L.A. Focus Newspaper May 2020

VOLUME XXV • ISSUE 4 • May 2020 >>

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Church News L.A. Faith Community Memorializes Dr. Johnny Baylor PAGE

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Saving Grace Aunjanie Ellis PAGE

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Upfront

Agreement Reached to Acquire Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza For $100 Million Is Still In Question Game Changer California Surgeon General Nadine Burke Harris

A prominent commercial real estate firm, the CIM Group, has announced that it has reached an agreement with Capri Capital Advisors to acquire the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza for $100 million....

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contents

May2020

L.A. Focus Publications

Left: An emotional Rep. Maxine Waters announced her sister is dying at a hospital in St. Louis after contracting the coronavirus. Middle:Councilman Marqueece Harris Dawson, and Ron Herrera, President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, provided groceries to 5,000 families at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw mall during the COVID-19 pandemic. Right: Bishop Kenneth Ulmer,and Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas hand out face masks to MLK and Centinela hospitals.

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From The Editor Unchartered Territory

Commentary What You Don’t Know Could Hurt Everyone: It Takes Community Resistance to Fight COVID-19

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UpFront Blunt Trauma: Cop Beats Black Teen Over Cigar; Agreement Reached to Acquire Crenshaw Plaza For $100 Million Still In Question

Head to Head On COVID-19 Racial Hoaxes and Conspiracies

Headlines From Africa Census 2020 Making Black Count During a Global Pandemic

Game Changers

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Feature Story

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Hollywood Buzz

California Surgeon General Nadine Burke-Harris

Paid More to Stay at Home During COVID-19 Crisis

Jay-Z, Snoop-Backed Trading App Nears $8 Billion Valuation; Byron Allen Sues the Nielson Company Breach of Contract, Cites Predatory Pricing

Through The Storm COVID Makes For Hard Times At M’Dears Bakery & Bistro

staff Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Staff Writers Production Photographer

Lisa Collins Gerald Bell,Steven Oduntan,Dianne Kisha Smith Ian Foxx

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.

The Coronavirus Pandemic And The Black Church

Niecy Nash getting rave reviews in new series Mrs America;Whitney Houston Biopic in the Works; Salt-N-Pepa Biopic Under Fire

One On One

18 Pastor Profile 19 From The Pulpit 21 In Good Taste 22 Saving Grace

Pastor Cecil Miles Crusaders Christian Community Church

After This - Pastor Toure Roberts

Carla Hall - Red Beans and Rice

Aunjanue Ellis

Kenya Barris

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Money Matters

Biz News Briefs

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Red Carpet Style Oscar Nominee Cynthia Erivo

Eye On Gospel A Good Night for The Clark Sisters; Gospel Stars Release a New Song to Benefit COVID-19 Relief

Church News Faithful Central Bible Church Partners with Entrepreneur Freddie Figgers; Pastor Jamal Bryant calls out Georgia Governor; K.W. Tullos takes a wife

On May 6, 2020 Netflix will debut “Becoming’ an intimate look into the life of former First Lady Michelle Obama.

First Lady Files Sara Jakes Roberts The Potter’s House at One LA

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

Bishop Charles Blake Bishop Noel Jones Pastor Michael Fisher Rev. Xavier L. Thompson Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer Pastor Emeritus Melvin Wade Pastor K.W Tulloss

Napoleon Brandford Pastor Beverly Crawford Lem Daniels Bob Blake

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

Cover Design: UpScale Media Group

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L.A. Focus/ May 2020

advisory board

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Commentary

DR. ALYN WALLER Guest Columnist

What You Don’t Know Could Hurt Everyone: It Takes Community Resistance to Fight COVID-19 ast week, I was diagnosed with COVID 19.

I am asymptomatic so the diagnosis came as a surprise.

But what was even more surprising? Discovering my status as a result of the free testing event I’d hosted at my church.

I am the pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, the largest church in Philadelphia. To help ease the fears of my members I volunteered to be tested. Like many of America’s other densely populated cities, black people lead COVID-19 deaths in Philadelphia: We are dying at a rate of close to 40 percent or higher compared with the rest of the population across the city. And because the COVID-19 test is invasive–doctors have to stick a swab up your nose in order to take a sample– I wanted to model to others that one, it wasn’t as bad as it looks, and two, that it truly is on all of us to do all we can to protect ourselves and each other from this deadly virus.

Including me.

When I tested positive, my mind immediately flashed to all the other unsuspecting people across Philadelphia–people just like me–walking around carrying COVID-19, potentially putting others at risk.

I thought about all the beloved church members I had come into contact with the month before–socially distanced, of course–who could still have contracted the virus from me.

The irony is, from what I can tell, my fellow church officials and I did everything we could–short of conducting temperature checks and rapid-testing each other every time we walked through the church doors–to protect ourselves and others from the virus.

We stopped conducting in-person service weeks ago, moving it online. We limited the number of people who could access the sanctuary each Sunday to live-stream service to just a handful to include myself, a couple of members of our choir, the organist and others. We moved our popular Bible studies to Zoom.

All ministry activities, meetings, practices and rehearsals were canceled, and we instituted a curbside pick-up policy only for emergency food pickups and donations at Enon.

And still.

Not only did I test positive for COVID-19 but 11 other members of the church did too, including my assistant. Unlike me, she is not asymptomatic and as of this writing was battling a fever and other symptoms. (We have since learned that unbeknownst to any of us, one of our choir members contracted the coronavirus weeks back and unknowingly brought it into the church as we gathered there to conduct virtual service–that person was also asymptomatic.)

As of this writing, I am still awaiting test results for my wife and daughter.

But what sits with me most profoundly as I quarantine–far away from my beloved church family for their own good–is that had I not taken the test, I would have poten-

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tially gone about my duties as pastor and unknowingly infected more people than I perhaps already have; people like the four Enon church members we have already lost to COVID-19, folks, may they rest in peace.

What also sits with me as I sit at home for the good of others is just how sad and angry I feel watching black people in cities like New York City, Chicago and Philadelphia clearly not taking the virus seriously.

The “Plat” is the name of a popular park here in Philly referenced by Will Smith in his classic song “Summertime.” It’s the party spot–where guys go to drive their freshly cleaned cars and the ladies go to kick it with their girls. This past Sunday, The Plat was packed–I mean, a parking lot full of people.

Turns out someone cut the lock on the gate to the park even after city officials had shut it down. He or she chose, selfishly, to disregard their own life on top of the lives of innocent people by not practicing social distancing–all because they wanted to hang out with their friends.

To that person or persons: know it could be you or your loved ones that contract the coronavirus next, because of actions like yours.

And here’s another truth–there’s a reason why Republicans are swinging the door open to states like Florida, Georgia and Texas, even in the face of daunting numbers of deaths and reported illnesses within their borders: The faces of those impacted in these states are largely black and brown.

Listen, if you know that “they,” in the words of Kanye West back in the day, “don’t care about black people,” why would you volunteer to help them destroy our communities?

Yes, our people have to work. Some of us are indeed essential workers like doctors, nurses and other medical staff. But many of us are not. Many of us have low-wage jobs that cause us to brave the virus to make a living. But we have to ask ourselves: Is putting in long hours at Target or for Amazon truly worth it if we might die anyway?

True, there are real systemic reasons black people are catching and dying from this virus at a higher rate than anybody else. They are tied to systemic injustices and disparities that have existed, pre-coded in many of the health industries. On top of that, black people tend to live in densely populated areas and bring other commodities to the disease. We also tend to not be tested as much as we should be, as widespread testing remains scarce across the country. That said, we have to act like we understand the fight and not give our politicians–or the virus–ammunition to work with. We must resist being complicit in our own demise. If not, as more and more governors move to open up their cities and states, and more and more businesses move to sue the federal government for mandating shelter-in-place in an attempt to force their hand, it will be black people who will continue to die.

I get it. Folks want to go back to work. They want their kids to go back to school.

LISA COLLINS

From the Editor

Publisher

“Unchartered Territory”

L.A. Focus/May 2020

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elcome to your new reality. Oh, and by the way, I’m sorry to say that reality is still “the twilight zone”. What happens next is anyone’s guess. A lot of new terms though. Social distancing. Shelter-in-place. Flattening the curve. Selfisolation. Mitigation.

All part of a new COVID-19 world. A world where we’ll reside for at least a year (they say) before a vaccine can be developed, tested, approved, mass manufactured and then distributed. A world where for the next month or more you may be waving at your mother or grandmother through a window to insure they are not exposed to any “COVID particles”. A world where the president of the United States is advocating the ingestion of bleach to cure COVID and that 100,000 American deaths would be a good job, given that total could have been much higher. A world that may mean our sitting down for a meal at a local restaurant or taking in a movie may be months away in California. (Oh, how I miss them both).

Forget about flying given that social distancing on a plane presents a real challenge and taking that chance may not be worth the risk. Besides, there is no getting away from it all considering that the it you’re attempting to get away from– Coronavirus–is everywhere.

The other day a neighbor knocked at my door and after a few minutes of addressing what she’d come to discuss, I realized (in horror) that I didn’t have a mask on and worse still, neither did she.

A world where many don’t value their life enough (or the lives of others) to stay at home and where states opt to lift social distancing restrictions way too soon despite the danger of a virus that is still all too present.

Those of us who are anxious to have life return to normal will have to embrace the fact that life will never be the same. And we shouldn’t either.

It is a brave new world to be sure.

But as I am always the one to look at the brighter side of things. Consider this: we’ve all had a chance to take a good hard look at our lives in the mirror. Some of it ain’t so pretty and some of it ain’t so bad. We’ve also had plenty of time to consider the possibilities. To consider if this is the time to make changes...

The world of possibilities looms large and is pregnant with opportunity, particularly if you’re not looking at the news. (One possibility is evicting Trump from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with your votes this November).

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And yet, for all the possibilities, unchartered territory is never all that comfortable, especially for those of us who like to plan.

For me, life has taken on simpler reality: God is in control. There is a gospel song by a friend of mine, J.J. Hairston, titled “There Will Be Glory After This”. For however prophetic the song is–and it’s worth a listen–it was released years ago, though it is spot on for what is happening in our world today and for what we can expect from our God tomorrow.

In fact, our sermon of the month from Pastor Touré´ Roberts (see page 19) takes its title from the song and is an excellent read as well.

Whatever your outlook, keep in mind that life is not on pause even if our states may be. You don’t get this time back, so make the best of it.

Our cover story explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the black church and the test of faith in the new normal churches are having to navigate. Some, to be sure, won’t make it. Others will come out stronger than before particularly if they are social media and zoom savvy.

Like everyone, they are taking a good long and hard look at how efficiently they have been operating their ministries and there will be changes as they transition to a new way of spreading the gospel.

But the black church has been around for centuries. It’s withstood slavery, the KKK, the cruel hand of Jim Crow. It’s withstood the bloodshed during the civil rights movement as it rallied and justice and equity all the while faithfully serving the community, –educating it, feeding it, clothing it, restoring and nurturing its spirit.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the black church is still on the frontlines as a first responder providing resources, spiritual comfort, food, clothing, relief, refuge, community, hope and the resolve of a people who believe that with faith all things are possible. So, with all the change that happening in the world today, the black church will stand strong, sharing a message that will forever the be timeless–the good news of Jesus Christ.

I’ll close with the words of J.J. Hairston, “there will be glory after this”. In the meantime, keep the faith.

UpFront

News Briefs

Blunt Trauma: Cop Beats Black Teen Over Cigar, Sparking Outrage and Familiar Swisher Sweet Debate

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shocking video of a police officer beating a 14-year-old African American boy over a Swisher tobacco cigarette is being shared across social media platforms around the world. In the clip that has been re-posted tens of thousands of times, a Rancho Cordova deputy is captured pummeling the youth in his chest as he presses him to the ground in an incident that happened April 27.

The family of the teen is calling for the firing of the officer, although stating that they understand the case involves a minor in possession of a cigarillo.

“There is no valid reason for Brian Fowell, an officer of the law, to punch a child in the face and chest. There is no valid reason for an officer to push a child’s face into the ground against a curb by their neck,” said Tanya Faison, founder of Black Lives Matter Sacramento in a written statement to California Black Media. “This 14-yearold boy posed no threat to this officer and the actions officer Brian Fowell took are dangerous for our community.”

The incident happened near a 7Eleven store where the Rancho Cordova Police Department (RCPD) reports that the youth received the tobacco cigarette from an adult.

"The video of the Rancho Cordova deputy repeatedly hitting and slapping a much smaller unarmed 14-year-old boy is disturbing to us as parents and frustrating to us as lawmakers,” reads a statement the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) released to California Black Media.

“Over the last few years, the legislature has made clear their expectations about the appropriate use of force and the need to find alternatives, especially when it comes to unarmed minors,” the statement continued.

For decades, activists have targeted tobacco products in the state of California, partially to deter young people from smoking or chewing the cured and dried leaves, which contain nicotine

ANTONIO RAY HARVEY CA Black Media

it underground market that puts young blacks under the scrutiny of law enforcement officers. He cites the case of Eric Garner in New York City. Garner was illegally selling “loosies,” unlicensed retail cigarette sticks, before police officers subdued, suffocated and killed him.

Attorney Adante Pointer with family and friends of 14 yr old boy beaten at press conference.

and can lead to addiction.

Carol McGruder, co-chair of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council and a major force in the anti-tobacco crusade in California believes that tobacco manufacturers target blacks with their products.

McGruder has been working hard to put the brakes on menthol cigarettes, cigarillos like Swishers, and e-cigarettes, which are used for vaping, a favorite way to consume tobacco among teens. Vaping has led to severe respiratory illnesses among first-time smokers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Anger, disgust, rage, these are the feelings we felt as we watched the video,” said McGruder. “Rage that another Black boy was traumatized by police brutality.

As horrific as this video is, what is more horrific is that the biggest invisible killer and profiler of Black boys, the tobacco industry, will be able to latch onto it and use the legitimate concerns of our community to block public health policies that would stop the industry from profiling and addicting our children.”

Some black leaders, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, president of National Action Network agree that tobacco is harmful to Black teens. But they also believe that over-taxing or outlawing the substance — particularly menthol cigarettes which blacks smoke the most – creates an illic-

“Often, tobacco and marijuana are used as smoke screens for racism and abuse in policing in black and brown communities,” says the Rev. Tecoy Porter, President, Sacramento branch of the National Action Network. “We must condemn those practices.”

The California legislature has passed several laws aimed at curbing the use of tobacco. But neither lawmakers, nor the state’s health — nor its law enforcement authorities have enacted explicit policy safeguards to prevent what happened in the Rancho Cordova incident, critics say.

In California, no state-wide ban has been put in place against the sale of flavored tobacco products. However, certain cities and counties in the state have instituted local ordinances prohibiting purchases. The county of Sacramento banned the sale of menthol cigarettes as of January 1 of this year.

In September 2009, cigarettes with specific characterizing flavors were prohibited in the U.S., as part of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (TCA) that gave the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority over tobacco products.

Despite the FDA’s ban on flavored cigarettes, the overall market for flavored tobacco products continues to prosper.

Tobacco companies significantly stepped up the introduction and marketing of flavored and other tobacco products (OTPs), particularly e-cigarettes and cigars, as well as smokeless tobacco and hookah tobacco.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says that tobacco companies claim to be responding to “adult tobacco” users’ demands for variety, but flavored tobacco Blunt trauma continued to page 20

Agreement Reached to Acquire Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza For $100 Million Is Still In Question

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L.A. Focus/May 2020

prominent commercial real estate firm, the CIM Group, has announced that it has reached an agreement with Capri Capital Advisors to acquire the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza for $100 million. The purchase of the 849,000-square foot shopping center located at the intersection of Crenshaw and King Boulevards is currently in escrow and does not include the Macy’s department store or an IHOP located on the 40-acre property.

If accurate, plans for the mall–which had been slated for massive redevelopment that would have included 1,000 new residential units–have reportedly been scrapped in favor of more commercial development.

Said CIM Co-Founder Shaul Kuba, “Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza occupies a pivotal location in a well-established Los Angeles community, centrally-located and adjacent to a soon-to-open Metro light rail station. Two large anchors, Sears and Walmart, closed their doors prior to COVID-19’s shuttering the entire mall, and 300,000 square feet of

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space in these two large buildings continue to remain vacant. We have the opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to the future of the property viewed through the lens of the current climate and the acceleration of the already declining retail environment.”

“Since 1947, this property has been a commercial property, and although current entitlements allow residential components, we believe that residential uses are not suitable for this property and it should remain a commercial property in our repositioning.”

But according to Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson–who represents the 8th District in which the mall is situated–the announcement of a purchase may have been premature and that many had been in talks to purchase the mall.

“None”, Harris-Dawson said, “have been so brazen as to do a press release about their plans for the mall without talking to the council office. The group selling the mall and this group are in talks, but I’m not sure why the [Los Angeles] Times elected to print this [story]. Escrow is not closed. They have

not submitted any plans to the city or anybody, so it is a press release that says I’m going to buy the mall and by the way, I’m not going to do anything that the community talked about for the last 20 years. We’ll continue to monitor it very closely.”

Community response to CIM’s plans for the property, was not positive.

“Overpriced office space is not essential to our community. Low- and midincome housing, supermarkets and farmers’ markets are,” observed one resident.

“This is outrageous.”

“Don’t let this happen,” posted another. “The community needs retail stores that employ people. Westfield put billions into redeveloping the Fox Hills mall and I think the community should come together and push for new and better stores…we deserve better.”

Damien Goodmon, Founder/Executive Director of the Crenshaw Subway Coalition has been at the forefront of discussions surrounding the proposed redevelopment of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza and the potential disCrenshaw Mall continued to page 21

Senator Kamala Harris Announces Legislation to Establish Task Force to Combat Racial Disparities in COVID-19 U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris has announced the COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force Act, legislation to bring together health care and other policy experts, community-based organizations, and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial leaders to confront the racial and ethnic disparities of the coronavirus pandemic head on. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the urgent need to address long-standing inequities in our health care system. Rep. Robin Kelly, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, will introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

“People of color are being infected and dying from coronavirus at astounding rates,” said Harris. “This is in part due to persistent lack of access to health care, bias in our health care system, systematic barriers to equal pay and housing, and environmental injustice. It is critical that the federal government proactively work to right historical wrongs that have led to racial inequities for generations. The COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force Act is a necessary step to fully understand the impact of this virus in the hardest hit communities and make targeted investments that correspond with their unique needs.”

Fox Drops Diamond & Silk for Promoting Conspiracy Theories in Defense of Trump

President Trump’s cheering duo, Lynette “Diamond” Hardaway and Rochelle “Silk” Richardson are back in the spotlight. Only it’s not the kind of news they like to make.

The pair have been dropped by Fox News for promoting conspiracy theories and disinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic. During one livestream, the two claimed that the number of American coronavirus deaths was being inflated to make Trump look bad.

“What I need to know is how many people have passed away in New York, and what I need to know is: Who has the bodies?”

Diamond asked. “I need for somebody that does investigative work to call the morgues. To call the funeral homes. We need to know, because I don't trust anything else that comes out of his mouth now... Something's not right here. “Is this being deliberately spread?

They also maintained in a tweet that people shouldn’t quarantine inside for extended periods and also suggested that Bill Gates was pushing for population control.

Hardaway and Richardson first gained notice during the 2016 election and subsequently leveraged their notoriety into guest appearances on Fox News, eventually landing a deal to provide weekly freeform livestreams for Fox’s subscription-based video network.

But no episodes featuring the two have been uploaded since April 7. On April 24, they tweeted, “The left-wing media smeared us for questioning whether the number of deaths were inflated. When this is over, most states will have to update their numbers and put the correct count. The left-wing media owes Diamond and Silk an apology for slander!”

With news surfacing that Fox had cut ties with Hardaway and Richardson, the two posted this comment, “Haters keep saying they hate Diamond and Silk, but you can't hate what you ain't never loved!”

HeadToHead On COVID-19 Racial Hoaxes and Conspiracies

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re you Black, possibly COVID- hitting subtly backed it up with compulsory COVID-infected (since test- blacks hard? coonery by soft-blaming a full-blown ing kits aren’t available for Too bad, get pandemic on the people it was you), either bed-ridden at home back to the killing the most: “Do it for your Big because the hospital turned you Mama. Do it for your Pop-Pop. We plantation away or in a hospital dying alone? need you to step up and help stop Were you one of more than 20 million the spread so that we can protect those who workers who digitally lined up for unem- are most vulnerable.” ployment insurance as depression sweeps Soon, noticeably, Black lives did not matover the land? ter. Calls to reopen the Do you find yourself packed into a city economy have explodbus that’s defying social distancing, on your ed. It’s as if we erred way to a low-paying frontline job that’s ille- terribly in telling “boss gally snatched your sick pay, and petrified man” we were sick, at the dude a foot away from you who’s not feeling the pangs of coughing into his elbow? regret for even sugWell that’s just too bad because we’re gesting there was a reopening the economy, whether “you Black nasty viral scourge people” get through this or not. spreading death Charles Ellison As bioterrorism attacks escalate at state among us on the fields. capitols all over the country — oh … wait a “There are more important things than minute? Let’s check that and head into a rel- living,” said Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in a evant tangent: You actually thought those drawled plea for us to get back to work so he were “protests”? could pile up the cotton to keep the family You bought into the half-baked headline wealth. “And that’s saving this country for that there is some massive “backlash” move- my children and my grandchildren and savment of well-intended, but confused and ing this country for all of us.” misled Trump-flag wearing White folks who Nothing, not even a fast-moving pandemare afraid of impending bankruptcy doom? ic, is stopping the Lone Star state from Sorry, you thought wrong: these folks are reopening. bioterrorists. All of them one asymptomatic Meanwhile, Texas, which has the largest coronavirus carrier away from infecting 40 black state population in the nation with an other people, who have each moved on to estimated 4 million, remains in the top 10 of infect 40 others and so on and so forth. states with the highest infection and death Let’s first establish that these gatherings rates, with the majority of those in heavily to scare us into “Reopen America Now” with Black and urban Harris (Houston) and their brandish guns and confederate flags Dallas counties. are COVID-19 hotspots.

Old confederate compatriots Georgia and These are not protests. No sooner had we Florida also rushed to reopen all forms of started discovering COVID-19 was hitting unessential businesses and beaches — even Black folks the hardest, the calls to ease up as data scientists stumbled upon drunken on quarantines intensified, with callous con- spring breakers stupidly carried the virus servatives and Republicans – from the from crowded beaches. orange Tang’ed boss at the top down to his Keep in mind both Georgia and Florida, enabling Southern red state governors run- as well as states like Tennessee, are on that ning states with massive Black residential top 20 list of states with the highest infecpopulations – leading the charge like tion and death rates — and where the virus General Pickett’s rebel troops bum-rushing is disproportionately hitting Black lives Union lines at Gettysburg. heaviest.

You could feel it bubbling at Dr. Anthony According to the BlackDemographics.

Fauci’s glib resignation to skyrocketing com’s COVID-19 tracker, Georgia, Black infection and death rates during an Tennessee and Florida are places where April 7 White House press briefing, where Black residents are 52 percent, 29 percent he shrugged on that “… there’s nothing we and 20 percent of all COVID-19 infections in can do about that right now.” their state.

Surgeon General Jerome Adams not-soIn fact, as Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R-

e black people are so Manipulation cle "Inventing Victimhood: convenient and useful to Universities too often serve as Through America's leftists. 'hate-crime hoax' mills." St. Olaf Racial Whenever there's a bit of silencing College in Minnesota was roiled in Hoaxes to be done, just accuse a detractor mass "anti-racism" protests that or critic of racism. A recent, particularly caused classes to be canceled. It turned out stupid, example is CNN's Brandon that a black student activist was found to Tensley's complaint that the "Coronavirus be responsible for a racist threat she left on task force is another example of Trump her own car. Five black students at the administration's lack U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory of diversity." Tensley School found racial slurs written on their said the virus experts doors. An investigation later found that are "largely the same one of the students targeted was responsisorts of white men ble for the vandalism. (and a couple women Andy Ngo writes that there are dozens on the sidelines) of other examples. They all point to a sickwho've dominated the ness in American society, with our instituTrump administration tions of higher education too often douWalter Williams from the very begin- bling as "hate-hoax mills," encouraged by a ning." I'd like for bloated grievance industry in the form of Tensley to tell us just what racial or sex diversity administrators. These are diverdiversity contribute to finding a cure or sity-crazed administrators, along with protreatment for the coronavirus. fessors of race and gender studies, who Jesse Watters was criticized as a racist nationwide spend billions of dollars on for claiming that the coronavirus outbreak diversity and a multiculturalist agenda. was caused by Chinese people "eating raw Racial discord and other kinds of strife are bats and snakes." He added that "They are their meal tickets to greater influence and a very hungry people. The Chinese commu- bigger budgets. nist government cannot feed the people, There's another set of beneficiaries to and they are desperate. This food is racial hoaxes and racial strife. These uncooked, it is unsafe and that is why sci- alleged incidents are invariably seized entists believe that's where it originated upon by politicians and activists looking to from." Watter's statement can be settled by feed a sacrosanct belief among liberals a bit of empiricism. Just find out whether that discrimination and oppression are the Chinese people eat bats and snakes and main drivers of inequality. Jason Riley, whether that has anything to do with the writing in The Wall Street Journal says spread of the coronavirus.

"In the mainstream media we hear almost It may be perplexing to some, but I constant talk about scary new forms of believe that our nation has made great racism: 'white privilege,' 'cultural approprogress in matters of race, so much so priation,' and 'subtle bigotry.'" Riley menthat imaginary racism and racial hoaxes tions the work of Dr. Wilfred Reilly who is must be found. Left-wingers on college a professor of political science at Kentucky campuses and elsewhere have a difficult State University and author of a new book, time finding the racism that they say per- "Hate Crime Hoax," that states "a huge meates everything. So they're brazenly percentage of the horrific hate crimes cited inventing it. as evidence of contemporary bigotry are Jussie Smollett charged that two fakes." Reilly put together a data set of masked Trump supporters, wearing more than 400 confirmed cases of fake alleMAGA hats, using racial and homophobic gations that were reported to authorities insults attacked him. The anti-Trump between 2010 and 2017. He says that the media gobbled up Smollett's story hook, exact number of false reports is probably line and sinker, but it turned out to be a unknowable, but what can be said "with hoax. absolute confidence is that the actual numA large percentage of hate-crime hoax- ber of hate crime hoaxes is indisputably es occur on college campuses. Andy Ngo large. We are not speaking here of just a writes about this in his City Journal arti- few bad apples."

Ellison continued to page 20

Williams continued to page 20

Headlines From Africa

Botswana: In an effort fight the Covid-19 virus, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his cabinet ministers have agreed to donate 10 percent of their monthly salaries to support the country’s Covid-19 fund.

Burundi: With a decree from President Pierre Nkurunziza, electionsbegan on April 27 and run till May 17 despite the COVID-19 lockdown.

Ethiopia: The Ethiopian Economists Association cautions that the economic crisis from the COVID-19 pandemic could push 50 million Ethiopians into poverty unless urgent actions are taken.

Gabon: In an effort to support those communities hit hard as the coronavirus pandemic rages on, the government has decided to make water and electricity free for 398,934 subscribers.

Lesotho: Lesotho’s prime minister, Thomas Thabane is under pressure to step down after police said they suspected him of a having a hand in the murder of his estranged wife in 2017, a case that has thrown the country into political turmoil.

Liberia: Authorities have launched a radio schooling initiative—with lessons airing on radio stations nationwide— to bridge an education gap with school closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Madagascar: President Andry Rajoelina officially launched a local herbal remedy claimed to prevent and cure the novel coronavirus. The drink—COVID-Organics—is derived from artemisia, a plant with proven efficacy in malaria treatment — and other indigenous herbs. But its safety and effectiveness have not been assessed.

Nigeria: Nigeria’s independent oil producers are being crushed by the oil price crash, with current prices more than two times lower than the costs of local independents' production. Top executives at several independent Nigerian

A look at current news from the continent of Africa oil firms reportedly told Bloomberg that some companies are drowning in debt at the current oil prices. Others have frozen their production expansion plans.

Rwanda: Rwanda is using drones in some cases to deliver cancer drugs to patients as lockdown measures to contain COVID-19 complicate access to certain medical services.

Senegal: As part of measures to contain coronavirus, Senegal has extended a suspension on all passenger flights to and from its soil until May 31.

Somalia: U.S. Africa Command says it carried out 39 attacks in Somalia since January 1, even as the coronavirus continued to spread. Somalia has confirmed 286 cases of coronavirus, but testing remains extremely limited. Somalia’s healthcare system is one of the poorest in the world, with just one doctor for every 100,000 people.

South Africa: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a $26 billion fiscal stimulus package, the largest in his country’s history, to tackle the economic fallout from COVID-19. The package amounts to almost 10% of South Africa’s gross domestic product.

Uganda: The new archbishop of Uganda has become the first primate of the country’s Anglican church to embrace modern contraceptives urging women to be “very careful” to avoid getting pregnant during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Zimbabwe: Due to COVID-19, the nation’s long planned 40th anniversary celebrations throughout the country have been postponed. “We celebrate our milestone 40th Independence Anniversary in the context of unprecedented times, that of the threat brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said President Emmerson Mnangagwa. “I further commend the nation as a whole for the manner we have carried ourselves during this national lockdown.

Although we are physically separated, we are united in spirit. The time to celebrate together shall come.”

7

Census 2020: “Making Black Count” During a Global Pandemic Census Day 2020 came April 1. The global coronavirus pandemic was worsening. It had already forced social and economic shutdowns across America.

Since then, all the major African-American community-based organizations, political leaders and other advocates in California – concerned that there may be an undercount of Black Californians during the 2020 census count – have found themselves grappling.

Under a statewide shelter in place order, those groups have been working overtime, rejiggering outreach strategies from a boots-on-the-ground game to expanding online get-the-word-out campaigns – most of their social media content identifiable by the hashtag #MakeBlackCount.

Their goal, leaders say, is to ensure every Black household in California accurately completes its 2020 Census form.

Their hard work is paying off.

So far, California has a 53.8% response rate, which is higher than the national response rate of 52.4%. The state is on good footing at this point, considering that this is still the first phase of the national count, and census workers have not yet even begun to conduct in-person, door-to-door data collection campaigns. About 47.8% of participants in the state have responded online, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“Up and down the state, most of the groups we’ve reached out to told us that they have had to step back and reimagine how they can best get their message to those African-American families and individuals who live in our hardest-to-count communities,” said Regina Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media and a member of the California Complete Count committee.

“It is not business as usual,” Wilson continued. “To be successful during this crisis, they have had to switch up their plans in real time. Its remarkable, but to achieve a full count of Blacks in the state, we have to keep that momentum up.”

During Census Week, responses jumped 9.1 percentage points – an estimated 1.36 million households selfresponded to the Census form, the California Census 2020 Campaign announced April 9.

“We understand there is still more work to be done to

make sure all Californians, especially those who are hard to count, fill out their questionnaire. We are proud of the work our partners are doing to push these self-response rates,” said Ditas Katague, Director of the California Complete Count — Census 2020 Office. “We’d like to remind everyone that filling out the Census form will help bring needed representation and resources to California’s

diverse communities.”

The state’s success to date stems from the California Census Campaign’s work with more than 120 partners including local governments, tribal governments, K-12 schools, county offices of education, community-based organizations, state agencies and departments, faithbased organizations, labor unions, small businesses, ethnic and mainstream media outlets, and others.

COVID-19 prompted the Census Bureau to prioritize an online count; and caused the California governor to issue a statewide stay-at-home order for everyone except essential workers – or people going out to pick up medicines, shop for groceries or fill up their cars with gas.

Having to adhere to a 6-foot physical distancing mandate between people, per Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, has also influenced how census informational campaigns are being executed.

CHARLENE MUHAMMAD CA Black Media

But advocates say they are now more determined than ever to work for a complete count.

Many rely on social media and web-conferencing events and they emphasize that the confidential, simple 9question Census questionnaire can be completed quickly online at my2020census.gov, and by phone in English and other languages at 844-330-2020.

The U.S. Census Bureau has been sending paper forms to households that haven’t responded to the Census.

“Just think about Head Start and Meals on Wheels, and after-school programs. That’s all dependent on getting everybody counted,” said Cassandra Jennings, president and CEO of the Greater Sacramento Urban League.

She held a Celebrate Census Day Facebook live stream with Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg on April 1.

The Census Day celebration in Sacramento is just one example of many others that happened in regions of the state with the highest African-American populations, including the Los Angeles area, the Inland Empire, the Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast and greater San Diego.

Jennings’ virtual event featured an interactive social media challenge. Participants tweeted about completing census forms on Instagram or Facebook, then tagged 10 of their friends. “Let’s challenge each other to complete the census, not tomorrow, not the next day, but on Census day April 1,” Jennings invited people online to participate.

Earlier this month, California Black Media (CBM) released “Counting Black California - Counting the Hard to Count.” The Sacramento-based organization updated its comprehensive report identifying areas in the state where African Americans are least likely to be counted by the 2020 Census. The study includes an easy-to-use, online interactive map scalable down to the street level with those hard-to-count tracts highlighted.

Although the coronavirus crisis has forced communitybased organizations doing census outreach work to adjust, they are coping, said California community leaders and advocates across the state like Janette Robinson Flint, founder and executive director of Black Women for Wellness (BWW) in Los Angeles.

Census continued from page 20

MoneyMatters

On the Money

Paid More to Stay at Home During COVID-19 Crisis? or those workers who lost their jobs because of or prior to the COVID pandemic, the $2.2 trillion stimulus package signed into law in late March means an extra $600 a week in unemployment benefits for up to four months (through July 31,2020), in addition to the amount they get from the state.

While the timing of when applicants begin receiving the additional funds varied by state, the $600 weekly allotment is a huge come up from the average unemployment check of $40 — 450 per week in California, according to the California Employment Development Department (EDD).

What’s more, even self-employed workers and independent contractors, who wouldn’t typically qualify, are eligible for up to 39 weeks of benefits through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program which provides a minimum “base benefit” of $167 per week, along with the $600 in additional funds.

But for all the goodwill, one unintended consequence of the financial windfall for the jobless is that in many cases, the monies they are receiving from unemployment compensation equals–and in many cases exceeds– the wages they were earning before.

Because of this a growing number of employers are reporting that it’s hard to hire–or hire back–workers when they are making more money staying at home. Fact is, under the new law, people can even choose to leave their positions for a number of reasons related to COVID-19 and qualify for unemployment insurance, although federal unemployment bills do contain guidance that prevents people from leaving jobs in favor of earning more at home.

From the outset, some of the provisions of the bill concerned Republican lawmakers, one of whom characterized the measure’s potential to sever employees’ relationships with their employers as “perverse”.

Senator Tim Scott outlined a scenario in which someone who makes $30,000 annually in the service sector collects the equivalent of $50,000 per year on unemployment.

“So, if you’re on unemployment for 16 weeks,”, he noted, “we would give a 50 percent raise under that scenario.”

“You’re literally incentivizing taking people out of the workforce at a time when we need critical infrastructure supplied with workers,” said Senator Lindsey Graham, even if in principle, workers would not be allowed to leave voluntarily and receive unemployment insurance if they can work from

F

home or are working under sanitary conditions.

“Although I have reservations about many provisions in this bill, we’re facing a crisis. Unemployed worker and small businesses need help now,” Senator Rick Scott tweeted. “Once we get this crisis behind us, we shouldn’t have policies in place that disincentivize people from returning to the workforce.”

In California, workers who are temporarily unemployed due to COVID-19 and expected to return to work with their employer within a few weeks are not required to actively seek work each week. However, they must remain able, available, and ready to work during their unemployment for each week of benefits claimed and meet all other eligibility criteria.

States are allowed to determine eligibility levels, benefit payments, and duration of benefits. Typically, unemployment compensation is not available to individuals who are self-employed, unable to work, voluntarily quit, were fired for misconduct, or refused to accept a job without good reason. And while the federal government fully funds the additional benefits, the terms and conditions that apply to unemployment benefits, including active search for work and refusal to accept work, would still apply, although states will be given flexibilities to adjust these requirements as appropriate given the circumstances of the current situation.

In support of those employers experiencing slowdowns as a result of COVID-19 who want to retain their employees, California’s Unemployment Insurance Work Sharing Program provides an alternative to layoffs – with employers retaining their employees by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with unemployment insurance benefits. Workers in the program receive the percentage of their weekly benefit amount based on the percentage of hours and wages reduced, not to exceed 60 percent.

The EDD has launched a new call center operation to assist customers, seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Keep in mind that it takes at least three weeks to process a claim for unemployment benefits and issue payment to most eligible workers and that those payments are considered taxable income. Self-employed Californians and independent contractors will have to wait until April 28 to apply. That’s when the state expects to have a fully operational website in place to process their applications.

“

Once we get this crisis behind us, we shouldn’t have policies in place that disincentivize people from returning to the workforce.

”

Gas Prices Dip To All Time Lows; Higher In California As oil futures fell to minus $-37.63 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange–the lowest price ever recorded on record–gas prices continued to plummet across the nation. Gas pricing usually rises in the spring and summer as people tend to drive more, but with millions of Americans under stay-at-home orders, the demand for fuel has fallen.

In Wisconsin, a gallon of gas was going for 86¢ and in Atlanta, motorists could fill up a 15 gallon tank for $25. That’s $16.05 less than what drivers paid this time last year.

In fact, drivers in some parts of a dozen states across the country–including Missouri, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia and Wisconsin– are filling up at the pump for under $1 a gallon.

That is not, however, the case in California, which at $2.81 boasts the second most expensive gas pump prices in the nation. With an average of $3.26 per gallon, Hawaii ranks at the top of the list of states with the highest gas prices.

So why are California gas prices so much higher?

According to the American Petroleum Institute, California pay 80 cents per gallon in federal and state gasoline taxes (including federal and state excise taxes). Fact is, Californians pay the highest combined state and federal gasoline taxes in the nation. And while gas prices may get even lower in the weeks to come, prices are sure to rise as stay at home orders are lifted.

In the meantime, here’s a look at what people are paying for a gallon of regular gas in major cities around the country.

Atlanta: $1.67 Boston: $1.95 Chicago: $1.97 Dallas: $1.40 Detroit: $1.46 Miami: $1.92 Nashville: $1.76 New Orleans: $1.64 NYC: $2.32 Oakland: $2.90

Biz News Briefs Robinhood, the financial trading platform–which counts among its backers Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Nas–is reportedly nearing an $8 billion valuation.

The popular stock and cryptocurrency trading app has seen record growth of late, but due to repeated outages and glitches sparked by market turmoil during the month of March, the company is seeking $250 million to steady the trust of users, equating to the $8 billion valuation.

Robinhood revenues have tripled from $20 million in March 2019 to $60 million March 2020, boasting upwards of 10 million users. But system outages in March led to a class action lawsuit accusing the company of leaving users unable to execute trades or change limit orders.

In a statement last month, co-founders Baiju Bhatt and Vlad Tenev said multiple factors contributed to the outages including historic market conditions; record volume; and record account sign-ups.

“Our team is continuing to work to improve the resilience of our infrastructure to meet the heightened load we have been experiencing. We’re simultaneously

Jay-Z, Snoop-Backed Trading App Nears $8 Billion Valuation

working to reduce the interdependencies in our overall infrastructure. We’re also investing in additional redundancies in our infrastructure.

“We take our responsibility to you and your money seriously... Many of you depend on Robinhood for your investments, and we’re personally committed to doing all we can to operate a stable service that’s available when you need it the most.

Byron Allen Sues the Nielsen Company Breach of Contract, Cites Predatory Pricing Entertainment Studios CEO Byron Allen filed a lawsuit against the Nielsen Company for breach of contract, unfair competition and unjust enrichment, while also accusing the company of predatory lending. The suit was officially brought by CF Entertainment, which purchased The Weather Channel in 2018–was the original founding name of what is now Entertainment Studios.

According to the complaint filed in an Illinois federal court, “CF Entertainment and Nielsen entered into a contractual amendment to their original 2007agreement in which Nielsen agreed to provide, among other things, ratings services for any cable networks that CF Entertainment owned or acquired for a contractually specified fee of roughly $41,000 per month. But after CF Entertainment acquired The Weather Channel in 2018 and requested those ratings services and applicable fees for the company’s new cable network, Nielsen refused to honor the contractually specified fee.

“Instead, without any basis in the operative contract,

Nielsen demanded that CF Entertainment pay a monthly fee that was more than ten times the fee set forth in the 2017 amendment–a sum that would result in over $30 million in illicit gain for Nielsen, and far greater, catastrophic economic damage to CF Entertainment’s business. And if CF Entertainment refused to accede to Nielsen’s extortionist demands, Nielsen threatened to suspend its ratings services, without which CF Entertainment could not operate and would lose hundreds of millions of dollars.”

The lawsuit further alleges that in March 2018 following its purchase of the Weather Channel, that CF Entertainment was forced to submit to paying $500,000 under threat that it would be shut off if it did not comply.

Attorneys for Allen and CF Entertainment maintain that "Nielsen’s stranglehold on viewership data and the fact that it supplies the only currency accepted by advertisers gives it lopsided leverage when entering into ratings agreements with broadcasters such as CF Entertainment. Nielsen knows that its ratings information is essential to a network’s ability to recover revenue from advertisers, because advertisers only pay based Nielsen’s upon proof of performance. If a network cannot provide proof of performance in the form of Nielsen ratings data, the network cannot earn and receive any revenue for its advertisements."

CF entertainment is asking the court to void Nielsen’s $475,000 monthly charge and instead provide ratings services at the agreed upon price of $41,667 per month.

9

Through the Storm

M

’Dears Bakery & Bistro fills the air in its South Los Angeles neighborhood with smells of fried chicken, French toast, and homemade desserts. “It was very serendipitous,” said 66year-old restau-

rant owner Carrie Reese about how she transitioned from a vendor at jazz festivals to opening a dine-in restaurant at 77th and Western Avenue.

“You could see through the window, piles of chicken. And people started saying, ‘Can I just buy a plate,'” said Reese.

Eighteen years later, M’dears recently renovated dining room is empty during what would normally be its busy lunchtime rush, and Reese is struggling to come up with the money to pay her staff.

“I was a little bit slow to do the furloughs and the layoffs. I was hoping against hope that I wouldn’t have to do that.

I kept people on longer than I should have.

Everybody has kids to support. It’s a really big burden for me to have to make those decisions,” said Reese.

Since mid-March, Reese estimates that her business has slowed by 65% — 70%. She’s had to furlough most of her staff.

This comes during nationwide efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti closed the city’s restaurants and bars; only takeout and delivery are allowed. This is happening as authorities issue daily reminders for people to follow the state’s stay-at-home order.

Reese said she’s paying her remaining employees order-by-order and when that’s not enough she pulls money from her retirement savings. At the same time, she notices more customers are paying with credit cards.

That means it takes days before sales of smothered pork

EBONE MONET

CA Black Media

chops or plates of wings and waffles make them money.

“It’s embarrassing. It breaks my heart when people say ‘Hey, the check didn’t go through,'” said Reese.

M’dears Bakery & Bistro is one of nearly 4 million small businesses in California. About 1.6 million of them are minority-owned. The restaurant industry as a whole has been hit hard by the COVID-19 social distancing policies. By April9, the National Restaurant Association estimated more than 3 million restaurant employees across the country have lost their jobs; 560,000 here in California.

Reese employs about 40 people at M’dears LA and M’Dears Lakewood near Long Beach. She wants to bring all her employees back when restaurants can return to full operation. But Reese says it is nearly impossible for a business such as hers with “razor thin profit margins” to survive this prolonged slowdown. Reese has decided to focus on meeting payroll while everything else falls behind. She described earning “ j u s t enough to get

through the day.”

R e e s e applied for the P a y c h e c k Protection Program (PPP) intended to help small business owners stay afloat. But on Thursday, April 16, The US Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it is “unable to accept new applications” due to a lack of funding. The $349billion program was nearly out of money. “Without that money how am I going to pay off debt,” she said.

As of April 13, SBA said it had approved more than 1.3 million PPP loans totaling more than $296 billion.

Reese has not heard from her bank JPMorgan Chase about her application. “I feel so helpless and disheart-

“

All I see is my retirement flashing before my eyes.

I am going to be so far in debt trying to dig my way out of this. I’ll be 75 years old before I can think about retiring.

”

ened,” said Reese. Chase was one of the banks that receivedcriticism for delays in launching its online PPP application platform.

The President requested another $250 billion to replenish the COVID-19 small business relief funds, but members of Congress have not reached an agreement.

This deadlock comes about two weeks after lawmakers passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The $2 trillion stimulus package included $377 trillion to help small businesses survive and to keep people employed. The bulk of the funding was divided into two types of loans. The PPP loan and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Reese applied for both. A portion of both are forgivable.

Reese hopes to get in on the second round of funding for the PPP loan. In the meantime, three days a week she and her scaled-down team cook M’dears signature soul food for about 50 seniors who are shut-in during this pandemic.

The emergency meal delivery program was launched

by LA City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson.

Reese says compensation for the heartwarming cause has been slow. In fact, on the Friday leading into the Easter holiday weekend, Reese couldn’t afford to pay some of her staff.

Reese does not have a financial parachute. M’dears Bakery & Bistro is her retirement plan. A plan she sees being threatened every day that potential customers are told to stay inside. “All I see is my retirement flashing before my eyes. I am going to be so far in debt trying to dig my way out of this. I’ll be 75 years old before I can think about retiring.”

M’Dears Bakery & Bistro is located at 7717 So. Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90047 • (323) 759-2020 • M’Dears Bakery & Bistro second location at 2450 E. Carson St, Lakewood, CA 90712

L.A. Focus May 2020

More Help For Impacted Restaurants As California small business owners left out of the first wave of loan approvals wait to find out if these federal programs will resume, there is small business aid at the state and city levels.

$50,000, for up to 12 months. In a move said to help workers and small businesses, people receiving unemployment benefits are temporarily being paid an extra $600 on top of their weekly amount.

California COVID-19 Small Business IBank Loan Program Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $50 million in loan guarantees for small businesses that may not be eligible for federal relief. The State is also allowing small businesses to defer payment of sales and use taxes of up to

California City level COVID-19 Small Business Aid Small business owners in San Francisco are being encouraged to apply for the San Francisco Hardship Emergency Loan Program (SF HELP). The loans have a 0 percent interest rate and are administered by Main Street Launch in partnership with the city of San Francisco. Small businesses can make loans of up to

10

$50,000 for terms of up to six years.

Through the City of Los Angeles Small Business Emergency Microloan Program, businesses and micro-enterprises in Los Angeles that are responsible for providing low-income jobs can apply for emergency microloans in an amount between $5,000 and $20,000.

The National Restaurant Association has launched RestaurantsAct.com to share the latest COVID-19 relief information.

GameChanger Californa Surgeon General Nadine Burke-Harris

Sign up for our twice weekly digital news letter to stay up to date with all the latest breaking news during the COVID-19 pandemic.

www.lafocusnewspaper.com

The timing could not have been more perfect for Dr. Nadine Burke Harris to be appointed the first Surgeon General of California. In January 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsome created the state-level position, which exists in only a few states, and offered it to Burke Harris. The following month (February 2019) she was sworn in.

Then, approximately a year later, the unforeseen COVID-19 pandemic impacting the health and wellbeing of countless Californians, thrust Burke Harris into a brighter spotlight as the now leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the State of California.

Confronting the worse heath crisis the state has ever faced, Burke Harris, at the Governor’s request, immediately launched a new strategic platform of resources on stress management to support California families during COVID-19. Designed to educate and advocate for every effected individual, Burke Harris curated a wide variety of resources and tips on emotional support and well-being for the public to access. The platform offers tollfree hotlines to speak with professionals about managing stress, suicide prevention, disaster distress, as well as crisis hotlines for youth, veterans, first responders, the elderly and others.

“This is a really stressful time and it’s important to know that that stress isn’t just all in your head,” Burke Harris said.

“Stress related to the pandemic compounded by the economic destress due to lost wages, employment, school closures, and sustained physical distancing, can trigger the biological stress response which also has an impact on our health and wellbeing. When we experience stress, it is actually our bodies creating more stress hormones and that can affect our behavior and our emotions.”

Relying heavily on social media, government websites, and the media, Burke Harris is regularly disseminating critical advice to empower Californians about how the coronavirus goes far beyond contracting the disease. She is urging people to practice specific disciplines on their own to help regulate stress hormones and improve mood and behavior.

“There are simple things that you can do everyday at home to protect your and your family’s health,” insist Burke Harris.

“Healthy nutrition, regular exercise, mindfulness like meditation, good sleep hygiene, staying connected to your social supports and getting mental healthcare.

All help to decrease stress hormones, improve our health, and help to protect our brains and bodies from the harmful effects of stress and adversity.”

Tackling health issues of trauma and emotions and its long-term effects is Burke Harris’s wheelhouse. She is known for linking Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress with harmful effects to health later on in life. “I spent a decade doing research, advancing clinical practice, understanding the science behind how early adversity gets under

our skin and changes our biology,” said the graduate of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “And what the science shows is that early detection and early intervention improves outcomes.”

As the first surgeon general she has already led California’s efforts on the path to universal ACEs screening. Gov. Newsom approved a budget to allocate some $45 million to reimburse state Medicaid providers for ACEs screening and an additional $50 million to train primary care providers to administer those screenings. Burke Harris has stated, “It’s my intention to lay the infrastructure to ensure that in the state of California we will cut ACEs in half in one generation.”

In 2013, Burke Harris founded the Center for Youth Wellness (CYW) to improve the health of children and adolescents exposed to ACEs. Today, CYW is the national leader in the effort to advance pediatric medicine, raise public awareness, and transform the way society responds to children exposed to ACEs and toxic stress. One of her main goals at the CYW is that "every pediatrician in the United States will screen for ACEs by 2028."

“My three key priorities coming into office are health equity, early childhood and adverse childhood experiences, and toxic stress,” she said when citing that the cost to California for early childhood adverse experience is $112.5 billion a year. “We have launched a first in the nation effort to train our Medicaid providers on screening for adverse childhood experiences so that we can do that early detection that science shows us is associated with improved outcomes.”

In addition, Burke Harris plans to provide a cross-sector of public training on the effects of stress to community leaders in churches, law enforcement, education and early childhood workforce. “We want to incorporate this into their way of working and [help them] understand it,” she notes.

Referred to as “the most powerful health official in the state of California,”

by UC Berkeley’s dean of Public Health, Burke Harris was selected as speaker at a Tedtalks event titled TedMed. Her talk, "How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime", has more than 2.8 million views on Tedtalks.com. She published her first book, The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity in 2018. And she has been the recipient of such honors as the 2016 Heinz Award in Human Condition, the 2014 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award and the 2013 Humanism in Medicine award.

“I always wanted to serve underserved communities and provide community health,” Burke Harris reflects. “I feel like this was something I was born to do.”

By the end of her 4-year term Burke Harris says what would make her most successful is the implementation of an ACEs ini-

Harris continued to page 20

LISA COLLINS

Editor-In-Chief “Going into the month of March, no one could have expected what has taken place over the last month with houses of worship across the city shuttered,” said Rev. K.W. Tulloss, president of the Baptist Minister’s Fellowship of Southern California and senior pastor of The Historical Weller Street Baptist Church. “I was fearful at first, because many churches operate week to week or month to month and I was concerned that a lot of churches were not going to make it, but I am pleased with how the faith community has responded... at how many churches have adapted through this new normal.”

For the first time ever, doors to houses of worship across the city were closed in compliance with Governor Gavin Newsom’s statewide “Stay At Home” order. Since the establishment of the black church over 200 years ago, it has become an ever-reliable spiritual anchor, and the beacon of hope for a vast majority of Black Americans seeking justice and equity of opportunity whether under the harsh hand of slavery and the Jim Crow south or triumphant in the struggle for civil rights under the leadership of black faith leaders with the church as the headquarters.

With its establishment of the first black schools in the 1800s the black church began a history of service and outreach that today includes affordable housing, feeding and clothing of the poor, daycare, senior services, substance abuse counseling, after school and summer tutorials, prison re-entry programs and healthcare.

Considered a gateway to the black community, churches have also long played a primary role in political mobilization as well with candidates openly embracing a robust strategy of substantive engagement with multiple African American faith leaders and churches.

But in March, the black church was forced to seek a

L.A. Focus/May 2020

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new reality–one that has forever redefined how they will do ministry moving forward. One that includes everything from currency-free offerings to streaming services and zoom ministry meetings.

In the shadows of a pandemic, the black church has advanced into the age of technology.

“A lot of churches were trying to do a typewriter ministry in a computer age,” said Pastor Welton Pleasant, who serves as president of the 300-member strong, California State Baptist Convention. “They are accessing technology now–they’re stepping up. Even some of our older pastors who are very technologically challenged, I’m seeing them on internet now–on Facebook live. It’s kind of funny, some of the pastors that thought technology was the devil. Now, they’ve actually embraced it, and are really starting to like it.

“It’s given birth to a whole new creativity in ministry right down to the way my church is doing Bible study.

Instead of a monologue lecture, I’ve embraced the idea of a Christian talk show format.”

“Those that don’t have the infrastructure technology wise are struggling”, observed Eddie Anderson, senior pastor of McCarty Memorial Church. “Take my church.

It’s a big building but it’s small 100 people or less on a Sunday and now that we are live streaming, we are averaging 1500 views a week.

“For the first couple of weeks, because we were not digital, we saw the offerings go down and the last two or three weeks, we’ve actually made up the difference.

Offerings are up now that we know exactly how it works and have made our platforms easy to use and accessible.”

But it wasn’t just the smaller, more traditional churches that were challenged to step up. Even mega ministries found themselves at a loss as immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 shutdowns revealed just how unprepared many congregations were for a digital shift.

“What COVID 19 has done…it’s caused us to reassess our core responsibilities and also to pivot into platforms and systems that maybe we were not as familiar with as we could be,” said Geremy Dixon, sen-

One of the big revelations for me with this COVID-19 pandemic is that I’ve discovered we don’t necessarily need a building to do what God has called us to do... and it has strengthened my faith to understand that there’s nothing that can stop the gospel from going forth and nothing can stop the church from being the church.

ior pastor at the Inglewood-based, First Church of God Center of Hope, a congregation with upwards of 3,000 members.

“The challenge for us as a church was the demand that is on our existing systems and our existing staff.

Most churches are staffed for a brick and mortar existence. They may have had a couple of people that do online-related stuff, but all of a sudden, churches who are historically slow when it comes to anything now didn’t have a choice but to jump into that world of Instagram, Facebook, snapchat, You Tube, zoom–and what made it really, really hard, was that it was like do this tomorrow.

There was no time ramp up. We just had to figure it out and having many people, meant so many platforms you have to transition.

“We sent out mass emails and things like that, but we also had to call every single person, which is a huge lift, which also exposed a digital divide in our membership as it relates to some of our older members who didn’t have access to a computer for streaming.”

At the onset, the outlook for the black church was bleak. One recent study found that 5% of U.S. churches will close within the year because of the pandemic. That’s five times the average closure rate for churches, according to The Christian Century magazine.

Another study estimated that by 2025, up to one-third of brick and mortar churches would have closed for good.

Pastor K.W. Tulloss (right) with Al Sharpton

“The initial shock” says Michael Fisher, pastor of Greater Zion Church Family and president of the Pastors of Compton, “was that a lot of my fellow churches weren’t going to survive. But that shock has worn off as many– including myself–are shifting to the direction of the culture.

“With the internet and in this modern culture, no one’s going to be impressed with the regalia and how people dress, the armor bearers and the security team.

They’re just going to log in because they want to hear a message. They don’t care about all the fluff that comes with it. Looking into the future, I don’t think it will ever return to the in-person numbers that we’ve seen over the last 40 years. That ship has come and sailed and those who do not adapt will not last.”

The difference between the churches who make it and the churches who don’t is a multiplicity of factors including resources and support. A serious complicating factor for all churches is the inability to pass the collection plate with the revenues collected each Sunday going to pay salaries and the mortgage at many Black churches.

Bill Wilson, director of the Center for Healthy Churches, believes that churches will suffer a 33% decline in giving in 2020, in part because there was no live Easter offering.

Easter services can represent anywhere from 25 percent to one third of a church’s annual budget.

Some suggest that smaller churches may be more positioned to survive given that they have less infrastructure, less fixed debt for capital projects, maintenance and are less dependent on a higher-up body for financial support, while some megachurches are supporting six-figure payrolls. Smaller congregations, already comfortable living on a shoestring, may be able to continue their ministries unaffected by COVID-19 once social restrictions are relaxed.

Mega churches, on the other hand, will face a challenge of accommodation– something that is weighing heavily on the mind of Geremy Dixon.

“Of course, we’re going to continue all of our digital services, but we’re also considering having more services with less people in them. Whereas right now, we do a Sherman Oaks service on Saturday and two L.A. services

on Sunday, we may end up doing as many as seven services over the course of a weekend.

There’s also the option of having the same service happening but with several different rooms on our campus offering a live feed of the service.”

While online giving has become an answer, for many churches, in-person cash donations are more effective and churches like Faithful Central Bible Church make it possible for people to physically drop off their tithes and offerings.

“There is a divide also with churches who own their buildings and churches who may be leasing their buildings or have big mortgages,” Anderson said. “My building has been paid off, so for me the pressure is around maintaining ministry programs and staff. Whereas some of my colleagues’ pressure may be tied to mortgages that are dependent upon high levels of offerings and some ministries are seeing a decrease in this moment because many have lost their jobs or are uncertain about losing their jobs.”

A complex web of large mortgages, staff salaries and the possibility of smaller black churches collapsing due to a lack of institutional and financial support make initial assessments of impact difficult.

“While the biggest concern is resources…everyone– regardless of size– has taken a hit because of this virus

Pastor Welton Pleasant

and I think it’s too soon to assess the horrible impact, because the recovery is going to take more than the next few months.” Tulloss observed.

To be sure, the COVID-19 pandemic has not spared the church. Pastors, both locally and across the nation, have lost their lives due to complications of Coronavirus as well as the lives of many of their members. Just last month, Bishop Anthony Pigee, Sr., a popular local pastor who preached on stages around the country, served as the founder and senior pastor of the Life of Faith Community Center in Los Angeles, and occasionally substituted for Bishop Noel Jones at City of Refuge, died of Coronavirus complications.

Nationally, a recent Washington Post story detailed the heavy toll COVID-19 has taken on the Church of God in Christ, reporting that at least a dozen to up to 30 bishops and prominent clergy had passed due to COVID-19, including First Assistant Presiding Bishop Phillip A. Brooks.

“It is our unhappy duty to report that we have now experienced losses of both leaders and laity within our denominational body due to the coronavirus or other illnesses,” Blake wrote in a March 25 update. “Numerous saints are critically ill and in dire need of spiritual and medical interventions.”

In the wake of the unprecedented crisis, the black church has united in its efforts to access funding, share information, inform its members, and support each other through the Pandemic.

“We do a weekly call to bring elected officials from the Mayor’s and Governor’s offices and the Supervisor to update clergy on what’s happening and how churches can tap into critical resources,” Tulloss reports. “Through our efforts, several of our churches have gotten access to over $600,000 in Payroll Protection Program (PPP) funding.”

Pleasant is hosting similar conversations with the members of his group, urging them to develop the kind of structure and systems that will enable them to take advantage of funding programs like PPP which Pleasant’s Long Beach church, Christ Second Baptist Church, was able to access.

“Churches who are not doing business the way they should are having to move from the Mom and Pop men-

tality of how they ran their church, but the biggest adjustment for me and my church was the interaction and fellowship among the members–not being able to hug them, look at them in the face–nothing will ever replace that.”

That leads up to another critical challenge for ministries– how to touch members without actually touching them.

“What’s been very difficult,” said Dixon, “is our capacity to meet the needs of seniors, our sick and our shut ins because we’re not supposed to be in contact with them, so having to think about how do we still serve those populations and abide by the rules. It’s not impossible, but it’s been a challenge.”

Anderson agrees.

“Some of my older members –they went through Jim Crow. They were through all these racist times, and they still have faith, but they do feel disconnected from their church family and the support systems that have sustained them.”

The big question is will people go back to their church or will they explore those congregations where they have been experiencing church in a different way. For Shane Scott, who pastors Macedonia Baptist Church, the answer is simple.

“I do know that some who were in the pews won’t be back and there will be an influx of people who are going

Pastor Geremy Dixon

to come.

“Think of it,” Scott continues. “I now start service at ten and I’m done by 11, which says to me that if people are used to the scale down version of worship, they are not coming back to sit for two and a half hours. We’ve got to think about that. And then I think that people are fearful. I’ve got people connecting in ways that they’re never connected before.”

A new survey by the Pew Research Center found that 56 percent of those attending historically black churches said their faith has grown stronger as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The church plays a major role in people’s live because for many of them, it’s therapeutic,” states Apostle Beverly “Bam” Crawford of Bible Enrichment Fellowship the largest church in the region to be led by a female pastor.

“Most black people will not go to counseling, but they’ll go to church. It’s an emotional outlet. Hurt people come to church. The church is an emergency room and when people don’t have that, it makes it difficult for family…members. For some it is cultural. They are churchgoers. The church is a lifeline…a resuscitator.

Crawford’s is one of the growing number of churches that have seen their numbers increase for the services they stream online, including Bible studies. Where Apostle Beverly “Bam” Crawford averaged 150 or so attendees for weekly Bible studies before the pandemic, she’s now reaching 1,500 - 3,000 weekly online for midweek services, not to mention the numbers she’s seeing online for Sunday services.

“People are scared,” Crawford continued. “They’re afraid for the end of the world and they’re coming to the church for hope. Many will get through this because of their belief in a higher power. Nothing will ever be the same, but I’m positive. I believe the church will be stronger and that this is a reset.”

Notes Pleasant, “One of the big revelations for me with this COVID-19 pandemic is that I’ve discovered we don’t necessarily need a building to do what God has called us to do,” Pleasant said. “It has strengthened my faith to understand that there’s nothing that can stop the gospel from going forth and nothing can stop the church from being the church.”

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INSIDE HO L LY W OOD

by Neily Dickerson It’s About Streaming!

We are living in unusual times and our daily privileges are very different. One of my favorite pastimes, going to the movies, has totally changed, but I’m doing the next best thing and that is, movie-ing in the house, on the couch.

To say that streaming is the thing to do, is an understatement. Here are some movies and series to check out on some of the streaming outlets. I’ll start with what I have actually seen: Kenya Barris’ “BlackAF” on Netflix. I loved Rashida Jones in it, but it wasn’t what I expected. I did appreciate the supporting cast and the moments of Black history. “Self Made” starring Academy Award winner, Octavia Spencer, Tiffany Haddish, Garret Morris and Blair Underwood is very good. If you need to laugh check out Deon Cole’s

“Family Reunion” comedy special, “Cole Hearted.” For cooking fun, check out one of my favorites, “Nailed It,” hosted by, Nicole

Byer. For some family fun, check out, “Family Reunion” starring, Loretta Devine, Tia Mowry-Hardrict, Anthony Alabi and Richard Roundtree. Hulu’s got one of the best shows I’ve seen in a very long time, “Little Fires Everywhere,” starring Kerry Washington and Reese Weatherspoon.

I am excited about the new series, “Mrs. America” available on on Hulu and FX. Oh and just incase you don’t have any of these premium apps, some of the shows you can catch on regular TV are: “9-1-1,” “The Rookie,” and the finale season of “How To get Away With Murder.” Since I’m not sure how next month’s going to look, I’ll hold back a bit, watch a few more things and let you know what to put in cue for June. Stay inside and when you go out, put on your mask.

STREAMING THIS MONTH

HOLLYWOOD BUZZ

Dangerous Lies April 30—Netflix

All Day & A Night May 1—Netflix

In Demand

L.A. Focus/May 2020

Niecy Nash is getting rave reviews for her role in the new series, “Mrs. America”, which premiered on Hulu last Cate Featuring month.

Bryne, Rose Blanchett, Elizabeth Banks and Uzo Aduba, the series centers in on the 70’s movement to ratiRights Equal the fy Amendment and the backlash it received from female conservative Phyllis Schlafly.

Niecy Nash portrays black feminist activist Flo Kennedy.

Said Nash, “My character is a spitfire and she had a very hot mouth I might add...but she got a lot done and I'm so happy people will get to unpack these women and get to find out more about them and how they shaped history."

In the meantime, Nash has signed on to a fourth and final season of “Claws”, which is set to return in October. She will also return as Raineesha Deputy Williams for a Quibi revival of “Reno 911!” and is presently being featured in an interview for U M C . t v ’ s docuseries, Behind Her Faith. In the series, Nash tells of how was she of tired doing life the way I had been doing it and I Nicey Nash

14

The High Note May 8 On Demand

didn’t feel any better for it and joined a women’s group at her local church hoping to be “delivered” from some of her problems and the pain she had been running from. On the home front, Nash recently officially filed for divorce from her husband, Jay after separating last fall. “We believe in the beauty of truth. Always have. Our truth is that in this season of our lives, we are better friends than partners in marriage,” the couple announced in a joint statement on Instagram last October. “Our union was such a gorgeous ride. And as we go our separate ways now, we feel fortunate for the love we share – present tense,” they added.

Now that’s the way to break up..

Whitney Houston Biopic in the Works Record producer Clive Davis is teaming up with the estate of Whitney Houston to develop a new biopic centered on the singer’s life called “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” Davis was motivated to make the film after being “disappointed with prior documentaries.

“From all my personal and professional experience with Whitney from her late teenage years to her tragic premature death, I know the full Whitney Houston story has not yet been told.” Davis said.

“I stand with the hearts of these partners being the chosen ones to produce a film that’s uplifting and inspiring to all that loved her, giving you a reason to continue to celebrate The Voice that we all fell in love with and will cherish forever,” added Pat Houston on behalf of the estate.

The Lovebirds May 22—Netflix

Salt-N-Pepa Biopic Under Fire Lifetime scored a huge hit with “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel” and is hoping for another with its upcoming Salt-N-Pepa biopic, teaming once again with exec producer Queen Latifah and directed by Mario Van Peebles. But the three-hour miniseries documenting the rise of nursing students Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton–first female rap act to go platinum –has come under fire for colorism after the trailer for the biopic debuted last month. "Them girls look nothing like Salt-N-Pepa”, wrote one fan. G.G. Townson, Laila Odom and Monique Jasmine Paul star as the trio. In other casting news, Regina Hall is reportedly in talks to star in a Disney remake of “Cheaper By The Dozen” centering on an interracial couple with step children, adopted children and the kids they had together.

Dwayne Johnson is teaming up with Issa Rae for a half-hour HBO series about a working-class family, neighbors, and friends in Houston’s Third Ward who come together to build a unique hip-hop centric backyard-wrestling empire from nothing...

And Taraji P. Henson is offering free therapy to help those struggling to cope under COVID isolation. “This is a trying time for all of us,” Henson said. “The most vulnerable among us will be deeply impacted by COVID19”. To that end, Henson has launched the COVID-19 Free Virtual Therapy Support Campaign through the foundation she named for her father. “This campaign is for underserved communities experiencing lifechanging events related to, or triggered by, the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Virtual therapy sessions will be available through the foundation’s website: www.borislhensonfoundation.org.

Q&A Kenya Barris Hometown: Los Angeles Big Break: Writing for “Sister, Sister” Upcoming Project: #BlackAF It was while attending Clark University in Atlanta that the Inglewood native wrote and directed a one-act play titled “Bopping”. Upon graduation and moving back to L.A., he worked as a writer’s assistant for the WB sitcom, “Sister /Sister”. That led to work on several short-run sketch shows and primetime series such as “Soul Food” and co-creating “America’s Next Top Model”with Tyra Banks. He went on to create “Blackish”, “Mixed-ish” and “Grown-ish” and wrote the hit movie, “Girl’s Trip”. Last month, he made his acting debut in “#BlackAF” on Netflix, which he created and stars in and is based on his own life.

Was being in front of the camera more difficult than writing and producing?

I feel like it was the scariest thing I have ever done.

But every show writer should do it–I swear, even if it's just a small part–because it makes you a better writer. You start understanding that the words you're saying, someone actually has to say that. When you're in the [writers' room] making jokes and things like that, it's all good, but someone actually has to [say] those jokes. You have to realize where the person is in the room, where they have to project to. It was a completely different experience. I feel like it really made me a better writer, but it was terrifying.

This show was originally called “Black Excellence,” why the change to “BlackAF”?

We thought BlackAF sounded funnier. We wanted you to know what you were getting into from the moment you tuned in. When you look at the ‘AF’ in the hashtag, we’re finally in a place where I think being the purest version of yourself, whatever that may be, whatever the thing for that is, [is allowed].

Is it ever difficult to get the types messages into your content that you want?

Oh absolutely. I think we were really lucky with “Blackish” because there wasn’t really a show like that.

So anytime anything would come up I would say “Well culturally speaking” and they would say “Yea you’re right”. Getting to see black people in a different way where everyone wasn’t broke or a thug was great to be able to be a part of those types of stories.

What’s been the most rewarding aspect of your career?

Having an opportunity to tell our stories without filters from others is shaping the way little black boys and little black girls see themselves. And if you can start shaping the way people see themselves you can change imagination and you can change the future.

Much of your work has been visionary. What do you see next for the future of entertainment?

I think that the interactive portion of it is going to be a really big thing. I think being able to choose different parts of how the story goes is going to be very interesting. I’m also into the AR and VR spaces and seeing where that takes us in order to be involved and be a part of whatever you’re watching. I think that’s the next steps with what happens with us.

RedCarpet Style

ACADEMY AWARDS In voluminous white Versace gown

SAG AWARDS In strapless ballgown by Schiaparelli

When it comes to wowing on the red carpet, Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo was best in show with her dramatic and often whimsical flair.

Here, in our estimation, were some of her best 2020 looks.

CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS in Fendi Couture

NAACOP IMAGE AWARDS In Prabal Gurung

ABFF HONORS in a duchese Versace dress

Eye On Gospel A Good Night for The Clark Sisters

And from Karen Clark Sheard: “Thank you God for Lifetime hit a home run with their biopic about the leg- this day! Thank you for your time listening to our music. endary Clark Sisters–“The Clark Sisters”: First Ladies @missymisdemeanorelliott @therealmaryjblige @queenof Gospel”–attracting 2.7 viewers and becoming the net- latifah thank you for the love and support giving introducing us to another audience who never heard of @thelework’s highest rated movie in four years.

The original movie–detailing the group’s humble gendaryclarksisters Dorinda Clark Cole reflected on an uphill journey. beginnings and subsequent rise to becoming the top selling female gospel group of all time along with the influ- “Just for the fact that we are still here.

“I feel exposed in a great way and a good way because ence of their mother, the renowned Mattie Moss Clark– people got a chance to see the featured Christina Bell (Elbernita “Twinkie” evangelist Dorinda, they got Clark), Angela Birchett (Jacky a chance to see the adminisClark Chisholm), Shelea Frazier trator Dorinda at the (Dorinda Clark Cole), Kierra church and they got a Sheard (Karen Clark Sheard), chance to see the side of Raven Goodwin (Denise Clark Dorinda that she Bradford), and Aunjanue plays with her sisEllis as the Clark Sisters’ ters.” mother, Dr. Mattie “Sometimes Moss Clark. we have spats and “It blew me away,” fall out, but we said Jamie Foxx on always have a way of Instagram. “Shout out making up and comto Queen Latifah. Shout ing back. It’s never out to Missy Elliot. Shout long term, because out to Mary J. Blige for my Mom really bringing this [story] to taught us to make light. I grew up with the sure we stick togethClark Sisters and it means er. And if you say a lot to me in my musical you have Christ in career.” your life, you have to Tyler Perry wrote, Christina Bell, Shelea show that by mak“This #theclarksisters Frazier, Angela Birchett ing up and getting it movie on @lifetimetv is and Kierra Sheard round together.” just what my soul needed out cast of “First Ladies of If scoring in tonight!! The gospel Gospel” the ratings wasn’t comes alive as it comes enough, the out of the voice of a soundtrack to the Clark sister. I love these telepic earned ladies for real!!!”

over 521,000 first week streams and debuted at No. 8* on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums Chart. Produced by Donald Lawrence, it is a masterful reimagining of some of the group’s best-known songs including “You Brought the Sunshine” and “Name It, Claim It” performed by the actresses who portrayed them in movie.

Gospel Stars Release a New Song to Benefit COVID-19 Relief Mega-hit maker and multi-GRAMMY® winning producer/songwriter Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins (Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Sam Smith, Lady Gaga, Destiny’s Child) has banded together with GRAMMY® winning trailblazers and rising stars to inspire hope, comfort, and raise funds supporting pandemic relief efforts globally with the release of the new song and video “Come Together”. Major proceeds from “Come Together” will benefit two organizations delivering relief, the MusiCares® COVID-19 Relief Fund, providing emergency aid to those in the music community affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, and Compassion International, helping children and families in need worldwide with urgent resources including food, medical supplies, and healthcare oversight.

Collectively with 35-plus GRAMMY® wins and 125 GRAMMY® nominations across the artists and songwriters, Jerkins’ upbeat new track features a lineup of heavyhitters and rising voices in The Good News supergroup, with Kirk Franklin, Lecrae, Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp, Le’Andria Johnson, a multi-generational family affair of renowned Gospel voices Mary Mary (sisters Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell), mother-daughter duos Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra Sheard, his wife Joy Enriquez and daughter Heavenly Joy, sibling group Shelby 5, and the voices of Tim Bowman Jr., Kelontae Gavin, and newcomer Jac Ross. Produced by Rodney Jerkins, “Come Together” was written by Jerkins in collaboration with (the late) LaShawn “Big Shiz” Daniels, Jazz Nixon, and Lecrae.

ChurchNews

Agape Church of Los Angeles Worship Center Consolidated Plaza: 3725 Don Felipe Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90008

Faithful Central Bible Church Partners with Entrepreneur Freddie Figgers to Provide Mask and PPE to MLK and Centinela Hospitals a i t h f u l Central Bible Church partnered with Entrepreneur Freddie Figgers, Founder of F i g g e r s Communications, to donate 750,000 masks and 250,000 PPE to Martin Luther King Jr. and C e n t i n e l a Hospitals, as well as Inglewood City Hall last month.

“The essence of this donation is Bishop Kenneth Ulmer with Inglewood an example of Mayor James Butts partnerships and relationships. Our communities are so knit together...the government, the faith community, the public and the medical community,” said Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, senior pastor of Faithful Central Bible Church.

“Martin Luther King Hospital is on the front line fighting this pandemic, and Faithful Central Bible Church, as a part of this community, wanted to let them know we are supporting them and we are with them. This donation is a result of the bigheartedness of Mr. Figgers, an AfricanAmerican businessman and philanthropist based in Florida, who wanted to make sure his gifts would reach the inner cities of our country, and reach people in Los Angeles.

It is an example of the connection between our government officials and the grass roots part of our community, and we just wanted to be a part of it.”

With the inner cities being left behind amid this pandemic and because African Americans are suffering at higher rates due to the inequities in America’s healthcare system, Figgers wanted to deliver necessary equipment to inner cities so that the medical staff at these hospitals could be safe.

Also on hand for the delivery of the supplies to Martin Luther King hospital was County Supervisor Mark RidleyThomas.

“In effect what we have is a private-public partnership, a non-profit hospital that is essentially doing extraordinary work 24/7, 365 days a year,” Ridley-Thomas said.

“Frontline workers doing what needs to be done at MLK Jr. Community Hospital, joined by a religious institution, Faithful Central Bible Church, giving first rate quality care. This is a campus that is a premiere campus in the County of Los Angeles. The spirit of volunteerism, the spirit of community engagement, the spirit of generosity is being displayed by philanthropy, the faith community, all of this means a lot. We cannot win unless we have this kind of partnership. We will not be defeated by COVID-19. We are very grateful today.”

Martin Luther King Hospital CEO, Dr. Elaine Batchlor was more than thankful.

“This donation means the world to us,” Batchlor said.

“Our staff is on the front lines of this pandemic and are here for the community everyday. They really appreciate it and love the fact that the community is here for them. This is extremely important to all of us, we need to keep our healthcare workers safe. This is what keeps them safe.”

F

L.A. Focus/May 2020

In national news, Pastor Jamal Bryant Called Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s decision to reopen some non-essential businesses–including gyms, tattoo shops and hair salons– “an assault on the minority community” and “contrary to God’s will.”

“I am afraid and frightened that this is going to set an immoral precedent for other wayward governors across the South who believe that if he can do it, then it is in fact the new standard for death to happen to the black community,” Bryant added. “I stand with countless numbers of other clergy who have resolved within our heart, our spirit, and our mind and our ethical com-

16

pass, that we cannot resume church as normal because nothing is normal.”

Though the decision allows that religious institutions could hold services “in accordance with strict social distancing,” Bryant said he would not be holding services at his Lithonia-based church and he is not alone. Other prominent black pastors across the state–including Raphael Warnock, E. Dewey Smith and William Murphy –are keeping their churches closed as a sign of resistance against the decision.

Locally, congratulations are in order for pastor K.W. Tulloss (The Historical Weller Street Baptist Church on his April 30 nuptials to fiance, Khalilah Anderson, a policy manager with the County of Los Angeles. It is the second marriage for both.

In other local news, Bishop Anthony Pigee, Sr., a popular local pastor who preached on stages around the country, served as the founder and senior pastor of the Life of Faith Community Center in Los Angeles, and occasionally substituted for Bishop Noel Jones at the Gardena-based, City of Refuge, passed in April of Coronavirus complications. He was 49.

“To know him was to love him, because he was a brother to everyone,” said Pastor Wendell Davis, a close friend. “He had a strong, tight-knit ministry. He would feed his parishioners. He would show up in court or help people pay their car notes. Often, he would attend parent teacher conferences at schools with some of the single mothers, and I’ve even seen him help pastors pay their rents. He wouldn’t tell it to anybody, but that’s the kind of person he was.

Finally, the L.A. faith community also mourned the loss of Pastor Dr. Johnny Baylor, noted preacher, founder/Senior Pastor of the Carson-based Judson Baptist Church and former Chaplain of the Union Rescue Mission. He was 64.

“Most pastors with the gift of teaching and preaching begin their ministry as a 747; slowly taxiing down the runaway of learning, trial and error and gradual development,” observed Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, senior pastor of Faithful Central Bible Church. “Dr. Johnny Baylor was more like the F-35 Jet, his ministry took off with a vertical lift! He was my beloved son, in whom I was well pleased.”

“Dr. Baylor was a combination of street submitted to the spirit of God. He was raw and real, but he was also one of the finest exegetists this nation has ever known,” said Pastor Terry Brown who was hand appointed by Baylor as his successor.

“He was a global preacher who developed men and women, boys and girls into disciples–a loving and compassionate man who just made people better.”

For ten years Baylor worked alongside Ulmer in ministry, eventually coming on staff as assistant pastor. Then in 1998, after deciding it was time to move on, he received a call from Ulmer, asking if he had ever heard of Judson Baptist Church.

The church was in need of a pastor and had reached out to Ulmer for a recommendation. He, in turn, recommended Baylor.

Under Baylor’s leadership, the church–which he dubbed as “the assignment of his life”– transitioned in just 18 months to a thriving congregation of upwards of 500 active members.

“Judson is one of the great churches of this nation,” Brown said. “It may not be the biggest, but it is pound for pound one of the strongest churches I have been connected with. Dr. Baylor laid a strong foundation and for the foreseeable future my goal will just be to honor his legacy, but more than that to honor his Lord and my Lord.”

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 Bethesda Temple Apostolic Faith 4909 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 299-2591 • thevoice4904@att.net Pastor Kyron S. Shorter Sunday Morning Prayer: 9:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Morning Worship: 11:00am Sunday Evening Service: 6:00pm Wednesday Prayer: 6:00pm Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00pm

Bryant Temple AME Church 2525 W. Vernon Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 293-6201 • F: (323) 293-0082 Pastor Dwaine Jackson Sunday School: 8:15am Morning Worship: 9:15 am Bible Study (Tues): Noon Pastor’s Bible Study( Tues): 6:00pm

Calvary Baptist Church 4911 W. 59th Street,Los Angeles, CA,90056 (323)298-1605•F: (310) 568-8430 • calvarybaptistla.org Rev. Dr. Virgil V. Jones Sunday Prayer: 8:30am Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Wednesday Bible Study: 12:00pm & 7:00pm We are the Church on the Hill where the Light Shines Bright!

Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship 2085 S. Hobart Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 Phone: (323) 731-8869 • F: (323) 731-0851 www.christianfellowshipla.org Pastor James K. McKnight 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 Crenshaw Christian Center 7901 South Vermont, Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 758-3777 • F: (323)565-4231 • www.faithdome.org Pastor Frederick K. Price, Jr. Sunday Service: 9:45am Bible Study (Tue): 11:00am & 7:30pm Tue. Night Children’s Ministry: 7:30pm Tue. Night Bible Study (Teens): 7:30pm Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (Wed): 7:30pm

God’s Faithful Disciple of Jesus Christ / Prayer Clinic & Deliverance Ministry P.O. Box 561368, Los Angeles,CA 90056 (323)293-7566 • www.gfdjc.org• gfdjc@att.net Ruby Cottle, Ph.D., Pastor & Teacher Prophetess June Morgan / Assistant Pastor

Services Every Friday: 7:00pm -9:30pm We meet at: St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 3901 West Adams Blvd, LA, CA 90018 Watch Dr. Cottle on HBN TV on Wed’s 7:30am Channel 20 Dish & DirectTV,Channel 3 U-Verse

Grace Temple Baptist Church 7017 South Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 971-8192 Rev. Rodney Howard 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

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

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

Rev. Dr. J. Arthur Rumph, Senior Pastor Reappointed to Grant AME Church Los Angeles Rev. Dr. James A. Rumph

Sunday School: 8am Worship: 9:30am Wed. Bible Study: 11:30am •6pm

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 Email: holman@holmanumc.com Rev. Paul A. Hill, Interim Senior Pastor Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday Radio: KJLH 102.3FM at 11:00am Sunday School: 9:30am (Children/Youth) & 9:45am (Adult) Bible Study: Every Thursday 12:00pm

Israel Missionary Baptist Church - A Holy Spirit Filled Church 4501 South Compton Ave, Los Angeles,CA 90011 Church/Fax: (323) 233-3295 or 3296 Website: www.Israelmbc.com • Email: israelmbc@yahoo.com Rev. Rodney J. Howard, Sr. Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Worship: 11:30am Sunset Service: 5:00pm Communion Every First Sunday First Sunday Men In Prayer: 8:30 am Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesdays: 7:30pm McCarty Memorial Christian Church 4103 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 731-4131 • www.mccartychurch.org Senior Pastor Edward Anderson Sunday Worship: 10:45am Sunday School: 9:30am Bible Study: Tues Noon

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

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

FIRST LADY FILES

Sarah Jakes Roberts The Potter’s House at One LA Sarah Jakes Roberts is hardly the traditional first lady. Instead, she is redesigning the role in her own image. At 31, with 1.5 million followers and in demand as a motivational speaker, she was labeled by Slate.com as one of the “Jet-setting, Jesus-Quoting Christian Influencers of Instagram”.

With her husband Toure´ Roberts, she co-pastors The Potter’s House at One LA and The Potter’s House Denver. The mother of six and daughter of Bishop T.D. Jakes has authored four books and heads a lifestyle brand called Woman Evolve, which includes conferences, a podcast, and a fashion line.

Earlier this year, Jakes Roberts embarked on the “Refuse to Lose 2020 Tour, designed to inspire women to fight through the obstacles holding them back from evolving to their highest potential. It is what she continues to do in the midst of the COVID pandemic.

Said Jakes Roberts, “Whether you’re dealing with a pandemic or a heartbreak or any type of trauma that feels like it’s going to last forever and ever and ever, you have to remember that people have survived this before, which means that I have the power, the grace, the strength to survive as well.”

Last month, at the first annual Essence Wellness House Virtual Summit, Jakes Roberts had three key suggestions for those struggling in the midst of the COVID pandemic. The first, to stay present.

“I think the best way to maintain our emotional and spiritual and mental health in this season is to be honest about how we’re feeling and staying present. How are you doing today? Not how are you going to be doing, not what’s going to happen, but how are you feeling presently in this moment.”

The second to be thankful for what hasn’t changed.

“Sometimes we can think so much about how life has changed and what we’re not able to do anymore and how we’re not able to function the way that we used to that we miss out on seeing things that haven’t changed… .take a moment and give gratitude for the things that haven’t changed.”

Three, “I was walking with my 10-year-old, and I realized I’ve been so consumed with how I’m experiencing this that I haven’t asked her how she’s navigating this process…how she’s feeling about this… Make sure that you realize this is happening to everyone, it’s not just happening to you.”

Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church 3669 W. 54th St. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 291-1121 F: (323) 291-1133 • office@sinai.church • www.sinai.church George E. Hurtt, Pastor-Teacher Sunday Worship: 8:00am, 11:30am Discipleship Groups (Sun): 9:45am Noonday Bible Study(Tue): 12:00pm Tuesday Night in the Truth: 7:15pm Radio: KKLA 99.5 FM (Sat): 9:00pm Our Goal: To glorify God by winning more Christians and developing better Christians (Matt. 28:18-20)

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

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 Sunday Tues. Pastor’s Bible Study: 6:30pm Wed. Noon-day Prayer: Noon

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

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

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 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: 11137 Herrick Av Pacoima 91331 (818) 899-8031 Worship Service: 8:00am st.paul@smbcla.org •“Loving People Making Disciples” St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 S. Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 231-1040 • stmarkmbcofla.org Reverend Dr. Lovely Haynes, Pastor Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Mon-Wed Corporate Prayer: 6:00 - 6:55 pm Monday Night Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday Noon Prayer: 12 Noon Wed. Exposition of Sunday School Lesson: 7:00pm

The Potter’s House at One LA 614 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 (818) 763-4521 • www.tphla.org Sr. Pastor Toure’ Roberts Sunday Worship: 9:00am, 11:15am & 1:00pm Thursday Midweek Service: 8pm Watch Live: http://tphla.org/watch-live/

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 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 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: 10am www.westa.tv

Lifeline Fellowship Christian Center In Altadena 2556 N. Lake Ave., Altadena, CA 91001 (626) 797-3585 • F: (626) 797-3233 • www.lifelinefcc.org Bishop 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

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)

Holy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church In Compton 1016 E. Rosecrans Avenue, Compton, CA 90220 (310) 537-3149 • F: (310) 537-3149 Rev. Dr. George L. Thomas Sunday School: 9:45am & 10:15am Early Morning Worship: 7:30am Mid-Morning Worship: 11:15am New Members’ Class: 9:45am Holy-Communion (1st Sunday): 7:30 & 11:15am Mid-Week Prayer & Bible Study (Wed)- 7:00pm Broadcast (KALI 900AM - Sunday): 2:00pm3:00pm Love and Unity Christian Fellowship 1840 S. Wilmington Ave, (P.O. Box 5449), Compton 90224 (310) 604-5900, www.loveandunity.org Apostle Ronald C. Hill, Sr. Founder and Pastor Sunday Worship: 8:00am & 11:30am Sunday Evening Worship: 6:30pm Bible Studies: Wed. 7:30pm & Sat. 9am Prayer w/Apostle: Tue - Fri: 9am Food for Your Soul TV Ministry- 6:30am Impact Network Television: Mon-Fri 6:30am KJLH 102.3 Sundays: 9pm

Sunday School: 9:00am Morning Service: 10:45am Wed. Mid-Week Bible Study: 7:00pm

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

Greater Zion Church Family 2408 North Wilmington Avenue, Compton, CA 90222 (310) 639-5535 • (Tues - Thurs 10am -4pm) Dr. Michael J. Fisher, Senior Pastor

In Gardena

Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Evening Worship: 6:00pm Bible Study (Wed): Noon & 7:00pm BET/Fresh Oil (Wed): 7:00am

Sunday Worship: 8:00am|10:45am| 5:00pm Wednesday Bible Study: 12pm|7:00pm FB: GreaterZion IG: GZCFamily www.gzcf.us

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 Bible Enrichment Fellowship International In Inglewood 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

Pastor Profile: Cecil Miles Church: Crusaders Christian Community Church How Long at Church: 42 years Hometown: Boswell, Oklahoma Family: Wife, Mattie of 55 years, two children (deceased)

L.A. Focus May 2020

How were you led to become a pastor?

It just kind of grew. I was already teaching Sunday school on Wednesday nights at the church. When I was in the Methodist church, we would have an annual conference every year and one year, the Bishop said some of you who are in the audience should be pastors and it just touched me.

We were at Phillips Temple CME and on my way home I prayed, and I said, ‘Lord, am I one of the persons that you want to be a pastor? Nothing happened that year.

The next year, the Bishop said the same thing. I prayed the same prayer on the way home and at the end of that year, my pastor asked me to go and visit a couple that lived in Lynwood who had not been at the church for some time.

I went to visit them and when I got there, the husband asked me to read a scripture. I read the scripture in Jonah where God told Jonah to go and preach to Nineveh and when I read that scripture in that man’s house in Lynwood is when it happened. We all started crying as God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, that wicked city and preach to them, to me, that was my answer that the Lord wanted me to one of his pastors.

I came back and told my pastor at the time, Rev. M.J. Bell (at Hays Tabernacle C M E ) , and he looked at his wife a n d said, ‘didn’t I tell you four years ago that he was going

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be a pastor.

Did you know early on that you were going to be a pastor?

No, I had an older brother who was a pastor, but I was led into the ministry later, after I came to Los Angeles in 1963. I joined the church and was teaching Sunday School classes.

What brought you to Los Angeles?

I had a job with the Los Angeles County Department of Social Services as a social worker. I got a teaching certificate at Langston, but the jobs seemed like they were more plentiful in social work.

What were your thoughts about becoming a pastor–any apprehensions?

No, I had already been teaching Bible study on Wednesday nights from 1968-1978, so it was kind of like a leading into it. But the moment it was made clear to me that was what the Lord wanted me to do, I did not hesitate.

When did you establish the church?

We founded the church in October of 1978–my wife and I and our two children. We were a part of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church at the time, so they gave us permission to establish a church in Inglewood and we worshipped in different locations until we bought the church here in 1997.

In what part of ministry do you feel the strongest?

Teaching, preaching, evangelism and outreach into the community. We go out door to door and we take gospel tracks with us and whoever lets us in, we’ll give them the plan of salvation. If not, we leave Bible tracks with them.

Do you feel you’ve accomplished what you set out to do in this location? If so, what would that be?

As I’ve said the whole focus of the ministry was teaching the word of God and what has happened is that we basically have been teaching and training others in the Bible and then they go to other parts of the country and take that message with them.

As a Bible Scholar, what is the most powerful scripture people overlook?

Romans 12:1-2. I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. I believe a lot of people miss that particular scripture, because that’s talking about surrendering

your whole life to Jesus Christ and I think that scripture is very often overlooked. It’s really the heart of the gospel–presenting ourselves and our lives totally to Jesus Christ.

Has that been a difficult proposition for you?

No. People today seem to want to twist the Bible to mean whatever they want –how do you feel about that?

I feel a little discouraged especially if it’s a person who is supposed to be a fellow Christian or a pastor. Then of course we have people saying that the Bible has been tampered with and I’ll ask well, can you show me where it’s been tampered with.

What do they say?

They don’t know what to do. I say the Bible is written in Hebrew and Greek and they still have the manuscripts.

How do you see your church effecting change today in Inglewood?

The more we can let people know about the good news gospel of Jesus Christ, that is our most effective way of impacting the community, because there’s always issues going on. One of the main issues right now is the homeless. It really touches me. I’m praying we can help with that. Because all of us, I think, are one step away from homeless.

As the world is vastly changing, how do you feel traditional ministries like yours need to respond?

We don’t change the gospel. We change the methods of presenting the gospel. We’re making a plan right now to start streaming into the community on you tube and Facebook so that we can reach more people.

You seem so grounded in the word, has there ever been a time when God or life has tested you to the point where you thought you might break?

No. My wife and I we lost our two children and that was really a challenge for us. Our daughter had two children and she had Lupus and our son had heart problems. We lost both of them and it was quite challenging for us to continue on with the ministry, but the Lord blessed us to go on and go through it.

You’ve been married for 55 years –is your wife your partner in ministry?

Yes, we built the ministry together. She would teach the children and I taught the adults. But the whole ministry was built on the two of us working in partnership and we’re still working together to this day.

Is there anything that has become your theme in ministry?

One thing is end time prophecies. Letting people know that the rapture is going to be coming and we ought to be

From the Pulpit of: One Church at Potter’s House LA There is a song by this great musician/songwriter J.J. Hairston, and that song says there’s going to be glory after this.

I’ve really sensed that now the shock of this pandemic prayerfully has settled in.

Now is the time for us to begin to rise up and seek what God knew before this pandemic even began. There’s a shift that’s taken place in my life and I believe that God wants it to take place in your life where I am moving away from the sometimes subconscious instability of uncertainty and I’m moving into this place where I’m intently beginning to imagine what life post-pandemic is supposed to look like for me.

My imagination has moved past the notion of whether or not I will survive because the Lord has sustained me. It doesn’t mean I’m going to throw off being safe and being wise, but I’m moving into this space where I am wondering and imagining what the reinvention of me is going to look like in this new world.

Ask God that. I know who I was before, but God who am I now?

As we start moving into a time where there will be a rolling out of normalcy, it is easy for you and I to lock back into rhythms and disciplines that are familiar, but that will be a grave mistake.

God saw a different version of you before he even allowed the pandemic to come and so there is an expectation on who you and I emerge as post-pandemic. I can submit to God who has the whole world in his hand and that brings us to the text, I Peter 5: 6 It says, ‘Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God’.

How does this relate to the moment were in?

Here is the truth: our entire world has had to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. This pandemic has been bigger than us. It’s baffled scientists. It has shaken the faith community in a way that that the faith community arguably it has never been shaken in modern times.

‘Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you up in due time, casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.

This is a crazy couple of verses because we see power and tenderness in the same package. It speaks to the sovereignty of God. The great have had to bow down to God. Money couldn’t get you out of this. Status couldn’t get you out of this. Followers on social media couldn’t get you out of this.

So, we’re talking about the might of God, but what’s interesting is we also see the tenderness of God. It expresses all this

“

There’s a connection between suffering and the discovery of purpose. Going through things —like we’re all going through—rips away the things that actually don’t matter. Without suffering it is difficult for you and me to decipher what is valuable and what isn’t.

”

power, yet it also communicates that God is disposed toward us as individuals with a deep concern and care, and even an open invitation for you and I to cast our cares upon Him–even the cares that have to do with what God has allowed to happen.

I want to make this plain: God says if you submit to what I am doing, in due time I’m going to exalt you. But then this passage takes somewhat of a turn because in verse 8, it says be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

God brings the enemy up and I believe there’s a reason for that, because God wants us to be better educated on who the adversary of our lives is.

That word adversary literally means an opponent in a lawsuit. Which means that your adversary is an arguer of interpretation. Think of what a lawyer does. They argue their interpretation of the law on behalf of their client and the job of the judge is to determine what the accurate and truthful interpretation is of the law.

So, the word tells us that the only power that the adversary has over us is he attempts to pervert the character and intentions of God. There’s some right now who believe God has abandoned them. How could God be for us if these challenging and difficult things are taking place in our lives? The enemy exploits that.

He wants to give you a false interpretation of this season so instead of building, instead of believing greater days are coming; instead of believing all things work together for good…you will begin to pull back; to not trust again, to not dream again

Church of God Center of Hope 9550 Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305 (323) 757-1804 www.go2Hope.com Pastor Geremy L. Dixon Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Wed. Mid-Week Service: Noon Wed. Teaching Ministry: 7:00pm 1st Sunday Communion 5th Sunday Baptism

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

and to not move ahead.

We’re not going to do that because we’re not ignorant to his devices. [The devil] wants you to see life through the lens of death, destruction and disparity. He is the agent of calamity, but not the authorizer of it.

Be careful what you rebuke in this season, because sometimes you will be rebuking the plan of God and not know it. You have to get to a place where you say not my will, but your will be done.

Have you ever had God do something for you in a way you would have never done it for yourself and realize God’s plan was better than what you were considering?

In verse 9, it says, resist him and I love it because this is not a resisting where there is an onslaught of attack coming your way. This resisting means to forcefully oppose and I just believe that when you have thoughts coming your way that speak negatively towards you… that try to make you misinterpret the character of God so much so that you want to leave God altogether, you have to allow something to arise in your spirit where you forcefully oppose it. And you’ve got to learn to cast down imaginations.

God is not finished with you. God is just getting started. This thing is not going to wipe you out. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and in due season, He’s going to exalt you.

Overcoming starts one, with what Jesus did, but it also is completed by the words that come out of your mouth. This is not unto death. The spirit of God, resurrection power is getting ready to raise you up. You need to change. Change your language. Change your testimony. God is getting ready to move in your life.

Your latter is going to be greater than your former.

I’m tired of the adversary walking about like a roaring lion. He ain’t even a real lion.

But the real lion–the lion of the tribe of Judah is roaring over your circumstances and you are going to come out of this thing with great spoil. And if you ever get a revelation that greater is He who is within you....

Resist!

God says for I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you to give you a future and a hope. There will be glory after this.

The way you fight back is having a mature disciplined consciousness. God says he hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind. That word sound literally means a disciplined mind.

It is normal for great people to experience great pain. It is normal for great peo-

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

“After This” I Peter 5: 6-11 ple to experience great struggle.

Verse 10 says ‘May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Jesus Christ.

We think glory has to do with physical things, but that is temporary glory. God is actually talking about eternal glory…glory that doesn’t fade. The glory you and I were created to reflect.

There will be glory after this. Glory that speaks to your divine worth is coming to you and when God gets finished with you your shine will be unmistakable.

From suffering to shine.

No one wants to talk about suffering.

The Greek word for suffering speaks to passion…or to feel. Suffering has an end, but what suffering produces is glorious because suffering is never about destroying you. It is about destroying what’s not you so that you can feel and be passionate about what the real you was created for.

There’s a connection between suffering and the discovery of purpose. Going through things –like we’re all going through–rips away the things that actually don’t matter.

Without suffering it is difficult for you and me to decipher what is valuable and what isn’t.

All of us are guilty of living our lives numbed by the things that don’t matter which keep us from feeling what we need to feel and ultimately having the passion for the things we were created to produce and pursue.

This God of all grace says that He is to going perfect

you, estabyou, lish strengthen you and settle you. It’s speaking to the cycle of storm. a The storm is designed to do those four things.

To perfect you is to ....

Pastor Toure Roberts

Pulpit continued to page 20

Antioch Church of Long Beach Mailing address P.O. Box 2291, Long Beach, CA 90801 website:www.antiochlb.com

In Long Beach

Pastor Wayne Chaney Jr. Sunday Worship Services: 10:00am Long Beach Poly High School 1600 Atlantic Avenue Long Beach, Ca 90813

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

Pulpit continued from page 19 mature you and oftentimes to mature you is to be stretched. God will restrict you in one dimension to stimulate growth in another dimension. What if God was allowing some of these physical restrictions to expand us spiritually, emotionally, mentally? What are you doing to expand the most valuable part of yourself and that’s inwardly?

Then it says he’s going to establish us. I can’t be established until I surrender– until I say God, not my will, but thy will be done. I will be who you say I am. That’s how you get established.

Then it says he’s going to perfect you and next it says he’s going to strengthen you.

I believe the adversary argued a different interpretation of what was going on and some of you got stuck in survive mode.

Well, there’s going to be a season where your confidence is going to come back and you’re going to believe not for the things you used to believe God for, but for even greater things.

Lastly, He says after I perfect, after I establish you, after I allow strength to rise up in you, I’m going to settle you.

The same God who ordained your valley has ordained your mountaintop. Look past the moment you’re in and prepare yourself for all the things that are in store. There will be glory after this.

Census continued from page 7 Its civic engagement program hired workers before the March 3 general primary elections. They went door-to-door and set up tables at grocery stores and public spaces to educate canvassers about including census awareness in their getout-the-vote campaigns.

“My fear is that it’s going to be a serious undercount as a result of the coronavirus.

At a community level, we just simply can’t afford to be undercounted,” she said.

Robinson Flint said the key is for organizations to be nimble enough to switch up their ground games in communities to reach people online and by other means.

Her organization is now relying on texting and social media and, in the process, studying the technological capacity of their community.

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), a statewide social and political action organization – comprised of African-American elected and appointed officials; community leaders; activists; artists; scholars, and more – also pivoted its outreach strategy. The group recently release a video online featuring Black women across the state encouraging the community to respond and sharing how the Census directly benefits them.

Robinson-Flint says adjusting to a digital strategy has its challenges too, like unpredicted costs.

“A lot of people have smartphones, but

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 & Anointing: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 6pm Mothers of Murdered Youth & Children Where all receive a little attention, affection and love.

L.A. Focus May 2020

Waller continued from page 4 They want to go on with their lives as they did before. I do, too. But if we rush back into the world, there’s a risk of an even greater outbreak with an even deadlier outcome.

For the people who are concerned

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

Sunday School: 8:00 am Morning Worship: 9:00 am

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Harris continued from page 11 tiative, that would include “screening, clinical response, raising awareness, really transforming our understanding of how early adversity affects our health and what we can do about it.”

“I would be a happy woman if I got that done,” she exclaims!

For access to Burke Harris’ COVIV-19 playbook visit www.covid19.ca.gov

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

Family of Faith Christian Center 345 E. Carson Street, Long Beach, CA 90807 (562) 595-1222 • F: (562) 595-1444 Bishop Sherman A. Gordon, E.D. Min

Ellison continued from page 7 GA) casually lifts restrictions, Black residents comprise nearly 60 percent of all coronavirus deaths in that state. “I’m perplexed that we have opened up in this way,” admitted a flatfooted Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “I look forward to having a better understanding of what [Kemp’s] reasoning is.”

The reasoning is the modern plantation that is our economy, a capitalistic environment historically reliant on Black workers’ sacrifice for relatively little pay and reward. Pushing to reopen the economy is a quiet way of admitting a grisly reality: White business owners, small to large, can’t keep bottom lines fattened and GDPs growing without the disproportionate number of Black and Brown frontline workers.

Those workers, with few enforced rights, would return to restaurants, entertainment attractions, grocery

if you ask them to text a thousand people, then that’s difficult for them in terms of how much it would cost,” Robinson Flint said.

Because of the COVID-19 crisis, the U.S. Census Bureau has adjusted its enumeration timeline. Field activities, which were scheduled to begin March 1, will not start until June 1. The bureau also warned that those dates and the processes associated with them might change, too.

“In-person activities, including enumeration, office work, and processing activities, will incorporate the most current guidance from authorities to ensure the health and safety of staff and the public” the bureau announced on its website.

Greater Emmanuel Temple 3740 E. Imperial Highway, Lynwood, CA 90262 (424) 296-0400 •www.greateremmanuel.org

In Lynwood

Pastor Nissan Stewart Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00am Wednesday Prayer: 6:30pm Mid-Week Refuel/Bible Study: 7:00pm (Wednesday) Follow us: @GETFamilyNow The Greater Emmanuel Temple App Available in App Store Second Baptist Church In Monrovia 925 S. Shamrock Ave., P.O. Box 478, Monrovia,Ca 91017•(626)358-2136•(626) 303-2477 Fax Church Office: Tue-Thur 9am -5pm e-mail:sbcmon925@gmail.com • www.sbcmonrovia.org Pastor Christopher A. Bourne, Sr. Sunday School: 9:45am-10:30am Sunday Worship Service:10:45am Prayer/Bible Study Wed.:10:45am & 6:45

stores, sanitation routes, operating mass transit buses and trains and filling in all the crucial fiscal blanks to prop up this powerful $22 trillion economy.

Republican leaders and businessmen view these workers as expendable, even during a pandemic of genocidal dimensions.

“White people want to get back to work, check stock portfolios, and collect rent checks? Well they better make sure we have a safe approach to reopening because the American economy relies on Black hands, and COVID-19 endangers that,” social epidemiologist and University of Penn researcher Dr. Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins observed on WURD’s Reality Check recently.

As those calls to reopen increase, the Black community should be ready to counter that sentiment with a work stoppage movement until a reopening is done right. As strategist G.S. Potter argues: “We need an accurate account of the coronavirus’s impact

about being able to make it financially if they stay at home: consider leaning on the church. At Enon, we take up a consecration offering for times like this. Following a Biblical mandate, we have paid rents or helped out with groceries using this offering, long before the coronavirus. Helping citizens in need is why Christians began taking up offerings in the first place. We will continue to do this in support of our people as they continue to stay home.

In the immortal words of California Rep. Maxine Waters, who herself has a sister currently fighting for her life following a COVID-19 infection, “resist” the government’s move to bring us out of our homes.

Resisting is what I plan to do–regardless of what other pastors, congregations, cities and states do. My prayer is that you will join me.

Dr. Alyn Waller is the Senior Pastor of Enon Baptist Church in Philadelphia.

Walter Williams continued from page 7 But Reilly has a larger point to make, writing, "The Smollett case isn't an outlier.

Increasingly, it's the norm. And the media's relative lack of interest in exposing hoaxes that don't involve famous figures is a big part of the problem."

Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. To find out more about Walter E. Williams, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

Morning Star Christian Church In Pasadena 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 and First Lady Ranza 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. :13 Greater Morning Star Missionary Baptist 1973 Seventeenth St., Santa Monica, CA 90404 (310) 450-1168 • Pastor Study:(310) 450-4880 (City by the Sea) Pastor Michael Larry, Jr. Senior Pastor Sunday School: 9:00am New Member Class: 9:45 - 10:15am Children Church.: 11:15am Wed: Mid-week Bible Worship: 7:00pm 1st Sunday Communion Trusting God to Transform the Creature, the Church and the Community, Romans 12:2 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

on Black, Brown, Indigenous and Intersected communities. No economy can reopen without our permission.”

Charles Ellison is the host/executive producer of “Reality Check” on WURD radio (Philadelphia), and Contributing Editor to the Philadelphia Citizen. He can be engaged on Twitter @ellisonreport.

Blunt Trauma continued from page6 products still have a key role in luring new users, they say, particularly kids, to a lifetime of addiction.

McGruder and other anti-Tobacco lobbyists say the police-use-of-excessive-force case in Rancho Cordova may have blown the lid off a problem that has been simmering for years. It has also put a focus on the Rancho Cordova Police (RCPD) and past allegations of police brutality.

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Dept. spokesperson Sgt. Tess Deterding said in a written statement that the deputy was in the area responding to citizens’ complaints

about sales of alcohol, tobacco and drugs to minors and that the deputy attempted to detain the juvenile so he could continue the investigation. The juvenile became physically resistive, the RCDP continued in their written statement, causing the deputy to lose control of his handcuffs.

“This investigation is in its infancy and the facts as we understand them now are subject to change as we conduct a more thorough and complete examination of the circumstances surrounding this incident,” Derterding stated.

But Black lawmakers responded to the RCPD official statement, countering that “this use of force is in no way proportional to the suspected crime or justified by the actions of the child. We will monitor this situation closely and expect that the officer will be held accountable for the abusive actions taken in the name of public safety.”

Rancho Cordova, once home to Mather Air Force Base, is 60% White, 13% Asian,

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21.6% Latino and 8.9% African American.

Last week’s incident was not a first. The RCPD has been accused of aggression before and it has been hit by police misconduct lawsuits involving the Black community in the past.

Last year, African American twins, Carlos and Thomas Williams, say the officers of RCPD allegedly choked and beat them before taking them into custody.

Adanté Pointer, an attorney at the John L. Burris law firm in Oakland who spoke on behalf of the 14-year-old Rancho Cordova teen, said this is too often the case.

“We're talking about a kid buying tobacco and an officer with an opportunity to actually build community relationships in dealing with a young man,” said Pointer. “Instead, I'm certain, he's left a mark on this young man's spirit, soul and brain that will live with him for the rest of his life.”

Crenshaw Mall continued from page 6 placement impact it would have on the historic black community.

“The widespread concern that new developments on our community would come at the cost of pushing and pricing out black and brown residents is the basis of our current Superior Court lawsuit on the mall redevelopment plan,” Goodmon said.

“The proposed acquisition of the Crenshaw Mall by CIM Group comes as a surprise to many in the community, especially those troubled by their business practices in the adjacent West Adams community, where Black neighborhood staples were directly pushed out, most famously our beloved Johnny's Pastrami. At this juncture, given that the property has not closed escrow, previous investors have been in a similar situation as CIM and were not able to close escrow, and CIM's proposal has only been referenced in the abstract through press releases, any further comment would be premature.”

SavingGrace Aunjanue Ellis unjanue Ellis is getting raves for the performance she gave as the late Dr. Mattie Moss Clark in Lifetime’s smash biopic, “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel”, which drew 2.7 million viewers, making it Lifetime’s biggest movie debut in four years.

“Ellis, as Mattie takes up most of the screen, and fans noticed”, said one Washington Post writer who called it a “career definer”.

“Oh. My. God. Give @aunjanue_ellis447 ALL the awards for her stand out performance in #TheClarkSisters movie!,” posted one fan. “I can't even find adequate words to describe the excellence, brilliance, beauty and power of this movie. You did that!”

And it was hardly just fans as some of the biggest praise came from fellow actors like Jamie Foxx, who said tweeted, “@aunjanue_ellis447killt it” and Taraji P. Henson, who wrote, “LISTEN!!!!!!!! When I say #AnjanueEllis slayed this role!!!

Even the Clark Sisters themselves were blown away by her performance.

“Her portrayal of my mother brought tears to my eye”, said Dorinda Clark Cole.

While Ellis appreciates the compliments, she is quite surprised by the success of the movie, which also stars Kierra Clark-Sheard, Shelea Frazier, Christina Bell , Raven Goodwin and Angela Birchett as the Clark Sisters. Having grown up with their music and a respect for Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, Ellis just wanted to honor the Clark Sisters with her portrayal of their Mom. Said Ellis, “I knew that Kierra, Shelea, Christina, Raven and Angela can sing their tails off and that anyone that saw it would be blown away, but beyond that, I had no idea it would get the response that it has– no inkling of that at all.

“I had a blast doing the role. It was my greatest joy – to go to work every day and hear the Clark Sisters music.

I had a job to do and that was trying to make Dr. Mattie as specific as I could. The thing that was challenging was her voice. Dr. Mattie had a raspy voice, so I would be screaming in pillows so I could get my voice scratchy enough to produce that sound. There were a couple of times when I kind of got it where I do sound just like her.”

This is hardly Ellis’ first praise-worthy portrayal. She received a Critic’s Choice nomination for her leading role in the 2015 mini-series, The Book of Negroes and last year, she received an Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Sharon Salaam in the Netflix miniseries, When They See Us, based on the Central Park Five.

Other film credits include “If Beale Street Could Talk”, “Ray”, “The Birth of A Nation”, “Get On Up”, “Undercover Brother”, “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3” opposite Denzel Washington, and “Men of Honor” opposite Cuba Gooding.

For three years, she portrayed FBI Deputy Director Miranda Shaw on the hit ABC series, “Quantico”, followed by a recurring roles in “Designated Survivor” and most recently, a recurring role in HBO’s Lovecraft Country.

“When I first started acting,” states the 5’9” 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 believe that’s why I didn’t recognize the gift

L.A. Focus May 2020

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“As long as I’m on a path where somebody else gives me a job, I don’t want to be defined by that.

I got the part in the Clark Sisters, but I wasn’t their first choice. The decision making is in someone else’s hands. I’m trying to work for putting the decision making about what happens to me in my hands..” 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 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.

“As much as I see acting as a profession and I respect it because I look at performances and I am so moved by them, I respect the heck out of the occupation, but for me it is an occupation,” Ellis said. “It is how I take care of my family. I’m not rich. I’ve got to act to eat.

“I appreciate it though and when I get a chance to play someone like Dr. Mattie, I’m blown away. It makes you want to get up and go to work,” she continues. “What’s exhausting is playing roles I don’t want to play. Then it becomes a paycheck and there’s so much that goes along with this. It’s so artificial and I just don’t ever want to get caught up in that at all.”

Instead the Mississippi-bred, San Francisco native is working toward writing and the creative control that comes with it.

“I believe we, as black women, have to claim ourselves as the geniuses we are so we can take control of their lives,” adds Ellis. “As long as I’m on a path where somebody else gives me a job, I don’t want to be defined by that. I got the part in the Clark Sisters, but I wasn’t their first choice. The decision making is in someone else’s hands. I’m trying to work for putting the decision making about what happens to me in my hands. I think that’s a goal that we all, as black women, need to have. I would

like to veer into this lane where my writing is as strong a source of income as my acting.”

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.

“At the end of the day ministers 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, that’s rewarding and in that sense, I have my own pulpit.”

If I could do one thing, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d make sure we stay healthy.

If you could do one thing for your community, what would it be? More walk-in clinics? More funding for health services closer to home?

Completing the 2020 Census is a safe and easy way to inform billions in funding for hundreds of services and programs in your community.

Respond online, by phone, or by mail.

Complete the census at:

2020CENSUS.GOV Paid for by U.S. Census Bureau.