L.A. Focus On The Word March 2016 Issue

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VOLUME XXII >> PAGE

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W W W. L A F O C U S N E W S PA P E R . C O M

ISSUE 3

• MARCH 2016

L.A. FOCUS

LAFOCUSNEWSPAPER

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CHURCH NEWS Drake To Retire In June PAGE

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SEE PAGE

Underground Slave MiniSeries to Debut This Month PAGE

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SAVING GRACE

“Haves & Have Nots” Star Angela Robinson On Faith, Grace, Acting and the Oh So Wicked Veronica Harrington“The Haves & Have Nots” Star Angela Robinson On Faith, Grace, Acting and the Oh So Wicked Veronica Harrington Biz News: Diddy Launches Girls Clothing Line

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contents

March 2016

L.A. Focus Publication

L-R Judge Greg Mathis gives away two $5,000 Scholarships at The Black College Expo held at the L A Convention Center 2-6-16; (Middle)Russel Simons was named "Man of The Year at "West Angeles CDC Unity Awards Dinner"; (Right) Native Son Kendrick Lamar Receives City of Compton Key to City

5 Upfront 6

14 Calendar/Around LA 23Through The Storm 16 Inside Hollywood 24 In Good Taste Feature Story Saving Grace Church News 25 8 18 Head to Head Finding Your Pretty 29 10 First Lady Files 19 Headlines From Africa Dollars and Sense Pastor Profile 12 20 Eye On Gospel Commentary

The Politics of Fear and Loathing in 2016

Carson Sees No Clear Path Ahead; To Make Big Announcement; Blacks Locked Out of CA Housing Market

Philip A. Washington Leads The Way For Change At Metro

Tracy Morgan: God Told Famed Comic His Room Was Not Ready

With Chez’Ney

Drake To Step Down As Pastor of Greater Ebenezer; Retirement Gala Set For June

Did Beyonce Cross The Line?

Robert Feguson—”Diet Free Life”

Angela Robinson

With Chez

Jennifer Payne

With Bob Blake

Rev. Sherman Gordon

Anthony Brown Makes Gospel History With Ten Stellar Award wins

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Red Carpet Style

staff Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Staff Writer Contributors

Lisa Collins Stephen Oduntan Larry Elder

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From The Pulpit Pastor James Perkins from True Friendship Baptist Church

advisory board Napoleon Brandford

Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co.

Pastor Beverly Craw-

Bible Enrichment Fellowship In-

ford Marc T. Little

Photographers Advertising

Bill Jones, Ian Foxx Kisha Smith

ternational Church

Love him or hate him, Chris Rock had everyone talking about the 88th Annual Academy Awards last month

On The Cover: Phillip A. Washington Cover Design: Joseph Anthony

Law Offices of Marc T. Little

honorary advisors West Angeles C.O.G.I.C. City of Refuge Paradise Baptist Church Southern MBC

F. A.M.E. Church Faithful Central Bible Church Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Mt. Zion MBC

Bishop Charles Blake Bishop Noel Jones Dr. Aaron D. Iverso Rev. Xavier L. Thompson Dr. Cecil Murray Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer Rev. Melvin Wade Rev. E.V. Hill II

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 Fax: (310) 677-2338 Subscription rates $25.00 per year.

Copyright, January 1995 by L.A. Focus Publications. All rights reserved. Unsolicited manuscripts/photographs are not accepted, nor shall any responsibility for them be assumed.

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Commentary The Politics of Fear and Loathing in 2016

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verywhere I turn, I find friends and acquaintances who are not merely concerned, but frightened. A kind of raw ugliness to our national politics, not really seen in the post-World War II era, seems to be in fashion.

Nothing has brought this home more forcefully than the success of Donald Trump in recent Republican presidential primaries. Some folks are dreaming and scheming to “Make America Great Again!” The progressive African-American, white, Latino and Asian-American voters I know live in dread for the soul of the nation.

This anxiety has several root causes. Perhaps the single most immediate one is the unabashedly bwanastyle politics of Donald Trump. He has pitched himself as a character out of central casting for an old-fashioned adventure movie set in the African bush. The Donald rides in as the “great white hunter” to save us all from a rampaging lion. Although, in this case, the main threat is a horde of Mexican criminals, rapists and generally low-brow ne’er-do-wells bent on weakening the moral fiber of a once-great nation.

More disturbing than the message, frankly, is its astonishing political appeal on the campaign trail. The three leading contenders for the Republican nomination are all profoundly anti-establishment in rhetoric. All of them call for taking seriously the prospect of deporting as many as 12 million individuals now in the U.S., though on an undocumented basis. This is extreme, it is draconian and some have rightly cast it as downright un-American. But it is also winning.

The fault for the current climate of fear and loathing does not rest entirely with Donald Trump. I think Arizona Sen. John McCain has to shoulder a big chunk of the blame. To be fair, ordinarily I regard McCain as a revered elder statesman of American politics, a very thoughtful and serious man with political inclinations that I read as more centrist than far right wing. In simple English: He is a man of respect.

However, and for this he cannot be excused, he single-handedly elevated Sarah Palin to national political prominence by choosing her as his running mate in 2008. In a single, devastating stroke, he also has seemingly forever lowered the level of what is regarded as respectable political discourse on the national stage. Name-calling, the most simplistic reasoning, and disregard for facts and evidence and even the semblance of reason were given a platform that they never should have had. But once Pandora’s box is open, woe be to those caught in the whirlwind that results. Without the terrible precedent of Palin, I don’t think a serious Trump candidacy would have been possible.

From the Editor

Lawrence D. Bobo Guest Columnist

Of course, we have had more than 40 years of racially coded “dog-whistle politics,” especially coming from standard-bearers of the Republican Party. From Southern strategies and law-and-order campaigns, to welfare queens and strapping young bucks, to Willie Horton and more, none-too-subtle appeals to racial prejudice have been a staple of our national political discourse. Having so routinized such practices, it should now come as little surprise that someone has stepped into the arena with a blisteringly bigoted assault on many of the immigrants in our midst.

Democrats do not escape blame here. They have typically played a very paternalistic game with minority voters. Democrats have long told black voters to, in effect, “trust us to take care of you,” as in: “We are the whites who care about you.” Yet Democrats too often end up simultaneously advancing policy agendas and lines of political discourse that usually erase from view the unique concerns, needs and agendas of the black community. That combination of paternalism and political silencing cedes entirely too much space in the public arena to the soft bigotry of racially coded anti-black politics on the right. It also cedes far too much in the way of policy formulation and decision-making to those advancing an essentially anti-minority agenda.

The difference from the past in the current moment, however, is that this is not Strom Thurmond running as a “Dixiecrat” third-party candidate. This is not George Wallace on the margins of the Democratic political field. This is literally the top contender for the Republican Party nomination (and his two closest rivals, as well) running at the extreme right edge of the mainstream political spectrum, at least where the rights and status of major racial-minority groups are concerned.

This is scary. This feels tragically like a watershed moment in American politics.

For now, I do not hear the caliber of political response to this circumstance that we really need. This moment of fear and loathing is here, and it is real. A part of me remains guardedly hopeful that American political institutions will weather this storm in a fashion that will leave us all feeling proud and more fully empowered 20 or 30 years from now. But if you are at all like me, you haven’t yet seen or heard a persuasive antidote to this season of fear and loathing. And, again, if you are like me, you are not sleeping easy.

Lawrence D. Bobo is the W.E.B. Du Bois Professor of the Social Sciences and chair of the Department of African and African American Studies at Harvard University.

LISA COLLINS Publisher

Read The Fine Print

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thing for nothing.”

Andrew Kelly, a critic of Sander’s plan, wrote that capping tuition at zero "limits college spending to whatever the public is willing to invest but does not change the cost of college, or what institutions spend per student. He says not only will that cost grow, but an influx of federal money could “lead administrators to spend even more. Enrollments would also rise, further increasing the cost of free college."

Under Sander’s plan—estimated to cost $70 billion—states would have to put up $1 for every $2 the federal government paid, with the federal share of the expense offset by a tax on transactions by Wall Street firms.

Ironically, all the talk of Sander’s “College for All” has overshadowed President Obama’s free community college initiative, which was introduced last year at a lower cost. There too, is fine print with the actual wording of the mandate reading that the program would be free to "everybody who is willing to work for it."

I understand the need to access to higher learning, particularly community college.

I was fortunate enough to have attended college at a time where it was more affordable and the cost of community was so minimal, it might as well have been free. Still, we need to understand that there is a cost for everything and to find out what the true cost is we must read the fine print.

We would also do well to remember the age-old adage, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Our cover story this month keys in on the wonderful job Phil Washington is doing at continuing the forward momentum of L.A.’s Metropolitan Transit Authority, particularly as it relates to the construction of the Crenshaw/LAX line and the transformation that comes with it.

Having been raised in the Leimert Park/Baldwin Hills area, I’m excited about the opportunities it will bring to a community in transition. Of course, there are always concerns with change, the biggest being the positioning of blacks in the neighborhood to benefit from those opportunities (with more and more non-blacks already taking advantage of the real estate deals in the area); the safety issues that have been so passionately communicated; and the hardship of those businesses that have either been displaced or negatively impacted.

I am reminded that nothing great comes easy. I am confident that Phil Washington—who has a big heart for community— is the best man for the job. Once you read our cover story on page 10, I believe you will agree.

Keep the faith.

L.A. Focus/March 2016

ver the last month we’ve heard a lot about the black vote particularly as it relates to who will secure the Democratic nomination. In fact, if you’ve listening to the news, one could get the impression that the Democratic nominee hinges on it.

It is hardly the first time. Blacks were key in delivering the White House to John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, William Jefferson Clinton and Barack Obama.

And to be sure Hillary Clinton is happy about that because she is getting the lion’s share of it. The question that should be at the forefront in our minds is what will we get for it. What will we get for delivering the numbers that will put either Hillary Clinton or perhaps even Bernie Sanders—the long shot— over the top? So often we are the voting bloc that puts them over the top and once in office, that’s the end of it.

We’ve got to learn better how to broker our political clout. Then there is the question of who is going to communicate what we want or get?

That’s another problem.

Last month, it was reported that Rev. Al Sharpton had met with both Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. So is he communicating what we want and if so, how is that working for you?

Perhaps just as importantly, we need to listen closely to what politicians are selling us. Most of us know how politics work. Candidates set out to make their case ever so appealing with campaign promises that sound oh so nice, but in far too many cases they have sold us a bill of goods they can’t deliver.

Take Bernie Sanders for example. He’s advocating free college and given that student loans have skyrocketed to $1.2 trillion, it’s easy to see the appeal of his plan.

Great idea, but just because something sounds good (and the nice white man says it) doesn’t make it so.

He’s playing to those who want to believe they can get something worth having for nothing. But feasibility is quite another issue. Someone somewhere is going to have to pay.

With ObamaCare came “free” healthcare, only I don’t know about anyone else, but the cost of my health insurance premium doubled.

Ben Carson has said that people who don’t pay taxes shouldn’t be allowed to vote decisions that affect those of us who do. He likened it to them getting the ice cream and the rest of us getting the calories that went with it.

Renown economic professor Walter Williams wrote, “Too many Americans believe in the possibility of a free lunch. Politicians exploit that gullibility. The unpleasant task of a good economist is to teach that fundamental principle: One cannot get some-

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UpFront Carson Sees No Clear Path Ahead; To Make Big Announcement

News Briefs

KISHA SMITH

“Black Minds Matter”Movelment: California Is Failing Black Students”

Staff have decided not to attend the Fox News GOP Presidential Debate tomorrow night in Detroit. Even though I will not be in my hometown of Detroit on Thursday, I remain deeply committed to my home nation, America. I do not see a political path forward in light of last evening’s Super Tuesday primary results.

However, this grassroots movement on behalf of “We the People” will continue.

Along with millions of patriots who have supported my campaign for President, I remain committed to Saving America for Future Generations. We must not depart from our goals to restore what God and our Founders intended for this exceptional nation.

“I appreciate the support, financial and otherwise, from all corners of America.

Gratefully, my campaign decisions are not constrained by finances; rather by what is in the best interests of the American people.

The 64-year old Detroit native catapulted into the national spotlight in the ultraconservative precincts quickly after he used his 2013 National Breakfast Speech to critcize President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act as the president sat nearby.

In September, Carson had risen from 6

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percent to 23 percent in the polls, which put him in dead heat with billionaire Trump for GOP front-runner. But that was short-lived as he was criticized for his low-key demeanor in the debate and lack of experience.

“Ben Carson, to me, comes, comes off like a guy who grabbed the wrong drink at Bill Cosby’s house,” said comedian Jimmy Kimmel. “[Carson’s] performance Kimmel added, “did inspire a new product that, if it sells as well as I think it will, could possibly make him wealthier than Donald Trump. That product is a ‘Ben Carson Sleep System.’”

In the debate leading up to Super Tuesday, Carson—who had been polling in fourth place— joked about falling asleep while waiting for a question and later quipped, “Would someone attack me please”.

His campaign had also taken some hits losing some of its top advisers to reported infighting and in January, Carson briefly suspended his campaign after a staffer was killed —and three volunteers injured—in an automobile accident in Iowa.

Carson, who is reported by his wife to have gotten into the race after having gotten into a conversation with God, had yet continued to page 22

Blacks Locked out of CA Housing Market, Study Finds

Black Healthcare Enrollment Still Low MCKENZIE JACKSON

MADLEN GRGODJAIAN

CA Black Media

CA Black Media n 2015, California had the third-lowest homeownership rate in the nation, according to the United States Census Bureau. More than 1.2 million Californians foreclosed on their homes during the Great Recession and until today are still experiencing the impact of those losses.

The Inland Empire and Central Valley have been the slowest-recovering cities. Research has shown that African Americans who apply for conventional or Federal Housing Administration loans are being denied twice as much as Caucasians.

A 2013 Zillow data analysis collected by the federal government demonstrates the incongruity between the races. The study found that white counterparts who apply for a conventional mortgage are denied just over 10 percent of the time. By contrast, Blacks who apply for the same loans have a denial rate of 28 percent, with Hispanics at 22 percent.

Zillow's chief economist Stan Humphries said white applicants make roughly $20,000 more per year than Black and Hispanic borrowers on regu-

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lar mortgages.

"It's clear that the housing playing field remains strikingly unequal in this country," Humphries said.

The disparity in mortgage approval rates narrows only a little for loans to lower income borrowers, based on mortgages backed by the FHA. The FHA loans are popular among applicants with low incomes, poor credit, and lower down payments. The denial rates on FHA loans are far higher for African Americans with 24.3 percent and Hispanics at 20.5 percent, than for whites at 14.2 percent.

A recent analysis of federal home mortgage data found a low level of lending to African-American and Hispanic borrowers statewide and particularly in Fresno, Long Beach and Oakland. The report, “Locked Out of the Market: Poor Access to Home Loans for Californians of Color,” was prepared by The Greenlining Institute and Urban Strategies Council using lending data from 2013.

Lead author Zach Murray said out of continued to page 22

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frican-American healthcare enrollment through Covered California was at a rate of four percent during the latest open enrollment period.

Covered California spokesperson Dana Howard said on Feb. 26, the state-ran marketplace for health insurance is enthusiastic that 9,610 of the Golden State’s new healthcare enrollees identified themselves as Black, although Howard admitted more work needs to be done.

“The rate of enrollment should be at five percent,” he said, “and we still have a long way to go to get to five percent enrollment in the African-American community.”

From November 2015 until Feb. 6, Covered California statistics reveal that 439,392 Californians signed-up for health insurance. Of the enrollees, 263,910 people answered the race or ethnicity questions while signing up for medical insurance.

The enrollment numbers of Black residents in the Golden State trailed behind other races such as Caucasian, Asian and Hispanic, but was ahead of ethnic categories including Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; and American Indian or Alaskan Native; and enrollees that identified as Multiple Races. People that identified as “Other” equaled the enrollment percentage of African Americans.

Howard said he does not believe the African-American Obamacare enrollees will ever match other ethnic groups such as Asians or Latinos, so Covered California focuses on the rate of enrollment in each community.

In 2014, the enrollment rate was three percent, and in 2015 it was four percent.

The spokesman said the health insurance agency would like to raise the rate of insurcontinued to page 22

By Manny Otiko and Charlene Muhammad California Black Media The California Legislative Black Caucus is preparing strategies for accountability after a new report revealed Black students are disproportionately suffering from disparities and inequalities in access, opportunity, and achievement in education.

State lawmakers held a briefing to examine findings of “Black Minds Matter: Supporting the Educational Success of Black Children in California,” which studied the plight of California’s Black school children.

“Our goal is to demonstrate that there are replicable program models that the state and local districts should consider as they contemplate ways to close the achievement gap,” said Assemblymember Shirley Weber, Ph.D. a Democrat who represents cities in the San Diego area. She chaired the February 10 informational hearing in partnership with the Education Trust - West. The Oakland-based organization that advocates for educational justice and the high academic achievement of all California students, particularly those of color and ones who live in poverty.

The report found that the California education system is failing Black students in various ways. For instance, Black students are less likely to graduate high school within four years, have access to college preparatory programs, or graduate from college.

Garcetti’s Hire L.A. Youth Program Hopes To Hire 15,000 This Summer Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a new goal to hire 15,000 young people in 2016 through his Hire L.A.’s Youth program, a 6-week, parttime summer jobs program designed for youth between the ages of 14 and 24 who live in the City of Los Angeles, are low-income, and have a legal right to work. Hire L.A.’s Youth targets youth from families receiving CalWORKs public assistance as well as foster youth, youth on probation, and homeless youth. The program offers job skills workshops, access to hiring events and offers a work ready certificate letting employers know that the youth are ready for the workplace. Garcetti said his initiative, HIRE L.A.’s Youth, has helped 28,000 young people find jobs since 2013. For more information, visit www.hirelayouth.com

Magic Johnson Park Gets A Face Lift Last month, the Board of Supervisors approved a plan that would transform Magic Johnson Park into a community oasis.

Acting on a motion by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, the Board made an initial investment of $2 million towards designing Phase I, which is slated to include a splash pad, wedding pavilion, community event center, amphitheater, civic plaza, sculpture garden, reflecting pond, picnic shelters and other amenities.

“The plan reflects feedback from hundreds of residents and the result is visionary – there is something for everyone,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said during a public hearing at the Hall of Administration. “The plan represents a new era for this community, and we are going forward.”

Magic Johnson Park spans over 120 acres in the heart of Willowbrook, just a few blocks away from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medical Campus, which is undergoing its own transformation.

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L.A. Focus/March 2016

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Phillip A. Washington Leads The Way for Change At Metro Transit authority makes headway with new focus on community partnerships and transformation STEPHEN ODUNTAN Staff Writer

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hil Washington is on a mission to build a worldclass transportation city. To be sure, it is an ambitious goal to get the nation’s second largest number of urban commuters to choose public transportation over their automobiles, but it is just what Washington has set out to do, in the process revitalizing one of the few remaining predominantly black areas in the region and creating a model that could potentially serve as a compelling catalyst for other communities.

The $2 billion, 8.5-mile light rail line is set on a transforming landscape that will link such L.A. neighborhoods as Leimert Park, Park Mesa Heights, Hyde Park and Inglewood to LAX airport, and is expected to open in 2019.

With construction ramping up, optimism is running high that the new light rail line will change the way tens of thousands of people navigate the city.

“There’s going to come a time when people will not want to drive as much,” said Washington. “Will we take every car off the road? Perhaps not. But there will come a time when reliable access to trains and buses is going to be everywhere within this county.”

The Southside Chicago native who became the most influential person in L.A County’s transit system last March after the board unanimously selected him the agency’s new CEO, believes once the Crenshaw Line is completed, it will significantly improve local mobility and help foster economic growth in the entire region.

“It is a powerful thing to transform communities in terms of development around transit infrastructure and providing a huge boost to local businesses along the line as well.”

President and CEO of Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce, Armen D. Ross agrees stating that once the rail line is complete it will spur new housing, commercial, and retail development that would help circulate dollars throughout the Crenshaw community.

“Additionally, the rail line along Crenshaw’s corridor will attract what the community sorely needs which is restaurants and more quality retail establishments,” said Ross. “A project of this magnitude,” he continued, “will have a tremendous impact on the community.”

Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who played a critical role securing a $546 million federal loan for the rail line project, praised Washington for his work and effort.

“In just ten months, Phil Washington has already left an indelible mark at Metro. From his efforts to bring more projects to “shovel ready status,” to aggressively looking at expanding the local pipeline of qualified professionals to work within the transit industry, he has shown an unwavering commitment to create the best transit agency in the world each and every day. I am inspired by his work ethic, integrity and creativity.” Ridley-Thomas said.

"The Crenshaw/LAX Line,” Ridley-Thomas continued, “is a critical element of our effort to revitalize communities through an investment in transportation.”

Many residents in the community seem excited about the economic prospect that the Crenshaw/LAX line could bring to the area.

“I think it’s an important milestone for the community,” said Levi Carey, a resident who recognized the need for additional transportation investments.

Carey was one of many L.A County voters that approved Measure R; a half-cent sales tax that finances new transportation projects and programs. The signing of the bill in 2008 set the path in motion to provide funding toward the Crenshaw Line.

“I attended several town hall meetings and left feeling very much enthusiastic about the big changes the rail line will bring to the community said Carey” It is the kind of optimism that taps into Washington’s deep passion for public service.

“We will be the defender of the community’s position,” he declared. “We owe that to the people.”

Washington has a footprint in transit and infrastructure experience stretching back almost 20 years. He was an executive at Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) for 15 years—nine years as assistant general manager and six years as General Manager.

Before his transportation industry experience, he had served 24-years in the U.S. Army, attaining the highest non-commissioned officer rank enlisted personnel can achieve. The recipient of numerous military awards and level of accountability that comes from military experience propelled him toward his new career as a civilian. He had just retired from the army when he began working at RTD. But no sooner he quickly steered Denver’s RTD through a period of significant change and transition including the implementation of FasTracks, an ambitious voter-approved capital expansion program, 122 miles of new rail

service, 18 miles of bus rapid transit, and redevelopment of Denver’s Union Station.

In terms of Denver’s transportation infrastructure—at least in the early years, parallels can be drawn “between adequate infrastructure needs in areas like Crenshaw and Compton,” Washington told L.A. Focus. “Although certain areas are obviously worse than others,” he added, “the hardship that comes with urban life are very much the same.”

In the relatively short period since Washington relocated to the city, he has hired a new security chief and asked him to install security throughout the entire system—part of an effort to curb crime along Metro’s Blue and Green line trains.

He also made clear he is open to suggestions and comments on any other alternatives to improve commuting on Metro, but emphasized security—including cleaner buses and rail cars, reliable bus service, and technology—are of paramount importance of “enhancing the customer’s travel around the region.”

Although the project could provide a huge boost to businesses along the line, merchants complain construction is hurting business.

The New Millennium hair salon is among the businesses in the area that are being negatively impacted by the ongoing construction. Melissa Stewart, the owner, said almost immediately after construction began business started to plunge into the red.

“It was chaotic during the early stages of construction,” said Stewart. “There was nowhere for my clients to park.

It reached a point they no longer wanted to come out here.

It got so bad I had to let four of my staff go.”

Business is still a little slow; she added, but at the same time Stewart realizes there’s a greater good at stake.

“I know the community will benefit in the long run once they’ve completed construction,” she said.

Washington stressed that every effort must be made to build public confidence. “We are very sensitive to businesses impacted by the construction.”

He also noted he has prioritized minimizing inconvenience to the community, motorist and public, but drew an analogy, saying, “In order to make an omelet you have to break some eggs.

“Rail line construction along the Crenshaw Corridor may limit parking space, and it may mean workers are

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busting up sidewalks or relocating utilities, but the fact is, in the long run, it is all for the benefit of uplifting the community economically.”

“I take pride in knowing such an infrastructure will create new opportunities for the young folks living in those communities—for young black or Latino kids from South L.A. It’s all about connectivity. Can a young black or Latino kid from South L.A. go all the way up to Lancaster if that is where the job is ?

“Right now, it’s kind of difficult to get them there. So this whole connectivity issue is real. This is why our job at Metro is such an important resource for so many people.”

Perhaps his most important work, says Washington involves outreach initiatives to community and faith-based institutions he put together in Denver and is in the process of putting together here in Los Angeles with projects like their Local Hire program.

“The whole idea of faith-based outreach is very important to me.

“I grew up in the Church at Faith Temple on the Southside of Chicago. My mother was very religious.

“Matter of fact, just the other day, I talked with Bishop Blake of West Angeles Church on Crenshaw Boulevard.

He couldn’t believe we knew some of the same people that were doing important work in the church.

“For me it is not just about building state of the art infrastructure. Equally important is reaching out to—in particular the African American and Latino clergy, and brainstorming initiatives that will insure that folks living in disadvantaged communities have opportunities.

While Metro’s ambitious rail construction program means improved rail transit, the project has notably attracted some fierce opposition.

Citing safety concerns, there are some community activists who vehemently oppose the stretch of the line that will travel on street-level through Park Mesa Heights.

Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson agrees that segment on the Crenshaw Line would be more ideal built underground.

“It is a righteous fight to fight for an underground rail line,” acknowledged the councilman. “That said, we have to make sure that if the train does operate on street level, as is the current plan, it not only has to be done correctly but also it has to leave Crenshaw better off than it was before.”

One community activist who wished to remain anonymous underscored that his disapproval is not to undermine Metro building the rail line. In fact, he was part of a coalition that advocated having the rail line built in the first place he said.

“We just wanted it built in a less destructive manner, in a manner that does not challenge the safety of our community.”

Late last month, one person was hospitalized after a Metro trained crashed into an SUV on the Expo line between West Exposition Park and South Western Avenue, the intersection of Exposition and South Vermont Avenue.

The crash was just one of several in recent years that is renewing a decade-long debate about the need for more safety measures in L.A. County’s expanding rail network where vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians and light-rail trains share the roadway.

"Building more light rail is not a bad thing, but we need to do a better job of ensuring that it's safe," said Najmedin Meshkati, a USC engineering professor who studies rail safety and has criticized the design of crossings along the Expo Line, which links downtown L.A. to Culver City and will begin service to Santa Monica sometime next year.

Transit officials have made a painstaking effort to reach out to residents with education and information essential to rail line safety Washington noted.

“As we approach closer to opening, we have a safety

KEY STOPS & CHURCHES ALONG THE LINE Crenshaw & Exposition West Angeles COGIC—Bishop Charles Blake Iglesias De Restauracion—Pastor Rene Molina MLK & Crenshaw St. Matthew BC/The Stop Church: Rev. C. Barry Greene Crenshaw UMC: Pastor Royce Porter, Sr. Crenshaw & Vernon Bethesda Temple Church —Elder Robert Lockhart Calvary Chapel Crenshaw—Pastor Robert Colwell Christ The Good Shepherd — Rev. Joseph M. Oloimooja Galilee Baptist Church —Rev. Frank Chaney Crenshaw and Slauson People’s Independent— Bishop Craig A. Wortham Love Lifted Me Baptist Church — Dr. S. Shigg Mt. Sinai MBC —Pastor Geo Hurtt St. John Evangelist Catholic Church — Rev. Anthaiah Madanu Christ Temple Church— Bishop Emery Lindsay Florence Ave & West Blvd Maranatha Community Church—Rev. Steve Dyson Jacob’s Ladder – Bishop Robert Douglas Florence & La Brea Blessed Family Covenant Ch—Pastor Wendy Howlett Bible Enrichment Fellowship— Apostle Beverly “BAM” Crawford St. John Chrysostom Church — Father Marcos Gonzalez Florence & Hindry (La Cienega) Faithful Central Bible Church — Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer Aviation & Century Blvd Aviation & Imperial Hwy team of ambassadors that go out into the community visiting the schools, local businesses, and homeowners to discuss the safety procedures of the line. We do this regularly,” Washington said.

Another factor eliciting concern is fear that the Crenshaw light rail line could encourage gentrification, which may drive longtime residents and business owners out of the area.

“Gentrification has already started said David Horne, a professor at California State University, Northridge, who lives in Lemert Park.

“I’ve started seeing Caucasians either jogging or walking their dogs at 6:30 in the morning. This was unheard of a few years ago.”

Horne described multiple instances where “Cau-

casians” have begun knocking randomly on the doors of residents telling them they were interested in buying their homes.

“A friend of mine said a Caucasian recently knocked on his door and told him, ‘I’ll give you $450,000 for your house right now.’”

Meanwhile, amid concerns of heightened gentrification, Washington vowed to do whatever possible to prevent displacement of longtime residents in the Crenshaw area.

“So often we build transportation infrastructure and the communities we build it for are displaced after it opens. That is a shame.

“And so we must be concerned about gentrification. For one reason, among others, it impacts the transportation agency’s bottom line when communities are gentrified.

Because when those communities become displaced from around the transits infrastructure and pushed further outside of the urban core, they still end up needing transportation.”

Though Washington has an acute awareness of the issue; he’s as equally realistic that stopping gentrification poses a unique set of challenges.

“We do not want to see gentrification, but we do not control all the levers that create gentrification.

"Nobody’s a champion of homeowners maintaining their property than me,” he added. “But at the same time, we can’t stop some of these big developers from trying to buy up property in the area.”

Washington, a 24-year veteran of the United States Army, held the rank of Command Sergeant Major, the highest non-commissioned officer rank enlisted personnel can achieve. His military background proved instrumental preparing him for leadership roles.

From an early age, however, he had a front row seat in the struggles that many urban areas faced; one of which include problems caused by inadequate public transportation.

“Growing up in Southside Chicago, we only had one bus that came every thirty minutes,” he recalled. “It was just amazing to me that how can it be that somewhere in America a place exist where we don’t have public transportation.”

He recounts several incidents from his childhood when local activists organized and demanded public service improvements.

The only boy among four sisters—all but one of which Washington is older than said, “When my older sister attended college on Chicago’s affluent North Side, if she missed the last bus she’d have no other alternative to get home that night.”

Raised by a single mother in Altgeld Gardens, one of the Chicago’s most notorious housing projects, young Washington found himself landlocked in an isolated area that he says helped shape his perspective and ultimately into the leader he is today.

As a final point he said, “There’s an infrastructure emphasis currently going on in city of Chicago that I see happening in L.A. right now. It is an indication that transportation infrastructure is the catalyst.

“We need the community to trust in us that we will build a transportation infrastructure; not just targeting trains and buses, but easing congestion on the highways so as to make this whole county and the 88 cities within the county a true world class transportation hub.”

L.A. Focus/March 2016

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Did Beyonce Cross The Line?

When did America’s police become so soft?

This isn’t to say that all police officers are cowardly; a good majority are hard-working individuals who care about and place their lives on the line for the communities they serve. However, there’s no shortage of stories these days of police operating violently out of fear and often with deadly and unjustified conseDavid A. Love quences.

The latest boogey man for the men in blue is not some black teen in a hoodie; it’s Beyoncé. Yes, the Bootylicous pop star apparently still has police shook. They are still butt-hurt over her Super Bowl halftime performance and her Formation video, which they apparently perceive as a Black Panther protest and #BlackLivesMatter demonstration rolled into one. In reality, it was an entertaining, culturally relevant and strong political statement.

Yet many cops seem to believe that Bey was calling on her infamous “Bey Hive” to take up arms against police. One Tennessee sheriff even blamed Beyoncé for a shooting outside his home and the deaths of seven law enforcers. The Miami Fraternal Order of Police is calling for a police boycott of her Formation tour, because apparently the police can decide what is an acceptable exercise of free speech. The NYPD wants her to apologize and publicly say that she did not advocate violence against police before they will protect her. Minister Luis Farrakhan has vowed to protect Beyoncé with the Fruit of Islam if the police refuse to do it.

Yet it’s the police who maintain a racist and bullying culture. With a rate of domestic abuse that is two to four times higher than the general population, police should be the last ones to lecture black celebrities and activists about violence.

How many times in the last year alone have we seen the men in blue operate violently out of fear? They have a strong tendency to shoot first and ask questions later.

That is what happened with 12-year old Tamir Rice in Cleveland and Akai Gurley in New York. And when it happens, they never seem to fail to blame the the victims, who are no longer alive to defend themselves.

Afraid of Beyoncé? When did America’s police become so soft?

If they want to appear tough, why don’t they ever seem to fight against the corruption and brutality in their ranks?

If they are so bad, why don’t they go after the thugs in their department who beat and kill black children in cold blood in the streets and give law enforcement a bad name? And why are they silent when their fellow black police officers are racially profiled and harassed by white officers? The cold reality is that many of these officers are paranoid little boys who use their shield as badges of manhood.

And now, the sight of dancers in Black Panther-inspired leotards on the football field ruined their precious halftime party.

However, no one outside of the Fox News bubble seems to be taking their gripe seriously. Remember that staged anti-Beyoncé protest that no one bothered to show up to?

But Beyoncé is far from being the only public figure who has been the focus of their ire. Police feelings were hurt when New York Mayor Bill de Blasio expressed his support for Black Lives Matter, and — breaking it down as only the father of a black son can do — said he instructs his son on how to conduct himself when in the presence of the police. The NYPD had a tantrum, with officers booing at the mayor and turning their backs on him in open defiance and their union chief declaring it was a “wartime police department” and insisting de Blasio had blood on his hands.

And now the cops are afraid of Beyoncé, another example of a term I’m going to call “blue fragility.” If it’s Beyoncé versus the police, I’ll vote for Beyoncé every time. Because sisters are strong, and many of America’s police have apparently gone soft.

David A. Love is a a writer and human rights activist based in Philadelphia. Follow David A. Love on Twitter at @davidalove.

Headlines From Africa Botswana: Botswana is already close to reaching the 90-90-90 target for testing, treatment and viral suppression, and is ahead of the United States and most European countries in its efforts to improve treatment coverage of HIV. Burundi: Five African heads of state met with Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza to discuss a solution to the country's entrenched political crisis, triggered by Nkurunziza's decision to run for a controversial third term, which he won in an election last July. Over 400 people have been killed and 240,000 have fled the country as violent attacks become routine and fears of a civil war grow. A spokesman for Nkurunziza called the results of the meeting "satisfactory" while the reaction from opposition leaders was mixed.

L.A. Focus/March 2016

Cameroon: Cameroon joined Nigerian troops fighting Boko Haram to free a Nigerian border town, killing 100 fighters and freeing several hundred hostages, including young girls being trained as suicide bombers.

Eritrea: The nation’s youth are fleeing the country in droves as a result of the extended period of national service being mandated by the government. Those between the ages of 18 and 40 years are expected to serve as soldiers or civil servants for 18 months, but the government says continuous threats from Ethiopia leave it with no alternative but to prolong the national service.

Ivory Coast: Soaring champagne sales have made the West African nation the fastest-growing market for bubbly in Africa. Sales almost tripled between 2011 and 2014 and were reported to have grown 65 percent last year, according to Taittinger SA, a champagne producer. Rapid urbanization, an expanding middle class and changing demographics are reported to be among the factors for the rise in bubbly consumption.

Kenya: A newly published report found that one in every three Kenyan business leaders reported procurement-related fraud (tender fraud) in the past two years, making it Kenya’s fastest growing economic crime. Four out of every 10 Kenyan CEOs reported being asked to pay bribes to get business.

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While I admit I’m a fan of Beyoncé and like the artistry to her new song formation and think she’s a great black performer, she should stick to music not politics.

Basically, Beyoncé and her Black Pant h e r groupies gave young black men license to kill last night during the Super Bowl as if they need more encouragement. Black men are already killing each other by the thousands and getting confrontational with police.

Let’s be clear–the Black Panthers were violent civil rights fighters, who were armed black men and whom FBI director Hoover called a threat to American security in the 1960s and 1970s. Beyoncé thought it was cool to glorify this violent black group by having her back up dancers dress like Black Panthers in black berets and give the Black Panther power salute. They also formed the letter X in their dance formation to honor Malcolm X, whose beliefs to bring about civil rights “by any means necessary,” became the principles upon which the Black Panthers was founded in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale.

Armed Black Panthers believed in using any means necessary, including violence to overcome oppression and bring about civil rights. By glorifying the Black Panthers, and I don’t mean the football team, Beyoncé and her Black Panther posse told young black men to get justice by any means necessary.

If a white performer and his back up dancers dressed up like the Ku Klux Klan to perform at the Super Bowl, the liberal media would say there’s hell to pay and demand all sorts of public condemnations and reparations. Not only did Beyoncé’s back up dancers dress encouraged black men to get

more violent and confrontational with po- Beyonce Should lice.

Stick to Music In my new book, Not Politics Con Job, I note the number one cause of death among young blacks age 15-34 is gun violence–homicides. Black men are more proficient in killing each other than anything else–like graduating high school. According to Justice Department Crystal Wright data from 1980-2006, blacks are 6 times as likely to commit homicides as whites and 7 times as likely to be homicide victims.

It’s no secret that 93% of black homicides are committed by other blacks. Beyoncé and liberals need to stop fanning this false narrative that racist white cops are killing young unarmed black men. While isolated cases make headlines, the rising double digit murder rates in black cities like Baltimore, DC are more the norm and the ever violent Chicago where over 500 homicides occurred in 2015 of mostly blacks killed by blacks.

Many young black women and men look up to her and Beyoncé’s Super Bowl message was Black Lives Don’t Matter by holding up pictures of the violent black teen Martin Woods killed by police officers.

The Panthers followed the teachings of Malcolm X, who believed that blacks and whites could not co-exist peacefully and advocated violence in order to protect his followers. Is that the message Beyoncé was sending last night–that blacks and whites can’t live together and we should return to the days of segregation? Beyoncé told ET online that it ‘felt great’ to perform Formation. She added: ‘I wanted people to feel proud and have love for themselves.’

Apparently, only black people.

Crystal Wright is author of the newly released book Con Job: How Democrats Gave Us Crime, Sanctuary Cities, Abortion Profiteering, and Racial Division. Wright is a communications consultant and editor and publisher of the blog Conservative Black Chick. For more about Crystal, visit Conservativeblackchick.com.

A look at current news from the continent of Africa Lesotho: El Niño is being blamed for Lesotho’s worst drought in over four decades. More than 1 in 4) people were at risk of food insecurity until June 2016 with the situation expected to worsen in the second half of the year. A government drought assessment found up to 56% of communities are using unprotected water sources; higher disease outbreaks, an increase in gender and sexual violence, a drop in the national herd and increasing food prices because of scarcity and demand.

Liberia: In an effort to reduce poverty in Liberia, the Government — through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning — has signed a $32 million agreement with the World Bank to help support various sectors of the nation's economic revitalization, mainly in areas of electricity and the nation’s depressed budget.

Mozambique: Fighting in the north threatens to undermine the progress Mozambique has made as one of Southern Africa's rising stars - rich in gas and coal.

Nigeria: The U.S. is sending a team of special operations troops to Nigeria to assist the local army in the ongoing battle against Boko Haram, however their involvement would not include direct combat, but instead strategy and advice.

Senegal: MusikBi, billed as Africa’s first legal music sales platform, launched last month with nearly 200 artists signed up to have their music distributed. The first platform of its kind in Senegal, enabling music downloads by text or PayPal, was created with the aim to promote local artists, help them get properly paid for their work, and protect them from widespread piracy.

Somalia: Hundreds of Somali soldiers have erected new security checkpoints across the capital, Mogadishu, a day after attacks by Islamic extremists killed at least 14 civilians and wounded several others.

Zimbabwe: Speaking at an international meeting of justice ministers against the death penalty in Rome, Zimbabwe'sVice President/Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa (who once faced the death penalty), reported that the country was close to abolishing capital punishment, stating "The death penalty is, in fact, a flagrant violation of the right to life and dignity."

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MoneyMatters Inspired By Daughters, “Diddy” Launches Girls Clothing Line partnership with such an iconic American retailer. I am excited by the opportunity that this extended deal will continue to give the Sean John brand and all of our licensing partners."

The new Sean John Girls collection will feature a wide variety of vibrant shirts, shorts, dresses and jackets, ranging from $35 to $100.

"Jessie, D'Lila and Chance are fashionistas in their own right and creatively, the girls will be integrated into the brand creative as they embark on this venture as hip and stylish young entrepreneurs," Diddy said in a statement.

The Bad Boy CEO says he'll work alongside his girls on the new clothing line, the first-ever girls’ collection in his popular Sean John clothing brand's history.

Forbes Magazine named the 46-year old entertainer/entrepreneur as the highest-paid hip-hop artist last year— hether he's Puffy, P. Diddy or just Diddy, we all with estimated earnings of $60 million—most of them know Sean Combs as a hip-hop mogul. The raked in came from non-musical ventures. Aside from his Harlem native who first launched his clothing Sean John clothing brand in 1998, is making a new line, Combs income foray into the fashion world. derived from his Combs latest business venstakes in the TV ture, which was was inspired network Revolt, by the 46-year-old’s three the alkaline water daughters, Jessie, D’Lila and brand AquahyChance, is slated to arrive in drate, and a 50/50 Macy's department stores profit stake in and online later this Ciroc, which month. alone could net "Macy's and Sean John him upwards of have had a synergistic $100 million. partnership that has It’s been seven thrived over the last 15 years since he last years and I am beyond released an album. pleased to continue our

W

On the Money Blacks Underrepresented in Higher Paying Majors A new study by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce finds that African Americans are overrepresented in lower paying college majors and underrepresented in higher paying majors. The study, which examined bachelor’s degrees in 137 detailed majors, found that African Americans only made up 8% of the higher paying majors, but 17% of the lower paying majors, despite being 12% of the population.

But the choice of major is still not enough to guarantee higher wages, according to Anthony Carnevale, the author of the report and director of the Georgetown center. He contends that social and family factors play a key role and because of them, blacks can wind up in lower paying jobs even within higher paying majors.

“If you’re an African American who majors in math, you’re more likely to become a school teacher. If you’re a white male who majors in math, you’re more likely to go on to grad school in business, or to seek out higher education opportunities.”

To counter this, Carnevale suggested schools provide better counseling so that students can be made aware of broader opportunities.

A broad range of engineering majors—from petroleum engineering (the highest) to chemical, nuclear, electronics and communications engineering offer a median starting salary range of $51,700-$97,900. Then there’s computer science ($56,600); Statistics ($55,200); Molecular Biology ($44,100 to $81,700); Chemistry ($44,200 to $81,800); Business Information Systems ($59,800 to $85,100; Financial accounting ($51,400 to $85,300); Architectural Engineering ($57,000 to $90,400); Applied mathematics ($54,300 to $96,500); and Economy ($51,400 to $97,700)

Biz NewsBriefs Channing Dungey Becomes First Black To Head Major Network

When the dust had cleared from ABC Entertainment’s latest regime change, the network’s head of drama, Channing Dungey, was named the new president, making her the first black to head a major broadcast network.

"Channing is a gifted leader and proven magnet for top creative talent, with an impressive record of developing breakthrough programming that resonates with viewers," Disney co-chair Ben Sherwood said.

“I’m thrilled and humbled that Ben has entrusted me with this

tremendous opportunity,” said Dungey, who is the sister of Brooklyn Nine-Nine actress Merrin Dungey. “I’ve had the great honor of working alongside the talented team at ABC for many years and look forward to starting this exciting new chapter with them.”

Dungey was instrumental in the development and success of hits such as Scandal,” Criminal Minds, How to Get Away With Murder, Quantico, and Once Upon A Time.

The 46-year-old Sacramento native and UCLA grad began her career as a development assistant at 20th Century Fox. She then became a story editor, working on the development and production of such films as “Under Siege.”

Following that, she joined Warner Bros. as a production executive, helping to develop films including “Bridges of Madison County,” “Heat,” “The Matrix” and “Practical Magic.”

“She's the smartest person they've got,” said one network exec.

Meet The Decision Makers Honors Top Black Women In L.A. Transportation Industry

American History Month Business Breakfast was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel last month. The event titledWomen Leading the Way featured three phenomenal African American Women decision makers in the transportation and infrastructure industry in Southern California. The honorees included Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Deborah Flint, Long Beach Transit Deputy Chief Executive Officer Debra Johnson, and Metro Deputy Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Wiggins.

The honorees discussed diversity in hiring and the importance of diversity in the contracting process. Since millions of dollars will be spent on current and upcoming public works projects at their respective agencies, they encouraged small and diverse business owners to actively pursue contracting opportunities that will be available soon.

During the Women Leading the Way event, each honoree shared her personal journey to success. There was also a moderated Q&A segment which gave attendees an opportunity to engage directly with the honorees and ask questions related to disadvantaged business opportunities.

The First annual Meet the Decision Makers African

L.A. Focus/March 2016

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Dollars & ense The American Cancer Society reported that 1,444,920 people were diagnosed with cancer in 2007. I was one of them. So what goes through one’s mind when the doctor gives you and your loved ones the dreaded news? Well, this is my personal story.

Flash back to Memorial Day weekend 2007. I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. Like most, I wrote it off as indigestion. I had experienced these pains over a period of several months, but would leave just as quickly as they would come. Not this time. This time was pain was worse. A few days later my assistant found me on the floor in my office writhing in pain.

After being pressured to see my doctor the next day, I ended up in emergency surgery at Cedars Sinai, which resulted in the removal of a grapefruit sized tumor from my stomach. A week later I was discharged with the grim diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer that originates in your lymphatic system.

The first thought is am I going to live? Sadly, what is not told is the enormous cost of the treatment for this disease. Most people think if they have health insurance that they will be okay. Unfortunately, this is not true. Only about 30% of the cost of the treatment is covered by your major medical policies. The rest of the cost or around 70% is out of pocket expenses incurred by the family being treated. The ancillary cost of treating cancer far exceeds your average medical policy.

With the price of a full treatment course of chemotherapy routinely averaging upwards of $100,000 for a full treatment course, it is easy to see why. In a New York Times article titled “The Punishing Cost of Cancer Care”, a doctor reported having to watch families choose between spending all the savings for a little more time or declining therapies to insure that there families can be provided for

“The first thought is am I going to live? Sadly, what is not told is the enormous cost of the treatment for this disease. Most people think if they have health insurance that they will be okay. Unfortunately, this is not true.”

Bob Blake is President of Bob Blake & Associates Inc. and has more than 27 years experience in life & disability insurance market. To learn more visit www.bobblakeinc.com or call (562) 437-7723.

after they’ve died.

And we haven’t even taking into consideration, the cost of the drugs that all too often come with the treatment. In 2012, 12 of the 13 new drugs approved for cancer indications were priced above $100,000 per year of therapy.

In the U.S., African Americans bear a disproportionate share of the cancer burden, having the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial or ethnic group for most cancers. The causes of these inequalities are complex and reflect social and economic disparities more than biological differences. For example, in 2014, 26% of blacks, compared with 10% of non- Hispanic whites, were living below the federal poverty level, and 22% of blacks had completed four years of college compared with 36% of non-Hispanic whites.

Persons with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to engage in behaviors that increase cancer risk, in part because of marketing strategies that target these populations as well as environmental and community factors, such as fewer opportunities for physical activity and less access to fresh fruits and vegetables. We recognize that race is a social construct; however, because much US health data are reported by race, racial classification remains useful for describing general patterns of health within the nation.

By purchasing a stand‐alone Cancer policy, a family can insure there is enough income coming into the household to avoid tremendous debt or in most cases, bankruptcy. These policies have gained tremendous popularity and I can personally attest to how it helped my family deal with my illness and recovery.

One out of two men will be diagnosed with cancer compared to one out of three women, however women tend to have more serious consequences when diagnosed because of breast cancer and ovarian cancer, which tend to be more aggressive. Early diagnosis is always the key and most are surviving the disease. The challenge is most families end up broke. I survived my illness, praise God, because of a wise purchase of a cancer policy. I actually ended up in good shape financially.

Eye On Gospel Anthony Brown Makes Gospel History With Ten Stellar Award wins Anthony Brown went into the 31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards leading with ten nominations, and left Las Vegas making Stellar Awards history as he won every category for which he earned a nomination, including “Artist of the Year”, “Song of The Year”, “Male Vocalist of the Year”, “Producer of the Year” and “CD of the Year”.

Said Brown, “I don’t even think I have the words to articulate what I’m feeling now, but it has less to do with the awards and more to do with the concept of work and the value you feel when God rewards what you do in private publicly.”

Indicating that this was just the beginning of what he has in store for the industry, Brown added, “I always believe that God saves the best for later.”

The 31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, hosted by comedian/syndicated radio and TV personality Rickey Smiley and actress and TV personality Sherri Shepherd was held Feb. 20, at the Las Vegas Orleans Arena. Dubbed the biggest night in Gospel Music, the show honors the best of Gospel music’s artists, writers and industry professionals over the past year.

The night’s other big winner was Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago who scored five wins with his eight nominations, including “Traditional Male Vocalist” and “Choir of the Year”.

Tosha Cobbs, who earned six nominations, took home two awards, including “Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year”.

Erica Campbell who earned eight nominations, left empty-handed, while sister Tina Campbell won two of the three awards she was up for, including “Traditional Female Vocalist”.

Special awards were given to living legends Tramaine Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp and comedian/actor Jonathan Slocumb. The Allstate James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by Pastor Shirley Caesar posthumously to Grammy Award-winner O’landa Draper with riveting tribute performances by Donald Lawrence, Hezekiah Walker and Ricky Dillard. Joe Ligon, founder and lead vocalist of the Mighty Clouds of Joy, received the Chevrolet Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award.

The two-hour live-to-tape awards show—featuring performances from Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Brian Courtney Wilson, Tasha Cobbs, Casey J, Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Karen Clark Sheard, Marvin Sapp, Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin, Travis Greene and William McDowell— premieres on TV One on Sunday, March 6 at 6 p.m. ET (encores at 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. ET) and in syndication on 150 stations in over 125 markets throughout the country from March 12-April 10.

A complete list of winners is as follows: Artist of the Year: Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy Song of the Year: “Worth” Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy (Everyday Jesus) Male Vocalist of the Year: Anthony Brown (Everyday Jesus)

Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year: Tasha Cobbs (One Place Live) Group/Duo of the Year: Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy (Everyday Jesus) New Artist of the Year: Casey J. (The Truth) CD of the Year: Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy (Everyday Jesus) Choir of the Year: Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago (Any Given Sunday) Producer of the Year: Anthony Brown & Justin Savage (Everyday Jesus) Contemporary Group/Duo: Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy (Everyday Jesus) Traditional Group/Duo: The Rance Allen Group (Celebrate) Contemporary Male Vocalist: Anthony Brown (Everyday Jesus) Traditional Male Vocalist: Charles Jenkins (Any Given Sunday) Contemporary Female Vocalist: Tasha Cobbs (One Place Live) Traditional Female Vocalist: Tina Campbell (It’s Personal) Contemporary CD: Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy (Everyday Jesus) Traditional CD: Tina Campbell (It’s Personal) Urban/Inspirational Single/Performance: Kirk Franklin (“Wanna Be Happy?”)

Music Video: Charles Jenkins & The Spin Singers, “War” (Any Given Sunday) Traditional Choir: Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago (Any Given Sunday) Contemporary Choir: J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise (I See Victory) Instrumental CD: Ben Tankard (Full Tank 2.0) Special Event CD: Various Artists, “WOW Gospel 2015” Rap Hip Hop Gospel CD: Derek Minor (Empire) Youth Project: God’s Gift and Soldiers Youth Choir (Through Anthony Brown the Fire and Flood) Quartet of the Year-The Rance Allen Group (Celebrate) Packaging: Denise Trotman & Conni Treantefeles (Everyday Jesus) Praise and Worship CD: Tasha Cobbs (One Place Live)

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Re d Carpet Style

Kerri WAhiNgtoN stuns in gladiator-inspired Versace at the 88th Annual Academy Awards

tracee ellis ross looks daring in this black plunging rubin singer gown at the NaacP image awards

YArA ShAhidi was all smiles on the NAACP image Awards red carpet in this strapless gown by Milly

ANgelA BASSett was as beautiful as always at the British Academy Film Awards in this galia lahav gown

KeKe PAlMer walked the red carpet at the ABFF Awards dinner in a canary yellow galia lahav gown

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Calendar of events

Ongoing Photo Exhibition: “The African Legacy in Central America” (Through March 20) Tues - Sat 10:00am-5:00pm; Sun 11:00am-5:00pm CA African American Museum 600 State Drive • Exposition Park RSVP preferred (213) 744-2024 www.caamuseum.org

Thursday, March 3 In Concert: Martin Lawrence $35-$85 San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino 777 San Manuel Blvd Highland, CA www.sanmanuel.com

Saturday, March 5 On Stage: “I’m Only Human” (Through Sunday, March 6) From Jack Lightsy Productions Featuring Brian Courtney Wilson, Angie Fisher, Bechir Sylvain, Dayna Dooley, Kente Scott and more Sat: 8PM/Sun: 6PM For tickets/info: (310) 963-4704 Jacklightsyproductions.com “I Love The 90s Concert” featuring Tone Loc, All 4 One, Color Me Badd, Young MC, Kid N Play, Vanilla Ice 8PM • $49.50 – 99.50 Microsoft Theater 777 Chick Hearn Court Contact: (213) 763-6030 www.microsofttheater.com

L.A. Focus/March 2016

Jada Pinkett-Smith is ravishing as she posed on the red carpet at the Image Awards last month.

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In Concert: Sinbad 9PM • $28-$48 The Rose

300 E. Colorado Blvd #101 Pasadena Contact: (888) 645-5006 www.roseconcerts.com

ourroots.org

Sunday, March 6 Discussion: Meet LA's Own NBC4 News Reporter, Beverly White 2pm - 4pm • Free CA African American Museum 600 State Drive • Exposition Park RSVP preferred (213) 744-2024 www.caamuseum.org Free Legal Clinic Offered by First AME Church (Also Sunday, March 20) 10:00AM – 1:00PM No appointment necessary 2248 S. Hobart Ave Information: (323) 735-1251 www.famechurch.org

Wednesday, March 9 African Methodist Church's 5th Episcopal District Annual Evening of Elegance 4PM – 6PM • $65 Hilton Los Angeles Airport 5711 W. Century Blvd Information: (323) 735-1251 fifthdistrictlay.org

In Concert: Waka Flocka Flame 9PM • $10 - $60 Club Nokia 800 W Olympic Blvd Tickets: (888) 929-7849 www.clubnokia.com

Saturday, March 12 “How To Pay For College Seminar” 2PM • Free Holman United Methodist Church 3320 West Adams Blvd RSVP to Ann: (323) 731-7285 www.holmanumc.com Discover Your Roots 14th Annual African American Family History Conference Keynote Speaker: Paula WilliamsMadison $40 (includes lunch) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Historical Chapel 1209 S. Manhattan Place Register: (310) 4757018 www.discovery-

Sunday, March 13 On Stage: “Women Laughing Alone With Salad” Opening Night Call for dates and prices Kirk Douglas Theater (213) 972-7376 CenterTheatreGroup.org On Film: A Ballerina’s Tale: The Incredible Rise of Misty Copeland 12:45pm to 2:00pm • Free CA African American Museum 600 State Drive • Exposition Park RSVP preferred (213) 744-2024 www.caamuseum.org

Monday, March 14 Installation Service for President/Pastor Xavier Thompson 11AM Mt. Moriah Baptist Church 4269 S. Figueroa Street Information: (323) 7312703

Wednesday, March 16

Thursday, March 10 Jazz For The Soul: Honoring Women Veterans Music from The Holman Quartet Featuring Live Music, Spoken Word, Child Care and Light Meal 6:30PM Holman United Methodist Church 3320 West Adams Blvd Information: (323) 731-7285

ingKerri Wash Foxx, and rds Dinner ie m Ja , wa ing Regina K age at the ABFF A ton backst rpet aces the red ca st Mike Epps gr ho ds ar Aw FF AB the before cracking th his jokes. wi up e nc die au

EvENT SPOTLIGHT Friday, March 11

In Concert: Young Thug 9PM • $32.50 $35 800 W

Bishop Larry T. Kirkland Retirement Celebration Hosted by the African Methodist Church's 5th Episcopal District 5:30PM • Free Hilton Los Angeles Airport 5711 W. Century Blvd Information: (323) 735-1251 Olympic RSVP: www.kirklandreception.eventbrite.com

“Quantico ” co-star A unjanue El litical state lis makes a ment on th poe Image A wards red carpet.

Lee Daniels is too cool on the NAACP Image Awards red carpet.

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TV siblings Yara Shahidi and Marcus Scribner of ABC’s “Black-ish”, strike a pose at the NAACP Image Awards.

Empire star Taraji P. Henson celebrates her Image award win with TV son Bryshere Y. Gray

Blvd Tickets: (888) 929-7849 www.clubnokia.com

842 S. Broadway Contact: (877) 677-4386 www.laorpheum.com

Thursday, March 17

The Dancer In Me “Manifest” (Through Sunday, March 20) Sacred Arts & Music Training Institute. Three days of intensive worship & purpose-driven artistry. $55 -$110 COR AME Church & University of California Irvine 45 Tesla • Irvine Register: (562) 293-1700 www.spiritofpraiseinternational.com

GLAAACC 23rd Annual Economic Awards Dinner Invited Speakers include Governor Jerry Brown and Xerox CEO Ursula Burns 5:30pm Reception 7pm Dinner • $500 JW Marriott LA Live 900 W. Olympic Blvd.

Contact: (310) 216-4722 www.glaaacc.org

Friday, March 18 In Concert: Herbie Hancock 8pm • $52.50–$132.50 Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 South Grand Ave www.laphil.com On Stage: Je'Caryous Johnson's "Married But Single" Featuring Lisa Raye McCoy, Chrisette Michele, Carl Payne, LaMyia Good and Darrin Henson (Through Sat, March 19) Fri: 8PM • Sat: 3PM and 8PM $44.50 – 64.50 Orpheum Theatre

Saturday, March 19 Black Business Association’s 2016 Salute to Black Women Business Conference, Vendor Faire & Awards Luncheon (Honoring women in public service and government) 8:30am–3:30pm • $50 The L.A. Hotel 333 S. Figueroa St Contact: (323) 291-9334 www.bbala.org

trait of yourself or a family member guided by Surreal Box Cinema artists) CA African American Museum 600 State Drive • Exposition Park RSVP preferred (213) 7442024 www.caamuseum.org

Sunday, March 20 In Concert: Cab Calloway Orchestra 3PM • $45 - $62 12700 Center Court Drive Cerritos Tickets: (800) 300-4345 or (562) 916-8500 www.cerritoscenter.com

Tuesday, March 22 District One Toastmasters: Life Stages Open House 7:00 pm-8:30 pm •Free Zoe Christian Fellowship 5351 West Adams Blvd Contact: Joyce Howard (323) 931-1477 ext. 14 www.toastmasters.org

Wednesday, March 23 9th Annual Toast To Urban Entertainment Executives Honoring Women Honoring casting director Leah Daniels Butler, BMI VP

Catherine Brewton, Columbia Records VP Cynthia Johnson and more 7PM • H.O.M.E. 430 N Camden Drive Beverly Hills Contact: (323) 933-8007

Friday, March 25 In Concert: The Whispers, Howard Hewett & Chante Moore 7PM • $55 - $100 Terrace Theater 300 East Ocean Boulevard Long Beach Convention Ctr Contact: (562) 436-3636 www.longbeachcc.com “WonderCom” Presented by Comic-Con International Featuring sneak peeks, Q&As, screenings, special guests and a costume contest (Through Sunday, March 27) $65 3-day badge, $30 1-day badge, $18 Sunday only L.A. Convention Center 1201 S Figeroa Street www.comic-con.org/wca

Saturday, March 26

Michelle King and Pastor Sonja Dawson 11AM • $40 Vermont Community Center 8039 South Vermont Information: (323) 546-8173 Community Writer’s Workshop 1PM – 3PM • Free CA African American Museum 600 State Drive • Exposition Park RSVP preferred (213) 7442024 www.caamuseum.org In Concert: DJ Quik 9PM • $25 Club Nokia 800 W Olympic Blvd Tickets: (888) 929-7849 www.clubnokia.com

Wednesday, March 30 In Concert: Ciara (The Jackie Tour) 7PM • $25 - $60 House of Blues Anaheim 1530 South Disneyland Drive Anaheim Tickets: (714) 778- 2583 http://www.houseofblues.com

around los angeles Workshop: Guided Surreal Photography 1PM – 3PM • Free (Create a photographic por-

Friday, April 1

On Stage: Ragtime The

Saturday, April 2 On Stage: Pony Box Dance Theatre & Lula Washington Dance Theatre 8PM • $30 Nate Holden Performing Arts 4718 West Washington Blvd www.ebonyrep.org Holman Prayer Breakfast with Special Guest Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright Pastor Emeritus, Trinity UCC, Chicago 9AM – Noon •$45 3320 W. Adams Information/tickets: (323) 731-7285

Sunday, April 3 In Concert: Kenny G. City National Grove of Anaheim 2200 East Katella Avenue Contact: (714) 712-2700 www.citynationalgroveofana-

the spotlight Kerri Washington shares Image Awards red P AC NA the with Viola Davis on carpet

Tika Sumpter, Holly Robinson-Peete and Iyanla Vanzant smile for the camera at Essence Women in Hollywood Luncheon

Tia Mowry strikes a pos

e on the Essenc Wome n in Hollywood Luncheon red carpet

L.A. Focus/March 2016

ch at Essence allis givies spee Quvenzhane W od Luncheon wo lly Women In Ho Eighth Annual

National Action Network L.A. Women’s History Luncheon Honorees include LAUSD

Musical (Through Saturday, April 2 Fri: 8PM • Sat: 2PM/8PM $40 - $68 12700 Center Court Drive Cerritos Tickets: (800) 300-4345 or (562) 916-8500 www.cerritoscenter.com

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INSIDE HO L LY W OOD with Chez’Ney Eclipsed Eclipsed is making history as the first Broadway play to be written by, directed by, produced by and starring black women. The ground breaking play is stunning critics and sold out audiences. And is also the only new play by a woman on Broadway this season.

Eclipsed stars Pascale Armand (The Trip to Bountiful), Akosua Busia (The Color Purple, film), Zainab Jah (“Law and Order: SVU”), Saycon Sengbloh (Motown) and Academy award winner Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years A Slave).

Written by Zimbabwean-American playwright and actress Danai Gurira (star of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” and co-author of the Continuum) and directed

by South African born Liesl Tommy (The Good Negro, Appropriate), Eclipsed is a stirring tale of hope, humor, and resilience.

America’s Next Top Model Tyra Banks’ modeling reality competition show, America’s Next Top Model, recently ended it’s 22-cycle run on The CW and it’s predecessor UPN and has been picked up

by VH1. Although Banks –the show’s creator–will continue on as executive producer she will be replaced as host. “The veteran show is being reinvented for a new generation.” “I will continue as Executive Producer, but must turn my attention to new business endeavors, so I want to find a new host. I’m pumped to identify that person and bring back the show. The deal was made by CBS Television Distribution, which shopped the series to cable and SVOD outlets last fall after receiving incoming interest.

Originally premiering on May 20, 2003 and the first series to debut on The CW on Sept 20, 2006.

Top Model has been the most successful and the longet running reality series currently on the CW. The show’s very successful format has been copied in over 30 countries. “After creating an incredible, global brand, I am beyond excited to have the show reborn,” Banks said. Top Model fans, you demanded that the show come back, and VH1 answered the call. Get ready for a fierce-a-fied rebirth!” “We could not be more excited to bring back and breathe new life into one of the greatest unscripted franchises on television,” said Scott Koondel, chief licensing officer for CBS Corp. “VH1 is the perfect partner for this new endeavor and we hope this is the beginning of a long relationship.”

NeNe Leakes A while ago –after the passing of the great comedienne Joan Rivers– we reported that NeNe Leakes was being highly considered to take a seat as one of the fashion experts on the hit show Fashion Police. Well, she has officially joined the panel as a special 2016 co-host but because of prior work obligations she will be on only 10 out of 12 episodes. The network is said to be paying NeNe tens of thousands of dollars per episode for her new role on the show.

NeNe joins Melissa Rivers, stylist to the stars Brad Goreski, Former news host Giuliana Rancic, and comedienne Margaret Cho making it the first time ever that the show will have five panelists at the same time. When asked whether or not Leakes is being considered for a full-time panel position, the insider said, “Everyone is hoping for that, yes.” “They want to see how well she does in terms of numbers and ratings before offering her a full-time contract,” said the source.

COMINGSOON

London Has Fallen After the Prime Minister passes away, all leaders of the world must attend his funeral, which turns into a deadly plot to kill the world's most powerful leaders.

March 4

Miracles From Heaven The Divergent Series: A young girl suffering from a Allegiant rare digestive disorder finds Beatrice and Tobias venture into herself miraculously cured the world outside of the fence and after surviving a terrible are taken into protective custody. accident.

March 18 March 18

The Perfect Match Charlie, a playboy, meets the beautiful and mysterious Eva. Agreeing to a casual affair, Charlie then wants a bit more from their relationship.

March 11

UNDERGROUND SLAVE DRAMA PREMIERES THIS MONTH WGN’s most anticipated mini series to date, “Underground”, premieres this month. The ten-episode mini-series stars award-winning actress and activist Jurnee Smollett-Bell (“True Blood”, “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor”) as sheltered house slave Rosalee and Aldis Hodge (“Leverage”) as Noah, the planation’s driven and restless blacksmith whose back bares the scars of his determination to be free. The story follows their 600mile escape from a Georgia plantation along with a group of other slaves, aided by a secret abolitionist couple running a station on the Underground Railroad as they attempt to evade the people charged with bringing them back, dead or alive.

Also starring in the series “This is a story that has not been told before,” co-creator Misha Green told Black Enterprise. “We have a little paragraph in some history books about this time period. But this is an inspiring story that shows what can be accomplished when we stick together. It shows how people traveled 600 miles with people hunting them every step to get to freedom. It shows the ingenuity they used. It shows the people along the railroad who were helping them, who weren’t even part of the movement but they were risking their lives. It shows what we can do when we all come together.”

Q&A Cuba Gooding Jr.

Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. has come a long way from getting his lines cut in his first film Coming to America. From his first major role as Tre Styles in John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood –a drama based on gang and inner-city violence– to supporting roles in major films such as A Few Good Men and Outbreak, eventually winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor as charismatic and arrogant football player Rod Tidwell in Jerry Maguire in 1996, you can find Gooding tackling the hardest character he says he ever had to play, O.J. Simpson, in FX limited series “The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”. And he is Killing the role. Cuba is definitely an actor to reckon with.

Why was portraying O.J. the hardest character you ever played?

Playing O.J. moved me to hatred, anger, frustration, and grief. When I finished this role I was a wreck. The day we shot the funeral scene and OJ kissed Nicole’s corpse, I wept in my trailer. I was looking at myself in there going, ‘What are you doing, why are you so emotional?’

And I think it’s because of my guilt. Guilt because [in 1995] when that verdict came up ‘not guilty’, I jumped up, I was yelling and screaming because I was like, f--the man who tried to do another black man wrong, and I never grieved for those two families and their loss, and it all hit me on that day in that scene, where the Goldmans and the Browns, their children are gone from them. And whether you believe he did it or not, that was something that I personally didn’t care about [at the time of the verdict].”

As one of the few Black actor’s that have won an Academy Award what is your take on the Oscar’s so white boycott?

I wouldn’t boycott, and I would attend because I’m proud of my membership. But it was necessary for Jada Pinkett-Smith to say what she said in order to spark the conversation. And if you look, that led to some of the rules being changed.

“I think things are moving in the right direction, and it’s the dialogue that gets things moving. Changes in the Academy’s rules and membership have been made. Time will tell if it worked or not. In the end it all starts at the executives’ level. We’ll just have to see, but I am optimistic.”

You were able to get to know Ben Carson when you portrayed him in the move “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story” how do you feel about him running for president?

Of course, this was long before he ran for president and the film wasn’t the least bit political, so that’s the context in which I knew him.” I have positive feelings about Carson, his wonderful wife, Candy, his mom — they are all a very specific family unit that is inspired by God’s grace.

Look, there is a certain type of person who puts themselves out there. You need a bravado, an arrogance to run for political office, and Ben Carson has got that in spades. So, nothing has surprised me in his run for the office. He’s a very smart man. and he clearly has a lot to say.

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Let’s Connect

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ChurchNews Drake To Step Down As Pastor of Greater Ebenezer; Retirement Gala Set For June

Amen L.A. (Affirming Ministry Enlightening Nations) 1455 W. 94th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 229-9351 • www.amenla.org Rev. Dr. DiAnn L. Johnson Sunday Morning Worship: 9:30am-10:30am PTP / Preach the word- Teach the word practice the word

Bethel AME Church of Los Angeles 7900 South Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 750-3240 • www.bethelamela.org Rev. Kelvin T. Calloway Early Worship: 7:45 am Morning Worship: 10:45am Mid-week “Hour of Power” (Wed): noon

Bethesda Temple Church Apostolic Faith 1101 W. Florence Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 299-2591 Interim Pastor Robert Lockett

I

L.A. Focus/March 2016

t’s been a wonderful journey. I’ve been blessed to pastor one of God’s great congregations and it has brought much joy to my life, but I felt it was time to step down,” said Rev. Solomon L. Drake, senior pastor at Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church, of his decision to retire from the helm of one of the largest Baptist congregations in the city.

Drake—who will officially step down on June 30 after 34 years at the helm—is only the second pastor to lead the 65-year old church, founded by Rev. A.W. Lott.

While he is hesitant to point to any one highlight, he is clear about one thing: “ What I know to be true is that pastoring the Greater Ebenezer Church was and is one of the greatest joys of my life. God has blessed me with the church, my family, my baseball career and the journey that God has blessed me to take leading me to 54th and Denker.”

The Little Rock, Arkansas native settled in Los Angeles after a two-year stint in the military, and after making history with his brother Samuel as the first African American siblings to play in the major leagues. Drake—then known as Solly Drake—played from 1956 to 1959 with the Chicago Cubs, the L.A. Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies.

He’d been through a number of churches and denominations before a friend suggested Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church. He ended up joining the church and re-committing his life to the Lord in 1963.

Under the direction of Rev. A.W. Lott, Drake continued to groom himself for the ministry working with the youth and as a Sunday School teacher. In 1978, he was called to pastor Santa Barbara Avenue Baptist Church after a church member heard him preach during one of Greater Ebenezer’s live broadcast.

But in 1982 Rev. Lott passed away and Drake was asked to take over as pastor of Greater Ebenezer.

A black tie retirement gala is set for Friday, June 24, 2016 at the Renaissance Hotel. His last Sunday— June 26—coincides with the church’s 66th anniversary.

In the meantime, the church is in the process of putting together a pastoral committee to choose a successor.

“I’ll still be preaching and teaching here and there and I want to do some writing,” said the 85-year old husband and father of three. “I’ll be available if they call on me for anything but I’m not going to get in the way.

In other local church news, a gala retirement celebration is being held on March 11 for Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, presiding prelate of the Fifth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and his wife, Mary L. Kirkland, who serves as Episcopal Supervisor.

The reception is set to take place during the district’s Mid-Year Convocation at the Los Angeles Airport Hilton Hotel, March 9-12…The Baptist Minister’s Conference of L.A. and Southern California is set to celebrate the re-election and formal installation of President Xavier Thompson, senior pastor of Southern Missionary Baptist Church on Monday, March 14. The event is set to get underway at Southern MBC at 11am….Finally, congratulations to Pastor Toure Roberts (One Church L.A.) and First Lady Sarah Jakes Roberts on the birth of their baby girl last month.

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Sunday School: 9:40am Morning Worship: 11am Evening Worship: 6pm Bible Study (Wed): 7pm Prayer (Sat): 7am Evening Prayer (Mon.): 6:30pm

Bethlehem Temple Church, INC. 958 East 52nd Street Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 232-8429 • F: (323) 232-8660 Pastor Elder Gentry Richardson, Jr. Sunday: Christian Education: 9am Morning Worship: 11am PYPU (youth services): 4:30pm Evening Worship: 6pm (5pm 5th Sun.) Monday Prayer Revival: 7pm Wednesday Ministerial/Teacher’s Prep. Class: Noon; Bible Class: 7:45pm

Bryant Temple AME Church 2525 W. Vernon Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 293-6201 • F: (323) 293-0082 Rev. Theodore W. Payne, IV Sunday School: 10am Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 10:30 am Bible Study (Tues): Noontime Pastor’s Bible Study( Tues): 7pm

Crenshaw Christian Center 7901 South Vermont, Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 758-3777 • F: (323)565-4231 • www.faithdome.org Rev. Frederick Price Jr. Sunday Service: 10am Bible Study (Tue): 11am & 7pm Tue. Night Kidz Unlocked: 7pm Tue. Night Bible Study (Teens): 7pm Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (Wed): 7pm Intercessory Prayer (Wed.): 7:30pm Prayer & Praise (Thurs.): 6:30pm First AME Church (FAME) 2270 South Harvard Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 730-7750 • F: (323) 735-7829 • www.famechurch.org Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, Senior Pastor/CEO Sunday School: 10am Worship: 8am, 10am, Noon Youth Church (Fame Renaissance): Noon Wed. Prayer Service: Noon Wed. Bible Study: 7pm Radio: 10:30am on KJLH-102.3FM First AME is the oldest Black Church in the City Grace Temple Baptist Church 7017 South Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 971-8192 Bishop Miquail M. Broadous Sr., Senior Pastor Sunday School: 9am Morning Worship: 10:00am Wednesday Worship: 6:45pm E-Mail: gtbcla@gmail.com

Grace United Methodist Church 4112 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 294-6653 • F: (323) 294-8753 • graceumc1@earthlink.net Rev. Pastor Paul A. Hill • www.graceumcla.com Early Morning Worship: 7:45am Sunday School: 9:45am Morning Worship: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 7pm Fri. Alcoholic Anonymous: 7pm Tues. Prayer Fellowship: 6:30pm Super Seniors (Thurs/Bi-Monthly): 10:30am Follow us on Facebook Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church 5300 S. Denker Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 759-4996 Dr. Solomon Drake 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

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

Holman United Methodist Church 3320 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 731-7285 • F: (323) 731-2609 • www.holmanumc.com Rev. Kelvin Sauls

Church of Jesus Christ International 3719 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 296-1106 Pastor Michelle Beal

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

Sunday Morning Glory Service (2nd & 4th): 8:30am-9:30am Christian Education Classes: 9:45am-10:45am Sunday Morning Worship: 11:15am Tuesday Prayer: 7pm Wednesday Bible Class: 7pm 1st Sunday Nights: 7pm Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship 2085 S. Hobart Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 Phone: (323) 731-8869 • F: (323) 731-0851 • www.cccf-ucc.org Pastor James K. McKnight Sun. Early Worship: 8am Prayer Meeting: 10:30am Morning Worship: 11am Wed. Afternoon Bible Study: 1pm Wed. Prayer Meeting: 6pm Wed. Evening Bible Study: 7pm View Pastor McKnight’s Sermons on YouTube

Sunday School: 8:00, 9:45 & 11am Fuse Worship (Sunday): 6pm Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 11am Bible Study (Thurs.): Noon Sun. Radio: KJLH 102.3FM: 11am E: Holman@holmanumc.com

Sunday Church School: 9am Morning Worship: 10:30am & 12:30pm Wed. Bible Study: noon & 6:30pm Prayer Meeting: 6pm Follow us on Twitter @dacrossculture www.thecrossculture.org Miracle Center Apostolic Church 2638 S. Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 735-5121 or 735-5122 Dr. Roy S. Petitt • Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 8am, 11am & 6pm Tues. Prayer & Bible Class: Noon Rights of Passage: 7pm Wed. Bible Study: 8pm Thurs. Prayer/Bible Class: Noon Fri. Faith Seminar: 8pm Radio KTYM-1460AM: (M-Fri.) 8am 8:15am

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Mt. Moriah Baptist Church of LA, Inc. 4269 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323) 846-1950 Rev. Melvin V. Wade, Sr. Sunday School: 8:15am Morning Worship: 9:45am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Mid-Week Worship (Wed): 7pm Bible Study (Wed.): 8pm

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

Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church of Los Angeles 3669 W. 54th St. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 291-1121 F: (323) 291-1133 • office@sinai.church • www.sinai.church Pastor George E. Hurtt, Pastor-Teacher Sunday Worship: 8am, 11am Discipleship Hour (Sun): 9:37am Noonday Prayer (Mon): Noon Noonday Bible Study (Tue): 12:00pm Tuesday Night in the Truth: 7:15pm Email: office@sinai.church •www.sinai.church Our Goal: To win more Christians & develop better Christians to the glory of God. (Matt. 28:18-20)

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

Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church 6614 S. Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 753-3189 • F: (323) 753-1018 • www.mttabormbc.org Dr. Ticey M. Brown, D. Min. Pastor/Teacher Early Morning Worship: 8am Sunday School: 9:30am Mid Morning Worship: 11am Tues. Bible Study: 10am & 7pm Meeting/Bible Study: 6:30pm–8pm First Sun. Communion: 11am & 5pm Baptism First Sunday

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

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

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

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

People’s Independent Church of Christ 5856 West Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 296-5776 Bishop Craig A. Worsham, Sr. Pastor

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

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 2009 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 293-6448 • F: (323) 293-6605 Dr. Sylvester Washington Sunday School: 8am Morning Worship: 10am Tues. Bible Study: 11am Wed. Evangelism Class: 6:30pm First Sun. Holy Communion Service: 4pm

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

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

New Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church 9537 South Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 755-1130 or 755-1139 • F: (323)755-8961 Rev. Melvin Hill, Pastor Worship Services: 8am & 11am Sunday School: 9:30am Prayer Meeting(WED): 6:30pm Bible Study(WED): 7pm

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

www.pleasanthillbaptistchurch.org Praises of Zion Baptist Church (“Praise City” 8222 So. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90003 (323) 750-1033 • F: (323) 750-5458 • www.pozlive.com Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick, Sr. Pastor Early Morning Worship: 6:45am Educational Hour: 9:15am Mid-Morning Worship: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 7pm Sunday Broadcast: 7pm

Price Chapel AME Church 4000 W. Slauson Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 296-2406 • pricechapel@sbcglobal.net Rev. Benjamin Hollins Sunday Worship Service: 10am Sunday School: 8:30am Power Lunch Bible Study (Wed): 11am Praise & Worship Bible Study (Wed): 6:30pm

first lady files: Jennifer Payne In the Baptist church where Jennifer Payne was raised, the pastor’s wife was never addressed as a first lady. The term wasn’t as prominent then as it is now. Said Payne, “It’s not like she’s untouchable though at some churches, it might seem that way. But when I came to Bryant Temple, and everybody was addressing me as first lady, it really was different. I had to look over my shoulder and say are you talking to me.“For me, I’m just Jennifer,” said the mother of four.

“When I grew up in church, my father was the Sunday School superintendent. We were involved in everything.

“Right now I am just trying to get my feet wet, so to speak and see how everything runs at Bryant temple and try to see where I might best serve. I only recently returned to work so it’s balancing work, home life, and church, I’m still learning.”

Though she and her husband (Pastor Theodore W. Payne IV of Bryant Temple AME) had known each other all their lives, they didn’t get reacquainted as adults until he reached out to her on Facebook as they both turned 30.

The Pasadena native, who works as a physical therapist and defines her fashion sense as a combination of Michelle Obama and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, remarks, “I don’t want to be so dressed up that people feel like I am not approachable.“I believe that as a first lady, you should definitely be approachable. You have to be for the people, --for your congregation. They have to feel comfortable coming to you and speaking to you.”

That, in essence, is what she wants to do at Bryant Temple AME. St. Matthew Tabernacle of Praise “The S.T.O.P.” 3770 Santa Rosalia Dr. Baldwin Hills, CA 90008 (323) 291-1115 • F: (323) 293-0471 Rev. C.Barry Greene, Pastor Morning Worship: 8am Church School Hour: 10:15am Tuesday Hour of Power: 7pm www.thechurchstop.org E: thechurchstop@yahoo.com pastorcbgreene@aol.com Salem Missionary Baptist Church 729 S. Park View St. Los Angeles, CA 90057 (213) 738-1077 • jranniew@gmail.com Pastor J. Williams Sunday School: 10am Morning Worship: 11:15am Ministry For Alcohol & Chemical Addiction Wednesday: 5:30pm Bible Study Thursday: 7:30pm Office Hours: Mon 1:30pm-5:30pm; Thurs 2:30pm-7:30pm Southern Missionary Baptist Church 4678 West Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 731-2703 • F: (323) 737-5202 • smbcla@gmail.com Rev. Xavier L. Thompson, Sr. Pastor L.I.F.E. Groups Sundays: 8:30am Morning Worship: 10am Baptism & Communism (First Sunday): 5pm Word Wednesday: 6:45pm “One Church For All Generations”

The First Saint John Bible Church 11030 S. Willowbrook Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90059 (323) 566-5055 • F: (323) 566-0219 Pastor/Teacher: Bishop Michael A. Brass, Jr. Sunday School: 9:30am Morning Worship: 11am Bible Study Wednesday: 7pm

The Church where “It pays to be nice”.

Sunday Worship: 11am Sunday School: 9:30am Wednesday Bible School: 6pm Men’s Ministry Meetings 2nd Tues: 6pm Youth Mentoring Program 3rd Sat: 10am-11am

St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 S. Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90303 (323) 231-1040 • F: (323) 231-3178 stmarkmbcofla.org Rev. Dr. Lovely Haynes Morning Worship: 8am & 11am Mon. Night Bible Study: 7pm Mon. Tutorial Study: 6:30pm Wednesday Prayer: Noon Wed. Exposition of Sunday School Lesson: 7pm • Wed. Prayer Meeting: 7pm Thurs. Evangelism: 7pm (enrollment required)

Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church 9702 Holmes Ave. Los Angeles CA 90002 Cell: (323) 566-1202 • burtcj@cox.net Rev. Marcus A. Murchinson, Pastor Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Service: 11am Wednesday Bible Study: 7pm

L.A. Focus/March 2016

New Shady Grove Baptist Church 1509 W. Manchester Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 753-0198 • www.newshadygrove.com Rev. Jewett L. Walker, Jr.

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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: 9am Radio Broadcast KJLH FM: 9am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: Noon-7pm www.trinitybaptistchurchofla.org

UpLift Christian Fellowship 4745 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90056 (310) 927-3476 Pastor Anthony Thompson Sunday Worship: 10am Bible Study Wednesday: 7pm

Weller Street Baptist Church 129 S. Gless St, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 261-0949 Pastor K.W. Tulloss Sunday School: 8am Sunday Morning Worship: 9am Evening Worship: 6pm Tues. Bible Study: 5pm “We have not walked this way before” Joshua 3:1-6

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

West Angeles Church of God In Christ 3045 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 733-8300 Bishop Charles E. Blake Sunday School: 8am & 10:30am Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 11am Evening Worship (North Campus): 7pm Wed. Mid-Week Worship: 7pm Sun. Radio Broadcast KJLH 102.3FM: 10am www.westa.org Lifeline Fellowship Christian Center 2556 N. Lake Ave., Altadena, CA 91001 (626) 797-3585 • F: (626) 797-3233 • www.lifelinefcc.org Pastor Charles D. Dorsey Sunday School: 9am Early Worship (Glory Prayer): 8am Morning Worship: 10:30am Evening Worship (1st & 2nd Sun.): 5pm Wed. Bible Study: 7pm

In Carson

Judson Baptist Church 451 E. 223rd St, Carson, CA 90745 (310) 834-2630 • F: (310) 513-0943 • www.judsonbc.net Dr. Johnny V. Baylor, Pastor/Teacher

Sunday Worship Service: 9:30am Children’s Church (Except 5th Sun): 9:30am 2nd & 4th Sun. Speak Life Youth Ministry: 12:30pm Wed. Bible Study: Noon Streaming live at judsonbclive.net

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

Resurrection Church L.A. 1135 East Janis St. Carson, CA 90746 Office Address: 1143 East Janis St. Carson, 90746 (310) 626-4864 • www.resurrectionchurchla.org Pastor Joseph Carlos Robinson Service times: 8am, 10am, 12:15pm Communion: every 5th Sunday Tuesday Bible Class: 7:30pm

In Compton

Citizens of Zion Missionary Baptist Church 12930 No. Lime Ave., Compton, CA 90221 (310) 638-0536 • F: (323) 638-5653 • www.citizensofzion.org Rev. Bobby Newman, Jr., Senior Pastor; Rev. B.T. Newman, Pastor (Pastor Emeritus) Sunday School: 9:15 am Morning Service: 10:45am Wed. Mid-Week Bible Study: 7pm

Pastor Profile: Rev. Sherman Gordon • Family of Faith Christian Center Hometown: Greenwood, MS Education: UC Santa Barbara (B.A.); Claremont University (Masters); United Theological Seminary (Doctorate) Family: Wife, LeShan Reena Woods and five children You established Family of Faith Christian Center in 2010, how are things going?

It’s been an exciting challenge to grow this new baby.

I have to remind myself when it’s not where I want it to be based on what happened when I was at New Philadelphia, that this is still a new baby. You have to grow it, nurture it, but I see great signs of promise. We boast on our roll 800 but we see maybe a consistent 450-500.

L.A. Focus/March 2016

The first church you established— New Philadelphia AME— experienced phenomenal growth, are you satisfied with the growth you’re experiencing at Family of Faith?

I really believe God has called some to pastor ten, some to pastor hundreds and some to pastor thousands. I believe I’ve been called to pastor thousands, so I’m not satisfied with where we are. We’ll just continue to reach out to the community, to model Stan Toler’s book, The Five Star Church, — and just try to reach every person in the surrounding area which is what I believe God called us to do.

20

What do you mean by five-star church?

It’s a premise T o l e r writes in his book.

When you go to a f i v e s t a r

hotel, you know that you’re in a five-star hotel versus a one or two star hotelWe want to have a five-star church so when people pull up, they’re greeted in the parking lot; the facility and the restrooms are clean; the music is a sprit of excellence; the preaching is a spirit of excellence; the hospitality is excellent. Everything is five-star.

You established the church after splitting from the AME church, was that a difficult period for you, especially with your divorce?

Yes, it was because I was the founding pastor and I had been there for 13 years and its always hard to leave something that you’ve helped to establish and build, but I knew that it was my season to leave. I tell people that at the same time I was going through a personal divorce, I was going through a professional divorce.

You knew that you were going to be a preacher at the age of 12?

Oh yeah, I knew that even before. My dad was a preacher. My grandfather was a preacher. I have an aunt and an uncle [in ministry] so it was almost like that was the legacy in our family to become preachers. I preached my first sermon at 15.

What was your mission in establishing the church?

To build a place where people of all backgrounds could come and realize that no matter what you’re going through, no matter your gender, nationality or struggle that you’ll receive a word of hope and faith that says I can make it through this — just to fill you up and be encouraged that you can overcome anything. Our motto is “A place for everyone, where all your needs are met.”

Do you miss being part of a denomination?

It has its positives and negatives. I miss the quarterly and annual sessions where you knew you would see familiar faces you hadn’t seen in a while and get a chance to fellowship and connect. I don’t miss that politics of it.

At one point you wanted to bridge the gap between denominations—how about now?

Absolutely. I think there needs to be the type of synergy where we all come together because at the end of the day we should all be pointing to Christ and focus on how we are alike instead of our differences. I really believe a day is coming where denominations are going to be a thing of the past. That may sound crazy but when I look at the people joining my church and speak with my colleagues, people are not coming to a

church because it’s Baptist or Methodist, it’s do you meet the needs of my family. Do you have a program here for my husband? Do you have a single’s ministry? If you’re meeting needs, the denomination is of less consequence.

And how about accountability?

I have some senior pastors who have become spiritual fathers. I sit down and break bread with them on a monthly basis. They ask me how I’m doing in the ministry…with my personal life.

That accountability is still important so that I will continue to be sharpened as a pastor.

You were 25 when you founded your first church, how did the lessons you learn from experience shape the establishment of your second church?

I learned how to distinguish between fellowship and friendship. Sometimes we’re quick to label people as friends and then when you go through your storms and they’re not there, it leaves a real bitter taste. So what I’ve had to learn the difference between the two.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

That I’m an actor. I’ve been in several plays over the last three years. I’m doing another in April. When I was in college I took acting classes so it has always been a passion, so I’ve rekindled that passion.

Do people find that a conflict?

No. I don’t take any role that’s too far out there and if I do take a role that’s somewhat controversial, I use it as food for thought and we sit down and talk about it. In a play not too long ago, I played the role of a bartender, but the character was also a businessman who owned a bar and loved God. What if I have a member of my church who owns a liquor store, am I going to tell him he can’t come to my church because he sells liquor? No. What play will you be doing in April and where?

The play is “Take It To God Or Else” and we’re going to do it at Southside Bethel Baptist Church on April 9.

What is your vision for the future?

We laid out something at our church called Vision 20/20 where we talk about what I believe God would have us to do over the next five years. We focus on the Biblical, numerical growth, spiritual growth, financial growth and also educational growth. For the next five years, we’re unpacking a layer based on each one of those principles and it’s really just to be a church that will eventually be known globally for the things that we’re doing locally.

focus3.16_focus 3.16 3/3/16 5:26 PM Page 21

From The Pulpit of: True Friendship Baptist Church

I

was encouraged by a word from God Paul shared with the Corinthian Church in (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

In I Corinthians, Paul highlights the immaturity of the Corinthians because of their attachment to human personalities instead of Christ, pointing out Jesus’ headship and demanding that they not fellowship with those caught up in sexual sins in Chapter five. But in II Corinthians 2, Paul admonishes them to restore the fallen brother who has repented, lest he be overcome with grief.

There is a very obvious sense of compassion in this letter. Paul’s stern tone displayed in I Corinthians has been noticeably reduced in II Corinthians, where he reaffirms much of what was said but in a kinder and gentler way.

With my military background it took me a while to realize that children were not soldiers and a little love went a long way in raising them. Anyone who loves Christ wants others to do well, but our means to accomplish this goal must be love and our desire to make it happen must flow from a heart of compassion. We cannot accomplish God’s purposes in our own abilities or strength. It can only be accomplished by

the power of God. Matthew says that Jesus saw the finite, faltering, failing multitudes and “He was moved with compassion.

(Matthew 9:36) The times Jesus lived in were much like ours and the people were much like us, but Jesus was not frustrated or angry with the aimless masses. He was moved with compassion and gave us the formula for compassionate leadership: (1) understand that the world is God’s harvest; and (2), we should pray for laborers.

When we look at the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 13, we see a transformation in his own life as he exposes this priority of loving God and others as the only true and lasting motivation for Christian service.

Therefore, as we reflect on our mission and position outlined, we see a pattern unfolding in the life of Paul that shapes his theology and we understand that in this light we can correctly interpret his mission statement to the Corinthians. First he defines clearly his audience recognizing that this is the basic requirement for those who would serve the “True and Living God.” To be in Christ necessitates a relationship with Christ and that relationship makes us new creations with tremendous potential for service for the Kingdom. Our old nature or sin nature is not removed, but God’s Spirit indwells us and we have everything we need to accomplish God’s will for our lives. Although we have different callings, we all have a common mission.

He goes on, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in

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

Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (Verse 18) Notice that (1) we have been reconciled to God; and (2) we are given the ministry of reconciliation. To be reconciled suggests that we were alienated from God and now the relationship has been restored.

This is not a ministry for a select few.

It is the ministry for all who are “in Christ—His new creations.” We have been reconciled for the purpose of reconciling others; through the power of the Gospel and the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Three important observations are expressed here: (1) God is in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself; (2) not charging our trespasses unto us; and (3) entrusted to us the word of reconciliation.

God established the pattern for reconciliation when Christ died for us and although we are guilty of trespasses, His atoning blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Paul calls the word of God “treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

We have a responsibility to God as His children to be reflections of His love in a lost and dying world, sharing the good news of the Gospel with everyone we know, by precept and example.

One song says, “You’re the only Jesus some will ever see, you are the only words of life some will ever read, so let the see in you the one in whom is all they will ever need, for you’re the

In Gardena

The City of Refuge 14527 S. San Pedro Street, Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 516-1433 Bishop Noel Jones Morning Worship: 8am & 11am Evening Worship: 6pm Bible Study (Wed): Noon & 7pm BET/Fresh Oil (Wed): 7am

Early Morning Worship: 7:30am Sunday School: 9:45 & 10:15am Mid Morning Worship: 10:45 am 1st. Sun. Holy Communion: 7:30 & 10:45 am Sat. Broadcast KTYM 1460AM: 10-11pm Wed. Mid-Week Prayer & Bible Study: 7pm Love and Unity Christian Fellowship 1840 S. Wilmington Ave, P.O. Box 5449, Compton 90220 (310) 604-5900 Fax: (310) 604-5915 Dr. Ron C Hill Sunday Morning Worship: 8am & 11:30am Sunday Evening Worship: 6:30pm Bible Studies: Wed. 7:30pm & Sat. 9am Food for Your Soul Radio & Television Ministry: KTYM 1460AM: Mon - Fri. 6:30am Church Channel: Tues. 5:30pm & Fri. 2:30pm

Sunday G.I.R. Up Leadership Class: 8am Morning Worship Tuesday: 10am Teaching Empowerment Night: 7:30pm

Bible Enrichment Fellowship International 400 E. Kelso, Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-4700 • www.bamcm.org Dr. Beverly “BAM” Crawford

In Inglewood

Early Worship: 8:30am Morning Worship: 11am Children’s Church: Both Services Word Power Wed.: 7-8pm

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: 7am & 10am Wed. Mid-Week Service: 7pm The Tabernacle is located at 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave., Inglewood

www.thelibertychurch.com

In Hawthorne

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

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

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

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

L.A. Focus/March 2016

Unity Christian Fellowship 16133 S. Atlantic Ave., Compton, CA 90221 (310) 886-0198 • F: (310) 886-0198 Bishop Johnny R. Withers, Jr., Senior Pastor

The Liberty Church 14725 S. Gramercy Place, Gardena, CA 90249 (310) 715-8400 Pastor David W. Cross

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

Pastor James Perkins

Morning Worship: 9:30am Tues. Bible Study: 7:30pm Wed. Mid-Week Prayer: 5am, Noon & 7pm Wednesday Pathway: 7pm

www.greaterzionchurchfamily.com

Holy Chapel Baptist Church 1016 East Rosecrans Ave. Compton, CA 90220 (310) 537-3149 Rev. George L. Thomas

only Jesus some will ever see.”

You can see, we have much to be thankful for, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21) We have nothing to brag about, but everything to rejoice about, for in Adam, we were condemned to eternal damnation, but in Christ we have been given eternal life.

Our responsibility is not to judge or condemn others, but to encourage them to be reconciled to God. We are all ambassadors for Christ, but the question remains, what kind of ambassador are we.

Let’s be the best ambassadors we can be.

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

Antioch Church of Long Beach 1535 Gundry Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 591-8778 • F: (562) 599-6048 Pastor Wayne Chaney Jr.

In Long Beach

Worship Services: 8am, 9:30am, 11:30am Elements Bible Study: 8am & 10:15am Spanish Worship Service: 3pm Family Night Bible Study (Wed.): 7pm

Jacob’s Ladder Community Fellowship, inc.

1152 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90303 (866) 330-1702 • F: (310) 674-0760 Watchman/Shepherd Dr. Robert T. Douglas Sr. Sunday School: 10am Morning Services: 11:45am Evening Service: 7pm Wed. Lock & Load Prayer: 7pm Wed. Bible Study: 7:30pm 3rd Friday Youth Night: 7:30pm KYTYM 1460AM (Sunday): 11:30am www.jacobladderschurch.com Miracle Temple Church of God Pentecostal 733 S. Grevillea Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 419-7335 • info@cogpinglewood.org Bishop Johnny J. Young, Ph.D., Senior Pastor Elder Jonathan J. Young, Executive Pastor Sunday School: 8:30am Morning Worship: 10:15am Thursday Praise & Bible Study: Noon & 7pm Weekly Prayer: Noon Monday-Friday Early Morning Phoneline Prayer: 5am Fridays *(209) 255-1000 Access code = 100061# "Where the Difference is worth the Drive" 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 Sunday School: 9:30am Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 11am First Sunday Evening Worship: 5pm Mid-Week Bible Study Wed.: 7pm Radio: KTYM 1460 AM on Saturdays at 8pm &

In Irvine

Christ Our Redeemer AME Church 45 Tesla, Irvine, CA 92618 (949) 955-0014 • F:(949) 955-0021 • www.corchurch.org Pastor Mark E. Whitlock, II

Sunday Worship: 8am, 10:30am New Generation Praise Service: 10:30am Sun. Bible Univ.: 9:30am Tues. Interactive Bible Study: 7pm Wed. Pastor's Bible Study: Noon, 7pm Thurs. Bible Study: 7pm Fri. Singles Bible Study (1st Fri): 7pm

CA housing continued from page 6 the three cities, Oakland had the highest percentage of African Americans, yet comprised less than one tenth of applications, originations, and total dollars lent.

“Unfortunately, the federal data can’t tell us why Black and Latino borrowers are so underrepresented, but the fact that these families are effectively shut out of the home mortgage market should set off alarms,” said Murray, Greenlining Institute Economic Equity program manager.

“It’s time to ask whether banks are doing enough to reach African-American and Latino borrowers with loan products that meet their needs and help them gain the benefits of homeownership.”

On February 1, Assemblyman Marc Steinorth (R-Rancho Cucamonga) introduced legislation encouraging Californians to save money toward homeownership.

“California is in the midst of a dire housing affordability crisis, created by well-intentioned but damaging policies from Sacramento that stunt economic growth and inhibit access to the middle class. This bill is a critical first step toward addressing California’s sky-high housing costs,” Steinorth said. “The dream of owning a home is the foundation our middle class is built on. I am firmly committed to keeping that dream alive.”

Assembly Bill 1736 allows individuals or families to open a Homeowner Savings Account, where residents can deduct up to $20,000 deposited in the account each year on their taxes. The withdrawal of funds remains deductible from state income tax as long as it is used for qualified expenses, including a down payment or closing costs.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), California has the second-highest median home price in the nation where more than half of middle-class families spend greater than 30 percent of their income on

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: 7pm Wed Youth & Young Adult Ministry: 7pm

In Monrovia

Second Baptist Church 925 S. Shamrock Avenue • P.O. Box 479, Monrovia, CA 91017 (626) 358-2136 • F: (626) 303-2477 Bishop W.M. Larue Dillard, Phd. Sunday Worship: 7:45am, 10:45am, 4:45pm Ministry Worship to Children/Youth Sunday: 9:45am - 10:45am Prayer/Academy of Biblical Studies (Wed): 10:45am - 6:45pm www.second-baptistchurch.com

In Pasadena

Bethlehem Church 1550 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103 (626) 794-5211 • F: (626) 794-6592 Pastor Christopher A. Bourne Sunday School: 9am Sunday Worship: 10am Tuesday Bible Study: 7pm Mid-day Worship Thursday: Noon www.bethlehemcoch.org

Join our church directory...

Call 310.677.6011 Ask for Kisha 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: 11am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Wed. Intercessory Prayer: 7pm Wed. Pastoral teaching adults: 7:30pm Wed. Youth Ministry Boot-Camp; Youth Bible Study: 7pm & Choir Rehearsal: 7:30pm Grant AME Church of Long Beach 1129 Alamitos Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 • (562) 437-1567 grantamelb@aol.com • www.grantamelb.org Rev. Michael W. Eagle, Sr. Sun. Worship Experience: 10:45am 3rd Sun. Healing & Annointing: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 6pm Mothers of Murdered Youth & Children: Thurs. by appt • On/off Parole, Now What?: Thurs. by appt

housing.

Increased housing costs lead to significant trade-offs for the middle-class family such as postponing or foregoing homeownership, living in more crowded housing, commuting further to work each day, or choosing to work and live elsewhere.

“I believe there is great benefit to the Africa-American community within AB 1736,” Steinorth said. “African Americans have among the lowest homeownership rates in the country, and the recent recession was particularly harmful to their finances.”

Homeowners accrue a much greater amount of savings and net worth than renters as discussed in the LAO report, however high home prices are an impediment to the benefit.

“If you look at the incomes by state and race, Hispanics and African Americans are at the bottom,” Murray said.

“This is about wealth and equality, and homeownership is one of the ways we address wealth and equality.”

Ben Carson continued from page 6 to win any state primary.

According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Carson said that God called her husband to be a voice on issues like national security and the United State's enormous $19 trillion debt. Carson has also used his campaign platform to speak out about the rise of political correctness and the increasing divisiveness in the U.S. political system.

She went on to blame the the mainstream media for highlighting insults and the war of words between candidates instead of substance on the important issues facing America.

“Our land is in desperate need of healing,” Carson has said. “God can do it.”

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

Spirit of Zion Fellowship Church 10853 Victory Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601 (805) 517-1907 • www.mtzionla.org Pastor E.V. Hill II

In Van Nuys

Sunday Worship: 1pm Children's Church: 1pm

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

Healthcare continued from page 6 ance one digit in the Black community, from 36 to 38 percent in the Hispanic community, and from 18 percent to 20 percent in the Asian community.

“We still have a high volume of African-Americans to enroll,” Howard said.

In order to increase the enrollment rate in the Black community, Howard said Covered California continued its marketing and advertising geared towards Blacks led by Los Angeles-based Lagrant Communications, which handles the paid advertising, and Bay Area-based Carol H. Williams, which handled outreach, marketing and events.

Howard said one of the enrollment themes was “Don’t leave your money on the table,” which highlighted how financial assistance is available to pay for health insurance.

He noted families that get health coverage through Covered California could receive an average of $5,000 in financial help and avoid IRS fines and penalties for not having health insurance.

During the enrollment period, Howard said Covered California did more outreach to ZIP codes with high populations of African Americans in cities including Oakland, Richmond, Sacramento, Moreno Valley, Fontana, Inland Empire, Inglewood, the Crenshaw district in Los Angeles, and San Diego.

The outreach included flyers and radio and newspaper advertisements.

“We did broad and in-depth outreach,” he said.

Howard added that he hopes the enrollment numbers for Blacks in different areas of the state will be available in the coming week.

Covered California, he added,will continue to tweak their outreach to the African-American community in order to increase the enrollment rate.

focus3.16_focus 3.16 3/3/16 5:26 PM Page 23

T h rou gh the Storm God Told Famed Comic His Room Was Not Ready

T

racy Morgan is a walking, talking miracle. A fact that becomes more fully realized with each role he takes on since his victorious comeback to the entertainment industry last October when he hosted Saturday Night Live and then teamed up with Foot Locker for an ad campaign. Last month, that comeback included a stint on the Academy Awards spoofing the Oscar-nominated film, “The Danish Girl”.

Fact is, Tracy Morgan has come a long way since a tragic accident took the life of his friend and left him in a coma.

It was on June 7, 2014 when "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock" star Tracy Morgan was traveling in a limo bus with six others passengers in Cranbury around 1 a.m. after performing a standup routine when reports say 35year-old Kevin Roper, a Wal-Mart tractor trailer driver apparently failed to notice slow traffic ahead and swerved at the last minute in a vain attempt to avoid a crash. Instead, it smashed into the back of the limo, prompting a chain-reaction crash with a second tractor-trailer, an SUV and two cars.

When the dust had settled, a fellow comedian and good friend, James McNair, lay dead. Morgan and Jeffrey Millea, had been flown from the accident scene to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, where they were listed in critical condition. A fourth passenger, comedian Ardie Fuqua Jr., was also in critical condition, while another comic was treated and released. The driver, along with another man in the limo, was not hurt.

Roper faced four counts of assault by auto, while a statement from Wal-Mart President Bill Simon reported that the company would accept full responsibility if their truck was found to be the cause of the accident.

"We're praying for the family and friends of the passenger who lost his life in the terrible accident. Our hearts go out to everyone involved and we hope those who were injured get the care that they need and make a full recovery," the statement read.

Roper would ultimately plead not guilty to one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto, but not before lawyers for Wal-Mart argued that Morgan and the others were partially to blame for not wearing seat belts.

Wal-Mart would later settle with Morgan for an undisclosed amount—with Morgan stating “Wal-Mart did right by me and my family, and for my associates and their families”. (In court papers, it was confirmed that the children of McNair received $10 million).

Morgan had overcome great odds to become a show biz success thanks to high profile roles on “30 Rock” for which he received an Emmy nomination, “The Tracy Morgan Show” and “Saturday Night Live”, not to mention his popular stand up comedy appearances and work in films like “Rio”, “First Sunday”, Chris Rock’s “Top Five” and “The

Longest Yard”.

But for all of his success, the Bronx native who was raised in a housing project in Brooklyn’s Bedford Stuyvesant had his own share of troubles including a bout with alcoholism, two D.U.I. arrests, a high profile estrangement from his mother and a battle with Diabetes that would lead to a kidney transplant in 2010.

As friends rallied to his side, there were many varied reports of his condition. For two weeks after the accident, the father of four —who suffered a traumatic brain injury—laid in a coma. Aside from the subdural hematoma, Morgan’s leg was shattered in several places; he had multiple facial fractures and blood in one eye. For a week after coming out of the coma, Morgan was blind.

A month later, he began a five day a week regimen of cognitive, physical and speech therapy, but it would be months before there was light—to replace the dark days— at the end of the tunnel. He would spend five of them in a wheelchair oftimes wondering if he would ever walk again. Headaches and nosebleeds were par for the course as was forgetting things.

“I didn’t get into a good place until maybe 10 months later,” Morgan told GQ Magazine. “They taught me how to walk again, and stand up and sit up again, and it was really painful for a long time.”

Today, Morgan has no memory of the accident, only of the love from wife, Megan, his children, and friends like Tina Fey and Chris Rock who kept his spirits up. Though Morgan is quick to add that the pain is always going to be there for his friend, Jimmy Mack.

“Bones heal, but the loss of my friend will never heal.”

While doctors describe his recovery as ongoing, the show business community—that had rallied behind Morgan during the tragedy and following recovery—was in full support of him getting back to center stage last fall. In the months since, Morgan has completed work on a movie with Ice Cube called Fist Fight, was reportedly in negotiations to play Red Foxx in the Richard Pryor biopic starring Mike Epps, Eddie Murphy and Taraji P. Henson, directed by Lee Daniels; and had a tour in the works.

Given all he has been through, the 47-year old comic/actor is counting his blessing, freely acknowledging a near death encounter with God. “I went to the other side. This is not something I’m making up,” the comedian told Complex Magazine in an interview last November.

“Do you know what God said to me? He said, ‘your room ain’t ready. I still got something for you to do.’”

The experience, he says, has changed him.

"You're never going to be normal after you go through something like that. You don't die for a few weeks and then come back to normal, trust me. "Something's going to be missing, something's going to be gained -- you just got to live your life after that. But after surviving something like that, I'm probably never going to feel normal."

“Tough times don’t last,” Morgan observes. “Tough dudes do.”

So, says Tracy, it’s going to take more than a WalMart tractor-trailer to take his gift for comedy away.

“I’m going to take my sense of humor to the next level, my life.

I faced death. It’s my responsibility to come back and come back strong.”

L.A. Focus/March 2016

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InGoodTaste

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SavingGrace

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Angela Robinson

he grew up watching soap operas so “The Haves & Have Nots” co-star Angela Robinson understands how the characters become real, but she was taken aback when a fan of the show posted on Facebook, ‘I don’t care what you’re in, I will never support you. I don’t like you and I don’t see how you could be a good person.’

Robinson didn’t respond, but good friend and castmate Crystal Fox, who plays Hannah on the show, fired back, ‘We are actors and this is what we do and if you feel that strongly then you need to be applauding this actress for making you feel something.’

Love her or hate her, if your one of the millions of fans who tune in on Tuesday nights to the show attributed to turning around Oprah’s once fledgling network— you definitely feel something about Veronica Harrington.

A wealthy and successful sharp-tongued attorney who pulled herself up by her bootstraps and will stop at nothing to get what she wants, she’s one of the characters heating up the ratings for OWN’s #1 show just as is Robinson, the actress who plays her. Ironically, the role was considerably smaller when she signed on for the first season in 2013.

“I was just so happy to be there. Happy to have the chance to work with Tyler…to be doing something associated with Oprah again. She also produced “The Color Purple” which I did on Broadway.”

But as the popularity of the show grew, so did her role in it and she is not only thankful to those who wrote in, but to Perry for believing in her “and trusting me with his words.”

“Sometimes,” she says, “I get the script and I have to text him and say what is in your head, because I can’t believe it. The way he writes its so interesting that people can love and hate a character at the same time. I have found that people are okay with me being mean, trying to hurt my husband or even cheating on him. That’s all great television, but when I bash my son for being gay and hire people to hurt him, that’s when I get the hate.

“Last year this lady just came up to me and slapped me in the back and said, “Get yourself together as she just told me off.”

Despite the fever pitch emotions, Robinson—who admits to never really being interested in playing the nice guy—is having a blast. After all, she’s getting paid to do what she’s dreamed of doing since she was ten.

Born in Jacksonville, Robinson excelled at drama in high school and college at Florida A&M University before earning her equity card at the city’s only regional theater—The Alhambra Dinner Theater— where she became a favorite. She worked steadily there until the producer would no longer cast her, telling her that if he kept hiring her, she would never leave and that it was time for her to go to New York.

“It was the best gifts he could have ever given me. I knew I had to do it,” the former Miss Florida A&M University recalls of her move to New York City in the early 90’s where her career took off.

“I went there to look for an apartment and stayed with this one friend I knew and she signed me up for an audition,” Robinson recounts. “I wasn’t quite ready, but I went to the audition and there were lines of people. I thought, I don't know if I can do this but I stood in this line, finally got in the room, did 16 bars and then heard the words, ‘Thank you, next.’ But I got the part.”

The show was called “Betsy Brown” and she’s been working ever since mostly on and off Broadway. Highlights include landing the role of Shug Avery on Broadway, in The Color Purple as Shug Avery performing with the national tours of Dreamgirls and The Wizard of Oz. For a time, she’d tried without success, to get more television work.

“It [the role of Veronica] came to me in a way that really taught me a lot about answered prayer and waiting —about doing what you do and letting God do the rest,” Robinson reveals. “I was in Atlanta doing a musical, “Into The Woods” and the casting director from Tyler Perry Studios happened to be in the audience. He invited me to come and audition for “Meet The Browns” at the time.”

She auditioned, but did not get the part and returned home devastated. But a year and a half later while casting “The Haves & Have Nots”, the casting director remembered the actress playing the witch from “Into The Woods” and thought she might be a good fit.

They couldn’t have been more right. Robinson took to the role like a fish to water.

“I knew Veronica,” Robinson explains. “I could immediately identify with her. I

knew people like her so I was excited to bring the role to life. I see the vulnerability in her. I think that most people who hurt people have been hurt, so I love the character and I love the fact that the character gets to shed light on a lot of issues and on a lot of hate. I hope that when people see how she is with her son and with her husband that they would say, I don’t want to be that way.”

There are also some noticeable parallels between Angela and Robinson. Both appear to be strong women and both seem unflappable, leading one to ask if they were to get into a flap with each other, which would win?

Robinson is quick to answer, “I could beat “Miss V.” because “V” (Veronica) is hurting. “She may think she’s all-powerful, but the one thing she doesn’t have is probably a true love of herself and dependence on a power higher than herself. She thinks the buck stops with her.”

Robinson, on the other hand, is a practicing Christian, raised Baptist at the First Baptist Church of Oakland, baptized at ten—though accepted the Lord more seriously at 16 —and actively involved in church since.

“I believe that I am walking in my calling and that acting is the vehicle by which I can serve.”

And serve she has up until last month as the arts minister at her church.

“I was doing triple duty running back and forth to Atlanta, doing Christmas and Easter Plays…mentoring artists at the church and I’m also a public speaker and it was just so much,” says the actress who commutes between Atlanta for work and New Jersey where she lives with her husband of 20 years, a fellow actor and professor at the New School of Drama in New York.

While reconciling her Christian convictions to her TV character, may give some pause, Robinson sees no conflict in the two.

“I’m not doing a reality show. I’m playing a character and my job is to bring that character to life as truthfully as I can,” she states before pausing for a moment. “If something came up and was a true conflict, Tyler is so understanding about things like that I believe he would surely hear me out, but we don’t have any nakedness or anything like that. People have to remember that if there is redemption, then there has to be a problem.”

Her saving grace, she says, is great parents who cared and invested in her—and her faith. “Those two things keep me sane.”

Key to her faith is her own personal philosophy that “everyone we meet, we’re supposed to either learn from or teach”.

And what of her onscreen persona, Miss V.?

“Veronica would be not an exception to that,” Robinson reports. “I believe I would be able to teach her that with all her brilliance and education, that without love and family she really has nothing.”

Robinson is clueless about what’s in store for fans as the show goes back into production in April.

“I never know what to expect,” she states. “I do know that the midseason finale is March 15 and everyone should tune in… it’s gonna be good.”

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Finding Your Pretty with Chez

W

e like to stay up to date with the newest and the greatest beauty trends, but sometime we need to rely on mother nature and the secrets of the motherland to bring out our most beautiful selves.

Egypt The Egyptian queen Cleopatra is lionized for her beauty. She would bathe in young donkey milk and fresh honey enhanced with aromatic flowers and almond oil.

Being a botanical chemist Cleopatra knew the benefits of this beauty concoction, the lactic acid and antiseptic in the milk along with vitamins A and E are wonderful for the skin helping the skin regenerate fresh cells. The honey gives the skin a beautiful glow and plumps up fine lines. Cleopatra also fancied Aloe Vera. It is the oldest known therapeutic herbs and is renowned worldwide as a healing plant. You can even safely drink Aloe Vera and within weeks you can see

a more vibrant glow of youthfulness. To strengthen and condition she cleansed her hair with coconut milk or extra virgin olive oil.

Morocco Moroccan People take great pride in their beauty. One of the most popular beauty traditions still practiced all over the world is the Moroccan hammam. Which is a steam bath used with the Kessa glove and Moroccan black soap. This combo exfoliates, nourishes, and moisturizes, scrubs out dead and dull skin removing toxins for glowing skin.

Another Moroccan and North African secret to beautiful healthy glowing skin is TEA. Moroccan mint tea (Tuareg tea) is topfull of wondrous health and beauty benefits. Peppermint tea is loaded with antioxidants, manganese, copper, and vitamin C. You can add it to a warm bath to help soothe skin inflammations. Peppermint tea is also a fat buster by speeding your metabolism and helping to promote bile flow it decreases liver congestion.

West Africa We all know the biggest West African beauty secret is Shea Butter but another big beauty secret is OIL. Sesame Oil is really good for grounding and soothing dry skin and is great for sun-damaged skin. It should be rubbed directly on to the skin after bathing. Though you need to be cautious when using this next oil because it is a citrus essential oil and for some people it can cause photo-sensitivity making you more susceptible to sun burns in the few hours after applying it. But Orange oil is a natural moodbooster and an aromatherapy treatment that can lift your spirits.

The Congo The beauty secret of the Congo and Cameroon is sugar cane. They use it to battle acne, fight blemishes, slow aging and to hydrate the skin. Sugarcane is one of the natural sources for glycolic acid an alpha hydroxyl acid that is an exfoliator. It safely removes the outer layer of dead skin cells bringing fresh ne skin to the surface. Use 100% raw cane sugar scrub for flawless smooth glowing skin.

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Smudgy silver shadow To achieve this popping look, you want to blend a powder shadow with a lot of sparkles all over your lids, around the inner corners, and along the lower lashes (you may want to wet your brush just a little). To keep this look classy and not trashy, take your black pencil and line the outer half of your top and bottom lashes.

So Who Does Your Hair...

Clarice C. Brown says she’s been a barber/ stylist for too many years! Unlicensed since the 80’s and licensed since 2005, and a salon owner since 2008. She says she loves being a stylist not only because it is a recession proof career but because she also has a passion for it “I feel that I am bringing forth a new person, in styling a client’s hair. They usually are completely impressed with the cut and often say, "wow this is exactly what I wanted" and that is the reward for me!”

As a barber first, Brown really enjoys cutting her signature faded Mohawk! And then, of course a bald fade and shadow fade.

Clarice has been cutting Betty Brown’s hair

for that past 2 1/2 years and says she goes to her simply because “she is awesome”. When I came to Arise! This young man was cutting my hair and I really wasn't happy, and I was actually looking for a new barber, then I saw someone's' hairstyle and I asked them " who does your hair"? And here I am years later. He would cut it like a guy cut? And I'm a older woman, she just cuts it the way it is suppose to be cut. She really is a God sent. My hair looks great! She cuts my hair the way I want it, and I always get tons of compliments!

People on the street stop me asking " who cuts your hair?" and I tell them where she is or give them her business card. I usually get a stack of

Showcase your hairstyle, salon,

L.A. Focus/March 2016

retail outlet or hair/skincare product

26

(310) 677-6011 Ask For Kisha

cards when I come in because I know I'm going to be asked that question.”

Your must have product? Hawaiian silky 14n 1, it works on all hair types.

Price Range: haircuts are from $15 - $30, if they need a razor shave with that haircut.

Wait Time: approximately 20 minutes

Arise! Barber Salon 2327 W. Rosecrans Ave, Gardena, Ca. 90249

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