L.A. Focus On The Word September 2018

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SEPTEMBER

L.A. FOCUS

2018

@LAFOCUSNEWS

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Church News : Western Baptist Convention To Host Annual Conference

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Stars Light Up the Red : Carpet at Black Girls Rock PAGE

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SEE PAGE

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Upfront

Calls For Trump ImpeaChmenT Grow louder >>

With the recent guilty verdicts of President Trump’s former campaign chairman and personal attorney, calls for impeachment and questions of the president’s legal status have grown louder.

As the Mueller Investigation winds its way to the White House, even online gambling sites have set favorable odds that impeachment will occur by the end of his first term...

Saving Grace: Aunjanue Ellis

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contents

L.A. Focus Publications

SEPTEMBER 2018

Left: Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas with wife, Avis at the Health Equity Action Plan press conference; Midlle: Mayor James Butts with famed architect Frank Gehry and Philharmonic Youth Orchestra conductor Gustavo Dudamel; Right: Councilman Curren Price (District 9) at the first ever Summer Fun Fair at the Slauson Multipurpose Center.

Commentary

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Red Carpet Style

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center was the site of the 2018 VMA Awards and the stars turned up the on the red carpet

Los Angeles NAACP Supports Ridley-Thomas African American Voter Efforts

From The Editor A Change Is Gonna Come...Yes, It Is

Upfront

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Calls For Trump Impeachment Grow Louder Black Press Essential to Success in 2018 Midterms; FBI, Inglewood Police Team For Massive Gang Bust

Head to Head

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On Loyalty and Leadership

Headlines From Africa Feature Story

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In A Battle Of Billionaires; Where Do South L.A. And Inglewood Residents Win?

Money Matters

The Queen of Soul Had No Will...But You Should

Biz News Briefs Barris Inks Deal With Netflex;Urban League Partners With CBC for Jobs & Justice Tour; Toyota Establishes John Mack Scholarship Fund

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Eye On Gospel Gospel’s Best Selling Artist Hits the Road; Donald Lawrence Drops Second Single; Anthony Evans Jr. Releases Memoir

staff

Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Staff Writers Production Photographer Advertising Social Media

Lisa Collins Keith DeLawder, Gerald Bell Kisha Smith Ian Foxx, Rickey Brown Lisa Ely Jazmin Young

L.A. Focus–On the Word, is published monthly.

Address all correspondence to: L.A. Focus, 333 W. Florence Ave., Suite C333 Inglewood, CA 90301 • (310) 677-6011 Subscription rates $25.00 per year.

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Hollywood Buzz Cardi B Called Out By Bernice King; Reality TV Drama; Niecy Nash Gets Naked

One On One Regina King

14 Through The Storm 17 Game Changers 19 Church News 20 22 Pastor Profile

Calendar/Around LA

“One A Slave to Addiction, Now She Hands Out Second Chances”

Aretha Franklin

Black Church Issues A “Call To Conscience -Day of Action” In Lead Up to Midterms; Bay Area Pastor Kicks Off National Campaign to Green The Church

Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co. Bible Enrichment Fellowship International Church Morgan Stanley Bob Blake & Associates

Johnitta Hokes The Key of David Ministries

LA Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) will be calling Inglewood home

Scherrie Payne- BBQ Baked Beans

Aunjanue Ellis

Motown Powerhouse Gladys Knight Delivers Greatest Hits at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts on Sat., Sept 29,2018 at 8:00pm.

Tickets are available at the box office, cerritoscenter.com or by calling (562) 916-8500

Eddie Anderson- McCarty Memorial

honorary advisors West Angeles C.O.G.I.C. City of Refuge Greater Zion Church Family Paradise Baptist Church Southern Saint Paul Church Faithful Central Bible Church Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Mt. Zion MBC

Bishop Charles Blake Bishop Noel Jones Pastor Michael Fisher Dr. Aaron D. Iverson Rev. Xavier L. Thompson Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer Pastor Emeritus Melvin Wade Rev. Edward V. Hill II

advisory board

Napoleon Brandford Pastor Beverly Crawford Lem Daniels Bob Blake

23 Milestones 24 In Good Taste 25 26 Saving Grace

First Lady Files

Cover Design: UpScale Media

#LAFOCUS

@Lafocusnews

@L.A.Focus

Group

Commentary

CARL HENLEY Guest Columnist

Los Angeles NAACP Supports Ridley-Thomas’ African American Voter Efforts

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t face value, last month’s headlines seemed disturbing: University of Southern California had referred a donation, made to the School of Social Work by LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, to federal officials for investigation.

USC said it turned the matter over to the feds because the School forwarded the donation to the United Ways of California, directing it be used for an African-American voter research project run by his son, former California Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas.

The article was consumed with innuendoes and veiled accusations. However, the factual element of the article was correct when it articulated, the Supervisor is working to engage one of the County’s premier universities to bring academic rigor and methodology to the issues around African American voting.

For many Californians, it is no surprise that the Supervisor would be actively involved in efforts to bring attention and resources to the cause of black voting rights. From his days as local director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Ridley-Thomas has shown singular dedication to reversing the systematic disenfranchisement of African Americans, who make up a plurality of his constituents.

He has championed this cause during his nearly three decades representing South Los Angeles on the Los Angeles City Council, in the state Legislature and now on the LA Board of Supervisors. Undoubtedly, his extraordinary public service and his dedication to community progress have made him the most powerful African-American elected official in the state.

Along the way he also founded the African American Voter Registration, Education and Participation Project, a PAC that under his leadership has done more to register black voters than any organization in the state — and many in the country.

AAVREP raises hundreds of thousands of dollars from individuals, unions and private businesses to run workshops and voter registration drives. It is particularly focused on the up-coming Congressional elections and 2020.

Undisputed data show it is the black vote – in particular the votes of black women – that fuels progressive elections. The black vote put Barack Obama in office and the black vote will determine the election results of Donald Trump, whose racist leanings are well documented. AAVREP is a vital organization for the African-American com-

From the Editor

munity. Political observers can readily conclude there is a powerful effort to disrupt AAVREP’s progress and its critical mission.

Around the country, state legislatures controlled by conservatives have gerrymandered districts to not just minimize the progressive vote, but specifically the black vote.

Ridley-Thomas has relentlessly shaken academia lethargy in the areas of public policy and social issues affecting the African-American community. Scholars and visionaries recognize, without the involvement of the academic community, the best, experience of African-American voters remains, at anecdotal – and seriously undervalued.

Ridley-Thomas’ new initiative, the Policy Research & Practice Initiative, exists to correct this oversight by collecting hard data about black needs and voting patterns. He has made it no secret that this research will form the bedrock of serious academic treatment, informed public policy and the efficient deployment of social services.

It is understandable and reasonable that Ridley-Thomas would turn to the former Dean of Social Work, with whom he has worked successfully on a number of projects, to encourage USC’s interest and foster a collaboration to produce that hard data.

Last month, I attended the 109th National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Annual Convention in San Antonio, TX. The delegates left the convention committed to register, educate and turn out voters across this nation. Thus, we are embarking on our national campaign, “Turn Out 2018 Civic Engagement Movement.”

Our national campaign is synonymous to AAVREP’s local goals. Moreover, PRPI is a relevant component to enhance our current 2018 movement and to advance the cause of the NAACP. Unfortunately, this controversy over USC’s handling of Ridley-Thomas’ donation will detract from the larger good. Consequently, if we fail to produce verifiable research into the lives and experiences of black Californians, we will all be poorer for it.

I trust that Ridley-Thomas will press forward with the PRPI initiative with or without USC. I encourage him to use every tool within his power to increase and document the political participation of African Americans. The NAACP’s mission compels us to pursue this civil rights issue with Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

Carl Henley is the President of the Los Angeles Branch of the NAACP

LISA COLLINS Publisher

A Change Is Gonna Come… Yes, It Is

L.A. Focus/ September 2018

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hange can be exciting, rewarding, impactful and uplifting. By the same token, it can be challenging and difficult.

I purchased a home on the Inglewood side of Ladera Heights nearly 20 years ago, when Inglewood was struggling with high crime rates, unemployment and budget deficits. Ironically enough, the street that I live on is the dividing line between Inglewood and the city of Los Angeles. So the house directly across the street from me has a different zip code.

When I first moved in, I’d be less than truthful if I didn’t say I was disappointed that my house fell on the Inglewood side given the state of the city. But my how things have changed.

Today, according to Mayor Butts, the city has three light rail stations (perhaps even a monorail), ongoing development deals with two NFL teams, a proposed deal to build a Clippers arena, $31 million in reserves and a projected $15 million dollar surplus for this year.

And last month, I went to a ceremony celebrating the announcement that the Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) would be calling Inglewood their home with the erection of a 25,000-square foot facility designed by famed architect Frank Gehry that will feature a 260-seat concert hall, choir room, practice halls and teaching areas —all set to break ground next spring.

While I am excited by all of the possibilities that come with that change, I am not all that comfortable with what is left in its wake.

To be sure, there are no easy answers for people dealing with rising rents in a county where housing is increasingly unaffordable—and that’s not just in Inglewood.

Not to mention the demographics that are changing the cultural composition of our communities and in the worst of cases, displacing residents.

But if I have learned anything in my life, it is that you cannot stand in the way of change. My grandmother used to say, “Change was like a train coming down the tracks and you just have three choices—you can either get on board, get out of the way, or get mowed down”.

Stopping the train, is unfortunately, not an option.

Our feature story this month is about the changing face of Inglewood and how residents are being affected by the change that will come with it. I have had the privilege of getting to know Assembly Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove and her passion for helping the constituents she serves with bills like AB 987, which she’s introduced to streamline the process that would bring the Clippers, a world-class arena and $1.2 billion infusion to Inglewood. (See our story beginning on page 8).

Keep in mind that for as difficult as change is, it challenges us to move forward, to seek alternatives and to grow. There is no greater example of that than Susan

Burton, who shares her story in this month’s, “Through The Storm” (see page 17).

Burton, who was incarcerated six times in her life, found the strength to turn her life around and as the founder of A New Way of Life, has helped more than 1,000 women to do the same.

Change for Susan began with “how disappointed I became in my hopelessness that led me to finding a place where I could erect the grace of God around me in a compassionate and not enabling way”.

Now a leading criminal justice advocate, Susan tells her story in her memoir “Becoming Ms. Burton: From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women”, which was released last year and received an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work.

It is stories like hers that remind us that no matter where you are in your life, the power to alter that course is yours and yours alone.

That is one of the lessons I learned from one of my earliest mentors—Xernona Clayton, who I will have the privilege of honoring on September 8, at L.A. Focus’ 21st Annual First Ladies High Tea. If you’ve never had the privilege of attending, it’s a celebration in part of women of faith who have changed the world in their own ways.

All of our honorees—Debbie Allen, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Osie Hill, Shalonda Crawford, Hyepin Im, Gwendolyn Troy and Xernona—have left their marks, but as a little girl growing up in California, it was Xernona—affectionately dubbed “Big”, who I grew up wanting to be like.

She was bold, beautiful, funny and passionate about doing all she could to insure the civil rights of those around her. An SCLC staffer and assistant to the King family, she drove Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the airport on for that fateful trip to Memphis and was with Coretta Scott-King when she broke the news to her children that their Dad had been killed. She would go on to become a corporate vice president at the Turner Broadcasting Network and the first black woman to have a daily talk show in the south, before establishing the annually televised Trumpet Awards.

My favorite Xernona story is of her was her influence on Calvin Craig, a Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan, who she became involved with while working in Atlanta’s Model Cities program. He would later denounce the organization and credit her for his conversion.

I hope you can join us for what will be a great afternoon.

Keep the faith.

UpFront Calls For Trump Impeachment Grow Louder KEITH DELAWDER Staff Writer

News Briefs

Black Press Essential to Success in 2018 Midterms STACY BROWN

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ith the recent guilty verdicts of President Trump’s former campaign chairman and personal attorney, calls for impeachment and questions of the president’s legal status have grown louder.

As the Mueller Investigation winds its way to the White House, even online gambling sites have set favorable odds that impeachment will occur by the end of his first term.

Last month, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty of eight of eighteen felony charges of tax evasion, bank fraud and hiding foreign bank accounts by a jury of his peers in Virginia. On the same day, long-time personal lawyer and described “fixer” for Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, testified as part of a plea agreement in New York City that then-candidate Trump had "directed" and "coordinated" his efforts to hide payments discussed in the run-up to the 2016 election to two women in an effort to keep their allegations of extramarital affairs with Trump out of the press, which is a violation of campaign finance laws.

In his guilty plea, Cohen admitted that he broke the law and testified that he did so at the direction of Donald Trump. Under normal circumstances this admission would implicate Trump in illegal activity and charges would be indicted against him as well-- except in this situation Trump is a sitting

President. While there is no official policy preventing a sitting President to be criminally indicted, longstanding Justice Department guidelines dictate that immunity is to be given to the President while in office. Special counsel Robert Mueller's team has informed the President’s lawyers that they will be following that guideline and will not bring charges against Trump.

"All they get to do is write a report," Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani told CNN. "They can't indict. At least they acknowledged that to us after some battling, they acknowledged that to us."

While Trump seems to be legally off the hook for now, the greater threat to his presidency has now turned to impeachment in the House and the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russian Interference probe.

On the topic of impeachment, most Democrats have been quite thus far as they do not control the house, and out of fear that calling for impeachment would ring alarm bells for the Trump base to stampede the polls this November so that the House of Representatives remains in Republican control. But Democrats are currently favored to win back the House in the November midterms as a new CNN poll shows Democrats hold an 11-point edge in a generic ballot.

Experts say, if the Democrats end up

L.A. Focus/ September 2018

leven members of the Osage Legends Crips Gang have been arrested in Inglewood on federal narcotics-trafficking and firearms charges in a joint operation between the FBI and the Inglewood Police.

The charges are contained in a grand jury indictment that outlines how the defendants obtained cocaine, used a purported convenience store to convert it into crack cocaine, and distributed the drugs on the streets of Inglewood and South L.A. “This was an investigation to take out the top-tier of a specific local gang which has morphed into a criminal enterprise, and we think we have made a significant impact on that gang here in Inglewood and we’re expecting the community to be safer as a result,” said Paul D. Delacourt, Assistant Director in Charge of the L.A. office of the FBI. The indictment targets the leadership and key members of the 92 Osage Legend Crips (OLC), a violent street gang that allegedly manufactured

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and distributed crack cocaine from the “Stop and Shop Market” at 1041 S. Prairie. After cooking and packaging the crack cocaine at the Stop and Shop, members of the drug-trafficking conspiracy allegedly delivered drugs to customers at various locations, including at a U.S. VETS office and the Social Security office in Inglewood.

Various defendants charged in this case, some of them previously convicted felons, allegedly possessed firearms in relation to their drug-trafficking activities. The street gang members and their associates “used violence and intimidation, including firearms, to maintain and expand their drug-dealing territory, to protect themselves, their drugs, and their drug proceeds from rival gangs and drug-dealing organizations, and to collect payment from drug customers,” according to the indictment.

Over 200 agents and officers executed 15 arrest warrants and 25 search warrants to apprehend subjects and collect evidence against the OLC. 16 firearms—

Governor Jerry Brown has signed sweeping legislation to eliminate cash bail in California.

The change, which will take effect in October 2019, goes further than any other state in the country to remove money from pretrial detention.

“Today, California reforms its bail system so that rich and poor alike are treated fairly,” Brown said in a statement.

Under Senate Bill 10, California will replace bail with “risk assessments” of individuals and non-monetary conditions of release. Counties will establish local agencies to evaluate any individual arrested on felony charges for their likelihood of returning for court hearings and their chances of re-arrest.

A person whose risk to public safety and risk of failure to appear is determined to be “low” would be released with the least restrictive non-monetary conditions possible. “Mediumrisk” individuals could be released or held depending on local standards. “High-risk” individuals would remain in custody until their arraignment, as would anyone who has committed certain sex crimes or violent felonies, is arrested for driving under the influence for the third time in less than 10 years, is already under supervision by the courts or has violated any conditions of pretrial release in the previous five years.

Advocates of abolishing bail contend that too many defendants remain stuck in custody because they cannot afford to bail out, effectively creating unequal justice based on wealth.

Nearly two-thirds of inmates in California jails are being held awaiting trial.

California is at the forefront of a national campaign to end money bail that has also recently seen states like New Jersey and New Mexico adopt policies to circumvent the forprofit bail industry, though none had yet eliminated bail completely.

Tavis Smiley Defense Hits A Snag

continued to page 24

FBI, Inglewood Police Team For Massive Gang Bust

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NNPA Newswire

hile there’s at least a perceived growing number of Democrats who say they want to replace California Rep. Nancy Pelosi as the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn has emerged as a favorite among his peers to become the first African American to hold that position.

In an exclusive interview with the NNPA Newswire, the 25-year congressman said that, while he’s ready for the challenge, Democrats currently have much bigger fish to fry.

“The first order of business is to win the [midterm] elections on November 6,” Clyburn said. “That’s what I’ve been concentrating on.”

Clyburn and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond each told the NNPA Newswire that they’ve identified 37 districts across the country they believe can be won by Democrats this year, which would wrest control of the House from Republicans.

“We feel, with the right kind of effort, we can win,” Clyburn said.

Clyburn listed three keys to success this November. The first key, Clyburn said, is to prioritize the Black vote; Democrats can’t afford to take the African American vote for granted.

Second, the Democrats shouldn’t rely on an anti-President Donald Trump

Governor Signs Landmark Legislation to Eliminate Cash Bail

KEITH DELAWDER Staff Writer

including an AR-15 and tech-9—and over a hundred rounds of ammunition were seized.

The FBI began its investigation in July 2016 after a spike in violence between the OLC and the rival Inglewood Family Gangster Bloods.

Through their allegiances with larger neighborhood crips gangs, the OLC have increased access to guns and drugs and have evolved from a local street gang that has plagued Inglewood for over 20 years, into a larger criminal enterprise.

Four members of the group remain at large and are considered to be fugitives— Andre Baley, Steven Edwards, Carnisha Connors and Delshon Johnson. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of these individuals are encouraged to call Inglewood Police or the FBI. “This is a great day for our city,” said Inglewood mayor James T. Butts. “The Inglewood Police department has a longstanding relationship with the FBI. We really appreciate their expertise and devotion of resources to the city.”

A Washington D.C. judge has denied Tavis Smiley’s request to compel PBS to hand over the documents detailing supervisors’ relationships with subordinates.

In siding with PBS lawyers who argued that the documents (dating back more than a decade) were not relevant to the case, Judge Anthony Epstein said that Smiley was not entitled to conduct “a fishing expedition” as part of a discovery request the network challenged as overbroad.

Epstein did however say that if the former TV host had information that PBS “tolerated” behavior that is “comparable” to the behavior in which Smiley is alleged to have practiced, then limited discovery could apply.

Smiley, who filed a lawsuit against the network in February after his show was dropped amidst allegations of sexual misconduct, was also reportedly seeking information relative to PBS’ decision to cancel his show and claims that the network is “racially hostile.” He contends that the allegations against him were the network’s efforts to conceal the toxic atmosphere.

But the judge found that Smiley did not provide “specific information supporting its allegation that PBS would not have terminated the distribution if he were not A f r i c a n American.”

HeadToHead On Loyalty and Leadership

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y respect and appreciaallegations. To back her claims, Loyalty and tion for the many mileOmarosa has released a number Leadership stones our president has of surreptitiously recorded conaccomplished during his two years in versations between Trump and other offices remains unwavering. But because I White House staffers, including Chief of am his friend, I feel I must address the Staff Gen. John Kelly. rampant disloyalty among staff that seems Unlike Bannon, who only knew to constantly plague him. The most recent President Trump as a candidate, Cohen violation of trust includes revelations by and Omarosa have a long-standing relalong-time Trump associate and former tionship with the president. That makes White House assistant Omarosa — she their willingness to made recordings of confidential communi- betray the president's cations with the president and on the trust all the more White House premises. damning. By recording Let me be clear. No matter what sensitive communicainternecine squabbles are taking place tions with the presiamong White House staffers, the level of dent, Cohen and respect and critical nature of the job Omarosa have sigrequires them to maintain the utmost dis- naled that they do not cretion. Secretly taping confidential dis- consider President Armstrong cussions in that context is troubling in its Trump to be a loyal Williams duplicity. But it is perhaps more troubling boss. Perhaps they in that, placed in the wrong hands, such sensed — and Omarosa has explicitly statinformation could threaten our nation's ed — that they would need documented security. Who even needs the Russians proof of their conversations because the hacking into our election apparatus when president was likely betray them if he felt it seems members of our own president's he needed to do so to save himself. inner circle are only too willing to betray All of this points to a systemic issue his trust? that has persisted throughout Donald Nor is this an isolated issue. Trump Trump's business career and subsequent advisor and campaign Strategist Steve ascendancy to the office of the president.

Bannon got fired from his White House Namely, the president expects loyalty but role amidst reports he was leaking infor- does not always extend it to those from mation to journalists. It turned out to be whom he demands it. This is particularly true when a salacious book detailing White troubling in that business negotiations House dramas entitled "Fire and Fury" often rely on cohesion among individuals came out a few months after Bannon's on the same side of the table. In fact, strict departure. The book's author, Michael confidentiality is often a legal requirement Wolf, cited Bannon as a key source of infor- in those circumstances. mation along with access to administration New York Times reporter, Maggie officials.

Haberman, who has interviewed the presiMore recently, Michael Cohen, dent several times in the oval office, stated Trump's long-time confidant and personal on Twitter that other White House staffers attorney, revealed secretly recorded sensi- have also been secretly recording the prestive, privileged communications between ident. This atmosphere of pervasive lack of himself and the president. Cohen has discipline and rank duplicity seems to be a reportedly shopped those recordings to reflection of the culture of leadership investigators looking into alleged misdeeds Trump is creating. It is an environment by the president, seeking a deal to spare where no one seems to value trust, loyalty himself prosecution for his own alleged and respect for the highest office of the crimes. Now we have the latest saga. land. No amount of protocols or stern forOmarosa, the mononymous vixen of reality mer generals playing babysitter to the TV fame, has cashed in her White House White House staff will change this. For experience to publish a so-called memoir order to be restored it must come from the accusing the president of being racist and top — the Commander In Chief himself. senile, among a host of other salacious continued to page 24

Headlines From Africa Burundi: The Secretary-General's Special Envoy has called on the country's leaders to "seize the opportunity" offered by the recent adoption of a new constitution, to create a new political environment that is "conducive to the consolidation of national unity and peace". The Special Envoy commended President Pierre Nkurunziza for his recent commitment to leave office in 2020 and for pledging his "full support" for whoever emerges from the voting process, as the new president.

Congo-Brazzaville: U.N. officials warn the deadly Ebola virus could be spread by refugees leaving the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province, where over 100 armed groups are involved in longstanding conflicts. Officials urge neighboring countries to increase surveillance at borders.

Congo-Kinshasa: Former Congo warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba, seen as one of the frontrunners to succeed incumbent Joseph Kabila in the upcoming presidential election, has been excluded—along with three former prime ministers—from approved electoral candidates.

Ethiopia: Lions, tigers and hyenas have been used to torture and intimidate political prisoners in secret jails throughout Ethiopia, the country’s reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has revealed. It was hard to believe even for Ahmed, who says the animals were kept alongside the prisoners and used to force confessions as a tool of intimidation.

Gambia: A new Gallup poll has found that after over two decades of authoritarian rule, roughly three-fourths of Gambians now approve of new President Adama Barrow's leadership and express confidence in the election process.

Ghana: The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), has withdrawn its decision to ban Ghana from football activities after Fifa said it would be working with the government "to eradicate corruption and malfeasance and other associated criminal conduct from the administration of football in Ghana."

Kenya: The Kenyan Parliament voted to suspend by two more years a 16% tax on petroleum products that would have taken effect September 1. Suspending the tax effectively shields poor households from a spike in the cost of living.

Liberia: The government is tackling gender equality with a program aimed at enhancing the capacity of the national justice and security institutions to prevent and respond to all forms of violence against women has been established.

I

am no fan of Omarosa slander of Black women in a culOmarosa Is Not Manigault Newman, the ture of White male rape and a Your Dog, Trump mononymous diva who domireign of terror. Their assault nates the airwaves whenever she wants to. against Black women extends back to capHer new book, “Unhinged,” which I won’t tivity and enslavement in sites of terror in read, is billed as a tell-all on “45’s” White a strange land where we were hostages to House and its shenanigans. In making the the sexual whims of White men. Moreover, rounds, “Omierosie” (my nickname for her) these men were also pedophiles who raped has played tapes that seem to corroborate young Black girls. at least some of her allegations about “45.”

The Facebook post continued: “To justiMore importantly, her fy their perverse behavior, desires and the tapes are evidence colonization and invasion of the lives and that the game cap- body territory of Black girls and women, tured the hunter. In they slandered us as whores and immoral other words, sexual predators whose sexual appetites Omierosie took a page know no limits. So when you sit quietly from 45’s book and and allow Trump—no matter what you trusted fewer people think about Omarosa—to call her a dog, than even “45” did. you give him a pass to raise up the White Now the 45- smear of us that your older sisters went to Julianne defense machine, led by the mat placing our lives on the line to end Malveaux Huckabee this culture.”

Sarah Sanders, has gone out of its way to paint Omarosa isn’t the only former White her as all kinds of liars. Surprise, surprise. House aide who has written about the dysAnd folks have run to the airwaves to sug- functional White House. Sean Spicer did gest that the People’s House on 1600 the same thing, yet he has not been called Pennsylvania Avenue is inhabited entirely a dog. Instead, he was feted in Washington by liars. If you elect a clown, expect a cir- with a book party that actually charged an cus. But this is more than a spectacle now; admission fee. No shade and no disparageit is the systematic denigration of Black ment from the White House. Censure people and Black women that must be seems only to come when a Black woman is repudiated and rejected. speaking her truth.

The dehumanization of Black people It is an interesting time to be an allowed whites to enslave us and then jus- African American woman. On the one tify enslavement. The defeminization of hand, during this September month, we Black women allowed White men to use us see eleven Black women gracing the covers sexually, and shielded them, after enslave- of magazines. Beyoncé is on the cover of ment, from any consequences. Legally, it Vogue; Rihanna on the cover of British was almost impossible, until recently, to Vogue; Tracy Ellis Ross on the cover of convict a White man of raping a Black Elle, Zendaya on the cover of Marie Claire; woman. Recy Taylor’s rapists got away Issa Ray graces the cover of Ebony; actress with it, and White women stood by them. and comedian Tiffany Haddish is on the Calling Omarosa a dog is a sly way of 45 cover of Glamour; Lupita Nyong’o is on the trying to call her a b–ch, or a female dog. cover of Porte; and there are others who She is, as we all are, a terribly flawed show up on smaller publications. In total, human being. In naming her a dog, as in writes Joy Sewing, African American calling Congresswoman Maxine Waters women graced eleven magazine covers in “low IQ” is casting aspersion on all Black the all-important September issues, the women. issues that often attract the most advertisThe civil rights activist Ruby Sales ing and also set trends for the fall and the addressed this on a Facebook post that rest of the year. The Beyoncé cover for bears sharing.

Vogue is especially impactful, because Ruby Sales’ Facebook post said: Beyoncé used her influence and editorial “Trump called Omarosa a dog. For younger direction to bring a young, Black man in as folk let me break it down. His slander is her photographer. It was the first time laden with White Supremacist historical continued to page 24

A look at current news from the continent of Africa Mozambique: Journalists working in Mozambique are required to start paying the highest registration fees in the world to cover the news for foreign newspapers. Human Rights Watch has dubbed the fees—ranging from $3,500 - $8,300 for annual accreditation— as outrageous. Amnesty International contends that they will keep the media from reporting on Mozambique.

Niger: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the military will modify how special operations forces are prepared for missions in Africa because of a deadly ambush by extremists last year that revealed a lack of training for troops heading into hot spots.

Nigeria: British Prime Minister, Theresa May recently reported that 87 million Nigerians live on less than $1.90 a day, making the country home to more poor people than any other nation in the world.

Rwanda: About 8000 official and unofficial churches, and 100 mosques, have been closed for failing to comply with health, safety, and noise regulations, says Christianity Today, which reports that legislation adopted last month stipulates that pastors must have a degree in theological education from an accredited school, and must not urge their followers to fast for long periods. Churches must also explain their sources of funding, and donations must be kept in a known bank account.

Senegal: A new drought insurance policy for Senegal will be a “game-changer” that allows aid agencies to save lives by responding more quickly to crises. Under the policy, funds would be automatically released when rainfall levels hit a certain low.

Sierra Leone: Fulfilling a key election pledge, Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio launched a free education program for 1.5 million primary and secondary school children.

Tanzania: Tanzania is an "independent" country and will not be "intimidated", the nation’s ruling party said after the US expressed concern about the conduct of 70 recent by-elections.

Uganda: The first national survey in Uganda on child abuse reveals that violence against children - ranging from physical, sexual and emotional - is occurring at all levels in society. 25 percent of Ugandan females who experienced sexual violence below the age of 13.

KEITH DELAWDER Staff Writer

t has all the makings of a Hollywood drama—billionaires, sports franchises, political intrigue, legal wrangling and the residents of a region struggling to decipher the fate of their community. All this playing out in Inglewood as the battle over the newly proposed L.A. Clippers Arena builds. And while billionaire business moguls battle in court over competing interests, the people of Inglewood and South L.A. are left to imagine what Inglewood of the future will look like, what it will cost them, and where their place will be in it.

L.A. Focus/September 2018

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For Assembly Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove, the answer lies in part with AB 987, a bill she’s introduced to streamline the process that would make way for the construction of the proposed state of the art, techsavvy, 20,000 seat arena and Clippers facilities at the corner of Prairie and Century.

“Some people call it “the Clippers bill”, KamlagerDove told parishioners attending services at Bible Enrichment Fellowship International Church. “But I call it a $1.2 billion jobs package—and economic infusion—into Inglewood.”

AB987 is designed so the arena project-- which

8

would include practice facilities, team offices, a medical facility, retail stores, restaurants, public spaces and parking-- can bypass costly and time consuming legal challenges that can delay a project for years.

Last year, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer announced that his franchise had agreed to a three-year exclusive negotiating period with Inglewood officials for the rights to build an arena on a long vacant 15- 20 acre parcel of land. Ballmer will be privately financing the project and has paid the city a nonrefundable deposit of $1.5 million to cover permitting costs and a future environmental review of the area.

The assemblywoman views the project as way to infuse the local economy of the “City of Champions” with economic prosperity and a renewed glow of pride by bringing in an estimated $1.2 billion in tax revenue and 10,000-30,000 jobs. The negotiating rights for the project, contracted with development company Murphy’s Bowl, LLC., includes a provision that would guarantee 30% of all construction jobs and 35% of the permanent area operations jobs will be reserved for residents of Inglewood and the surrounding area-- whose unemployment rates over the last five years have been 50% higher than the statewide rate.

“This is an exciting opportunity to build a worldclass environmentally friendly facility in the heart of Inglewood, helping to create thousands of good jobs and improve local services while respecting community interests across the region,” said Kamlager-Dove.

The assemblywoman has been speaking to community groups, churchgoers and residents to galvanize support for the bill she believes will positively impact residents in her district and the surrounding area, but she has had her work cut out for her.

It was in July of 2017 that the Los Angeles Clippers announced their plans to establish a home base in Inglewood. The announcement sparked a string of lawsuits, beginning in March of 2018, when Madison Square Garden Company (MSG), owners of the neighboring Forum, alleged that the deal made with the

Clippers and the city of Inglewood was part of a fraudulent scheme to cut them out of land they had leased and violated a non-compete clause in the deal that made them Inglewood’s exclusive concert venue.

Initially, the relationship between the City and the revived Forum was sweet. Since its reopening in 2014 the Forum lived up to its hype-- without any sporting events clogging up its schedule, the 17,500 seat arena was able to dominate the entertainment market, controlling as much as 40% of the share of arena concerts in the area and becoming the highest earning concert venue in the state.

After former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer acquired the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014, he made public his ambitious plans to reestablish the franchise’s culture after years of playing beneath the dominating shadow of the Los Angeles Lakers in their shared home court at the Staples Center. Ballmer expressed his desire build an arena for the Clippers-- currently the only team in the NBA who shares a home court-- when their lease in Staples Center comes to term in 2024.

Around this same time MSG alleges Mayor Butts began having discussions to convince them into canceling their lease on the 15 acres of land the Forum held for overflow parking so the city could develop the parcel into a new “technology park” which would attract technology companies to bring their operations to Inglewood and all the jobs that would come with them. MSG claims they were initially hesitant but Mayor Butts insisted it was an economic necessity for the city and he would see to it that they found a replacement lot for parking. In April of 2017, the City and MSG finalized a termination agreement on the lease of the parcel and city of Inglewood once again retained control of the land.

It surprised the owners of the Forum when two months later, in June of 2017, the city of Inglewood announced plans to build the arena on the same formerly leased land that will host 100-150 “family shows, concerts, conventions and corporate events” each year-- a

Left: Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager-Dove at a press conference addressing AB 987 with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, Mayor James Butts, Jerry West, State Senator Steven Bradford who introduced a similar bill last year, Right: The Forum; Below: Mayor James Butts with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer

direct threat to the business of MSG. Now the city of Inglewood must defend against lawsuits claiming breach of contract.

Along with the lawsuits, MSG has spent nearly a million dollars in successfully quashing past legislation nearly identical to AB 987 that aimed to expedite construction of the arena. AB 987 may be Inglewood and Ballmer’s way out, because if it is passed by a signature from Governor Jerry Brown all pending litigation on the arena project will be required to wrap-up within nine months so that permitting and construction can continue on schedule.

AB 987 would allow the project to bypass the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which is the state’s primary law governing large developmental projects. Kamlager-Dove said that the Clippers arena will be subjected to its own environmental impact report, and that the bill is to simply ensure that the project is not significantly stalled by those attempting to use CEQA as a tactic to put a halt on the project.

“Under CEQA, opponents [have] the ability to use legal challenges to stall or stop a project for years and years. These delays can mean the difference between a project happening or dying on the vine. The people in this community have waited long enough. Jobs are needed now… we are below the poverty line and that’s not ok,” says Kamlager-Dove.

“We’re seeking legislation that will accomplish a couple of things,” said Mayor Butts in an interview. “One, it will limit the time of a CEQA challenge to nine months so to avoid economic uncertainty for those people investing billions of dollars of private money into the community.

“And two, It will give us an exception for the last mile connection [connecting the Metro Green line to the stadium] without waiting for a CEQA review, but we be conducting our own traffic analysis of any impact.”

Similar bills were passed in recent years to fast-track the construction of the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings new arenas as well as another bill currently introduced to the Assembly to speed up the environmental review for a new ballpark for the Oakland A’s.

“We are committed to giving Clippers fans an unparalleled basketball experience, in an arena that will become a destination and a draw for the community, fans and athletes alike,” Ballmer said in a statement announcing the bill. “We believe the place to realize that vision for the future is here in Inglewood.”

Amid all the excitement in the prospects of new industry in Inglewood is the real and serious concerns from residents and activist groups in the area who worry that the new development will push out local residents who cannot afford the rising rents, and that the rush to break ground will overlook the rise in traffic and air pollution. Opposition has come from groups such as the Uplift Inglewood Coalition who have filed suit against the city of Inglewood claiming that the city did not notify housing developers and other agencies about the availability of the land now slated for the Clippers arena.

California’s Surplus Land Act requires a public agency to give first priority to affordable housing when selling public land. The city of Inglewood contends that

the land being used for the arena is directly over the LAX flight path which makes it unsuitable for home development, which is why the lot has stood vacant for years.

It should be noted though, that in order to meet state-monitored affordable housing goals, Inglewood will need to add 567 units of housing affordable to residents earning low to moderate incomes by 2021-- and since 2013 the city has failed to build any of these units in the city at all.

With the Los Angeles area housing crises in full effect, many concerns have been raised about Inglewood residents getting priced out of the area. Currently the city of Inglewood has no rent-control or rent stabilization ordinance on the books which means that landlords can raise rents as they please, and so far efforts to put rent control on the ballot in Inglewood have been unsuccessful.

Since ground has broken on the new Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park-- located adjacent to the proposed Clippers arena-- which will be the future home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, Inglewood residents have already seen their rents rise.

Since 2016, rent in Inglewood has risen 12.1% compared to 7.4% statewide. The average cost of an apartment in the city is now $1,250 per month, up nearly six percent since last year.

Another serious concern for local residents is the traffic a new stadium would bring. However, KamlagerDove says she is actively negotiating a multi-million dollar transportation management plan to mitigate the increase in transportation.

“Our city has been moving in the wrong direction,” says Uplift Inglewood Woodrow Curry III, who believes that city officials are favoring, “billionaire sports owners over working class residents facing rapidly escalating housing costs.”

But Kamlager-Dove has released an extensive list of over a hundred local businesses, residents, civic leaders, faith leaders and local municipalities who are in support of the bill, including members of the L.A. Board of Supervisors, the entire CA Legislative Black Caucus and residents.

“There are no critics [of the project] who actually live in the city of Inglewood,” states Mayor James Butts.

“We have mysterious groups that we’ve never heard of popping up and complaining. So there are no opponents that are indigenous, there are only competitors that see this as competition, and would like to see this not happen.”

Pastor Philip Lewis of New Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church is among the bill’s supporters.

“I know this project is going to be prosperous for the people of Inglewood by the income brought in from sheer number of temporary and full time jobs that will be introduced to the area,” said Lewis.

“Revitalization is at the heart of this project, bringing needed jobs, new opportunities and significant resources to the Inglewood community,” said local businesswoman Cecilia Mirando. “As Inglewood continues to grow, we’re excited to be part of this transformation and will work to ensure all community members may benefit in the process.”

Some people call it “the Clippers bill”, but I call it a $1.2 billion jobs package—and economic infusion into Inglewood.

“This is an exciting opportunity to build a world-class environmentally friendly facility in the heart of Inglewood, helping to create thousands of good jobs and improve local services while respecting community interests across the region,”

MarketPlace Bob Blake & Associates a full service insurance and financial services firm

L.A. Focus/ June 2018

444 W. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 1404 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-7723 Fax: (562) 436-5282

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MoneyMatters The Queen of Soul Had No Will...But You Should

S

Without a will Franklin’s once private finances will ay it ain’t so.

With the dust still settling on who will get what soon become very public as the value of her estate is from the estimated $200 million estate left by revealed. But privacy is not the issue for most who neiPrince after two years of legal wrangling, sky high ther have wills or trusts.

According to a study by AARP, just four in ten legal bills and a hefty sum going to the state of Minnesota and the IRS, comes word that another American adults have a will or trust. 78 percent of millennials (aged 18-36) did not have a will. Neither did 64 music icon may follow that same course.

Like Prince, Aretha Franklin appears to have died percent of Generation Xers (aged 37-52). For many of without a will. That’s according to documents filed by them, it’s something they just hadn’t got around to or felt they didn’t have enough assets that mattered. her son, in the wake of her death.

Without a will, despite the existence of close and or That said, Franklin joins a surprisingly long list of entertainers—including Prince— who have died with- distant family, the state may get to decide who gets out a will, including Bob Marley, Barry White, Tupac what, taking a chunk of your assets in probate fees as Shakur, Jimi Hendrix, Martin Luther King Jr. and loved ones and creditors fight over the rest.

State law on how to handle those who die without a will even Howard Hughes.

In varies.

In such cases, disHere’s What Happens esCalifornia, putes over who gets If You Die With • Children inherit everything tates valued at what can drag on for • Children but no spouse • Spouse inherits everything under $150,000 years. Though James • Spouse, but no children, parents, or siblings can skip probate Brown died in 2006, it • Parents inherit everything process and use a was just this summer— • Parents but no children, spouse, or siblings more simplified more than a decade alternative. later that a Georgia • Siblings, but no children, • Siblings inherit everything spouse, or parents The state Court of Appeals sided • Spouse inherits all community property can also decide with his wife in a rul- • A spouse and children 1/2 or 1/3 of your separate property just who is a legal ing that would officially • Children get 1/2 or 2/3 of separate property heir. For examsettle the estate.

• Spouse inherits community property the in ple, It would be a full • A spouse and parents 1/2 or 1/3 of your separate property absence of a two years after his • Parents inherit 1/2 of your separate property spouse — at a death that Prince sib• Spouse inherits community property time when sinlings were officially • A spouse and siblings, but no parents 1/2 or 1/3 of your separate property gles outnumber names as the rightful • Siblings inherit 1/2 of your separate property married people in heirs to his estate. But America— state Prince the unlike estate, this case could have a clearer outcome with her laws decide who’s first in line.

If you die without a will, your assets of your closest four children who are set to share equally in the estate relatives under state succession laws. (A quick according to Michigan law.

Still, the absence of a will could make things dicey overview is provided). If you have no family, your for Franklin’s heirs, leaving them open to court chal- assets will go to the state of California.

While some states have restrictions on distant relalenges from creditors, extended family members and or tives, California does not. So your property won’t go to partners.

While most Michigan probate cases can be wrapped up the state if you leave grandparents, nieces, nephews, within seven months to a year after an executor is aunts, uncles and cousins of any degree. Even the chilappointed, creditors have four months to file a claim. dren or siblings of a spouse who dies before you do can Court challenges and or tax issues can complicate mat- file a claim for part of your estate, which is why having ters and fees for attorneys, administrators, appraisals a will and trust are most important.

Keep in mind that while wills can be contested, and court costs can be substantial. Prince’s heirs claimed that lawyers were leaching millions from the trusts are nearly ironclad and circumvent the probate account, while they received nothing in the two years process, so that your assets are distributed privately and the transfer of assets is more immediate. following his death.

Trusts also serve to protect your assets while you’re One of the many reasons celebrities put off wills is that they become part of a public record, and so most living. There is, however, a cost. While wills can be are advised to have a trust in place, will insure that handwritten, the cost for an attorney to draft a living how assets are divvied out remains private. Lawyers trust can start at $1,000. You get to decide whether it’s generally advise that one should have both—with the worth it or not for yourself and your loved one. will transferring all assets into a trust.

On the Money Serena Tops Forbes List of Top Earning Female Athletes She may have been seeded #17 as the U.S. Open got underway last month, but Serena Williams ranked number one on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest earning female athletes, earning $18.1 million in endorsements. Ironically, the 23-time grand slam champion earned just $62,000 in prize money since returning from a 14-month maternity leave from competitive play.

Eight of the top ten highest paid female athletes list were tennis players with Williams topping the list for the third time in a row. They include Sloane Stephens, who with a cool $11.2 million—half from prize money and the balance from a growing list of endorsements, including Nike, Rolex and Mercedes Benz—ranked third.

Older sister Venus Williams came in at number six on the list with $10.2 million, rounding out the black women on the list.

Williams, who has won the U.S. open a total of six times, is one title away from tennis great Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24. But some of the attention may be on what she’s wearing. Her famous black panther-style catsuit has reportedly been banned from the French Open.

Designed to help prevent blood clots—a condition that complicated her pregnancy—Williams also said the outfit made her feel like a warrior princess.

Nike came to her defense tweeting, “You can take the superhero out of her costume, but you can never take away her superpowers.”

At a subsequent press conference, Williams played down the controversy, stating, “When it comes to fashion, you don’t want to be a repeat offender”.

Speaking of fashion, Willams debuted her 12-piece fashion line in May on her website (serenawilliams.com) and has just recently announced that she will soon be expanding the line to include plus sizes. Ranging in price from $35 - $250, the clothing line that features an array of denim styles, joggers, hoodies and button down shirts is currently available in XS to XL. Said Williams, “We want people to be able to actually look good and not have to overpay for it.”

Biz News Briefs Black-ish creator Kenya Barris is the latest in a series of big names Netflix has been inking deals with, including Barack Obama and Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes. The deal—said to be worth $100 million— is for Barris to create exclusive content and programs.

Barris who wrote “Girl’s Trip”, also created Grownish; and co-created “America’s Next Top Model” with Tyra Banks.

He recently sold ABC on a reboot of “Bewitched” with an interracial twist and has three films in the works, including a sequel to Eddie Murphy’s “Coming To America” and a remake of “Uptown Saturday Night” with Kevin Hart.

“Kenya Barris is one of our great modern storytellers,” said Cindy Holland, vice president, Original Content at Netflix. “His honesty, comedic brilliance and singular

Barris Inks Deal With Netflix

point of view, combined with the creative freedom he will enjoy at Netflix, promises to create powerful new stories for all our members around the world.”

“When my agents reached out to me about this little garage startup called Netflix, I wasn’t sure what to think,” said Barris via a press release. “But after I talked to Ted and Cindy, I started to believe that maybe this mom-and-pop shop with only 130 million subscribers might just be something… so I decided to take a swing… a leap of faith if you will, and take a chance with the new kids on the block.”

Urban League Partners With CBC for Jobs & Justice Tour The National Urban League is partnering with the Congressional Black Caucus for a multi-city “Jobs and Justice” tour to promote economic stability and growth in urban communities around the country. The tour is aimed at empowering African Americans with the tools and resources necessary to increase upward mobility through a series of town hall discussions focusing in on how African Americans can use their voice and vote to change their communities and the nation at large.

“Urban communities and infrastructure have been shattered, not by bombs and tanks, but by malfeasance and indifference,” said Marc H. Morial, NUL president

and CEO. “It is past time for our government to demonstrate that very same commitment to our own struggling urban families and communities that was shown when Europe needed rebuilding after the World War II, Afghanistan following the War on Terror, and Wall Street during the financial crisis.”

Toyota Establishes John Mack Scholarship Fund To commemorate the passing of John Wesley Mack, former President of the Los Angeles Urban League and a highly respected advocate for equal opportunities in education, law enforcement, and economic empowerment, Toyota announced the newly established John W. Mack Scholarship Fund to be administered through the National Urban League. “Through this scholarship fund, Toyota’s goal is to make it possible for many worthy students to attend college and earn a degree focusing on the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and math,” said Al Smith, group vice president and chief social innovation officer, Toyota Motor North America. “Just like John Mack who inspired our executives by his visionary leadership, we want to help make dreams comes true and encourage students to start their impossible. We encourage others to support the fund.”

Eye On Gospel Gospel’s Best Selling Artist Hits the Road Tasha Cobbs Leonard, the best-selling gospel artist of the past year, has announced the launch of The Revival Tour set to begin November 1, in Atlanta with nine additional dates across the country including Charlotte, Philadelphia, Dallas, Washington DC, Baltimore and New York City.

Cobbs Leonard has continued to elevate her music ministry since her debut in 2013, which earned her a Grammy Award. In 2017, she released the critical and consumer-acclaimed album Heart. Passion. Pursuit. It was the top-selling new album of the year and was propelled by exceptional performances on Good Morning America, Black Girls Rock, The Stellar Awards and The Dove Awards. From it, Tasha earned 2 Billboard Music Awards, an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album, a BET Award nomination and 5 Dove Award nominations, including top honors Artist of the Year and Gospel Artist of the Year. Cobbs Leonard was also named the Top Gospel Streaming Artist of 2017, having set a record for the most streams in one week in gospel music history. And just recently, CobbsLeonard scored five Dove Award nominations—including “Artist of The Yearand “Gospel Artist of the Year” where she’ll face off against Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Jekaklyn Carr and Travis Greene.

The awards show will take place on Tuesday, October 16, at Lipscomb

University. TBN will exclusively air the show on October 21.

Donald Lawrence Drops Second Single As the 12th Annual Gospel Inspiration tour is in full swing—with Deitrick Haddon, choir master Ricky Dillard, JJ Hairston, LeAndria Johnson and Todd Dulaney in tow—Donald Lawrence, who serves as its music director has released his second single in the upcoming reunion album from Lawrence with the original Tri-City Singers, celebrating their 25th anniversary.

Co-produced by Lawrence and Sir the Baptist, “He Heard My Cry” is inspired by the tale of Moses and the Pharaoh, with the metaphor that everyone has a Pharaoh within them that can hold them back in reaching their greater purpose. Donald Lawrence says, “The song says it’s time to tell your Pharaoh God’s eye is on the sparrow and he can’t control you no more, He heard my cry.”

Renowned for stylistic talents that continue to shape the landscape of Gospel today, the prolific choirmaster, songwriter, and producer will soon launch his new album with The Tri-City Singers, which also features the single “Goshen 432 hz.”

Anthony Evans Jr. Releases Memoir With his new book, “Unexpected Places: Thoughts On God, Faith and Finding Your Voice,” singer, songwriter Anthony Evans Jr. gives an honest, riveting narrative that chronicles his life from Dallas to Hollywood, where the lush vocalist came to turned heads on the national stage during a groundbreaking run as a finalist on the Emmy-Award winning NBC series “The Voice.” In addition to Anthony’s book “Unexpected Places,” he simultaneously released a new single. A cover of the popular worship song “Reckless Love" done in a soulful, compelling style Anthony is known for.

An impressive debut, Evans moving memoir shares his successes and struggles as he finds his way as a top Christian/Worship artist to the halls of

Re d Carpet Style

JANET JACKSON stood out in this floral embellished Christian Siriano gown

STORM REID glowed in this strapless Monique Lhuillier creation

Hollywood. The unique story retells Evans’ search for purpose and identity. Anthony reveals in “Unexpected Places” how he embraced the incredible beauty of his unique voice and invited readers on their journey to do the same.

“I want the reader to understand that God does not necessarily take us directly from point A to point B. In today’s culture we often want immediate gratification, and if we are not getting somewhere in a straight line, it can be very frustrating. I want to encourage the reader to enjoy the zigzags of the journey… God is in every corner, and in every unexpected place,” said Evans.

Evans’ is the son of well-known pastor Tony Evans, and brother of the renowned author, Priscilla Shirer. He is a veteran Gospel, Christian music recording artist and dynamic worship leader with eight albums under his belt.

Sharing the stage with Kelsey Grammer, Zooey Deschanel, Jane Krakowski, Taye Diggs, and Rebel Wilson, Anthony starred as the ‘Beast’ in the acclaimed production of “Beauty and the Beast,” at the famed Hollywood Bowl this Summer.

Childish Gambino Taps Brent Jones Rap superstar Childish Gambino—aka writer & director Donald Glover (Atlanta) who has garnered over 500+ million views with his brilliant "This Is America" video— tapped Grammy & Stellar Award winner Brent Jones to record vocals on his new album!

“It is an absolute honor working with the brilliant Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino! Not only is he at the very top of his craft but equally important, he is great human being with a heart for the people. I'm truly humbled that he chose me to be a part" says Brent Jones.

The news comes fresh on the heels of the release of his new hit single “Open Your Mouth and Say Something!”, whilch was Billboard's #1 Most Added Song at Radio when it debuted. The Grammy and Stellar Award winner Brent Jones is also set to release a new Christmas CD "Brent Jones & JDI Christmas - The Soul of Christmas" (on October 1) and his Sermon album "Open Your Mouth and Say Something" (November 1).

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center was the site of the 2018 VMA Awards and the stars turned up the heat on the red carpet.

MISTY COPELAND was classic in this stark white Cushnie two piece

AVA DUVERNAY dazzled in this black Michael Kors gown

CIAR brought all the drama in this stunning Balmain gown

INSIDE HO L LY W OOD with Neily Dickerson This month I’m taking it to the stage and it is a complete pleasure. I got to see, the stage play “Ain’t To Proud Beg” and it will have you doing just that, begging for more. It is an amazing production that everyone should see.

Don’t assume you know the story of the Temptations, because you do not. The story of America’s favorite male group, told from the voice of the surviving original member, Otis Williams, is excellent.

It is an entertaining, historical, personal, and emotional theatrical work that will have you singing and dancing in your seats... and maybe even in the aisles.

Derrick Baskin’s masterful portrayal of Williams is a heartfelt retelling of

Jackson as Melvin Franklin, and Saint Aubyn as Dennis Edwards make you feel as if you’re watching the original Temps.

The cast takes you on an experience through the good, bad, and ugly that includes life and industry mis-steps.

Ephraim Sykes shines as David Ruffin and my fave is when Jeremy Pope sings, Just My Imagination. Taylor Symone Jackson does he good singing on, If You Don’t Know Me By Now and the choreographer made me think I could dance, LOL. You have until September 30th to see Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, do yourself a favor and go see this play. I’m begging you.

the groups journey from inception.

Baskin’s is surrounded by a group of actors that are phenomenal ~ James Harkness as Paul Williams, Jeremy Pope as Eddie Kendricks, Ephraim Sykes as David Ruffin, Jawan M.

DUE IN THEATERS THIS mONTH

HOLLYWOOD BUZZ

God Bless The Broken Road Septemver 7

White Boy Rick September 14

Cardi B Called Out By Bernice King

What possessed Cardi B to take part in a tasteless parody video called “The Real Housewives of the Civil Rights Movement” in the role of Coretta Scott King has got to be a question she’s asking herself right about now.

In the skit for a new sketch comedy show from Wild ‘n Out star Rip Michaels, the rapper is joined by women portraying Rosa Parks, Betty Shabazz and the wife of Rev. Jesse Jackson; and as they meet to discuss strategy, things get ugly over who will lead.

When Cardi B —as Coretta King—says she should lead, Shabazz’ character counters, “Well, your husband is a ho.”

The 25-year old rapper then replies, “All these hussies wanna sleep with my husband, but it’s all right, ‘Cause I know he comes marching home to me.”

Bernice King, the youngest of King’s four children, was not amused, posting this message directed at Cardi B on Twitter: “On the 55th anniversary of #IHaveADream,’ a clip on @TMZ depicts my parents (Cardi B playing my mom) & great women of the CRM in a repulsive, false light. They paid an extraordinary price so people of color can have a platform- & this is how you use it. @iamcardib: Let’s talk.”

Cardi B apparently got the mes-

Night School September 28

sage as King would later tweet, “Thank you, @iamcardib, for reaching out to me and apologizing for the skit that aired on @TMZ. I look forward to talking with you soon.”

That’s going to be some discussion.

Reality TV Drama With reports that some of the sisters have stopped filming over salary clashes, it’s looking more and more like “it’s a wrap” for the Braxton Family Values. However, in the latest twist, former Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks—who is best friends with Traci Braxton—is said to have joined the show…In the meantime, the sisters are scheduled to film a segment of “Iyanla Fix My Life” with the hopes that she can help bring the sisters back together into a more loving and supportive relationship…A petition to have Evelyn Lozada booted from Basketball Wives is being circulated following a racially insensitive comment Lozada made to newcomer CeCe Gutierrez (girlfriend of former Lakers coach, Byron Scott) on a recent episode.

Lozada referred to Gutierrez as “LeeLee” referring to an Asian who works in a nail shop. In a video, Lozada stated, “Hey guys, so I wanted to make this video following my statement, because I know how impersonal statements

Monsters & Men September 28

can be sometimes. I wanted to publicly apologize to CeCe, her son, her family, my friends and family, the viewers of the show – anyone that was offended by my comment during a heat of the moment argument.

Regardless of what was being said behind the scenes and how I felt, what I said was wrong. I should have never said that, that’s not even who I am and how I was raised.”

Niecy Nash Gets Naked Actress Niecy Nash has just sold a pilot for her late-night series “Naked with Niecy Nash” to TNT. The “Claws” star will host and executive produce the series which will tackle the issues of sex, love, dating and relationships.

“I’m so excited to add my voice to the late-night landscape,” Niecy Nash said in a statement. “Love is the thing we were created for but it’s also the place we struggle the most… until now! This is going to be a fun and sexy ride!...In the meantime, Nash is currently in New York co-starring in the four part Netflix series being written and helmed by Ava Duvernay centering on the injustices endured by the “Central Park Five”, five black teens who were falsely charged in the Central Park rape of a white female jogger. The star-studded cast includes Blair Underwood, Queen Sugar’s Omar Dorsey, Michael K. Williams, Felicity Huffman, Vera Farmiga and John Leguizamo.

Briefly: Common has inked a TV deal to develop and produce TV series under his company, Freedom Road Productions….And Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, the musical now underway at the Ahmanson Theatre is set to open at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway in spring 2019.

Q&A

Regina King

From thought provoking films like Boyz n the Hood, Poetic Justice, Jerry Maguire and Ray; to lighter fare like the Legally Blonde and Miss Congeniality franchises, Regina King brings a sparkle to every role she’s tackled. King’s presence in past television series like Southland, The Boondocks, The Leftovers, Shameless, and her Emmy- winning turn in American Crime, have highlighted some of the more significant social issues of our time, both with ironic humor and with poignant drama. Her most recent Emmy-nominated performance as Latrice Butler, grieving mother of a teenage son who is the victim of a death by auto, hit and run by a group of Jersey City police officers, is a true tour de force and a defining role in a long and treasured career.

Allison Kugel: You play the mother of a teenage boy who is killed by a police officer. What was your creative process in tackling such an intense role?

RK: : There are certain fears that are unique to having a black child in America and are not the same for others. You experience a bit of it, yourself, as a child growing up in America. Unfortunately, it’s our culture and something you grow up with. You then carry that perspective throughout your life. I had that going into this role. I also spoke to a mother whose son was murdered by a police officer. Hearing her pain up close and personal, and her feeling safe enough to share it with me, I would say that combination of things was how Latrice was birthed into Seven Seconds.

Allison Kugel: Did you think about the parents of Trayvon Martin, Philando Castile, Tamir Rice and so many young men who’ve lost their lives in similar circumstances? And did you feel a responsibility to reflect these parents’ pain in your performance?

RK: There was a responsibility to accurately portray their pain, their lives, and their stories, absolutely.

Allison Kugel: Do you think a series like Seven Seconds has the power to impact hearts and minds for change, or to simply reflect what is going on in society?

RK: Both. Seeing it in a television show or in a movie creates an opportunity for each of us to see the other’s perspective.

Allison Kugel: Do you take a role like this home with you?

RK: Again, a bit of this lives with you. It is the narrative of a part of the fabric of what America is. It took a lot out of me; I’ll be honest. It was the closest to an experiential role I’ve ever had. I’ve known people who have been victims of police brutality, but no one who was closer than a friend or a distant family member.

Because it was a friend or a distant family member, I wasn’t with them in their day-to-day struggle of what that experience brings. You go through life hoping that you never personally have an experience like that, but you know that the odds are greater than not that you will, because of who you are. It’s crazy to even say this, but you feel blessed or lucky that your child has made it to twenty-two (referring to her 22-year-old son, Ian).

Made it to twenty-two without having a criminal record, and without having an experience with the police where you may not survive.

Allison Kugel: What do you see as your higher purpose in all you do, from parenting your son to your work.

And what spiritual philosophy do you subscribe to?

RK: Overall, just trying to walk in my truth.

Allison Kugel is a syndicated entertainment columnist, and author of the book, Journaling Fame.Follow her on Instagram @theallisonkugel and at AllisonKugel.com.

Calendar of events

Ongoing On Stage: Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations Through September 30 Ahmanson Theatre 135 N Grand Avenue www.centertheatregroup.org The Los Angeles County Fair (Through September 23) Featuring concerts, rides, food, animals from around the world, competitions, computer gaming and exhibitions Pricing varies 1101 W. McKinley Ave Pomona www.lacountyfair.com Art Exhibit: Rob Wilson’s Phases of Divine Inspiration (Through September 30) Macy’s Baldwin Hills Plaza • 3rd floor 4005 Crenshaw Blvd Contact: (323) 294-7071 www.maaala.org Sunday, September 2 On Stage: School Girls Or The African Mean Girls Play (Through September 30) Check for Showtimes/Pricing Mark Taper Forum 135 N Grand Ave Contact: (213) 628-2772 www.centertheatregroup.org End of Summer Music Cultural

Celebration Hosted by Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer Featuring Deniece Williams, Poncho Sanchez and more Exposition Park Noon - 7pm • Free 700 Exposition Park Drive Contact: (213) 744-2111 Monday, September 3 In Concert: KC & The Sunshine Band, Kool & the Gang $44 -125 • 7:30pm Los Angeles County Fairplex 1101 W. McKinley Ave • Pomona Lacountyfair.com Thursday, September 6 In Concert: RBRM (Ronnie Devoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivens) With Special Guest Faith Evans 7:30pm • $60 – 200 Citizens Business Bank Arena 4000 East Ontario Center Pkwy Ontario Contact: (909) 244-5510 www.cbbankarena.com Saturday, September 8 102.3 Radiofree KJLH Empowerment Summit 8am – 3pm • Free Cal State Dominguez Hills 1000 E. Victoria St •Carson Contact: (310) 330-2200 www.kjlhradio.com Long Beach Comic Con 2018

L.A. Focus/September 2018

Mary J. Blige turned heads in this provocative number on the red carpet at Black Girls Rock last month.

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ose ike Lee p e and Sp L.A. prell e p a h Dave C t at the ed carpe sman” on the r k KKlan c la “B f miere o

(Through Sunday, September 9) Comics, artists, celebrities...

10am – 5pm • 0 - $399 Long Beach Convention Center 300 E. Ocean Blvd www.longbeachcc.com Tuesday, September 11 Workshop: Help With Clearing Criminal Records 5:30PM – 8PM •Free L.A. Law Library 301 West 1st Street Call (800) 399-4529 to be prescreened. Appointment only) Thursday, September 13 In Concert: Anita Baker 8PM • $59.50 - $149.50 The Greek Theater 2700 No Vermont Avenue www.lagreektheatre.com Friday,

Saturday, September 15 In Concert: The Temptations 9pm • $38 - 68 The Saban Theatre 8440 Wilshire Blvd Beverly Hills Contact: (888) 645-5006 sabantheatre.com Holman UMC Mardi Gras Carnival Featuring music, food, dancing 3pm – 7pm • Adults $40; Under 12: $20 3320 W. Adams Blvd

EvENT SpOTLIGHT Saturday, September 8 L.A. Focus’ 21st Annual First Ladies High Tea Honorees include Debbie Allen, Xernona Clayton, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Osie Hill, Shalonda Crawford and Gwen Troy 11am – 2pm • $90 – 135 Beverly Hilton Hotel 9876 Wilshire Blvd Contact: (310) 677-6011 www.firstladieshightea.com

Yara Sha hid at the Bla i sported a new ha irdo ck KKlan sman” pre miere

slack re this all white Kelly Rowland wo ck la “B of emiere set to the L.A. pr KKlansman”

September 14 In Concert: The Manhattans featuring Gerald Alston (Also the Brothers Johnson, Rose Royce, Lakeside & Jimmie JJ Walker $34 -95 • 7:30pm L.A. County Fairplex 1101 W. McKinley Ave •Pomona Lacountyfair.com

“Black KKlansman” co-star Laura Harrier posed solo on the red carpet

Stephanie Mills is flanked by Bebe and Cece Winans at Black Music Honors in Nashville last month.

Contact: (323) 2403197/(310) 645-1367 www.holmanumc.com The Great American Smokeout Festival Featuring Snoop Dogg, Wu Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, Warren G, Bone Thugs N Harmony and more 7pm • $67 – 223 Citizens Bank Arena 4000 E. Ontario Ctr Pkwy Ontario Contact: (909) 244-5510 www.cbbankarena.com Golden Future Senior Expo Free •10am-3pm Veterans Complex 4117 Overland Avenue Culver City Contact: (424) 772-6039 goldenfutureseniorexpo.com Tuesday, September 18 In Concert: Ms. Lauryn Hill and Dave Chappelle (Through Saturday Aug 4) 7PM • $49 - $249 Hollywood Bowl 2301 No. Highland Avenue Contact: (323) 850-2000 hollywoodbowl.com

Spike Lee was joined by son, Jackson; daughter Satchel; and wife Tonya, at the New York premiere of “Black KKlansman”.

In Concert: Miguel & Nonchalant Savant 8PM • $44.50 - $99.50 The Greek Theater 2700 No Vermont Avenue www.lagreektheatre.com Live By The Word Holy Convocation 2018 (Host: Bishop Avery Austin) (Through Sunday, Sept 23) Total Deliverance Church 10:30am – 7pm • $15-40 2733 W. Avenue L Lancaster Workshop: How To Represent Yourself in a Family Law Trial 3:30pm – 5:30pm • $10 L.A. Law Library 301 West 1st Street Contact: (213) 785.2516 lalawlibrary.org Thursday, September 20 Living A Brain Healthy Lifestyle Noon – 1:30pm • Free Santa Monica YMCA 1332 6th Street RSVP: (800) 516-5323

Free • 6pm 5905 Wilshire Blvd Contact: (323) 857-6000 www.lacma.org

18000 Park Plaza Drive Cerritos Info: (562) 916-8501 www.cerritoscenter.com

In Concert: Kenny G 8PM • $75 -95 Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts 18000 Park Plaza Drive Cerritos Info: (562) 916-8501 www.cerritoscenter.com

Wednesday, September 26 Exhibits: Los Angeles Freedom Rally, 1963 (Through March 3, 2019) Also: California Bound: Slavery on the New Frontier, 1848 - 1865 (Through Jan 21, 2019) Free• (Parking = $12) California African American Museum (CAAM) 600 State Drive Contact: (213) 744-7432 http://caamuseum.org Plus Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Celebration: Good art, people & food trucks & DJ sets by DJ Val Fleury and Tendaji Lathan 7pm – 9pm • Free

Saturday, September 22 In Concert: Jay-Z and Beyonce On The Run II (Through Sunday) 7pm • $130 - $3,430 (Parking: $21-380) 1001 Rose Bowl Drive Contact: (626) 577-3100 www.rosebowlstadium.com The Hollywood Blues Bash Featuring Mavis Staples 7pm • $51 – 93 Anson Ford Theater 2580 Cahuenga Blvd East Tickets: (323) 461-3673 www.fordtheatres.org

In Concert: Childish Gambino 7:30pm • $49 - 129 The Forum 3900 W Manchester Blvd www.msg.com

Business attire and Resumes required 11:00am-3:00pm Double Tree Hotel 6161 W. Centinela Avenue Culver City www.Citycareerfair.com Friday, September 28 Nick Cannon Presents Wild ‘N Out Live 8PM • $35 - $149.50 Staples Center 1111 S. Figueroa Contact: (213) 742-7340 staplescenter.com In Concert: Oleta Adams (Through Sunday, Sept 30) 8:30PM • $35+ Catalina Bar & Grill 6725 West Sunset Blvd Contact: (323) 466-2210 catalinajazzclub.com Saturday, September 29 In Concert: Gladys Knight 8PM • $80 -135 Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts 18000 Park Plaza Drive Cerritos Info: (562) 916-8501 www.cerritoscenter.com

around los angeles Wednesday, September 19

Friday, September 21 In Concert: A Tribute to John Coltrane

In Concert: Isley Brothers 8PM • $90 -110 Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

17th Annual Breast and Whole Health Expo 8:30am – 1:30 pm • Free Breakfast, healthy lifestyle stations, giveaways and sign up for mammograms West Angeles North Campus — Crystal Room 3045 S. Crenshaw Blvd Space is limited Register: (213) 407-0271 Black Business Leaders Hall of Fame Featuring a conversation with Filmmaker Reginald Hudlin Hosted by Pat Prescott 5:30pm – 8:30pm • $125175 USC Bovard Auditorium 3551 Trousdale Parkway www.hartleadership.com

42nd Annual Simon Rodia

America’s Got Tyra Banks arrives at t month Talent live shows las

Richard and Tina Knowles Lawson were on hand for the L.A. opening of “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg”

Regina Hall makes jum psuits look good at the Support The Gi rls premiere

L.A. Focus/ September 2018

s’ member Otis Original Temptation Legend at the hn Jo Williams with Beg” opener “Ain’t Too Proud To

Thursday, September 27 L.A. Diversity Employment Day Career Fair

Watts Towers Jazz Festival Performances and tours of Watts Towers (Thru Sunday, Sept. 30) Free •10:00am-6:00pm Watts Towers Arts Center 1727 E. 107th Street Contact: (213) 847-4646 www.wattstowers.org

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Through the Storm

KEITH DELAWDER Staff Writer

“Once A Slave to Addiction, Now She Hands Out Second Chances”

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n any given day of the week, you can find Susan Burton at the Skid Row Greyhound bus station just south of downtown Los Angeles with a smile on her face, awaiting the arrival of newly released women back to society from their time in state prison. At least one of these women will be greeted by Susan with a warm, “welcome home” before being driven to Susan’s house in Watts which has for twenty years served as the home base of A New Way Of Live (ANWOL)-- the non-profit organization started by Ms. Burton which provides housing and support services for newly released women to facilitate their re-entry into becoming productive members of society.

Burton, who herself cycled through six prison sentences in a span of fifteen years (each for drug-related offences) knows how important this day is for those getting off the bus. She understands the challenges they are likely to face-- because when it was Susan in their place, no one was at the station to meet her.

Like so many others, each time Susan stepped off the bus, she returned to the same situation she was removed from and little sense of personal identity.

“I wish that connected to the investment to incarcerate me would be an investment to bring me back into the community,” says Burton. “It costs over $75,000 a year to incarcerate a person and then we release them back without anything except $200 ‘gate money’ and say, ‘make a life’.

"One of the things about incarceration is that you're deprived. You lose all of your identity and then its given back one day and you're ill-equipped to actually embrace it and work it," Burton says. "Each time I left prison I left with the resolve to get my life together, to get a job, to get back on track. And each time the task became more and more and more daunting."

This is the void in the criminal justice system that ANWOL seeks to fill. Her organization is designed as a healing sanctuary where women can reunite with their children and work towards self sufficiency. Aside from housing, women at ANWOL are provided with assistance in obtaining a full range of services-- including counseling, weekly onsite 12-step meetings and opportunities to participate in day treatment, employment preparation with referrals to career and education counseling, assistance with family unification, health, custody and child support-- just to name a few.

But according to Ms. Burton, the most crucial service provided at ANWOL is the support of a community that believes in you.

“Part of what we provide at A New Way of Life is what I call ‘detoxing from the prison experience’, and for someone to be able to do this successfully requires them to be in a place that provides some support, guidance and stability.” says Burton.

“We’ve housed over 1,000 women in the last 20 years and have reunited over 300 women with their children.

Part of our success is supporting people to dream again, and then supporting them to work towards their dreams.

I have a saying that, ‘You have to fight for the right to be the best you can be.’

“So we treat people with value here. And when

you’re treated with value you respond with value.

People are able to finally begin to feel their value-and when you feel that, you want to project it and you want more of it. We don't tell people what to do-- we tell them that they can do anything that they want to do.”

While Susan Burton now serves as a proud community leader, spokeswoman/activist and guiding light in the cruciade for criminal justice reform, at one point in her life, her ascension out of the toils of continuous substance abuse and incarceration seemed unlikely-- even to those who loved her the most. Susan tells her story in her memoir “Becoming Ms. Burton: From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women”, which was released in 2017 to glowing reviews and an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work.

After surviving a childhood marked by the trauma of poverty and several horrifying instances of sexual abuse and violence, Susan was attempting to rebuild her life when her five-year old son K.K. was struck and killed by a police van while crossing the street out in front of her house. Overwhelmed by agonizing grief and fueled by the unresolved trauma of her past, Susan fell into alcoholism and then an addiction to crack-cocaine.

What resulted was a fifteen year cycle of being imprisoned for drug possession-related charges and released back on the streets with an internal hurt that kept her a slave to her addictions. Susan served six separate sentences and at one point, a prison guard waved her out of prison saying that he would keep her bed for her, knowing that she’ll be back-- and of course inevitably she did return.

It wasn’t until Susan found the appropriate substance abuse treatment at the Clare Foundation in Santa Monica and was brave enough to wrestle with the demons of her past in therapy that she was able to get to a place where she would never see the inside of a jail cell again.

“It began with how disappointed I became in my hopelessness that led me to finding a place where I could erect the grace of God around me in a compassionate and not enabling way,” recalls Burton.

“The drug treatment services I received led to me receiving individual therapy every week for almost nine months. Even after I left Clare I was able to go back and have my therapy. This was an awakening that hasn’t stopped yet. As I continue evolving and awakening, it allows me to dig a little deeper and harder and resign to work for my freedom and the freedom of my community.”

After establishing her sobriety, Susan began dedicating her life to serving the betterment of others, first

by working as a personal caregiver for the elderly.

Having her elderly clients rely on her for their own wellbeing empowered her to begin to fill a need she understood only too well. She decided to start renting out a out a house in Watts so that ten women at a time (who affectionately call her Ms. Burton) could have a place to come home when they were released from prison.

“New Way Of Life gave value to my life. It said that I was here for a reason and I was doing something that was good in the world, which raised my sense of purpose, self-esteem and ultimately my destiny,” Burton observes.

“I believe we're all put onto earth to give something back and I find it so fulfilling when I'm able to use my life experience, my talent and treasures to improve the lives of others, while it actually improves my life too.

Because when the community gets better, I get better.”

In the meantime, Burton has grown to be a force in the criminal justice reform movement, spreading awareness and influencing policy in California and all across the country. She will be hosting a film festival entitled “Justice On Trial” this September 29th-30th at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles to share the stories of those subjected to daunting injustices of the system.

With ANWOL, Ms. Burton is looking to share the successes of what they’ve accomplished in order to start replication projects all across the country, with the hope that one day there will be a permanent nationwide institution that serves the function of ANWOL so that people can return to their community and find their freedom and purpose.

“For so long there was no belief for investment in people that who had been justice-involved. They were like the lepers. And now with all of the understanding of what mass incarceration represents in our country, people are beginning to rethink that,” Burton reports.

“We're just looking to continue supporting women to come back to the community and to their children and become good parents all across the country. I believe in second chances, but I know that for many of the women that come to us, A New Way of Life it their first chance.”

www.lafocusnewspaper.com

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L.A. Focus/ September 2018

Game Changers: Aretha Franklin

GERALD BELL Contributor

“There Can Only Be One Queen of Soul” With the music world bidding farewell to Aretha Franklin, it would be no surprise for at least one industry mogul to speculate if there will ever be another female vocalist labeled the next Queen of Soul. Save the mental energy! There will NEVER be another Queen of Soul.

First, it would impossible be to convince any fan of Franklin that when she stepped to the mic she was seeking popularity.

Concerned about climbing the charts.

Hungry for validation. Chasing a fantasy.

Or stressed over social media “Likes”.

What Aretha did for music can’t be contrived, as are many artists today.

Regarded as one of the greatest singers of all time and any style, her legendary voice has been described by music critics as “celestial.” Time Magazine billed Franklin as “The sound of Soul.” And The New York Times pegged her “Indomitable!”

Franklin sold more than 75 million records in her lifetime and won 18 Grammy awards. She had 77 entries in the US Billboard Hot 100 and 20 number 1 singles on the R&B charts. These achievements, however, didn’t define the iconic songstress.

With deep roots as a childhood singer in her father’s Baptist church, Franklin was raised around music. Because her father was a popular pastor in Detroit, many acclaimed gospel singers would visit the Franklin house for jam sessions. After hearing renowned gospel artist Clara Ward sing at her aunt’s funeral that’s when she announced she wanted to be a singer.

Franklin was also influenced by the

Every time she sang, we were all graced with a glimpse of the divine. Through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience.In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade...

“

likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, and her mother, Barbara Siggers Franklin, who was a gospel singer as well. At age 14, a young Aretha recorded her first gospel album. Her voice would reverberate throughout the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s with such hits as “Respect”, “Natural Women”, “I Never Loved a Man”, “Think”, “Ain’t No Way” and many more.

“You had a number of gospel singers who were filled with the spirit. She translated that spirit into the secular field,” contends author and critic Peter Guralnick. Franklin was a key contributor to the fusion of gospel and R&B which routed soul music into an affair with the mainstream. Few artists could seesaw between multiple genres as Franklin who became known as a Pop/R&B Diva. “She set a new standard which, in some way, no one else could achieve,” said Guralnick.

Franklin is credited for opening the door

for countless recording artist to crossover into markets that their careers weren’t launched in.

Being the Queen of Soul requires what only Franklin, and perhaps a few other artists of her era, embodied respectively.

Soul, according to the late singer Ray Charles, “It’s like electricity—we don't really know what it is…But it's a force that can light a room."

Franklin was that force who commanded respect no matter what she sang. She had no rivals. Even when her career suffered a down turn during the disco era, this Pioneer was able to rebound with more chart toppers in the 80s from “Who’s Zooming Who” to “Freeway of Love”. She shattered boundaries and wrote her own rules when came to music. Certainly, the death of Franklin means the end of an era.

Barack and Michelle Obama released a statement after her death that read in part: Every time she sang, we were all graced with a glimpse of the divine.

Through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade—our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-

won respect. She helped us feel more connected to each other, more hopeful, more human. And sometimes she helped us just forget about everything else and dance.

“When it comes to expressing yourself through song, there is no one who can touch her,” said Mary J. Blige about Franklin in a 2008 Rolling Stone interview. “She is the reason why women want to sing.”

Therefore, it’s senseless to ponder will there be another. No other singer has or will have what the Queen of Soul had, because the Aretha Franklin took it with her.

ChurchNews Black Church Issues a “Call to Conscience – day of action” In lead up to midterms

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Declaring that it is time for the black church to speak and be heard and to fight against spiritual wicknedness in high places, Black denominational and faith leaders have scheduled a “Call to Conscience – Day of Action” for September 5th and 6th in Washington DC, the Bishop Reginald Jackson nation’s capital.

“It is not only time for us to say something, we must do something,” said Bishop Reginald Jackson, president of the Bishops Council of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, who added that in "calling the nation to its conscience," church leaders will challenge not only the American people, but also Congress on policies and legislation that are unjust, divisive and detrimental to the nation.

“This is a challenging time in the life of our nation, a time which demands the church of Jesus Christ, to live up to what it is called to do, to represent Jesus in His world, to be about the work of His kingdom on earth…Today, the Black Church is again called to be “the conscience of the nation.” To speak to the nation about the rightness or wrongness of its policies and behavior.

This is particularly important when the so called, “Evangelical Christians” appear to be the dominant voice for people of faith in this nation, supporting the nation’s leader who spouts racism, sexism, and repeatedly lies to the nation. They appear to be the dominant voice of people of faith in the nation, because the Black Church has largely been silent.”

Another effort, coordinated by Faith In Action—aims to hold conversations with one million voters ahead of the midterm elections. It’s “Faith Votes” campaign will focus on key ballot measures and prosecutorial races that disproportionally impact communities of color.

“Conscience, and the rightness or wrongness of their actions, don’t seem to matter. The president lies and pits people against each other because it works to energize his base. We must remind the nation, that because something works, doesn’t make it right”, Jackson added.

Sunday, September 2nd is being designated as “Social Justice Sunday” as pastors across the nation are being asked to preach a sermon related to “social Justice” in the lead up to the mid-term elections as black churches galvanizing their efforts to register, educate, organize and mobilize the November vote. By all accounts, a huge turnout among blacks will determine the outcome in many of the races to be decided.

Bay Area Pastor Kicks Off National Campaign to Green The Church

L.A. Focus/ September 2018

An effort to go green—and solar —is gathering steam in the African American faith community thanks to Bay Area Pastor Ambrose Carroll who is working to empower churches and lay people to develop practical solutions to economic, environmental issues in the Black community through his Green The Church Initiative.

The initiative was launched last year with the support of CNN host Van Jones, whose “Green For All” was part of the motivation.

“We have a lot of trauma that we’re dealing with since Katrina, the floods in Houston and the hurricanes in Florida and the black church has had to step up in the midst of climate change and really begin to come in and speak truth to people on the ground,” Carroll said.

The three pillars of the program are to amplify green theology via the message that Christians have a duty to protect God’s creation as we share resources and increase prosperity in our communities from a Biblical standpoint; to promote more sustainable practices with regards; and to support member churches in identifying how they can flex the shared political and people power of the climate movement.

According to Carroll, with over 50 million peo-

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Agape Church of Los Angeles Worship Center Consolidated Plaza: 3725 Don Felipe Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90008 Corprate Office: 4602 Crenshaw Blvd, Suite 2A, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 295-5571 www.agapela.org Bishop Craig A. Worsham, Founder & Senior Pastor Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Worship: 11:00am Loving, Lifting & Liberating Humanity Through The Word

Bethany Baptist Church of West LA 4115 W. Martin L. King Jr. Bl • LA 90008 (323) 296-7223 Dr. L.A. Kessee, Senior Pastor Sunday Worship: 8am •11:00am Sunday School: 9:45am Communion, First Sundays 6:00pm Prayer Service: 10:00am

Grant AME Church 10435 S. Central Avenue • Los Angeles, CA 90002 (323) 564-1151 • F: (323) 564-5027 Rev. Dr. J. Arthur Rumph, Senior Pastor Sunday School: 8am Worship: 9:30am Wed. Bible Study: 11:30am •6pm

Grace Temple Baptist Church 7017 South Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 971-8192 Sunday L.I.F.E Group: 8:30am Sunday Worship Service: 9:30am Wednesday Intercessory Prayer: 6:30pm Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00pm E-Mail: gtbcla@gmail.com

www.bethanywla.com Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of South L.A. 10905 S. Compton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90059 (323) 566.5286 Pastor Reginald A. Pope Sunday School: 9:30am Morning Worship: 8am • 11am Children’s Church: 11am (2nd/4th Sundays) Evangelism Training/Bible Study/Independent Prayer: (Mon): 7:29pm Mobile Prayer/Bible Study: (Wed) 11am Book by Book Bible Study (Wed.): 6:30pm 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

Christ The Good Shepherd Episcopal Church 3303 W. Vernon Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 295-4139 • F: (323) 295-4681 Rev. Joseph Oloimooja Sunday School: 10:00am Early Worship: 8:00am Morning Worship: 10:00am Mon. Centering Prayer/Meditation: 6:30pm Mon. Overeaters Anonymous: 7:00pm Wed. Bible Study & Eucharist: 7:00pm Wed. Alcoholic Anonymous: 7:00pm E: cgshepherd4041@sbcglobal.net

Grace United Methodist Church 4112 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 294-6653 • F: (323) 294-8753 • graceumc1@earthlink.net Rev. Dr. Cedrick Bridgeforth, Pastor • www.graceumcla.com Early Morning Worship: 7:45am Sunday School (all ages) : 9:45am Morning Worship: 10:45am Tues. Mobile Prayer: 6:15am Wed. Bible Study: Noon Follow us on Facebook Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church 5300 S. Denker Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 759-4996 Rev. DeNon Porter Early Worship: 8am Sunday School: 9:30am Mid-Morning Worship: 11am Radio-KALI 900AM: Sun. 11-Noon, 7-8pm KTYM 1460AM Sundays: 5:30pm Bible Study (Tues, Wed & Thurs): 7pm Holman United Methodist Church 3320 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 703-5868 • www.holmanumc.com•holman@holmanumc.com Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., Interim Senior Pastor Sunday School: 9:30 am Children & Youth; 9:45am Adult Sunday Worship: 8 am and 11 am Radio: Live on KJLH 102.3 at 11 am Bible Study: Thursday at Noon Gather, Grow, Go and Live The Gospel of Jesus Christ!

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 Sun. Early Worship: 8:00am Prayer Meeting: 10:30am Morning Worship: 11:00am Wed. Afternoon Bible Study: 1:00pm Wed. Prayer Meeting: 6:00pm Wed. Evening Bible Study: 7:00pm View Pastor McKnight’s Sermons on YouTube

Liberty Baptist Church 1500 West 51st Place, Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 295-3866 • F: (323) 295-0366 • E: LBCwim@aol.com Rev. Terry Lovell Brown Sr.

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

Mount Moriah Baptist Church of Los Angeles, Inc. 4269 South Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323) 846-1950 •Fax: (323) 846-1964 Reverend Johnteris Tate-Pastor

Sunday Church School: 9:00am Morning Worship: 10:30am & 12:30pm Wed. Bible Study: noon & 6:30pm Prayer Meeting: 6:00pm Follow us on Twitter @dacrossculture www.thecrossculture.org

Sunday Service: 9:45am Bible Study (Tue): 11:00am & 7:00pm Tue. Night Children’s Ministry: 7:00pm Tue. Night Bible Study (Teens): 7:00pm Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (Wed): 7:00pm

Sunday Church School: 8:00am Worship Service: 9:15am Baptist Training Union: 7:00am Tues. Bible Study/Prayer:Noon & 7:00pm

First AME Church (FAME) 2270 South Harvard Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 735-1251 • F: (323) 735-3353 • www.famechurch.org Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, Senior Pastor/CEO

Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church of Los Angeles 3669 W. 54th St. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 291-1121

Sunday School: 10:00am Worship: 8:00am, 10:00am, Noon Teen Church (2nd Sundays):Noon,Allen House Wed. Prayer Service: Noon Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm Radio: 10:30am on KJLH-102.3FM First AME is the oldest Black Church in the City

F: (323) 291-1133 • office@sinai.church • www.sinai.church Pastor George E. Hurtt, Pastor-Teacher Sunday Worship: 8:00am, 11:00am Discipleship Hour (Sun): 9:37am Noonday Prayer (Mon): Noon Noonday Bible Study (Tue): 12:00pm Tuesday Night in the Truth: Email: office@sinai.church •www.sinai.church Our Goal: To win more Christians & develop better Christians to the glory of God. (Matt. 28:18-20)

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1300 E. 50th Street Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 235-2103 • F: (323) 235-3177 • www.mtzionla.org Dr. Edward V. Hill, II, Pastor Sunday Intercessory Prayer: 9:15am Morning Worship: 9:30am Children’s Church: 9:30am Sunday School: 11:30am Baptism: 2nd Sun. & Lord’s Supper: 1st. Sun. Tues. Pastor’s Bible Study: 6:30pm Wed. Noon-day Prayer: Noon

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

New Antioch Church of God in Christ 7826 So. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 778-7965 Elder Jeffrey M. Lewis

People’s Independent Church of Christ 5856 West Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 296-5776

Sunday Early Morning Worship: 8:00am Sunday School: 9:30 am Morning Worship: 11:00am Tuesday Prayer and Bible Band: 11:00am Wednesday Bible Study: 7:30pm Wednesday in the Word: 7:30pm

Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Bible Study Wednesday: Noon & 7:00pm Communion: 1st Sunday at 8:00am & 11:00am

Sundays: Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Wednesday Bible Study & Mid Week Worship: Noon & 7:00pm Prayer Meeting: 6:30pm

St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 S. Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 231-1040 • stmarkmbcofla.org Rev. Dr. Lovely Haynes Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Mon-Wed: Prayer Bible Study: 6:00 - 6:55 pm Mon. Night Bible Study: 7:00pm Tue Choir Rehersal Wednesday Prayer: Noon Wed. Exposition of Sunday School Lesson: 7pm Wed. Prayer Meeting: 7:00pm Thurs. Evangelism: 7:00pm (enrollment required) St. Matthew Tabernacle of Praise “The S.T.O.P.” 1740 West 59th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90047 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 56608, Los Angeles, CA 90056 (323) 291-1115 • F: (323) 293-0471 Rev. C.Barry Greene, Pastor Sunday Worship Service: 8:00am PrayerLine: (Tuesday & Wednesday): 6:00am WordLine (Tuesday): 7:00pm ( (712) 775-7031 Access Code: 814352108) E: thechurchstop@yahoo.com pastorcbgreene@aol.com

CHURCHES CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES AND REVIVALS OR OPPORTUNITIES

Seeking a Musician St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 Compton Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90011 Please call 323-231-1040 for more information

New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church 402 E. El Segundo Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90061 (310)324-0644 • F: (310) 769-1287 Rev. Sonja Dawson, Senior Pastor • Rev. Lonnie Dawson, Sr., Founder (1962 - 2010) Morning Worship: 7:30am & 10:45am Sunday School: 9:45am Wed. Prayer/Bible Study: Noon Pastor’s Bible Study: 7:00pm

One Church International 614 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 (818) 763-4521 • www.onechurchla.org Sr. Pastor Toure’ Roberts Sunday Worship: 9:00am, 11:00am & 1:00pm Wednesday Midweek Service: 8pm www.Channel1Live.tv—View live streaming

Pastor’s Bible Class & Sunday School: 8am Morning Worship: 9:30am Tues. Prayer: 7:00pm Tues. Bible Study: 8:00pm

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 2009 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 293-6448 • F: (323) 293-6605 Dr. Sylvester Washington Sunday School: 8:00am Morning Worship: 10:00am Tues. Bible Study: 11:00am Wed. Evangelism Class: 6:30pm First Sun. Holy Communion Service: 4:00pm www.pleasanthillbaptistchurch.org Praises of Zion Baptist Church (“Praise City”) 8222 So. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90003 (323) 750-1033 • F: (323) 750-6458 Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick, Sr. Pastor Early Morning Worship: 6:45am Educational Hour: 9:15am Mid-Morning Worship: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 7:00pm Sunday Morning Broadcast: 5:30am Live Streaming Sundays: 12:00pm http://www.pozlive.com Price Chapel AME Church 4000 W. Slauson Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 296-2406 • pricechapel@sbcglobal.net Rev. Benjamin Hollins Sunday Worship Service: 10:00am Sunday School: 8:30am Power Lunch Bible Study (Wed): 11:00am Praise & Worship Bible Study (Wed): 6:30pm

Southern Saint Paul Church 4678 West Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 731-2703 • smbc@smbcla.org Rev. Xavier L. Thompson, Senior Pastor/Teacher Corporate Prayer: 8:30am L.I.F.E. Groups: 9:45am Morning Worship Service: 11:15am Baptism & Communion (First Sunday): 4:00pm Pastoral Bible Study (PBS)Wednesdays:7:00pm North Campus: Worship Service: 8:00am 11137 Herrick Av • Pacoima 91331 (818) 899-8031 st.paul@smbcla.org •“Loving People Making Disciples” Trinity Baptist Church 2040 West Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 735-0044 • F: (323) 735-0219 Rev. Alvin Tunstill, Jr Sunday Worship: 7:30 & 10:30am Sunday Church School: 9:00am Radio Broadcast KJLH FM: 9:00am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: Noon-7:00pm www.trinitybaptistchurchofla.org Walking In The Spirit Ministries Double Tree (Sonoma Grill) 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk CA 90650 (213) 248-6343 P.O Box 1597 Norwalk CA,90651 Tim & Leshia Brooks Morning Worship: 11:00am Services Held Every 2nd & 4th Sunday and Free Breakfast Is Served Bible Study: 8:30am (Every 5th Friday)

L.A. Focus/September 2018

Paradise Baptist Church 5100 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323) 231-4366 Dr. Aaron Iverson

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Victory Baptist Church 4802 South McKinley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90056 (323) 231-2424• Pastor Dr. W. Edward Jenkins Sunday School: 10:45 am Morning Worship: 9:00am Bible Study Wednesday:Noon Radio Sundays: KPRO 1570AM: 9:00pm

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 “We have not walked this way before” Joshua 3:1-6

West Angeles Church of God In Christ 3045 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 733-8300 Bishop Charles E. Blake

www.westa.tv

Sunday School: 8:00am & 10:30am Early Worship: 8:00am Morning Worship: 11:00am Evening Worship (North Campus): 7:00pm Wed. Mid-Week Worship: 7:00pm Sun. Radio Broadcast KJLH 102.3FM: 10:00am

Lifeline Fellowship Christian Center In Altadena 2556 N. Lake Ave., Altadena, CA 91001 (626) 797-3585 • F: (626) 797-3233 • www.lifelinefcc.org Pastor Charles D. Dorsey Sunday School: 9:00am Early Worship (Glory Prayer): 8:00am Morning Worship: 10:30am Evening Worship (1st & 2nd Sun.): 5:00pm Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm

Peace Apostolic Church 21224 Figueroa Street, Carson, CA 90745 (310) 212-5673 Suff. Bishop Howard A. Swancy

In Carson

Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Worship: 11:45am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Wed. Noon Day Bible Class: 12:30pm Wed. Bible Class: 7:30pm

Divine Fellowship Community Baptist Church In Compton 1110 N. Dwight Avenue,Compton, CA 90222 P:(800) 715-1240 • F: (800) 878-6882 Rev. Raphael Irving, Pastor Sunday Worship: 8:00am Summer Food Service Program (June 11th - August 10, 2018, Youth ages 1-18 ) Monday-Friday: 9:00am-11:00am (Breakfast) 12:00pm -2:00pm (Lunch) Email:raphaelirving@gmail.com pastor@divinefellowship-inc.com

Citizens of Zion Missionary Baptist Church In Compton 12930 No. Lime Ave., Compton, CA 90221 (310) 638-0536 • F: (323) 636-2080 • www.citizensofzion.org Rev. Bobby Newman, Jr., Senior Pastor; Rev. B.T. Newman, Pastor (Pastor Emeritus) Sunday School: 9:00am Morning Service: 10:45am Wed. Mid-Week Bible Study: 7:00pm

Greater Zion Church Family 2408 North Wilmington Avenue, Compton, CA 90222 (310) 639-5535 • E: GreaterZionCF@gmail.com Reverend Michael J. Fisher & Dr. W. Jerome Fisher, Pastor Emeritus Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00am, 11:00am & 5:00pm Wed. Bible Studies: Noon-7:00pm www.greaterzionchurchfamily.com

Love and Unity Christian Fellowship 1840 S. Wilmington Ave, P.O. Box 5449, Compton 90220 (310) 604-5900 Fax: (310) 604-5915 Dr. Ron C Hill Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:30am Sunday Evening Worship: 6:30pm Bible Studies: Wed. 7:30pm & Sat. 9am Food for Your Soul Radio & Television Ministry: beblessedwebradio: Mon - Fri. 6:30am Church Channel: Tues. 5:30pm & Fri. 2:30pm

Pastor Profile: Eddie Anderson Church: McCarty Memorial Hometown: Atlanta Family: Single Education: Masters, Claremont School of Theology

How did you get into the ministry?

My grandfather and father were both pastors, so I'm a third generation PK, but I really felt the call once I got to college. I was doing community organizing on the West end of Atlanta. My grandfather was very much on the ground floor and my father was as well, but when I went out because I was younger it was always, I think there was always a degree of separation. I'm out here doing this work, but didn’t quite understand the depth of it. A lot of Christians do this work out of obligation, because it's what we believe we're supposed to be doing. But we have to come an understanding of our own stories. We have to have our 'Jesus-on-the-road type of experience' where we feel the hurt and pain and we're not just touching that.

As a kid growing up with your father and your grandfather what drew you to ministry?

Helping people and seeing lives transformed. My grandfather was also a county commissioner so he was very much changing lives through policies. And I saw my father bring couples to our home and needy families that were going through hard transitions and seeing their lives changed. That drew me but if I'm being completely honest so I didn’t think I was going to go straight into ministry. I was going to go to law school or maybe to politics.

L.A. Focus/ September 2018

You leave Morehouse and what happens?

I go to Claremont School of Theology. My colleagues had heard that I could preach and invited me to preach in chapel. After I preached the bishop at the school came to me and said, "Eddie, are you sure you didn't miss your’calling?" And I said, "What do you mean?’ and he says, "That was one of the greatest sermons I've heard. And the entire week it seemed like everywhere I would go people would ask the same question, That's when I took [the ministry] seriously.

What were your thoughts of pastors or churches then?

My perspective was that pastors gave a lot and got little in return. They sacrificed a whole lot and were very impactful in communities, but I didn’t see a lot of gratitude. Then too, I grew up in a very strict environment so I found the church to be a little rigid and dogmatic— as life giving, but also as limiting. We put God in a box

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so that we can control what goes on in our church and community instead of allowing God to be a really relational to everyone in the church no matter where they are.

The church preached about justice but always prayed more on their knees. Like Martin Luther King Jr., my grandfather, and my dad, I wanted to be more about action.

You don't think today's churches are living up to their legacy?

No, I do. When I got to Los Angeles, my first church was white and they taught me what the righteous looked like, but then I get to the black churches at about the time Black Lives Matters was happening and Mike Brown had just been killed. People in LA were dying as well and I didn't understand why the churches weren’t doing more.

I thought they must have become comfortable, whereas I walk very close to the legacy of civic engagement that happened in Los Angeles with people like Thomas Kilgore and part of what I see myself doing is not anything new, but just activating that fallen legacy of all those years.

What do you think it will take for churches to rise to the occasion?

What's pushing the church now is the mass exit of Milennials. We've preached the gospel of transformation but when people come to church we only raise their awareness. We don’t give them tools to do that transformation. People of my age group are in the streets doing good works and the church has to be evolving with those folks, and it's not actually evolution, I believe it's reclaiming a time when the black church was at it’s best— a part of the movement. The millennials are pushing us to have that conversation again and not just raise awareness, but actually show up in the streets.

And what do you find most hopeful about what's going on in black churches in LA today?

What I find most hopeful is that black churches continue to carry their culture. The black church is still very much in our songs, our liturgies— in the sermons that we preach still talking about resilience and hope on the other side of darkness. That's one of the treasures we continue to offer Los Angeles at a time of transition and a time full of a lot of change especially with gentrification and other factors—the message of hope and faith.

If you had a theme, what do you want people to take away most from hearing you preach?

My messages are pretty much three points. One, you were made in the image of God, that you are the hands and feet of God in this world. That no matter your background or if you've been hurt by the church for your sexuality or

anything else, that God that welcomes you. And that together in our families and neighborhoods we co-create the kingdom of God. What do bring to the city of the Los Angeles?

What you find in our ministry is an understanding of our past. I think we need to be that bridge in the community where we understand our history and our legacy while realizing that our future is beyond the four walls into the streets with the people who are most impacted.

You talk about getting people past their challenges.

What has been the biggest challenge for you and what helped you past it?

The biggest challenge for me has been my inferiority complex. I was the youngest pastor [McCarty Memorial] ever picked and the youngest pastor in the denomination on the West Coast. They took a chance on me and I thought because I was young that I could have had an impact in a city that had so many established churches. What helped me get through was prayer and God telling me, "I've called you for this time and I've got you."

What will define your success?

What would define my success is if the community feels empowered and more people are inspired to speak up, stand their truth and challenge our elected officials.

What plans do you have for McCarty Memorial?

We have a two-point plan. One is to fully integrate community engagement into our ministry—workshop or business training or helping people in the community. Secondly, to build a multiracial church based on black theology that actually able to help structure on the outside as well as to restore people on the inside.

The City of Refuge 14527 S. San Pedro Street, Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 516-1433 Bishop Noel Jones

In Gardena

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 14725 S. Gramercy Place, Gardena, CA 90249 (310) 715-8400 Pastor David W. Cross Early Worship: 8:30am Morning Worship: 9am & 11am Children’s Church: Both Services Word Power Wed.: 7-8pm www.thelibertychurch.com

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

In Hawthorne

Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00 am Sunday Bible Enrichment Class: 9:45am Mon.-Thurs. Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday Bible Study: 12:30pm & 7:00pm

Victory Institutional Baptist Church 4712 West El Segundo Blvd., Hawthorne, CA 90250 (310) 263-7073 • www.vibconline.com Pastor Richard Williams, III Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00am Sunday Evening Worship: 6:00pm Wed. Mid-Week Worship: 7:00pm Bible Study Tuesday: Noon & 7:00pm

In Inglewood 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 • blessedfamilycovenant.org Rev. Wendy Howlett Sunday School: 8:30am Morning Worship: 9:30am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: 7:00pm

Crusade Christian Faith Center 801 S. La Brea Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-8535 Bishop Virgil D. Patterson Sr. Wed. Mid-Week Service: 7:00pm Sunday School: 9:00am Sunday Worship: 10:30am

Faithful Central Bible Church 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave. Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-8000 • F: (310) 330-8035 Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, Ph.D. Senior Pastor/Teacher Services at The Tabernacle: Sunday Services: 7:00am, 9:30am & 11:45am Wed. Mid-Week Service: 7:00pm The Tabernacle is located at 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave., Inglewood www.faithfulcentral.com

First Church of God Center of Hope 9550 Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305 (323) 757-1804 www.go2Hope.com Pastor Geremy L. Dixon

First Lady Files

Johnitta Hokes

Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Wed. Mid-Week Service: Noon Wed. Teaching Ministry: 7:00pm 1st Sunday Communion 5th Sunday Baptism

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 Leap of Faith Community Baptist Church 3502 W. Imperial Hwy, Inglewood, CA 90303 (310) 695-9925 Rev. Artis Glass Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Bible Study: Wednesdays Noon and 6PM

New Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church 434 S. Grevillea, Inglewood CA 90301 (310) 673-6250 Office • (310) 673-2153 Rev. Dr. Phillip A. Lewis, D. D., D. Th., Senior Pastor Early Worship: 8:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Morning Worship: 11:00am Mid-Week Bible Study (Wednesday): 7:00pm Afternoon Bible Study (Thursday): 1:00pm

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 Christ Our Redeemer AME Church In Irvine 45 Tesla, Irvine, CA 92618 (949) 955-0014 • F:(949) 955-0021 • www.corchurch.org Pastor Mark E. Whitlock, II Sunday Worship: 8:00am, 10:30am New Generation Praise Service: 10:30am Sun. Bible Univ.: 9:30am Tues. Interactive Bible Study: 7:00pm Wed. Pastor's Bible Study: Noon, 7:00pm Thurs. Bible Study: 7:00pm Fri. Singles Bible Study (1st Fri): 7:00pm St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church 1720 N. Walnut Avenue, La Puente, CA 91744 (626) 918-3225 • F: (626) 918-3265 Pastor Tony Dockery

In La Puente

Sunday School: 9:30 AM Early Worship: 8:00 AM Morning Worship: 11:00 AM Spanish Service: 9:30AM Bible Study: Every Wednesday 7:00 PM www.stsbc.org Antioch Church of Long Beach 1535 Gundry Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 591-8778 • F: (562) 599-6048 Pastor Wayne Chaney Jr.

In Long Beach

Worship Services: 8am, 9:30am, 11:30am Tuesday Youth Bible Study: 7:00pm WednesdayBible Study: Noon

The Key Of David Ministries For a time Johnitta Hokes was conflicted about being a first lady.

“My husband’s such a wonderful teacher and an excellent preacher,” said the Detroit native who migrated to the southland when she was a child. “I could see him being a pastor. I just couldn’t see me being a first lady.

“The scrutiny. The pressure. The stuff that goes with it—being under a microscope and the ridicule so I never really desired to be a first lady, but I wanted to be a Christian so I had to be obedient.”

In the six years since, Hokes—who has been married to Pastor Timothy Hokes of the Compton-based Key of David Ministries for 31 years has come to embrace the role, though she is hardly your traditional first lady.

“I came into it telling people, I’m not your traditional first lady so I’m going to be myself. You can be yourself. I don’t do the hats and I’m subject to come on Tuesday in a pair of jeans. I’m not going to let you dictate and I’m going to live my life for Christ.”

The upside for Hokes—a math teacher by trade and the mother of two, is that she’s able to love people and Christ.

“I sing in the choir and I am the president of the women’s department and the women are coming together. God is just doing wonderful things,” Hokes said. “We’re able to be women of God who not only pray, but execute the gospel. We feed, we have a convalescent ministry and we’re going back into the prisons. My desire is to do mission work—to build some wells in Africa. We want to be a more active ministry.”

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: 7:00pm

Family of Faith Christian Center 345 E. Carson Street, Long Beach, CA 90807 (562) 595-1222 • F: (562) 595-1444 Pastor: Sherman A. Gordon, E.D. Min Sunday School: 9:00 AM Early Worship: 7:30 AM Morning Worship: 10:00 Am Bible Study: Every Wednesday 12 (Noon) & 7:00 PM Radio: 7:00 PM (1st & 3rd Sunday) Station: KJLH Gospel Memorial Church of God In Christ 1480 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-7389 • F: 562-599-5779 • gospelmemorial@aol.com Bishop Joe L. Ealy Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Wed. Intercessory Prayer: 7:00pm Wed. Pastoral teaching adults: 7:30pm Wed. Youth Ministry Boot-Camp; Youth Bible Study: 7:00pm & Choir Rehearsal: 7:30pm

Grant AME Church of Long Beach 1129 Alamitos Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 • (562) 437-1567 grantamelb@aol.com • www.grantamelb.org Rev. Michael W. Eagle, Sr. Sun. Worship Experience: 10:45am 3rd Sun. Healing & Annointing: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 6pm Mothers of Murdered Youth & Children Were all receive a little attention, affection and love.

New Philadelphia A.M.E. Church 6380 S. Orange Avenue, Long Beach, Ca 90805 (562)422-9300•F: (562) 422-9400 Pastor Darryl E. Walker, Senior Pastor Worship: 9:00am —1st & 5th Sunday Sunday School/New Member Classes: 8:00am 2nd thru 4th Sunday Worship:7:30 am &10:00am•Sunday School New Member Classes: 9:00am Sunday worship services streamed live on the web Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday Eve 7:00pm Mid-Week Bible Study: Thursday 12:00 noon www.nuphilly.org

Milestones: YoLA Comes to Inglewood For all of the ongoing development in Inglewood today-the Rams and Chargers stadium, three light rail stations, a proposed monorail and Clippers facility in the works, what Inglewood Mayor James Butts is most proud about is that the LA Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) will be calling Inglewood their home.

“We’ve had some extraordinary days here in Inglewood of late and today is another one,” said Mayor Butts. “If we had a native bird here in Inglewood, it would be the Phoenix rising up from the ashes.

“It was not long ago that the city was on the verge of bankruptcy. We had a crumbling infrastructure, record foreclosures, high crime rates and even higher

unemployment. Today, we have $31 million in reserves, not counting a $15 million surplus projected for this year alone “Today, more than ever, our young people—especially our young people from economically or socially challenged backgrounds need hope,” Butts said. “Many need help and all of us need inspiration and we all know that nothing inspires the soul more than music. We celebrate not just the opportunity for world class music education for our young people here in Inglewood, we celebrate the importance of music education’s ability to inspire creativity and passion and provide lifelong skills.

That’s the magic of music.”

The 25,000-square foot facility located in the building that once housed Security

In Bethlehem Church 1550 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103 (626) 794-5211 • F: (626) 794-6592 Pastor Christopher A. Bourne

Pasadena

Sunday School: 9:00am Sunday Worship: 10:00am Tuesday Bible Study: 7:00pm Mid-day Worship Thursday: Noon www.bethelemchurchpasadena.org

Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church 980 Rio Grande Street, Pasadena, CA 91104 *Mailing Address: 1416 N. Mentor Ave. Pasadena, 91104 (626) 794-4875 • F: (626) 794-7815 Pastor W. Harrison Trotter Sunday School: 8:30am Sunday Worship: 10:00am Bible Study Wednesday: 7:00pm Intercessory Prayer (Fourth Wed.): 7:00pm Christians Uniting To Make A Difference -Eph. 4:13

Impeachment continued from page 6

L.A. Focus/ September 2018

winning the majority in the House and Muller’s probe results in determining that Trump was involved in collusion with Russia during the 2016 election, impeachment is almost inevitable.

Among the first legislators to call for his impeachment is Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-43rd) who released a statement in the wake of the convictions, connecting dots of the criminal activity surrounding Trump, and ending with a confident prediction of Trump’s impeachment.

“A federal jury just found Donald Trump’s campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, guilty of eight counts of bank and tax fraud. Simultaneously, his personal attorney and so-called ‘fixer,’ Michael Cohen, appeared in a separate courthouse and pleaded guilty to eight charges, which include violating campaign finance laws at the direction of a ‘federal candidate’ – an unquestionable reference to Donald Trump, who is now also implicated in a federal crime. However, the crimes of Trump, Cohen, and Manafort are only the tip of the iceberg. I believe there is still, clearly, much more to come related to money laundering and other crimes involving an expanding group of Trump allies with questionable connections to Russia, including not only Manafort and Cohen, but also Donald Trump’s former deputy campaign chairman, Rick Gates; Donald Trump’s former National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn; Donald Trump’s former campaign foreign policy advisors George Papadopoulos and Carter Page; and Donald Trump’s Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross. When investigators and prosecutors follow the money and the patterns of misconduct, I believe the crimes of Donald Trump’s top aides are going to lead right into collusion and obstruction.

“Don’t be misled by the ridiculous lies and conspiracy theories being pedaled by this president or his attorney, Rudy Giuliani. This is not a witch hunt or fake news.

These are real charges of criminal behavior. These are based on real facts, real evidence, and real testimony, and in the final analysis, all of this will lead to real articles of impeachment.”

Impeachment continued from page 6 wave to get out the vote. Finally, Clyburn said that candidates must advertise in the Black Press, if they want to win in November.

“We are also talking about districts where Barack Obama won twice and where Hillary Clinton also won, but these voters don’t turn out for the so-called ‘off-

24

Pacific Bank will feature a 260-seat concert hall, choir room, practice halls and teaching areas is set to break ground next spring. It will be designed by famed architect Frank Gehry.

“Since YOLA’s founding in 2007, the Philharmonic has provided thousands of underserved youth of Los Angeles County with a world class education in music,” Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas stated.

“They no longer will be defined as underserved. They will be serving others and blessing all of us.”

Ridley-Thomas noted that YOLA was part of a broader movement in the county to use the power of the arts to tackle challenging social problems while emphasizing the values of inclusion and equity.

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year elections,’” Clyburn said. “We can’t let these voters feel like we’re taking them for granted.”

Clyburn, 78, said he was recently taken aback by one candidate, who said that he could win the Black vote by running on an anti-Trump platform.

“Wait one second,” Clyburn said that he told the individual. “We can’t just go around being ‘Republican-light.’

We have to be out there putting forth an alternative message, for our base, and we have to reach out to Black voters and let them know we’re not taking them or any of our base for granted.”

To that end, Clyburn said advertising campaigns must largely include the Black Press.

“It’s very, very important…Chairman Richmond and I have had candidates in and we’ve been telling them that one of the best ways to demonstrate that you’re not taking the Black vote for granted is to advertise in the Black Press,” Clyburn said.

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) is the oldest and largest trade group representing the Black Press, comprised of more than 200 Blackowned newspapers operating in the United States.

“I’ve been in [the Black Press]. My daughter and I ran a newspaper down South, so I know that candidates tend to take Black media for granted,” Clyburn said. “They tend to judge Black media the same way they do other media and you just can’t do that, because the business model is totally different.”

Each Sunday after attending Morris Brown A.M.E. Church in Charleston, S.C., Clyburn said he and other churchgoers habitually pick up the local Black-owned newspaper.

“People tend to pay attention to the headlines, the stories and the ads in the Black Press so it’s vitally important that candidates know this,” Clyburn said.

Malveaux continued from page 6 that an African American was the cover photographer for Vogue magazine in its history.

On the one hand we are being celebrated, and on the other hand, we are being slammed. Commercial sensibilities are out of sync with the bigotry of this president, but can these commercial sensibilities be used to topple 45’s bigotry? Beyoncé brought a Black cover photographer to Vogue Magazine. Can her Bey-hive bring change to prevailing racist attitudes? Will the women who pick up these magazines send a strong message to the womanhating, genital grabbing President? Omorosa may be a

Arise Christian Center In Westchester 6949 La Tijera Blvd. Suite C,Westchester, CA,90045 (310)568-8445•F: (310) 568-8430 • Arisechristiancenter.com Pastor Ron Taylor Morning Worship: 9:00am & 11:15am Bible Study Wednesday: 7:00pm Intercessory Prayer Tuesday : 7:00pm Intercessory Prayer Sunday: 8am - 8:45am Thursday:11:30am-12:30pm

For Information on how to list your church in our “Church Directory” Call (310) 677-6011 lot of things, Chump, but she is not your dog, and neither are the rest of us!

Armstrong Williams continued from page 6 Over the more than 30 years I have worked as an entrepreneur growing businesses both large and small, I can attest that setting the right tone is critically important to creating successful organizations. While this appears to be a simple concept, it is not easy in practice to exhibit the qualities one expects colleagues and subordinates to follow. This is especially true in situations in which sensitive client information relating to investment activities, foreign and domestic policy initiatives or public relations strategies are a core feature of a firm's service offering.

The president's ongoing personnel challenges did not start with nor will they end with Omarosa's firing and subsequent indiscretions. This is bigger than just a few rotten apples. One would hope that the pain of the public fallout of these events would spur a sense of introspection within the president himself. He is not merely a player on the stage. At this point in the game, he is the lead actor. The overall performance of the cast of characters around him necessarily reflects on the quality of his leadership.

To find out more about Armstrong Williams and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Church news continued from page 20 ple, a million church buildings and properties in urban and rural centers throughout the continental U.S., the black church is positioned to be a major producer of renewable energy.

“We’re working with a lot of technology companies nationally and there is a lot of legislation and policy statewide that can be utilized to help congregations and communities do all of the cutting edge things that are happening nationally in the environmental space —from clean water to solar energy to sustainable food.

Partner churches in the effort include Christ Second Baptist Church (Pastor Welton Pleasant) and Macedonia Baptist Church (Pastor Shane Scott).

Adds Carroll, “Because California is our base, we really want this year to focus on California, making sure that we have a strong statewide effort.”

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SavingGrace

Aunjanue Ellis

A

L.A. Focus/September 2018

fter decades of supporting credits on the big and small screen, Aunjanue Ellis is hotter than ever.

Garnering wide acclaim in the critically acclaimed six-part 2015 mini-series, “The Book of Negroes”, the actress has been working non-stop ever since, with co-starring roles in ABC’s hit spy drama, Quantico, Nate Parker’s “A Birth of A Nation”, and more recently, “Designated Survivor” alongside Kiefer Sutherland. And while her expansive and impressive body of work—spanning more than 60 credits, has been amassed mostly under the radar, she has established herself as an indomitable force on the Hollywood scene.

With five projects in the works—including “If Beale Street Could Talk”, the follow up to Barry Jenkins’ critically acclaimed “Moonlight” and Ava Duvernay’s “Central Park Five”—Ellis’ star is only getting brighter.

Ironically, even as her deep and compelling character portrayals seem effortless, Ellis has viewed acting as a huge challenge in the years since her first role in “New York Undercover” in 1995. She was certain some people were born to do it. She was just not certain that she is one of them. To her credit, Hollywood didn’t seem to agree.

Within six months of graduating from acting school she landed roles on a hit TV series and in Joseph Papp’s prestigious Shakespeare in the Park. The latter, a New York public theatre tradition, whose illustrious alumni include James Earl Jones, Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman and Denzel Washington.

She honed her skills in films like “Ray”, “The Express”, “Freedomland”, “Undercover Brother”, “The Resident”—starring Hillary Swank—and “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3” as the wife of Denzel Washington’s character, while on TV, there were recurring roles in a handful of series, most notably “The Mentalist” and guest roles on “The Good Wife”, “Law & Order” and “NCIS.” “When I first started acting,” states the 5’9” natural beauty, “I didn’t see it as the gift that it was—being able to work. I had a great deal of money and success very quickly and I think that’s why I didn’t recognize the gift because it happened too fast. But now, I’m just really grateful. I’ve been working with people who are really wonderful and amazing at what they do. And just to be in their presence is a gift.”

In 2011, acting placed Ellis in a circle of famous friends including Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Cicely Tyson and Viola Davis, all of whom she worked alongside in the Oscar-nominated box office hit smash, “The Help”. Davis even referenced Ellis in her “Best Actress” acceptance speech at the Golden Globes Awards.

“I didn’t have a whole lot of scenes or anything, but the time I had with the women and men I worked with, made it a great experience,” Ellis says. “Most of all, I was excited about stories like

26

these getting told. Actresses complain about the paucity of roles like these because there aren’t a lot of great stories being written for women about women and then you get added to this mostly female ensemble and you just feel special.”

Actually, special is something Ellis has known she was for some time. Special enough for a visiting, 90-year old, white college professor she auditioned for to urge her to move to New York and pursue acting when she was 19.

Special enough to have landed some of the first auditions she went out for, and special enough to have worked steadily in an industry where less than 1% of make it and an overwhelming majority of those trying to break in never book one job.

But numbers are not what move Ellis.

“The list of credits could have been far shorter, but with substantial roles I was [even] more proud of,” says the Mississippi-bred, San Francisco native. “Some artists only write one novel, but it’s that one novel that changes things and touches so many people. That’s what I’m striving for.”

It was with such ambition in mind that she aggressively sought a role in “The Help”, which was to be shot in Mississippi where she currently resides, after a photographer mentioned it to her while she was working on a crossword puzzle on the set of “The Mentalist”.

“Coincidently my girlfriend had given me the book as a gift,” says the actress who returned to Mississippi to care for her Mom who has Parkinson’s disease. “I immediately went to my trailer, called my manager and told

“

If I’m in something and I believe it’s good, —no matter how big my

part is in it, I will do it. I’d rather have a

small part in something that’s good, than to

be the lead of someting that’s bad.

him I wanted to shoot this movie.

“They kept saying, ‘No, the role is too small’, but I didn’t care what they said. I wanted to be up in that piece no matter what,” she continues. “If I’m in something and I believe it’s good, no matter how big my part is in it, I will do it. I’d rather have a small part in something that’s good, than be the lead of something that’s bad.

“I’ve worked with people who want to be the star and they end up doing role after role where they’re the star, but no one remembers it. I didn’t want to do that.”

Reared in church, Ellis considers herself to be spiritual and views love as her saving grace.

“I believe in love. Love can communicate through songs, beautiful language, through acts of selflessness and kindness and it’s bigger than everything,” notes Ellis. “God is love, because love is inexplicable.”

And like most southerners, she has deep roots in the church.

“My grandfather was a minister so my grandmother was a first lady,” Ellis recalls. “He died when I was three but she maintained that pillar status in the church and the community because he pastored four different churches at the same time.”

Ironically, Ellis likens the platform Hollywood has to that of the church.

“After ‘The Help’, white women have come up to me and said, ‘my grandmother had servants, but I just want you to know that she treated her servants really well’ or ‘we loved our maid and our maid was in our wedding’.

Sometimes,” Ellis pauses, “I just listen, but sometimes I say, ‘you kind of missed the whole point if that’s what you walked out with.’”

“Still at the end of the day—whether they got it or not— they were forced to do some self-reflection, and that’s what ministers want you to do. They want people to walk out of church and think about their choices.

“I, too, want to help make somebody’s day better when I do what I do” Ellis stresses. “That people see a reflection of themselves in what I do and that it inspires them to be their better selves. So in some sort of way I have my own pulpit.”