The course guide that was issued is over 200 pages, with numerous modules listed therein and multiple revisions under those modules. PolitiFact even listed out the numerous horrors of slavery that are (and have always been) included in the lessons in Florida schools. Yet, despite this wealth of content and teaching of all aspects of slavery, they approve of Kamala — and the press — reclassifying the entire curriculum based on a solitary sentence.

To set the stage properly, in order to reboot this storyline, first understand it is all centered on the fact that the Florida Department of Education recently issued revisions to all school curriculums in the coming year. In the guidebook for the middle school courses, under the topic of Social Studies, there was found to be an entry concerning the skills that some slaves acquired and were able to apply later in their lives. This has been cited as the revisionism of the reality of slavery and suggests blacks, as a race, benefitted from that era of our history. It reads:

“Examine the various duties and trades performed by slaves (e.g., agricultural work, painting, carpentry, tailoring, domestic service, blacksmithing, transportation). Instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”

To grasp the extent of this portion of the course guide, we get the full impact from PolitiFact. In their defense of the vice president's claims, the fact-checkers declared Harris was "Mostly True" in her speech slamming FDOE and Ron DeSantis. But in the course of doing so, the outlet manages to expose the sham behind it all:

“Although the new standards include many conventional lesson points about the history of slavery, they also include a

Now arrives a completely disqualifying detail that will see all these critics and mewling media mouthpieces reduced to silence. Ron DeSantis' Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern delivers a piece of information that will not sit well with these prevaricating critics, as it concerns the previous controversy surrounding the Florida schools' curriculum. Recall there was significant upheaval when the governor rejected a new course foundation offered up to the FDOE, the debated AP African American History. This course was sent to be revised due to the inclusion of inaccurate social activist lectures, heavy amounts of Critical Race Theory, and other elements not foundational to accurate history teachings.

This resulted in very similar claims being made, where it was said Florida was eliminating black history. Understand this rejection was of a new curriculum being proposed, not eliminating existing teachings of black history. This is because Florida law mandates that black history, slavery, and the Holocaust be taught in Florida schools. Already, we see that the politicization of these decisions is not rooted in facts.

Now comes the glaring reality.

To this day, there persists outrage that any teaching of slavery would dare include elements suggesting that former slaves at one point would have been able to utilize learned skills while they had been indentured. This is said to "sanitize" the horrors of slavery and whitewash the

Reynolds continued to page 24 Slager continued to page 24

Magic Johnson Becomes Co-Owner of the Washington Commanders

Last month, the sale of the Washington Commanders franchise (formerly known as the Washington Redskins) to a group headed by Josh Harris for a record $6.05 billion was officially–and unanimously– approved by NFL owners during a special session.

Among the 20 limited partners in the group is NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, who expressed his excitement about the deal on Twitter.

"This is truly the biggest achievement in my business career and a historic moment for the entire Black community," Johnson wrote. "Talk about God's perfect timing. This was the right organization for me to be a part of given it's global appeal, his-

tory of winning, and the diverse fanbase and DMV community. I have a special relationship with the DMV. Many people don't know I've done business in the Washington, DC area for many years.

"I was one of the owners of the Washington Hilton, I built multiple Starbucks franchises and Magic Johnson Theaters, and empowerment centers with the Magic Johnson Foundation. I also have my company SodexoMAGIC headquartered here. The DMV community has embraced and supported me, and I am honored and ecstatic to be a coowner of the Commanders franchise!"

Johnson is one of just four African Americans with ownership stakes in the NFL and the other three–former U.S.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Ariel Investments CEO Mellody Hob son and Formula 1 star Lewis Ham ilton–are part of the group that took ownership of the Broncos last year.

Ironically enough, it is the second attempt for Johnson to have ownership in the NFL. The first was with the group that was outbid in their efforts to buy the Denver Broncos.

While vacationing in the Med itteranean last month, Johnson shared a photo of he and his family proudly sporting Washington Commander t-shirts.

Gevin Reynolds Brad Slager

SpecialReport

Simmering Tensions Continue to Constrain Black/Asian Relations

ent-up anger and divisiveness between Blacks and Asians in Los Angeles traces back to the 1992 Los Angeles riots and a tension that had been broiling beneath the surface for years as Korean immigrants began occupying many of the businesses in South Central left by Jewish owners in the aftermath of the Watts riots of 1965. Experts say, Black residents felt Korean merchants were taking revenue earning opportunities from them.

Hostility had ensued earlier in the Black community when convenience store co-owner Soon Ja Du shot and killed 15-year-old Latasha Harlins in 1991. Du claimed self-defense saying she spotted Harlins putting a bottle of orange juice in her backpack. Following a verbal altercation, Harlins allegedly assaulted Du in the face before walking away. Ultimately, Du was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, but only received a sentence of five years’ probation and 400 hours of community service. The penalty frustrated many in the Black community further exacerbating tensions between the two groups.

In 2020, both the Asian and African American communities faced their own national high-profile confrontations with hate. Asians were targeted as responsible for the invasion of the virus sparking the COVID pandemic that led to 103 million cases in the US, and nearly 7 million deaths globally.

A recent survey shows that more than three out of four Asian Americans worry about experiencing hate crimes, harassment, and discrimination because of COVID-19. Among Chinese and Asian Indians, the figures are even higher at 84 percent and 80 percent, respectively.

Yet, according to research conducted by Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernar-

dino, “the majority of hate crimes against Asians in America in 2020 were by white folks.”

Black Americans continue to take the brunt of racist attacks and incidents at two to four times higher than all other groups in Los Angeles County, a report released by the county Commission on Human Relations (CHR) indicates. Further, Blacks have been disproportionately killed by the police, while Asian Americans are among the least likely to be harmed in police encounters, multiple studies reveal.

“The rise in hate crimes across Los Angeles County is deeply distressing,” laments Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn in a statement. “Our most vulnerable neighbors are facing enough challenges, and now they have to worry about a greater risk of being attacked or harassed because of who they are. That is unacceptable.”

For years, Black and Asian community members have often viewed each other with suspicion in highly populated cities. Since the incidents of 2020–which include the killing of eight people at Atlanta-area spas, six of whom were Asian women–the tensions boiled down to one major disagreement: policing.

While Black Lives Matter activists have called for reducing police budgets and decreasing cities’ reliance on law enforcement, Asian leaders say that police are crucial to preventing attacks on their community.

“Asian Americans see the police as protectors of private property rather than instruments of social control,” said Dr. Claire Jean Kim, a professor of political science and Asian American studies at the University of California, Irvine. “There’s more criticism and more skepticism about the police among Black people than Asian Americans.”

More than 200 Black people have

Headlines From Africa

Botswana: Religious groups are holding demonstrations in Botswana’s capital city, Gabo rone, to voice their opposition to a bill that would make same-sex relations legal.

Burkina Faso: Amid a spike in violence and rights abuses, the UN refugee agency is stating that civilians fleeing attacks by extremist groups in Burkina Faso be allowed to shelter in neighboring countries and not be sent back. The UN estimates that 4.7 million people across the country (upwards of 20 percent of the country’s population) are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Congo: An attack on the Democratic Republic of Congo's army by Rwandan forces cross ing Congo’s border has escalated tensions between the central African neighbors. A statement released by Congo’s army read as follows: "The ensuing clashes enabled the Armed Forces of the Demo cratic Republic of the Congo to repel the Rwandan terrorists who perpetrated this intolerable provocation."

Eritrea: Grave concern is being voiced by UN-appointed independent human rights experts over hostile conditions impacting Eritrean refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Ethiopia, including targeted arrests and prolonged detention. According to the UN refugee agency, as of May 31, there were around 165,000 Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in Ethiopia, having fled violence and hardship in their country.

Ethiopia: Ethiopia remains on the brink of renewed ethnic conflict as thousands of displaced people stage protests demanding to be resettled in the country’s volatile northern regions and Tigrayans and Amhara con tinue to fight over regional borders.

Gabon: The candidacies of 19 people—including President Ali Bongo —have been validated for a presidential election next month. Bongo’s candidacy was approved despite opposition claims that he is unfit for the presidency due to health issues. Bongo—who has ruled the country for nearly 14 years—is running for a third term.

Ghana: A bill passed by Ghana’s parliament —prompted by the lynching of a 90-year-old woman accused of

been killed by police of ficers in California since 2013, according to Mapping Police Vio lence data.

Conversely, some 3,000 self-reported inci dents of anti-Asian vio lence has been documented by 47 states in America since March of 2020. From stabbings and beat ings, to verbal harass ment and bullying, to being spit on and shunned. These acts of anti-Asian violence that have garnered national attention, have also invoked anti-Black sentiment and reignited Black-Asian conflict. For instance, Asian businesses and merchants continue to press the issue for increased policing for fear of black theft and vandalism.

“Bottom line is this kind of inter-ethnic conflict is a terrible thing,” Levin asserts. “This is like a scar that just keeps blistering. And in my heart, I believe our communities can be a rainbow of resilience.”

Reconciling the two ethnic groups has not necessarily fared well. There have been local and national initiatives to unify Asian and Black Americans, but they remain divided by ongoing racial tensions, discrimination, and socioeconomic inequality. In fact, according to a study by the Pew Research Center, the average income for an Asian adult in America is some $20,000 higher than Black adults. In Los Angeles, the average salary for Blacks is about $3,000 less annually than their Asian counter parts.

“Because Asian people don’t trace their roots in America to slavery they are often compared with white people in socioeconomic status,” Dr. Kim points out.

Capri Maddox is the Executive Director

of the Los Angeles Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department. Her organization has launched the “LA for All” campaign to combat the skyrocketing Anti-Asian hate seen post pandemic. Maddox, who is African American, acknowledges her deep concern for antiBlack hate noting that hostility against blacks has been normalized after centuries of discrimination dating back to slavery, Jim Crow laws, and redlining.

“I would’ve never thought that this would be something that the city would have to spend so much effort fighting. However, we are where we are,” Maddox remarked on a KBLA talk show. “The FBI has been tracking hate crimes for 30 years and the consistent number one population of victims are African Americans.”

Note: This article is part of a twelve part series from the “Stop The Hate Campaign”-- a joint venture of the California State Li- brary and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Af- fairs (CCAPIAA) and administered by the California Department of Social Services in response to the significant in- crease of hate-related activity that has been recorded over the last few years.

A look at current news from the continent of Africa

witchcraft in 2020— makes it a crime to abuse people accused of witchcraft or banish them from communities.

: A series of protests over cost of living and tax increases have prompted Kenya’s government and opposition to establish a joint committee with the goal of resolving their differences.

: A day after soldiers announced they’d overthrown Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s democratically elected president, Niger general Abdourahamane Tiani appeared on state television as the country’s new leader. The coup has sparked widespread condemnation. Nigeria: Labor unions in Nigeria planned to strike to demand a reversal in petrol price hikes and lower public school fees. However, the unions— which represent millions of workers across most sectors of Africa's biggest economy— called off the strike following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

Senegal: Opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has been charged with plotting an insurrection. Just weeks ago, the 49-year-old politician’s conviction on a separate charge of immoral behavior and subsequent two-year prison sentence sparked deadly riots across the country.

Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone's new parliament is celebrating a new milestone with the largest female representation in the country's history. The number of women lawmakers now total 41, which is more than double that of the last election.

South Africa: A new law to help close the racial economic gap in South Africa has sparked public debate with the country’s main opposition taking to the streets in protest. The law sets out “equity targets” to accelerate racial equality in the business sector, given that decades after the end of apartheid, inequality persists with an estimated 40 percent of Black South Africans unemployed.

Uganda: Nearly a dozen members of the U.S. Congress have asked the World Bank Group to suspend loans to Uganda in response to the country’s Anti-Homosexuality Act.

Supervisor Holly Mitchell speaks against Asian Hate at protest.

hen Judge Dale S. Fischer sentences Mark Ridley-Thomas (MRT) on August 21, it has the potential to bring an ignoble conclusion to an otherwise stellar career of public service. According to federal sentencing guidelines, Dr. Ridley-Thomas could face 97 to 121 months in federal prison and a monetary fine commensurate with the value of the bribe derived from his action – directing a $100,000 sponsorship from USC to a non-profit organized for public benefit and a contract extension for the benefit of USC that did not increase from the original amount.

Last month, Fischer sentenced former USC Dean Marilyn Flynn to three years probation–including 18 months of electronically-monitored home confinement–and a fine of $150,000 for her stating that she had arranged for the funneling (through USC) of $100,000 to the United Ways in the high profile bribery case involving Ridley-Thomas.

The government did not seek a custodial sentence, noting competing factors, including Dean’s advanced age of 84, her health and personal history and her acceptance of responsibility.

The recent sentencing of Flynn has potentially significant implications for Ridley-Thomas who did not accept a plea deal, opting to go on trial to prove his innocence. A mountain of letters attesting to Ridley-Thomas’ legacy, deeds and character have been submitted to the judge and will stand in juxtaposition to a daunting prosecution portrayal of the veteran civil servant.

In reaching her decision, Judge Fischer will consider the “nature and circumstance” of Ridley-Thomas’ offenses as well as his “history and characteristics.” On these variables, supporters of MRT have considerable hope.

Mark Ridley-Thomas was acquitted on 12 of the 19 counts (or 63%) in the government’s indictment. The twelve counts on which MRT was acquitted were the most damning in the October 2021 grand jury indictment. These counts pertained to the most readily understandable allegations of corrupt intent and personal financial gain by the public. Pursuit and

LISA COLLINS Staff

receipt of benefits for his son – graduate school admission, paid tuition and an adjunct professorship – in exchange for support of County contracts constituted the best demonstration of “quid pro quo” proof of bribery and conspiracy.

Mark Ridley Thomas was found not guilty on these counts.

Not so easily quantifiable is the increased value of the L.A. County Department of Mental Health Telehealth contract extension he was convicted of in exchange for School of Social Work Dean Marilyn Flynn’s dispatching a $100,000 sponsorship from USC that originated from funds controlled by Ridley-Thomas in a legal donation. The government offered no evidence that USC received any increased monetary benefit from the contract extension. And neither MRT nor his son received any personal benefit from USC’s $100,000 sponsorship.

Thus, the conspiracy and bribery convictions won by the government hang on a Mark Ridley-Thomas request to expedite a legal contribution to a non-profit for the purpose of facilitating the timely employment of unrelated staff.

Government prosecutors themselves offered evidence that the intent of the $100,000 sponsorship of the Policy, Research and Practice Initiative (PRPI) Ridley-Thomas “orchestrated” was for the purpose of facilitating the timely employment of unrelated staff. MRT’s effort to expedite a contribution to a non-profit think tank–to “funnel” as it is characterized by the government–was stated as an attempt to ensure that the political preferences, opinions and behaviors of African Americans would be taken into consideration during the 2018 election year cycle – in short, Black political empowerment!

PRPI was established as a think tank devoted to surveying and analyzing the political preferences, priorities and perspective of African Americans. The effort was part of a decades long effort to study, analyze, understand, organize, motivate and mobilize his primary political base: African Americans–an effort that had resulted in the registration of 200,000 voters, mainly in South Los Angeles.

Ridley-Thomas consciously cultivated his base of support within the African American community through

There are lots of people who believe that the entire investigation, prosecution and conviction are Illfounded, and in some ways, politically and racially motivated and I think for those people they will never this conviction will not tarnish his reputation or anything that he has accomplished...

Other than that, there are those, particularly his political enemies who are celebrating what they see as his downfall. People who have weighed in to say he was always arrogant. For those people, sentencing will be the cherry on top of a victory they will claim is what he deserved.

Those political enemies who continue to criticize and support the narrative disseminated by USC and the mainstream media.

civic engagement and faith-based outreach and mobilization, voter registration, education and participation over his four decades of public service.

Carson Councilman Jawane Hilton characterized him as a real-life superhero for the Black community because of his transformative work.

“MRT has undoubtedly been a man for the people, and this is shown through his actions, impact, and the legacy he has created.”

But some wonder how this conviction and impending sentence will impact his storied career and legacy.

“There are lots of people who believe that the entire investigation, prosecution and conviction are ill-founded, and in some ways, politically and racially motivated and I think for those people they will never this conviction will not tarnish his reputation or anything that he has accomplished,” observed attorney, CNN commentator and KBLA radio host Areva Martin. “They will always view him as one of the most effective African American elected officials in the modern era of California politics.

“Other than that, there are those, particularly his political enemies who are celebrating what they see as his downfall. People who have weighed in to say he was always arrogant. For those people, sentencing will be the cherry on top of a victory they will claim is what he deserved. That this is the perfect ending for a person who they believed was not for the people or perhaps more appropriately not for them

“So those political enemies who continue to criticize and support the narrative that has been disseminated by USC and the mainstream media,” Martin continued. “They're people who don't ask any questions or challenge the lies I believe should be troubling to everyone.

“Whether he's your enemy or not, so much of the prosecution's case did not match the narrative that has been fed to the public for two years even down to the sentencing memo for Marilyn Flynn. Comments made by the prosecution in that sentencing memo don't match any of the evidence produced at trial. One of the most striking things said in the memo is that she was somehow intimidated and pressured by him…that he was somehow like a kingpin and had a monopoly on contracts in the second district. That was never ever, ever said or introduced.”

Pastor K.W. Tulloss, who serves as president of the Baptist Minister’s Conference believes there will be little impact.

“I don’t believe a conviction can erase over 30 years of great leadership that Mark Ridley-Thomas provided to the city of Los Angeles and his vast body of service, including the Martin Luther King hospital, the expansion of the Metro Line–particularly the Leimert Park Station, and his battle against homelessness.

“Mark Ridley-Thomas has been on the front line of the serious issues our communities have faced,” Tulloss continued. “He's not been afraid to champion policy for the least of these. So, his service, his achievements, and his love for people should be a reflection on those who will be sentencing him within the next few weeks. The other night at a community event, Mark Ridley-Thomas was given a standing ovation. This community knows the work he’s done and will not forget.”

Indeed, the veteran lawmaker has been greeted with love and appreciation in the form of standing ovations on those occasions where he has attended public events and been acknowledged for his service.

To that end, it is clear that his absence on the political stage leaves a huge void, especially in the African American community.

“No other politician wielded political power across

Mark Ridley-Thomas Career Milestones

Led effort to reopen the Martin Luther King Hospital Campus

Spearheaded Crenshaw LAX Transit Line and Leimert Park Metro Station

The innovator of the Rail-to-River Corridor

Authored the Motion for the zoning and infrastructure of the Staples Center

Expansion of the L.A. Convention Center (Financing with a Black investment banking firm)

Authored the county’s minimum wage ordinance

Negotiated historic project labor agreements, ensuring targeted hiring for thousands of construction jobs

Massive Redo of the Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station

Championed Measure H: a quarter-cent sales tax increase to fund chronic homelessness services and assistance for those at-risk of becoming homeless.

Registered more than 200,000 voters through his Voter REP Project Helped to broker the South Vermont Corridor revitalization and SEED school

Oversaw the first Mental Health Urgent Care Center in South L.A.

Established the Empowerment Congress

the broad spectrum of issues so effectively”, former staffer Vince Harris wrote in a previously published opinion piece. “While the built environment in South Los Angeles bears the physical imprint of his advocacy, the pocketbooks of his constituents have benefitted as well.

The cultivation of support in and among his African American base explains this sense of loss.”

It is the reason why so many supporters–including L.A. Department of Water and Power chair Cynthia McClain-Hill, KBLA owner Tavis Smiley, SCLC president William Smart, actor Glynn Turman, author and professor Cornel West and California Endowment President/CEO Dr. Robert Ross–were among those packing out the courtroom during his trial.

The sentiments of actor Glynn Turman perhaps best describe how many of them felt.

“A community runs on those who care and those who are in position to take that care from just concern to movement,” observes the famed actor Glynn Turman. “This man has always been about movement with the concern that he has for his community. I will always support him because I'm part of that community.”

Mayor Karen Bass characterized him as “a champion

for our city, a civil rights activist, thought leader and policy maker who made real impact on this city.”

Said Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, “Mark Ridley Thomas has given life as a sower. He has sown seeds of progress into the soil of our community. He has sown seeds of dignity into hearts and minds of a coming generation. He has sown seeds of vision and resilience in our entrepreneurial community builders. These seeds have been planted deeply. The harvest will come forth for generations to come”.

In the minds of some–particularly those cynical about politics and politicians or who may not have liked Ridley-Thomas–his legacy will suffer, says Rev. Norman Johnson, who leads the South Los Angeles Clergy for Public Accountability.

“Will his legacy be tarnished? Of course, it will in the minds of some. This is the injustice of it all and why the conviction of Mark Ridley-Thomas for a victimless crime–no evidence of self-gain or criminal intent– is a travesty for many. There is a line in the Bible about the Servant of Isaiah 53 being counted with the transgressors. However, the legacy of Mark Ridley-Thomas will survive. The conviction cannot erase the work and achievements of a 30-year stellar career in public office.”

His biggest battle and impassioned priority was in fighting homelessness.

"Mark sounded the alarm on homelessness before most understood we faced a widespread crisis – and he took action,” said Congresswoman Sydney KamlagerDove. “I don’t know that the public understands how much worse the crisis would be today without Mark’s leadership. With his determination to get Measure H passed, Mark effectively helped 84,000 people off the streets and helped prevent another 22,000 from falling into homelessness. Obviously, we need to expand our efforts, but Mark Ridley-Thomas’ efforts continue to benefit the people of Los Angeles, making all of us safer.”

It is a passion that has continued even as he awaits sentencing through the Praxis newsletter, which is funded by the Mark Ridley-Thomas Committee for a Better L.A and serves to not only spotlight efforts against homelessness, but to provide information to the community about resources for everything from housing and rental assistance to mental health programs.

Said one legal observer, “Mark Ridley-Thomas constitutes no threat to public safety or public integrity. By virtue of MRT’s felony conviction, he has been stripped of his job, his pension and his reputation – his political achievements and legacy diminished.

“Again,” Martin reiterated, “those people who are willing to be objective, willing to understand and read the transcripts and the facts, would have to be suspect of the entire process and the outcome, even if you don't like him for personal or political reasons. I just believe all of us should be concerned about prosecutorial overreach and misconduct of authority because we know as a black community, we continue to be the ones most impacted by this.”

In the meantime, former staffer Vincent Harris contends, “The public – his constituent ‘victims’ on the other hand have lost a gifted, once-in-a-generation servant leader whose work ethic, competence and ability to ‘get things done’ is indisputable.”

The impact of that loss, many believe to be immeasurable.

“His is a remarkable, important legacy of a man who got things done,” said SCLC-LA president William Smart. “Just as his work speaks for him now, I believe it will speak for him in the future.”

Left: Ridley-Thomas with Cornel West and Rev. James Lawson; Micdle: Surrounded by community members in Leimert Park; Right: With Bisphop Blake and Governor Gavin Newsom

TheGender Gap

Gender Pay Gap Is “More Obvious” With Black Women

California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom says, “gender discrimination is the oldest form of oppression,” and America must act urgently to fix it.

Although California has some of the strongest pay laws in the nation and the smallest gender pay gap, Siebel Newsom says the Golden State still has work to do to close the wage gap for all women.

For Black women, the first partner says, closing the wage gap is “most obvious.”

“Black women live at the intersection of racial and gender discrimination leaving them doubly impacted by the wage gap,” said Siebel Newsom. “Pay inequities and gaps in wealth and economic opportunity are deeply rooted in our country’s long-standing history of racism and misogyny.

To mark Black Women’s Equal Pay Day Siebel Newsom released a video on July 27 along with Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and PolicyLink Founder in Residence, Angela Glover Blackwell.

“Today is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day — a day set aside each year to shine a light on the disparity in pay for Black women in this country and the far-reaching impacts for families, communities, and our economy,” said Bass in the video.

“Economic injustice is a problem across the board, and to solve problems effectively and authentically, we have to focus on those most impacted. Together, we will work to close this gap,” the mayor of California’s largest city continued.

Intentional and bold action on closing the wage gap among Black women and women of color is needed across every sector and will put us on a path to truly ensuring all women, their families and communities are no longer shortchanged from economic prosperity.

On average, women earn 84 cents for every dollar a non-Hispanic White man does. That breaks down to Black women earning 67 cents; Latinas and Native Americans 57 cents; mothers 74 cents; LGBTQIA women 87 cents and women in leadership positions 72 cents for every dollar a non-Hispanic White man earns. Women are hired into lower paying roles at lower starting salaries and take longer to move into leadership roles.

Black women are overrepresented in industries that experience significant downturns. A report by the Department of Labor found that in 2020, 12% of Black women were employed in education and health services but a disproportionate number of them (14.9%) experienced job losses. Also, in wholesale and trade, the majority of losses were Black women. In that sector, Black

“women comprised 5.6% of the workforce but 14.6 % of the job losses

According to the report, Black women lost out on $39.3 billion in potential wages due to differences in industry and occupations relative to White men.

Racism and sexism are two of the obstacles that Black women face in the workplace. More than half of Black women surveyed for a 2021 National Women Law Center reported facing gender and racial hurdles to opportunity at work.

In 2019, Siebel Newsom launched the California for ALL Women, an initiative to address gender equity at the state level. Through the initiative, she has been an outspoken champion and thought leader on pay equity, working to close the race and gender wage gaps.

That same year, Siebel Newsom announced the California Equal Pay Pledge under California for all Women to build upon California policies such as the Fair Pay Act.

In 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law the Pay Transparency for Pay Equity Act, introduced by Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara). This law requires employers to disclose salary ranges on all job postings and to allow public access to pay data broken down by race, ethnicity and sex for direct employees and those hired through third-party staffing agencies.

“As there is more transparency in the hiring and promotion process there will be outcome in closing the pay gap across companies,” said Siebel Newsom.

Mitchell says she is proud to stand with the first partner and other women

and allies around California and the United States to end racial and gender pay discrimination.

“Intentional and bold action on closing the wage gap among Black women and women of color is needed across every sector and will put us on a path to truly ensuring all women, their families and communities are no longer shortchanged from economic prosperity,” said Mitchell.

Recently, Siebel Newsom convened and moderated a panel on pay equity at Genentech in South San Francisco. Genentech was an early signatory of the Equal Pay Pledge. The panel included Genentech CEO Alexander Hardy, Interim Chief Diversity Officer Cari DeLoa, and representatives from other parts of the business.

In addition to Genentech, there are 130 other companies and municipalities in California that have signed the Equal Pay Pledge. While acknowledging that this is not a significant number, Siebel Newsom said that there are several major global companies, like Apple, Intel, Twitter, Airbnb, Salesforce and Gap, that “are committing to equity and fairness in their policies.”

“Closing the pay gap for Black women is an essential step for economic justice,” said Glover Blackwell. “When Black women and other women of color are paid equally, we'll see the benefits cascade throughout society.”

Jaya Padmanabhan is a freelance journalist and a consulting editor for Ethnic Media Services.

Money Matters

When to Tip Controversy Reaches New Tipping Point

The restaurant industry is currently embroiled in a legal dispute that is fanning the flames of an ongoing debate on tipping. At the heart of the issue is a recent lawsuit filed against renowned Californiabased pizzeria, Jon and Vinny's, whose celebrity clientele includes the likes of John Legend, Jay-Z, Beyonce and Kim Kardashian.

Former servers at Jon & Vinny's recently sued the restaurant over a "service charge" added to customers' bills that was mistaken for a gratuity diners believed to be going to servers and leading to a huge loss in tips.

The restaurant's waiters allege that the 18% service fee that is automatically added to all their checks should be paid out to them. The owners of the restaurant have stated that instead the

Customers often conflate service charges and tipping, perceiving them as one and the same. However, there is a significant difference. Service charges are mandatory fees set by the establishment, often added to the bill in lieu of tips to help facilitate a higher living base wage for all of the restaurants employees, while tipping is an optional act, dependent on the customer's discretion and satisfaction with the service provided.

None the less, what amounted to wage theft for the servers has highlighted the controversial issue of tipping as the trend of restaurants charging both service charges and gratuity fees is on the rise, causing a stir within the industry and among consumers.

“It doesn't seem fair to the diners,” said one observer. “So they pay 18% service fee and then the servers are asking for an additional 18 or 20 (or whatever) on top of that? That's really expensive. If you raise prices to what it honestly costs to produce food and pay workers and pay the overhead, then restaurant dining will ad-

Biz News Briefs

Karim Webb Elected President of Board of Airport Commissioners

On July 13, the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) unanimously elected Karim Webb as the group’s President.

Webb is an Entrepreneurial Activist and CEO of 4thMVMT, a Los Angeles-based firm that partners with individuals from underserved communities to own and operate competitive retail businesses.

“It is an incredible honor to serve as President of Board of Airport Commissioners,” said Webb. “An extraordinarily talented group of Commissioners have been assembled to ensure the benefits of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) are realized equitably across our region.

“Collectively, we’ll work to support the LAWA team complete the transformation of LAX while centering the interests of all Angelinos in all we do,” said Webb, who is the son of Reggie Webb, a philanthropist and owner of McDonald’s franchises in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

KISHA SMITH Staff

mittedly be really expensive. And maybe only a select few will be able to dine out, but maybe that's the way it has to be.”

While service charges ensure a guaranteed income for the establishment, adding them on top of customary gratuities has been met with criticism. Some customers view this as a way for restaurants to circumvent the tipping system, effectively double-charging patrons under the guise of gratuity.

Not surprisingly, a new survey from the consumer finance company, Bankrate, found that two-thirds of Americans take a dim view of tipping, particularly as an upward trend in tips have hiked the standard 15 percent of decades past to 20 - 25 percent and beyond.

Tipping is even becoming more commonplace in fast food restaurants like Starbucks and McDonald’s, both of whom offer tipping options in many of their establishments.

According to the survey, the number of people who always tip for servers at a sit-down restaurant has declined by 12 percent in the last four years - from 77 percent in 2019 to 65 percent in 2023.

The survey also found that nearly one-third of customers believed the tipping culture had spiraled out of control leading to two new terms–“tipflation” and “tip fatigue”.

While when and how much to tip can depend on a variety of factors–including location and service– here's a general guide for when to tip and how much

Taxi or Rideshare: 15 to 20 percent per taxi ride

Food Delivery: $3 to $5 tip

Hotel Housekeeping: $2 or $3 a day

Hair/Nail Salon: 15%

Coat Check: The general rule is $1 per coat and $2 for a

AKA’s Make History as Nation’s First Sorority to Open Credit Union

The half-million member strong, Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority made history this month with the official opening of its "For Members Only," or FMO, credit union in Chicago. The "For Members Only," or FMO, credit union is the first Black-owned, women-led, sorority-based digital banking financial institution in the history of the United States.

Founded in 1908 at Howard University, the AKAs are one of America's oldest service groups with a membership that includes Kamala Harris, Phyllicia Rashad, Loretta Devine and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

"Everyone doesn't understand the impact we make financially, so you have to start doing things so folks know we know how to control our money," said AKA Sorority Rresident /CEO Danette Anthony Reed.

The credit union is based partially on the sorority’s six initiatives, including building and sustaining economic wealth. FMO federal credit union executive director Terri Bradford Eason stated: “Every member will be an owner of the credit union.”

The grand opening at the group's international headquarters in Chicago was held as part of the 115-year-old sorority's annual leadership conference. The FMO is chartered, regulated and insured by the National Credit Union Administration, and will offer primary savings, loans and other banking services during its first year of

On the Money

The High Cost of Looking Better

It’s no secret that Americans are spending more and more money to look better and the quest to retain a more youthful appearance as the demand for aesthetic enhancements continues to grow in the U.S. According to the latest data from The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Americans spent over $18.8 billion on cosmetic procedures in 2021. So much so that insurance carriers continue to adapt, with some now offering plans that help cover costs for commonly performed procedures, such as Lasik eye surgery.

Cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular among African Americans in recent years as well, with nose reshaping, liposuction and breast augmentation among the most common procedures along with such non-invasive procedures such as laser hair removal, Botox injections and skin rejuvenation treatments.

To be clear, looking good is not cheap. Provided below is a list detailing the price ranges for some of the more commonly requested procedures:

Tummy Tucks: $8,000 — 20,000

Liposuction: $3,518 +

Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty): $12,800 — 16,449

Breast Augmentation: $5,000 - $10,000

Facelifts: $16,000 — 20,000

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): $3,849 - $7,850

Chemical Peels: $673

Lasik eye surgery: 2,200- $3,000 per eye

Botox: $200-$800 per treatment

Forehead and brow lift: $5,325 — 12,175

Veneers: $925-$2,500 per tooth

Mommy Makeover: $18,650 -$44,000

operations. It's open to AKA members, their immediate families, AKA staff and credit union employees.

"Every member will be an owner of the credit union," said Terri Bradford Eason, FMO federal credit union executive director.

The first-of-its-kind credit union is based in part on the sorority's six initiatives, which include building economic wealth. Plans for the credit union began a few years ago with the idea to create economic health and financial stability for women of color.

L.A.-Based Black-Owned Fintech Firm Receives SBA Preferred Lender Status

Lendistry, a Los Angeles-based fintech firm that administered COVID-19 state grants to small businesses in California, announced that it has been granted Preferred Lender status by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The Preferred Lender Program grants SBA lenders the ability to underwrite and approve SBA loans independently without waiting for the SBA to review them, resulting in faster and more flexible decisions for customers, according to a Lendistry press release.

“In a time when stricter lending rules are slowing the flow of capital to businesses and households, we’re determined to keep expanding financing opportunities,” says Everett K. Sands, CEO of Lendistry. “Technology is the key to equitable lending.”

Tipping point continued to page 24

LIGHT SPOT HO L LY W OOD

Quita Bride

“Ahsoka”

A highly anticipated addition to the Star Wars franchise, the new TV series, Ahsoka is set to captivate audiences with a deeper exploration of the enigmatic titular character, Ahsoka Tano. Introduced in "The Clone Wars," Ahsoka, Anakin Skywalker's former Padawan, has already established a strong fan base due to her unique character development and compelling narrative.

The series promises to deliver a captivating storyline, diving into Ahsoka's journey after leaving the Jedi Order. Through her eyes, the audience will get to explore uncharted corners of the Star Wars universe, unearthing new layers of complexity and intrigue. The show is expected to strike a balance between the grander,

OUT THIS MONTH

iconic Star Wars themes and a more intimate narrative that focuses on Ahsoka's personal journey.

The casting of Rosario Dawson in the lead role created significant buzz, as fans eagerly await her portrayal of the fan-favorite character. Known for her seasoned career and versatile acting skills, Dawson brings depth, authenticity, and an extra touch of Star Wars magic to the role of Ahsoka.

Dawson made her debut as

Ahsoka in "The Mandalorian", impressing audiences with her portrayal of the complex character. Her performance in the series not only validated her casting but also set the stage for her role in "Ahsoka". Despite being a recent addition to the Star Wars universe, Dawson's commitment and passion may well have solidified her place within this iconic franchise.

So get ready as Ahsoka is set to provide both Star Wars aficionados and new viewers with a fresh perspective on this beloved universe adding a new dimension to the rich tapestry of Star Wars storytelling.

Ahsoka is scheduled to premiere on August 23, 2023, with two episodes, and will consist of eight episodes.

Footnotes

IceCube

Age: 54

Hometown: Los Angeles

First Break: N.W.A.

Breakout Role: Boyz N the Hood

Upcoming: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

It has been a long and storied career for Ice Cube who began his career as a rapper with the controversial group N.W.A. in 1987. Since then, the hiphop legend has become one of the most recognizable names in entertainment. He has starred in numerous films and television shows. The Friday star has also released several solo albums and founded the BIG3 professional basketball league.

On being hip-hop’s greatest storyteller:

I wrote records for Eazy and N.W.A. And look, when we talking about storytelling, are we talking about rhyming? Because I write movies too, so I’m a hell of a storyteller. So, are we just talking about rap? That’s only a portion of what I do.

On record labels encouraging crime:

Lizzo Slammed With Lawsuit

The truth may really be hurting “Truth Hurts” singer, Lizzo. The 35-year old Grammy winner (born Melissa Jefferson) was recently sued by former dancers who say that she ironically enough weightshamed them while also sexually harassing them. One of the dancers alleges that she was pressured into touching the breasts of a nude dancer at an Amsterdam strip club. Lizzo’s dance captain, Shirlene Quigley (also named in the lawsuit) is accused of habitually trying “to proselytize [Christianity]” to those around her. In speak ing out, Lizzo said, "These sensationalized stories are com ing from former employees who have already pub licly admitted that they were told their be havior on tour was inappropriate and unprofes sional...Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations, but these are as un believable as

they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.

Tina Knowles Calls it Quits with Richard Lawson

After eight years of marriage, Tina Knowles-Lawson, 69, filed for divorce from husband/actor Richard Lawson, 76, citing “irreconcilable differences”. In court documents, the clothing designer asked the court to terminate the ability to award spousal support to her or her estranged husband. She also requested that her name be changed back to Celestine Knowles. This will be Knowles-Lawson's second divorce. Her first husband was music manager Matthew Knowles. Their 31year marriage produced singers Beyoncé and Solange.

Blue Ivy’s $80K Barbie: It’s a Barbie takeover as the film explodes on movie screens everywhere. But Barbie holds a special place in Beyonce’s heart. In 2005, Mattel released a Destiny’s Child doll line featuring the iconic entertainer. And on the occasion of Blue Ivy’s first birthday, Beyonce, 41, and her husband/rapper Jay-Z, 53, gifted their firstborn a custom diamond-encrusted, one-of-a-kind Barbie adorned with 160 sparkling diamonds embedded in white gold worth $80,000.

Terry Crews Avoids Cancer Scare with Early Detection

"This s--t will literally save your life,” said actor Terry Crews after a recent colonoscopy. During the examination with his physician, he emphasized the importance of preventing and detecting colon cancer as early as possible. The colonoscopy uncovered several polyps that could have turned cancerous. The America's Got Talent host encouraged everyone, especially black men, to “get their behinds checked”, no matter their age to save their lives.

Quincy Jones Honored at Hollywood Bowl: World-renowned artists– including Jennifer Hudson, H.E.R., Patti Austin, Sheléa, Samara Joy and Siedah Garrett–paid a heartfelt tribute to music icon Quincy Jones on July 2829 at the Hollywood Bowl. The twoday concert commemorated Jones’ 90th birthday and lifelong work.

Real Housewives Get Physical

A routine reality TV drink toss erupted into a brawl at Zebbie's Garden in D.C. between the cast members of Real Housewives of Potomac. It all started with a verbal shouting match between full-time cast member Candiace Dillard-Bassett and friend-of Deborah Williams, according to TMZ. Williams allegedly threw a drink at Dillard-Bassett, but Keiana Stewart (a friend of Dr. Wendy Osefo) was reportedly hit with the glass. This sparked a physical fight between Stewart and Williams. Production was shut down, but someone managed to videotape the melee and leak it to fans. Police were called to the scene but no arrests were made.

[The] same people who own the [record labels] own the prisons. It seems really kind of suspicious, if you want to say that word, that the records that come out are really geared to push people towards that prison industry.”

On the BIG3 being recognized as the first black-owned professional sports league: From day one, the league has been dedicated to providing opportunities for Black players, fans, investors, and partners, and we are proud to be a part of a nationwide network for Black business owners. Supporting Black enterprise is a lifelong passion. Why there hasn’t been another Friday movie: I don’t know. Warner Bros. is weird right now. We’d love to have it back. I think it’s gonna be close to a time where we can get it back, so, we’ll either wait for that time or we’ll keep trying to convince them that they need to let us control the movie.

On the secret to his 30-plus year marriage: It’s a true partnership. I respect my wife and she respects me. I still get the butterflies when I see her. Romance and sex don’t have to fade. I still want her to look at me and say ‘this is the man I want to be with.’ So you have to keep yourself up.

On the advice he’d give young men today: Nothing’s more powerful than a made-up mind. So, if you make up your mind and do something, only you can stop you. You might listen to somebody and they might convince you to not do it, but it’s still your decision. My next advice would be: if you mind your own business, you live longer.

On his Contract with Black America backlash: In a lot of ways, I understood where people were coming from because they have their team. They're either Team Blue or Team Red, and that's just it. But that's never how you get anything done; to just go to your corner and never engage. Even enemies at war get on the phone and have conversations to try to solve it and bring it to an end. It never makes any sense not to talk to whoever is in power when you're trying to get something powerful done.

The Collective August 4

Gran Turismo August 11

Back on the Strip August 18

Last Voyage of the Demeter August 11

RedCarpet Style

The premiere of Barbie was a whimsical spectacle, with its unique charm encapsulated by the dazzling pink carpet. Not everyone, however, wore pink to the big night. Here are some of celebrities turning heads at the premiere.

ISSA RAE captured the charm of the afternoon with this sparkling Marc Bouwer pink gown

H.E.R.

donned a colorful bejeweled mini dress for the festive occasion

Eye On Gospel

A Stellar Night for Pastor Mike

For the third year in a row, Pastor Mike Jr. swept the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, taking home a total of eight awards for his work on his 2022 album release, “Winning.” The project was named Album of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year, while Pastor Mike, Jr. also took home the prestigious Song of the Year, Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Male Artist of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year awards.

Dubbed “The New King of Urban Inspiration,” the 40year old senior pastor of the Birmingham, Alabamabased, Rock City Church also opened the show with an electrifying performance of "Miracles'' and "Impossible" accompanied by Kierra Sheard Kelly.

The 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards–which celebrates the year’s best in gospel music–was hosted by Jonathan McReynolds and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and

KARRUECHE TRAN dazzled in this bright yellow Christian Siriano two-piece ensemble

NICKI MINAJ turned heads in this fitted two-piece that accentuated her blonde locks

featured performances from some of the genre’s biggest names including Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton, Charles Jenkins, Isaac Carree, Natalie Grant, Maranda Curtis and Zacardi Cortez.

Other of the night’s big winners include DOE, who entered the industry with her family as a member of the group Forever Jones, praised her way to solo success earning three trophies, including the Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year, Contemporary Female Artist, and Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year for her album “Clarity.” Zacardi Cortez also brought home three statues, earning awards for Traditional Male Artist, Traditional Album, and Praise and Worship Song of the Year for his album “Imprint”.

The collaborative effort of Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin resulted in their joint album “Kingdom Book One” winning in two categories, Duo/Chorus Group of the Year Presented by P&G and Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year. Tye Tribbett also brought home two awards, including Producer Of The Year Presented by Aflac and Recorded Music Packaging Of The Year for his project “All Things New,” released by Motown Gospel.

Lena Byrd Miles earned the New Artist of the Year award for her My Block Records project “Brand New;”. Bishop T.D. Jakes won Special Event Album Of The Year for his project “T.D. Jakes Presents ‘Finally Loosed’ and co-host Tasha Cobbs Leonard won Praise And Worship Album Of The Year for her work on “Hymns.”

In addition to the award recipients, special honorees were recognized for their invaluable contributions to the Gospel music industry. CeCe Winans received the prestigious Aretha Franklin Icon Award Presented by State Farm, recognizing her exceptional talent and enduring impact. Winans also gave a moving performance of her song “Goodness of God,” from her album “Believe For It.”

Reverend Dr. Milton Biggham was honored with the

ALEXANDRA SHIPP wowed in this crystal-embellished black/white silk gown by Miu Miu

James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by Verizon in recognition of his lifetime dedication to spreading the uplifting message of Gospel music. Additionally, Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones was presented with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, acknowledging his outstanding contributions and influential career.

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards premiered on the newly launched Stellar Network on July 30 and will air Sunday, August 6 on BET. The show will also be broadcast nationally from August 7, 2023, to September 10, 2023, through TV syndication.

Deitrick Haddon’s New Groove

GRAMMY® Award nominated singer-songwriter, Deitrick Haddon, and his group, The Voices of Unity, are back on the grind with a slick urban groove entitled, “Back to Life” (ManHaddon Ministries/Tyscot). It’s an affirmative, feel-good message of faith. Where he shakes things up is on the music bed itself. Haddon has created a danceable, futuristic groove that is saturated with the percussive accouterments of `80s funk bands (think of The Gap Band, The Dazz Band, Zapp, and Prince & The Revolution) with the pulsating bass lines of a sweaty club DJ. The rhythm cascades between inyour-face Funk and lilting Trap music loops, before closing out with a pulsating 4-on-the-floor fade.

“The world is dying because we’ve left the one key that’s necessary to keep it alive,” Haddon says. “The key to life is love. Love is gonna bring us back to life!” This is Haddon’s first Voices of Unity production since 2012’s A Beautiful Soul film soundtrack, which included the Billboard Top 30 single, “No Betta” with Faith Evans. Some of their other past collaborations include “Anybody Here,” “Watch Me Praise Him,” and their signature cut, “He’s Able.”

Church News

Western State Baptist Convention Holds 133rd Session

The Western Baptist State Convention is celebrating its 133rd Session this month–August 5-10, under the leadership of Pastor J. Benjamin Hardwick. Pastors and representatives of the group’s 100-plus Baptist churches will gather for the six-day long event held at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Pasadena.

The theme of the convention is “Our Convention Moving Forward with Prayer in Unprecedented Times” and featured speakers include Pastor Jasper Williams Jr. (Atlanta), Dr. John Ringhold (Bethel Baptist Church, San Diego), Dr. R.A. Williams (McCoy Memorial Baptist Church) and Dr. Virgil Jones (Calvary Baptist Church) of Los Angeles. Highlights of the six-day confab include two concert appearances by gospel vocalist Kathy Taylor.

“The convention serves as a platform on several different needs impacting our church communities– from homelessness and education to working with our senior population to address their needs,” said Women’s Department President LaRonda Nelson. “We work with people. We work on numerous issues primarily because our president has a passion for people. Recently, he collaborated with the city because some of the our senior members needed medical equipment and he was able to get that metal medical equipment, not only whatever they needed at no cost, but to have it delivered to their homes.”

Said Hardwick, “The Western Baptist state convention was organized in 89. Our mission then and now is to maintain the kingdom of God to foster the work of the Christian mission and Christian education and to carry and this is done through a statewide organization of churches. So that's what we do in the mid in our annual session, where we identify platforms we can use to empower our churches statewide.”

Baptists Hold City Wide Revival

Baptists minister groups across Southern California gathered together for a combined City Wide Revival in what has become a faith community tradition for more than fifty years. The meeting–which drew together the California Missionary Baptist Convention, the Western Baptist State Convention, the California State Baptist Convention and was hosted by the Baptist Ministers Fellowship of Southern California–took place at McCoy Memorial Baptist Church.

“Baptist congregations all over the city are coming together to be revived and renewed through revival”, said Pastor K.W. Tulloss, president of the Baptist Minister’s Conference.

The lineup of speakers included two of the most sought-after preachers in the country. Opening the twoday revival was Pastor H.B. Charles of the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Charles, a native of Los Angeles and son of the late Pastor H.B. Charles, Sr. is the former pastor of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.

Pastor Charlie Dates of the 10,000-member strong, Chicago-based Salem Baptist Church and Progressive Baptist Church also fired up the crowd and reminded attendees why he is said to be one of the leading Black preachers today.

“It is our hope that people leave renewed and refreshed to tackle the issue about that many of our communities are plagued with.”

Pastor Michael Fisher, Norman Hutchins, Soul Seekers and Major Among Performers at Carson Family Fest

Some of L.A.’s top pastors–including Michael Fisher, Warryn Campbell, Johnteris Tate and Nisan Stewart– will show off their vocal talents at the Carson Family Fest, which is set for Saturday, August 26th. The lineup also includes Pastor Markees Williams, Bishop Norman Hutchins, Major, Shari Demby, DW3 and the Soul Seekers.

The event is the brainchild of Carson Councilmember Jawane Hilton, who is also a pastor.

Said Hilton, “We're trying to balance a little gospel with a little neo soul. The inspiration was just to bring our community together in a positive and meaningful way in the city of Carson.

Bethesda Temple Apostolic Faith 4909 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 299-2591 • thevoice4904@att.net

Pastor Kyron S. Shorter

Sunday Morning Prayer: 9:00am

Sunday School: 9:30am

Morning Worship: 11:00am

Children’s Church: 11:00am

Sunday Evening Service: 6:00pm

“It's free to the community and open to any and everybody,” Hilton continued. “We'll have resources–including mental health resources and the goal is to encourage people in every area of their life. Carson is a city that likes to gather their community together so we're hoping that this blesses our city and bring us together closer as a community.”

In national church news, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ made history last month, when it elected the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson as the first woman, and the first Black woman, to lead the denomination as General Minister and President.

And world-renowned Bible teacher, sought-after conference speaker, and bestselling author Creflo Dollar has set out to deliver an impactful message of encouragement with the release of his latest recorded project, The Greatest Power last month.

The Greatest Power was birthed out of his personal experiences as he faced illness and recovery at the onset of the COVID crisis. It was in that time that the Atlanta-based pastor’s faith was strengthened and renewed. The vocals of Lasha' Knox beautifully complement Dollar's heartfelt spoken word narrative, creating a harmonious blend that touches hearts and stirs spirits. The song serves as a reminder that no matter the circumstances we face, God's power is available to us, guiding us, and enabling us to overwhelming victory in the knowledge that because God is the greatest power, we shall not be defeated.

Crenshaw Christian Center 7901 South Vermont, Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 758-3777 • F: (323)565-4231 • www.faithdome.org

Dr. Frederick K. Price

LiveWorship Service:Sun 10:30am,Tues 11:00am and 7:30pm at faithdome.org, Facebook, Roku, YouTube and the EIFM app (Download in Apple Store and Google Play)Website: faithdome.org

Giving Options: Text to 28950, type EIFMO and amount you wish to give (ex.,EIFMO 50) or mail to: P.O. Box 90000, Los Angeles, CA 90009

Agape Church of Los Angeles / Three Oaks Baptist Church Corporate Office 4602 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (O) 323-295-5571 •www.agapela.org

Bishop Craig A.Worsham - Senior Pastor

Worship Center: 8109 South Hoover Street Los Angeles, CA 90044

Sunday School: 10:00am

Morning Worship: 11:00am

Loving, Lifting & Liberating Humanity Through The Word

Brookins-Kirkland Community AME Church

3719 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043

(323) 296-5610 • www.bkcamechurchla.org

Rev. Mary S. Minor, DMin,Pastor

Sunday Church School: 8:00 AM and 11:30 AM

Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00 AM (in-person and virtual)

Thursday Bible Study with Pastor Minor (via Zoom): 6:00 PM

Please call the church office for virtual information.

Bryant Temple AME Church 2525 W. Vernon Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 293-6201 • F: (323) 293-0082

Pastor Dwaine Jackson

Sunday School: 8:15am

Morning Worship: 9:15 am

Bible Study (Tues): Noon

Pastor’s Bible Study( Tues): 6:00pm

Calvary Baptist Church 4911 W. 59th Street,Los Angeles, CA,90056 (323)298-1605•F: (323) 298-4867 • calvarybaptistla.org

Rev. Dr. Virgil V. Jones

Sunday Prayer: 8:30am

Sunday School: 9:30am

Sunday Worship: 11:00am

Wednesday Bible Study: 12:00pm & 7:00pm

We are the Church on the Hill where the Light Shines Bright!

Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship

2085 S. Hobart Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018

Phone: (323) 731-8869 • F: (323) 731-0851

www.christianfellowshipla.org

Pastor James K. McKnight

Sunday LiveStream: 10:00am (facebook.com/christianfellowshipla)

Sunday Conference Call: 10:00am (310-372-7549 / code: 342408)

Tue/Thurs Morning Word & Prayer: 7:00am

Wed. Bible Study w/ Elder Stephen Brown (701-802-5001 / code: 825252#

God’s Faithful Disciple of Jesus Christ / Prayer Clinic & Deliverance Ministry P.O. Box 561368, Los Angeles, CA 90056 (323) 293-7566 • www.gfdjc.org •gfdjc@att.net

Dr.Ruby I. Cottle, Ph.D., Pastor/Teacher Services every Friday: 7:00pm

Grant AME Church

10435 S. Central Avenue • Los Angeles, CA 90002 (323) 564-1151 • F: (323) 564-5027

Rev. Dr. Timothy o. Coston, Jr.

Sunday School: 8:00am

Worship: 9:30am

Wednesday Bible Study: 11:30am & 6:00pm

Grace Temple Baptist Churchh

7017 South Bramercy Place, Los Angeles, CA 90047

(323) 971-8192 • gracetemplebaptist7017@gmail.com

Rev. Rodney Howard

Sunday Worship Service: 9:00am

Sunday Life Group: 11:30am

Wed. Night Intercessory Prayer: 6:30pm

Wed. Night Bible Study: 7:00pm

Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church

5300 S. Denker Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062

(323) 759-4996 • www.gembcla.org

Rev. DeNon A. Porter

Sunday School: 8:30am

Sunday Morning Worship: 10am

Facebook/YouTube Livestream: @gembcla

Radio-KALI 900AM: Sundays 7-8pm

Bible Study: Tuesday 7pm

Holman United Methodist Church 3320 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 703-5868 • www.holmanumc.com

Email: holman@holmanumc.com

Rev. Dr. Ken Walden, Senior Pastor

Sunday Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am

Sunday Radio: KJLH 102.3FM at 11am

Sunday School: 9:30am (Children/Youth) & 9:45am (Adults)

Bible Study: Every Thursday @ Noon

We Gather,Grow,Go and Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ

McCarty Memorial Christian Church

4103 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 731-4131 • www.mccartychurch.org

Senior Pastor Edward Anderson

Sunday Worship: 10:45am

Bible Study: Tues @12:30pm/Wed @6pm

Zoom Call: (605) 472-5454 Access:188857

Online Stream Live: Sundays@10:45am to www.mccartychurch.org

Give: Text 77977

Instagram@mccartyconnect

Mount Moriah Baptist Church of Los Angeles, Inc.

4269 South Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90037

(323) 846-1950 •Fax: (323) 846-1964

Rev. Johnteris Tate-Pastor

Sunday Church School: 8:00am

Worship Service: 10:00am

Baptist Training Union: 7:00am

Tuesday Refueling : Noon

Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church

3669 W. 54th St. Los Angeles, CA 90043 Phone (323) 291-1121•Fax: (323) 291-1133 office@sinai.church • www.sinai.church

George E. Hurtt, Pastor-Teacher

Sunday Worship: 8am & 10am

Tuesday Night(as scheduled):7:15pm

All services stream live on our website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. Call for any pandemic-related questions.

Our Goal: To glorify God by winning more Christians and developing better Christians. (Matt. 28:18-20)

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

1300 E. 50th Street Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 235-2103

Rev. Joshua Daniels, Pastor

Morning Worship: 10am (In Service and Online Live Stream Worship)

Sunday School: 8:45am

Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm www.mtzionla.org

ONE LA Potter’s House Church 614 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 (818) 763-4521 • hello@one.online

Pastor Touré and Sarah Roberts

The ONE Experience Online:

Sundays: 7A |9A |11A |1P |6P

Thursdays: 5P |8P (PST) @toureroberts @sarahjakesroberts @one.online

FIRST LADY FILES

Dretona Maddox

Ekklesia of Christ Apostolic Church

Dretona Maddox is a firm believer that pain is the blueprint to purpose and for all that she has experienced–including homelessness and a brief stint in foster care–this mother of six who serves as first lady of the Carson-based, Ekklesia of Christ Apostolic Church knows first-hand her mission from God grown out of pain. It is to provide help, hope, and healing to every child living on the streets or away from their families.

The professionally trained Pediatric nurse and social worker knows firsthand the pain that resides in the hearts of children without homes. To that end she currently runs a facility serving pregnant foster girls in the Inland Empire.

Married for 32 years to Pastor Keith Maddox, the L.A. native plays a critical role in their three-year-old church, which was formed shortly before the COVID pandemic struck. That she has run a nonprofit for the last 17 years means she is able to assist the church with alternative ways of outreaching to the com munity.

“It's more communitybased work,” says Maddox. “And looking at how we can be leaders not just within our local as sembly, but outside the four walls of the church.”

A big part of Maddox’s goals as first lady is getting pa rishioners–particularly women–to embrace the value in who they are.

“Really knowing who you are and working to your strengths and desires,” Maddox stresses. “That's really my message to the young and the old, because I'm realizing that so many women have a lot of regrets in life.”

With few if any regrets, Maddox is redefining the title of first lady.

“It’s more about who are you and what you bring to the table,” she explains. “You're just leading first and trying to lead people into their full potential through the grace of God.”

New Antioch Church of God in Christ 7826 So. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 778-7965 • www.newantiochcogic.org

Superintendent Jeffrey M. Lewis

Sunday Early Worship: 8:00am

Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00am

Sunday School: 9:30am

Tuesday Bible Study: 11:00am

Wednesday In The Word: 7:00pm

All services streamed on: Facebook and YouTube @New Antioch Church of God In Christ

Park Windsor Baptist Church 1842 W. 108th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 756-3966 • RevTerrellTaylor@sbcglobal.net

Rev. Terrell Taylor

St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 S. Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 231-1040 • stmarkmbcofla.org

Reverend Dr. Lovely Haynes, Pastor

Sun. Worship: 8:30am

Sun. Classes follow morning service

Tues Eve Family Prayer Line: 6:30pm

Wed. Noon: Hour of Power Prayer line

Wed. Bible Study: 6:00pm (Zoom & Facebook)

Exposition of Sunday School Lesson:10am

Trinity Baptist Church

2040 W. Jefferson Blvd., L.A., CA 90018 • (323) 735-0044

F: (323) 735-0219• trinitybaptistchurchofla.org

Rev. Alvin Tunstill, Jr

Sunday Worship Services: 10:30am

YouTube: tv.trinitybaptist.cloud

Sunday Radio Broadcast KJLH-FM: 9am

Wed. Night Virtual Bible Study: 7pm (Meeting ID: 480-271-5449.

Or call 1-699-900-6833; give zoom ID Sign-in at 6:55pmrchofla.org

Weller Street Baptist Church 129 S. Gless St, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 261-0949 • F: (323)264-6601 • www.wellerstreetlive.com

Pastor K.W. Tulloss

Sunday School: 8:00am

Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00am Tues. Bible Study: 6:45pm www.wellerstreetlive.com

West Angeles Church Of God In Christ 3600 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 733-8300 • Office Hrs: M-F 8:30am-5:30pm • westa.org

Senior Pastor Charles E. Blake II

Sunday School: 10:00am

Sunday Radio Broadcast KJLH 102.3FM: 10:00am

Citizens of Zion Missionary Baptist Church 12930 S. Lime Ave, Compton, CA 90221 (310) 638-0536 • email: citizensofzionmbc@gmail.com

Rev. Bobby L. Newman, Jr. Pastor

Sunday School: 9:30am

Morning Worship: 10:45am (In-person & Virtual YouTube)

Wednesday Bible Study: 12pm (In-person or dial in at:(774)267-8085)

Wednesday Evening Bible Study: 7:00pm (via Zoom (Call church office for information)

Greater Zion Church Family 2408 North Wilmington Avenue, Compton, CA 90222 (310) 639-5535 • (Tues - Thurs 10am -4pm)

Dr. Michael J. Fisher, Senior Pastor Sunday Worship: 9:00am

Online Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00pm FB: GreaterZionChurchFamily IG: GZCFamily www.gzcfamily.com

Holy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 1016 E. Rosecrans Avenue, Compton, CA 90220 (310) 537-3149 • www.holychapelbc.com

Rev. Dr. George L. Thomas

Morning Worship: 8:00am

Sunday School: 10:30am

Wed. Mid-Week Bible Study: 7:00pm

Sun. New Members’ Class: 10:45am

Communion/1st Sunday: 8:00am

Broadcast KALI 900AM - Sun:2-3:00pm

Love and Unity Christian Fellowship 1840 S. Wilmington Ave, Compton 90220

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5449, Compton, CA 90224

Bishop Ronald C. Hill Sr., Founder/Pastor Sunday Worship:10am/6:30pm

Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am

Wednesday Virtual Bible Study : Noon & 7:00p Communion: 1st Sunday at 8:00am & 11:00am

Wed. Bible Studies: 7:30pm

Prayer w /Bishop Hill: Fri: 9am

Food For Your Soul TV Ministry

Impact TV Network: Mon-Fri PST 6:30am

The Word Network Fridays @ 12:30pm

PastorProfile:Barry Settle

Church: Ward AME Church

How Long at church: Ten months

Hometown: Los Angeles

Family: Wife Rochelle, three adult children

What was your path to ministry?

In my mid-late 20s, my life started falling apart and the way I see it now is that God was removing people from my life. Friends moved away, relationships dissolved, and I guess that was a point where God was dealing with me. I started experiencing restless nights with my name being called in the middle of the night, waking up to see who it was and nobody being there. I expressed that restlessness to my pastor who prayed with me. I never dreamed or thought I wanted to pastor but over a number of months, I reluctantly accepted the call to ministry, not really knowing what it was going to become, but feeling it was what God wanted me to do.

I was working in Pasadena and Fuller [Theological Seminary] was right around the corner and I decided to take a class. So, it started with theological education and becoming ordained. After my ordination, there was a period where I thought there had to be more than just standing up on Sunday and reading a scripture or leading the Bible study.

Was faith always a part of your childhood?

I wouldn't say I grew up super religious, but faith was a central foundation

What initially brought you to Ward AME?

Somebody at my job who kept inviting me to church. I would never go, but it got to a point where I needed something and accepted her invitation to visit Ward and I’ve never turned away since then.

You started in ministry late?

Yeah, I was ordained through the AME Church in 2001 and became an itinerant deacon in 2003. I was offered the job as assistant pastor at Ward. I got my first church at the age of 40 when I was asked to make a big leap of faith leaving Los Angeles to pastor in Kansas City.

What did you learn about yourself through that process?

To trust God even when your back is against the wall, because when I left L.A., the income difference was huge. I probably lost about $40K in annual salary. My wife had to quit her job. I had three kids. I wasn't making a lot of money, but God was able to take care of me in a place where I could not take care of myself and that taught me a lot about the faith journey and God making a way. Today when I face impossible situations, I draw from that experience that God's done it before and will do it again and that's what I use to en-

people as best as I can, and to take them where I think God is calling us at this time. My first sixseven months here, I'm just trying to get reacquainted with the people who knew me as Barry. They saw me get ordained. They saw my children get baptized. But I've been gone for 16-17 years, so there's been some re-establishing of boundaries and relationships.

We have some challenges here internally with the building and the structure and trying to implement some ministry programs here and it's been difficult, but I'm looking forward to thriving ministry here, to impacting the community and helping people.

What’s the biggest challenge in terms of getting Ward back to where it once was or is that the goal?

It's funny, I was at a meeting in in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago, and I bumped into Bishop Reed and he told me, ‘I want you to go in lead Ward. I'm not telling you to lead them to what they were, but to lead them to where God is calling them to be. That's my prayer for you.’

So, what I want to do is to develop relationships so that the people will have faith and trust that they can come to the church and have their tangible and spiritual needs attended to. That only comes through relationship. I'm not the most extroverted person in the world, but I do believe in authentic relationships with the people who come through these doors for worship and with the community.

Are most of your members are commuting and is it an older crowd? If so, how will you reach out to a younger crowd?

There are people that live in the community, but there are also those who live in Pasadena, Inglewood, Long Beach and Carson. I live in the Inland Empire. Even though all the churches are going after the youth, I do not want to forget about our seniors. I'm 57. I want to reach those older than me and I want to reach those in my age bracket, as well as the members that are my children's age and my children range from 22 to 30. I am looking to be able to impact lives multi-generationally and I pray that our worship experience ministers to all.

What do you believe to be that biggest skill, gift or talent that will help you reach your goals? Semantically, God has given me the gifts to be able to tap into the hurt and pain and struggles of society, multigenerational, from the seniors to the single mother to the married couple who's struggling in their relationships. That's what I leaned on trusting that God has equipped me for this moment for this time at Ward.

There is a changing of the guard in the L.A. faith community… Right. You got some pretty big people checking out, so I think Ward is prime. This is perfect timing.

When you preach on Sunday mornings, is there a theme that you rest on a lot?

Our theme for the year is “Dare to hope” and I want people to leave having hope in a God that they cannot see, but is capable of providing for their every need and creating a productive life for them for His glory.

My son was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma last year, and it has been an extremely difficult year for not only him but my entire family and so I've had to draw in on the faith I preach every Sunday. I think it was Gardner Taylor that said, ‘Faith doesn't mean anything until it means something in the context of your daily life’. And so, it's helped me to realize that I'm in this struggle with everybody else. So, I have to preach something that ministers not only to them, but to my-

Is that the biggest challenge you've ever had to face?

By far personally, and from a ministerial capacity. This has been the most difficult season of my life,

The City of Refuge 14527 S. San Pedro St, Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 516-1433

Bishop Noel Jones

Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am

Evening Worship: 6:00pm

Bible Study (Wed): Noon & 7:00pm

BET/Fresh Oil (Wed): 7:00am

The Liberty Church 4725 S. Gramercy Place, Gardena, CA 90249 (310) 715-8400

Pastor David W. Cross

Morning Worship/Livestream:10:00 am

Hispanic Ministry Worship/Livestream:12Noon

Word Power Wednesday/Livestream: 7:00pm

The CROSSWORD with Pastor Cross: YouTube

Atherton Baptist Church

2627 W. 116th Street Hawthorne,CA 90250 (323) 757-3113 • www.athertonbc.org

F: 323-757-8772 • athertonbaptist@sbcglobal.net

Pastor Larry Weaver

Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00 & 11:00 am

Sunday Bible Enrichment Class: 9:45am

Mon.-Thurs. Bible Study: 7:00pm

Wednesday Bible Study: 12:30pm & 7:00pm

Bible Enrichment Fellowship International 400 E. Kelso, Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-4700 • www.bamcm.org

Dr. Beverly “BAM” Crawford

Morning Worship: 9:30am

Tues. Bible Study: 7:30pm

Wed. Mid-Week Prayer: 5am, Noon & 7:00pm

Wednesday Pathway: 7:00pm

Thurs Bible Study: 10:00am

Sat Marriage & Family Prayer: 7:30am

Blessed Family Covenant Church 325 North Hillcrest Blvd, Inglewood, CA, 90301 (310)-674-0303 • F: (310)-674-0303

Pastor Wendy Howlett

Sunday Morning Worship & Word: 9:30am

Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study: 7:00pm View Sunday Worship: www.youtube.com (Under Blessed Family Covenant Church) www.blessedfamilycovenant.org

Center of Hope LA 9550 Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305 #centerofhope•#cohla•Info@GO2HOPE.com Give: Text COHLA to (833) 246-7144

Pastor Geremy L. Dixon

Service Times: 8:00am & 10:00am Watch Via: Facebook|YouTube|Live Stream Closer To People...Closer To God! www.GO2Hope.com

Faithful Central Bible Church 333 W. Florence Ave. Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-8000 • F: (310) 330-8035

Pastor J. P. Foster

In-Person Services: 7:00 am & 9:30am

Online Services: 7:00a, & 9:30am

Wednesdays, The Download: 7:00pm

Facebook + Youtube+ Website

The Tabernacle is located at 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave., Inglewood www.faithfulcentral.com

Jacob’s Ladder Community Fellowship, inc. 1152 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90302 (866) 330-1702 • F: (310) 674-0760

Watchman/Shepherd Dr. Robert T. Douglas Sr.

Sunday Fresh Start & Prayer 9:00am

Sunday School: 10:00am

Morning Services: 11:45am

Evening Service: 7:00pm

Wed. Lock & Load Prayer: 7:00pm

Wed. Bible Study: 7:30pm

3rd Friday Youth Night: 7:30pm www.jacobladderschurch.com

Jesse Jackson Passes the Baton

Last month in Chicago the Rainbow PUSH Coalition officially transferred leadership as Reverend Jesse Jackson transitioned to emeritus status and the Reverend Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes III was welcomed as the organization's next president. Haynes was formally introduced during the Rainbow PUSH Coalition's 57th annual conference during an event with Vice President Kamala Harris.

For more than five decades, Rev. Jackson has led the Coalition which has global reach and impact in its efforts to advocate for social change and promote civil rights. His decision to step down comes as the 81-year-old has been navi- gating Parkinprogressive order that He is to continuing the movement and in his new role as

emeritus, will elevate his life's work by teaching ministers in the social justice movement.

“The resignation of Rev. Jesse Jackson is the pivoting of one of the most productive, prophetic, and dominant figures in the struggle for social justice in American history,” said Rev. Al Sharpton.

It was in 1971 – drawing on his experiences in the Civil Rights Movement–that Jackson aimed to establish a platform that would fight against economic and social barriers oppressing marginalized communities. His vision was to foster a society where equal opportunities were not merely rhetorical, but an actual reality.

In his own words, Jackson emphasized, "Our goals, then and now, have been to expand and protect civil rights, to seek and promote social and economic justice, and to empower people to take control of their lives and their communities."

"I am looking forward to this next chapter where I will continue to focus on economic justice, mentorship, and teaching ministers how to fight for social justice," Jackson said. I will still be very involved in the organization and am proud that we have chosen Rev. Dr. Haynes as my successor.”

Haynes III, a noted civil rights activist and senior pastor of the Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas is known for his dynamic leadership and passionate advocacy for social justice and expected to carry forward the coalition's mission of empowering disadvantaged communities and fighting for equal rights. His appointment signals a pivotal moment in the organization's history, marking a new era of leadership committed to tackling contemporary social issues.

He considers himself a long-time student of Rev. Jackson and has formed alliances with local and national community leaders, and federal officials, to fight social injustice, domestic violence, and poverty.

"As a student of Rev. Jackson's, I am honored to be selected for this prestigious and important position,” Haynes remarked. “The role Rainbow PUSH Coalition plays today is just as critical as it was in 1963, when the organization was founded. Our communities need organizations like Rainbow PUSH to not only continue the fight for justice and equality,

but to shepherd the next generation of advocates into the movement."

Rev. Jackson worked directly with the chairs of the four Rainbow PUSH organizations — including Rainbow PUSH Coalition, PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), PUSH Excel, and the Citizenship Education Fund — to select Rev. Haynes as its next president and was reported to have first approached Haynes four years ago.

In his new role Haynes will have the support of pastors throughout the country including in Los Angeles where members of the Baptist Minister’s Conference of Southern California went on record with their support of Haynes.

True Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

7901 South Van Ness Ave. Inglewood, CA 90305 (323) 750-7304

Rev. James A. Perkins

Sunday School: 9:30am

Early Worship: 8am

Morning Worship: 10:45am

Bible Adventure Hour (Tues): 6pm

Bible Study (Tues): 7pm

Bible Study (Thurs): Noon

Antioch Church of Long Beach

350 Pine Ave. ,Long Beach, CA 90802

(562) 591-8778 •www.antiochlb.com

Senior Pastor Wayne Chaney, Jr.

Online Services Stream live: Sun 10:00am at antiochlb.com

Give: text antiochib to 77977

Social Media: facebook.com/antiochlb

instagram.com/antiochlb youtube.com/antiochlongbeach

Christ Second Baptist Church 1471 Martin Luther King, Jr., Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-3421 • Fax: (562) 599-6175 • www.csbclb.org

Rev. Welton Pleasant II, Senior Pastor

Sunday School: 8:30am

Sunday Worship Service: 9:40am

Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm Wed Youth & Young Adult Ministry: 7pm

House of Refuge Church of God in Christ 1446 W. 36th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323)515-9022•Email:info@horcogic.org•www.horcogic.live

Pastor: Dr. Pierre Codio

First Lady Shavon Codio

Sunday Services:11:00am

Sunday School: 9:00am

Thursday Online Bible Study:7:00pm (via Facebook & YouTube)

Friday Morning Online Prayer:10am

Prayer call-in # : (516) 259-9968

In Nevada, he currently stands fourth, but his growing popularity suggests potential for improvement. South Carolina, being his home state, shows him leading comfortably ahead of other contenders. This strong performance in the initial battleground states underscores his growing national appeal and momentum, all of which leads to increased fundraising.

The surge is particularly noticeable among independent voters and those valuing fiscal responsibility, reflecting his strong stance on economic policy.

Scott's rise in the polls is a testament to his political acumen and the resonance of his messages with voters. Elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2008, Scott later served in the U.S. House of Representatives before his appointment to the U.S. Senate in 2013.

His conservative stances on fiscal and social issues appealed to a broad base, and his ability to articulate these views with clarity and conviction made him a compelling figure in the political arena.

In a keynote speech to the Republican National Convention in 2020, Scott said, “Regardless of the challenges presented to us…every four years…Americans come together to vote…To share stories of what makes our nation strong, and the lessons we have learned that can strengthen it further for our children and grandchildren.

“Our family went from Cotton to Congress in one lifetime. And that’s why I believe the next American century can be better than the last."

But for all the high favorability ratings and the kind of appeal that transcends the GOP, Scott still has his work cut out. His campaign is spending big dollars to beef up his profile–with a $40 million ad campaign set to launch this fall.

Section 8 renters continued from page 7

lowed to find their own housing. The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program.

Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.

Housing subsidies are paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.

Another landlord who spoke to CBM off the record said sometimes landlords do not intend to increase rents, but “problematic” tenants give them few options.

She said those tenants sometimes illtreat or damage the properties they rent, which leads to “harsher-than-normal wear and tear, leading to host to exorbitant maintenance and repair costs.

As more cities across the United States struggle with the housing affordability and availability, the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program is in high demand. In densely populated cities such as Los Angeles, the waitlist can be abnormally long, authorities point out.

Recently, Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass pleaded with local property managers and private landlords to take at least one to two vouchers during the city's State of Emergency against homelessness, which she declared in January. California’s housing affordability problem is a major contributing factor to the state’s homelessness crisis, which is having a disproportionate impact on Black Californians. About 30 % of the state’s approximately 160,000 homeless people are African American. Blacks make up less than 6 % of the state’s population.

Last week, Bonta provided legal guidance to local governments, warning them that the DOJ is willing to take legal action against cities that “frustrate” the state’s efforts to increase housing supply by enacting “emergency zoning ordinances.”

“Under California law, urgency zoning ordinances can only be enacted if a high bar is met. Unfortunately, we are seeing urgency zoning ordinances that fall short of meeting that high bar,” said Bonta. “Every community must do its part to build housing. I encourage local governments to take a good look at their urgency zoning ordinances for compliance.”

Slager continued from page 8

pernicious practice of people used as property. Any teaching that dares include this controversial stance is considered racist and intolerant. Well… that highly-praised AP African American History curriculum has nearly the exact same language touting the exact same sentiment. Redfern included the section of that course study with the language to this effect.

Just to reiterate, this identical passage is part of the curriculum that the loudest critics today, decrying this teaching, had been demanding to be installed in Florida's schools. It underscores, specifically, that there is no genuine outrage at the content or, at least at the balance of it, in the entirety of the courses being taught.

It is entirely rooted in what can be politicized and who can be targeted politically.

Here is the best way to see the vacancy of these outrages. Today, Ron DeSantis is slammed over the inclusion of this passage on slavery benefits. Months earlier, he was slammed for not approving the AP African American History that included this passage. Can those shrieking over Ron DeSantis "whitewashing" slavery explain how this very same element was something they were mandating he needed to accept months prior?

No, they cannot, and they will not. Because none of these accusations have been about the accuracy of history, it is all about impeding his political future. Brad Slager covers politics and the business side of the Hollywood industry at outlets such as RedState, HotAir, Twitchy, and The Federalist.

Jackson continued from page 8

they can love their country in full. And with that knowledge and love of country, take steps to move our nation forward like true patriots.

Gevin Reynolds is the Associate Director of Speechwriting, Office of the Vice President at The White House. This article first appeared on theroot.com.

Tipping point continued from page 15

larger bag. Some venues charge for checked items, but you should still tip. Restroom attendant: $1-2 bucks is optional

Valet: $3-8

Coffee Shop: Rounding up to the nearest dollar on your coffee run is not necessary, but is viewed as a nice gesture. Even if the service is poor, it is recommended you leave at least 10 percent, but it is always advised that one check their tab carefully because as a growing number of establishments add a gratuity to their bills.

Pastor continued from page 22

but I call [Lamentations 3: 21-22] this to mind, ‘and therefore I have hope, that because God loves me. And his love never ends’.

Where do you think you've evolved the most and how will it uniquely help you in this journey ahead?

My faith has evolved. I have no doubt in God and that has helped me face impossible situations. I'm like, Okay, let's just see what God's gonna do, because I believe God will make a way for us. I had faith before, right? But life has forced me to really embrace my faith and own my faith and trust in the faith I have in Christ.

InGoodTaste

Short Rib Pie

Guest Chef J.J. Johnson

For Harlem-based celebrity chef J.J. Johnson, food is a language that can break down barriers. Johnson is a James Beard-nominated chef best known for his Pan- African/ Caribbean culinary style and for his ability to transform simple cuisine with bold flavors and unexpected ingredients.

In 2018, Johnson–who grew up watching his mother’s Puerto Rican grandmother cook–published his first cookbook, Between Harlem and Heaven. He believed the book reflected the trend toward young Americans who grew up around other cultures cooking their own heritage.

“There’s truly something for everybody, and the headnotes make you feel like I am in the kitchen with you,” Johnson said of the recipes from the culinary melting pot of Africans, Asians, West Indians and other cultures.

Ingredients:

Coconut oil

3 pounds boneless beef short ribs, cut into 2-inch pieces Kosher salt

10 pearl onions, peeled and halved

2 cloves garlic, minced 2 scallions, roughly chopped 1 tablespoon turmeric powder

And now–in addition to his Manhattan eatery, The Henry–Jonson has his own show on CLEO TV, TV One’s aspirational lifestyle and entertainment network targeting Millennial and Gen X women of color. The show, JUST EATS WITH CHEF JJ, is set in a hip New York City loft, where Johnson prepares meals from his kitchen and entertains his celebrity friends. Each episode features notable special guests including TV personality Yandy Smith, actor Laz Alonso, singer Kimberly Locke, actress Naturi Naughton, rapper and activist Tamika Mallory among others. Favorite recipes include Biscuit Sammys, Egg Rice, Brown Paper Bag Fried Chicken, and Collard Green Salad. He shared the following recipe for Short Rib Pie on the Today Show.

2 teaspoons curry powder

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 cups dry red wine

4 cups low-sodium beef stock

2 tablespoons chopped thyme

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

1 egg yolk, mixed with 1 tablespoon coconut oil, for brushing

2 pie crusts, homemade or storebought

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Set a large Dutch oven/pot over medium heat and add drizzle of coconut oil. Season ribs with salt and sear on all sides until golden brown. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Instructions:

2. Add onions and sauté until golden brown. Reduce heat and add garlic and scallions and cook until soft. Add turmeric and curry powder and stir together. Add tomato paste. Let fry slightly with other ingredients, stir to combine.

3. Add red wine and bring to a simmer, scraping the pan of any bits and reduce by half. Return the short ribs and their juices back into the pot along with beef stock and 2 cups of water. Bring to a low simmer. Cook covered 3 hours or meat is tender and sauce is slightly thickened. Stir in onions, parsley and thyme; take off heat to cool slightly.

6. Place 1 prepared pie crust into a 2-quart pie dish. Pour cooled filling into dish and cover with second pie crust. Crimp the edges from both layers of dough together to seal pie. 7. Make 3 small slits in top crust. Brush with egg yolk/oil mixture. Bake 1 hour or until crust is golden brown. Let sit 10 minutes.

SavingGrace

Glynn Turman

Glynn Turman has built a career spanning more than 50 years in the entertainment industry on a “mustard seed of faith” and a strong work ethic.

The Emmy-winner has delivered gripping performances in more than 170 TV and film projects since 1959. In the last three years alone, Turman has starred in The Way Back with Ben Affleck, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom with Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman, and 80 for Brady with Sally Field and Jane Fonda.

Most would say that Turman is well within his right to retire. However, the 76-year-old told L.A. Focus Magazine that’s easier said than done: “Every time I try to get out, they pull me back in,” he said.

“By now, I thought I would be retired twiddling my thumbs on the ranch. I can hardly see my ranch because I'm always off somewhere, performing, but I'm not complaining. My latest project, which I'm very proud of, and I hope your readers will tune in is The Legend of Glynn Turman, a documentary that is streaming as we speak, on Peacock.”

The documentary dives deep into Turman's life as a mischievous adolescent, a lover of horses, and his experiences as a black actor in the 60s, 70s, and beyond. It also explores how Turman was able to forge such an enviable list of work.

Most of his success can be attributed to his upbringing.

Growing up in New York, Turman was raised by a single mother who fed his faith and stirred his confidence. She relentlessly challenged him to face his racist bullies and encouraged him to embrace his creativity. In addition to that, she surrounded him with a village of people who would kickstart his talent, including culture-shaping creatives like writers James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry. His mother's friendship with Hansberry helped the young Turman score his first gig.

“Did you know that I was the original Travis in the original Broadway production of A Raisin in the Sun?” Turman revealed during his chat with L.A. Focus Magazine.

In fact, it was at the age of 12 that Turman landed an opportunity that would set the trajectory for his life’s work. In 1959, Turman starred along Hollywood icons Sydney Poitier and Ruby Dee in Hansberry’s play.

As the A Diff’rent World actor reflected on that time, he shared how the experience fostered his passion for theater.

“I think it's why I've never turned my back on theater,” Turman observed. “I have always performed, never going no more than two years without doing a stage play, you know, and it's something that was

part of my DNA.”

This signaled a positive change of direction for the adolescent who had yet to find an interest in academia. Turman admitted he often skipped school and had no interest in participating when he did attend. The teenager would instead spend his time at the local stables - mucking stalls and sitting on horses.

“My mother got wind [of it] because I guess I came home smelling like horses,” he continued. “She couldn’t seem to stop that behavior, so she had a friend who knew how to ride. Put me with her and she taught me how to ride.”

Turman also enjoyed building model planes and planned to become an aviation engineer. His woodshop teacher discouraged the idea due to his low attendance in math class and suggested he attend a performing arts high school.

Soon after, Turman enrolled and excelled at school for the first time. While his time should have been filled with happiness, adversity lie ahead. He lost his mother before graduating. After high school, he was married with children, but also out of work and living in poverty. The mustard seed he’d been holding onto was needed more than ever.

Determined to keep the lights on, Turman eventually found a job. He also continued to pursue his acting career. He often faced rejection, but never gave up, Eventually, he began shows like Peyton Place.

In 1975, he landed one of his most memorable roles - Preach in Cooley High. The film is considered a classic and brought Turman more fame than he’d imagined. However, he didn't become a megastar.

“When Cooley High was made, a lot of people felt hat I should have been nominated for an Academy Award as well as the motion picture itself and my costar, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, who was fantastic,” Turman said. “But that wasn't on the table in 1975. So, you know, the journey is what it is. I'm just happy that I'm here to be able to tell my part of the story now.”

Despite not landing Oscar consideration for his role in the film that has somewhat of a cult favor ite, Turman’s acting skills have not escaped acclaim as the actor has won sev eral NAACP Image Awards and been nominated for both the Screen Actors Guild Award and Critics' Choice

Award. And in 2008, Turman landed a primetime Emmy for his guest appearance on HBO's In Treatment.

Currently, Turman is working on two projects. One of them is “Rustin”, produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions.

“Rustin is the flagship project for the Obama’s production company, Higher Ground on Netflix.,” Turman shared. “It's about the story of Bayard Rustin starring Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin, who is fantastic. I play A. Philip Randolph. It's a wonderful, powerful story.”

And for the actor who is heavily involved with Black rodeos, the other project aligns with his love of westerns.

“I just came back from Utah doing a Western with Kevin Costner. It's called Horizon. It's the movie that he's getting all the controversy about because he's leaving Yellowstone to do his project. He was gracious enough to call me and say ‘hey, I'm betting all my money on this. Come on and help me out.’”

Outside of acting, the California resident, who was once married to Aretha Franklin, pays it forward by staying involved in the community. In 1992, he started Camp Gid D Up in response to a request from the late Coretta Scott King and his love for horses. The free western style summer camp program for disenfranchised inner-city and at-risk youth serves children age 9 — 18.

To avoid stagnation, the father, husband, actor and cowboy aficionado encourages others to also

“I have the most difficulty adapting to complacency, the complacency of our people, especially our younger people, who take it as a given that their status and positions are secure. It's all in jeopardy if you do not do the due diligence to make sure that it is passed along and do more to help bring others along.”