L.A. Focus Newspaper August 2019

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CHURCH NEWS: Pastor Mark Whitlock Exits Christ Our Redeemer AME PAGE

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HOLLYWOOD BUZZ: Keke Palmer Lands Permanent Co-Host Spot On Strahan & Sara PAGE

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UPFRONT

“Unmasked – How Money, Power And A Quest For Control Is Working To Block Inglewood’s Economic Progress”?

>> SEE PAGE 6 EYE ON GOSPEL: Kirk Frankin Life Story Headed to the Big Screen

contents

L.A. Focus Publications

August 2019

Left: Former Vice President Joe Biden was greeted by Pastors at a Faith Leaders Breakfast in Los Angeles (L-R) Jawane Hilton, K.W. Tulloss, Alex Toussaint, J.B. Hardwick, William Monroe Campbell and William Turner; Middle: Councilman Curren D. Price, Jr. speaking to the audience at the 24th Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival. Right: Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas takes a moment to pose with Holly and Rod Peete on the red carpet at the HollyRod Foundation Design Care Gala in Malibu, Ca on July 27,2019.

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From The Editor The Power is Ours

Commentary Trump Threatens Anti-Fascists with Being Classified as “Terrorists”

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UpFront Unmasked —How Money, Money, Power And A Quest For Control Is Working To Block Inglewood’s Economic Progress

Head to Head War of Words Over Racist Tweets Sparked by “The Squad”

Headlines From Africa

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14 16

Money Matters New Proposal From Trump Administration Will Leave 3 Million Without Food Stamps

Biz News Briefs Feature Story

10 13 Game Changers

The Squad; How Four Women of Color Are Shaking Up the National Political Scene

April Verrett

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

Lisa Collins Gerald Bell, Keith DeLawder Kisha Smith, Dianne Lugo Ian Foxx, Rickey Brown Leatha Davis Antoinette Banks

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

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

Calendar/ Around LA Eye On Gospel Red Carpet Style ESPY Awards

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Hollywood Buzz

23 Through the Storm 25 In Good Taste 26 Saving Grace Judge Glenda Hatchett’s Personal Family Tragedy

Bryce Fluellen

Clifton Powell

Keke Palmer Lands Permanent Co-Host Spot on Strahan and Sara; Lil Nas Xs “Old Town Road” Breaks Decade-Old Record; Mary J. Blige To Star in “Power” Spinoff

One On One Aldis Hodge

18 20 Pastor Profile 21 First Lady Files 22 From The Pulpit

Church News Whitlock Exits Christ Our Redeemer To Lead Nation’s Largest AME Church

Michael Kelly

Mironda Lewis

“Don’t Turn Back”

The late Nipsey Hussle will be celebrated and honored at this year’s Welcome to the West Festival in September. The lineup will include Ice Cube, Roddy Rich, and DJ Quik.

Meanwhile, a Nipsey Hussle Tower is being built to commemorate and honor the life of the rapper/activist at the location where he was gunned down.

The Marathon Clothing store will remain closed during construction, but orders continue to be taken online.

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

Bishop Charles Blake Bishop Noel Jones Pastor Michael Fisher Rev. Xavier L. Thompson Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer Pastor Emeritus Melvin Wade Rev. Edward V. Hill II Bishop Robert T. Douglas, Sr

advisory board Napoleon Brandford Pastor Beverly Crawford Lem Daniels Bob Blake

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

Cover Design: UpScale Media Group

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Commentary

BILL FLETCHER, JR NNPA Newswire Contributor

Trump Threatens Anti-Fascists with Being Classified as “Terrorists”

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t should not surprise us that a person who would claim that there were “good and murdering Black activists who engaged in armed self-defense when attacked by people” among the fascist demonstrators in Charlottesville, Virginia would extrajudicial mobs or by the police and blaming the former for violence. It is akin to the now move to classify an anti-fascist network as alleged “terrorists.” But that jailing and lynching of union organizers when they have defended their right to free is precisely what “Agent Orange,” speech and the right of workers to free associi.e., Donald Trump, has been intimating. ation, then turning the tables and claiming Unfortunately, this is not comedic; it is deadly that the trade unionists were disturbing the serious. peace.

The network “Antifa” is a loose-knit There is so much nonsense thrown at us grouping of anti-fascist activists with a range each day by the Trump administration, of ideological views, strategies and tactics. whether in the form of overt lies or racist What binds them together, however, is zero provocations, e.g., smearing the city of tolerance towards fascists, neo-fascists, and Baltimore, that it is easy to become numb. We other right-wing populists who threaten vioneed to resist that impulse because it blinds lence and other forms of intimidation. us to the objectives of our adversaries. In this Within the Republican Party, and assisted by case, just as Trump uses the allegation of Fox News, a chorus has arisen over the last “racist” against the so-called “Squad” (the four year or so suggesting that the Antifa network Congresswomen of color Trump loves to hate) is itself engaged in terrorism. Thus, when after he, himself, is charged with racism, Antifa or any of its allies, defend protesters Trump, et.al., use the allegation of terrorism against intimidation, they, and not the fasagainst anti-fascists as a means of blurring cists, are condemned by the likes of Trump, the issue.

Ted Cruz, and various commentators on Fox Let’s be clear. The objective of this adminNews. istration is increased authoritarianism. It is What makes this outrageous is that utilizing racist provocations in order to sucTrump’s own Justice Department has noted ceed. It is an administration that is prepared Antifa clash against white supremicists in Charlotsville, Virginia that the main domestic terrorist threat comes to join hands with right-wing populist movefrom white supremacists and neofascists, not from Muslim extremists or anyone on the ments, including but not limited to neo-fascists, in order to crush dissent. What better Left. This finding is not new. During the Obama administration the threat from right- a way to do that than to blame the anti-fascists for chaos and intimidation, thereby wing extremism was documented by the Department of Homeland Security, only to sowing confusion and making it that much easier to crush his opponents. have said findings suppressed when Republican members of Congress suggested that this revelation was only serving the political objectives of Democrats. The facts, how- Bill Fletcher, Jr. is the former president of TransAfrica Forum. Follow him on Twitter, ever, were never in dispute, as documented by non-governmental organizations such Facebook and www.billfletcherjr.com. Check out his thriller The Man Who Fell From as the Southern Poverty Law Center. the Sky. This is an old trick being perpetrated by Trump and his allies. It is akin to jailing

From the Editor

LISA COLLINS Publisher

“The Power Is Ours”

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L.A. Focus/August 2019

y favorite scene in the Wizard of Oz comes with the realization that the Wizard was just a man behind a curtain and that Dorothy, the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion didn’t really need him at all to give them powers–and or truths– they already possessed.

What’s my point?

All the hype leading up to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s appearance on Capitol Hill seemed to lead many to believe that there was going to be some explosive revelation that would jumpstart the impeachment of Donald Trump.

Truth is, just as in the land of Oz, we already knew the highlights contained in Robert Mueller’s 448-page report (thoroughly analyzed by Democratic and Republican pundits alike) and so his testimony–be it disappointing or lackluster – turned out to be of little consequence. While like Dorothy, we expected a wizard (in this case, Mueller) to be the answer to our Trump dilemma, the truth is, we don’t need what we already know to be validated.

Critics have labeled Trump as the most corrupt and dishonest president in American history and given all the revelations that have come out of this White House–from his relations with a porn star and comments about groping women to Russian interference in American politics–that should come as little surprise.

Is impeachment the answer?

Nancy Pelosi said timing is everything and given the timing, it’s not all that practical. The process, at best, is three to four months. Clinton’s impeachment proceedings lasted approximately four and a half months and despite the fact that he was impeached on December 19, 1998 by the House of Representatives, he was never removed from office. In fact, the following February, he was acquitted of the charges against him when the Senate failed to convict him by the necessary two-thirds majority vote.

That could be what’s behind Nancy Pelosi’s hesitation. After all, what good is it to impeach Trump in Congress, if a Republican-controlled Senate is more likely than not to acquit him.

Given that Trump likes to get down and dirty, impeachment proceedings would be ugly and expensive to boot. With the country in the midst of a presidential campaign, it would surely consume the media and overshadow those campaigning to be the nation’s next president.

That said, impeachment is hardly as potent as the 2020 vote and Democrats getting

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on message and uniting behind one candidate to deliver the fatal blow of a landslide victory that would effectively end Trump’s reign.

Based on the recent debate, who that candidate will be is a long way from being decided, but as Cory Booker pointed out, pitting Democrats against each other will only play into Trump’s hands.

As a voting body, we seem to have grown petty and overly judgmental. It will not serve us well. Nor will it help us to make better choices. It will just show candidates how to become better liars, as the truth is everybody has some skeletons in his or her closet.

Show me a man or woman without flaws and that’s someone whose flaws have yet to be revealed. Show me an individual who hasn’t made any mistakes and that would be a person who’s in no position to lead a country full of people who have.

What’s more, it’s really okay to have a president who’s been tried and tested by life–one who’s made some mistakes and has more importantly learned and grown from them. After all, it is only through adversity that you get to see the true measure of a man or woman.

Keep in mind that the battle to get Trump out will be difficult enough even as a new wave of politicians energize the Democratic Party. Leading the charge is “the Squad”– Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib–four women of color who are shaking up Capitol Hill and storming the main stage of U.S. politics, as detailed in our cover story beginning on page 8.

Though “the squad”, for many, is representative of a left that has grown increasingly radical and while they have become a lightning rod for a generational and ideological split within the Democratic party, what they have effectively shown is the power of individuals to impact the national political stage.

You really want change? Get involved. Write a letter. Join a group. Add your name to a cause that will improve your community. Understand It will take more than looking to others to do it or clicking our heels three times and reciting that there’s no place like home.

Home is what you make it. Know that the power to rid this country of Donald Trump rests with you.

Keep the faith.

GRYD Gang Prevention GRYD Gang Intervention Individual Counseling OUR MISSION Community Build is dedicated to the revitalization of our community through human capital investment and economic development.

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UpFront

News Briefs

“Unmasked – How Money, Power And A Quest For Control Is Working To Block Inglewood’s Economic Progress” oor, underserved, minority communities across California and around the nation are cheering for the City of Inglewood as it seizes a once in a lifetime opportunity to uplift its impoverished city.

The city is working to leverage the growth and development opportunities destined to evolve from a new sports arena certain to bring millions if not billions of dollars in economic growth to the disadvantaged municipality.

However, bringing this vision to reality continues to be an effort of community will, determination and leadership against powerful forces unleashed by a billionaire determined to smother their dreams.

Yet the city has its sights set on a better tomorrow and remains steadfast in its pursuit of this goal. In the process it has beaten back political obstacles, demanded legislative concessions and is standing toe-to-toe with moguls who are used to having their way–buying their way–to success at the expense of the poor.

The citizens of Inglewood are used to challenging those who would seek to exploit their community. They are experienced at fighting back, at standing up for what they believe is in their own best interest as citizens and members of a predominately minority community.

For example, in an unprecedented effort in 2004 city residents beat back a million-dollar campaign by Walmart to set up shop in their community.

Inglewood citizens know how to fight against and for what they believe is best for their city. So, when an opportunity was presented for Inglewood to become home to a new sports arena most citizens embraced the opportunity.

The Clippers basketball team currently plays at the Staples Center in Los Angeles where they share space with the Lakers. Their lease is set to expire in 2024 and team owner Steve Ballmer is determined to move the team out of the Staples Center into a new basketball arena located near the Forum in Inglewood.

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Understanding the potential offered

by Ballmer’s desire to relocate to the City of Inglewood, longtime Mayor James Butts, with the support of city officials, business leaders and the community, responded. In 2017 under the mayor’s careful stewardship, Inglewood entered an agreement with Ballmer to build the arena the owner hoped for.

After years of economic hardship and degradation, Inglewood and its residents are poised on the threshold of revitalization as the new arena is certain to bring increased employment opportunities and expanded business growth and development.

While members of the community are optimistic, they are also clear-eyed about the challenges that come with such opportunities–including an increase in the cost of housing, accelerated gentrification and potential environmental degradation that could come with increased traffic traversing the area.

Inglewood’s future looks bright but just like every story destined for a happy ending there is always an antagonist that must first be defeated–enter billionaire James Dolan, owner of the New York Nicks, Executive Chairman and CEO of the Madison Square Garden (MSG) Company and Executive Chairman of MSG Networks.

In 2012, Dolan and Irving Azoff, a giant in the music industry and Dolan’s partner in MSG, purchased the Inglewood Forum–former home of the Lakers. The two investors had big plans–to turn the facility into a multipurpose entertainment venue.

Although the amount of money they spent is in dispute, what is certain is the pair spent millions of dollars subsequent to their purchase, refurbishing the Forum into what they hoped would be a premier concert venue. All was well until the deal was struck between the City of Inglewood and Ballmer for the Clippers venue, located just a mile from the Forum.

There is little question the new arena will impact the revenue Dolan and Azoff

S.E. WILLIAMS

Newsom Signs Into Law Bill Requiring Tax Returns for Presidential Candidates

Black Voice Media

planned to generate for themselves from their Forum investment especially because Ballmer’s new arena will have the potential to compete for some of the top performers Dolan covets exclusively for the Forum.

As might be expected–Dolan and MSG are pulling out all the stops to halt the development of the Clippers arena beginning with an effort to besmirch the credibility and reputation of Mayor Butts.

Dolan has alleged he was somehow tricked by the mayor into giving up rights to land formerly associated with the Forum that is now a part of the area associated with the new arena.

Dolan has conveniently forgotten the city reportedly loaned his own company $18 million to help it buy the Forum in the first place. He has repaid the city’s sponsorship in this regard by alleging (according to several media reports) that his agreement with the city included a promise–not to attract any other entertainment venue that might compete with the Forum.

Dolan is learning that the power and control his money gives him in this contest is not only matched by Ballmer, who also has money and is equally determined to win; but also, the City of Inglewood that is fully vested in this effort and equally determined to win.

Dolan first sought a path to success by attempting to undermine and defeat Mayor Butts. He purportedly funded opposing mayoral candidate Marc Little in the 2018 election at a cost of approximately one million dollars. That effort failed and Butts was re-elected by an overwhelming majority.

In an interview with the New York Daily News, Butts explained the city’s commitment to the new Clipper’s arena.

“There will be over 1,000 construction jobs,” he stated. “It’s going to bring in millions of dollars in property tax and ticket tax and sales tax revenue which we’ll use for city services, increase public safety, improve our library service, improve our parks street resurfacing. It’s Unmasked continued to page 25

California is drawing a line in the sand with Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns with new legislation requiring the president to release his tax returns if he wants to appear on the state’s primary ballot.

The “Presidential Tax Transparency and Accountability Act”– would apply to all gubernatorial candidates–and require the release of five years in tax returns at least 98 days before the March 3, 2020 primary.

"These are extraordinary times and states have a legal and moral duty to do everything in their power to ensure leaders seeking the highest offices meet minimal standards, and to restore public confidence," Newsom wrote.

Trump’s lawyers are expected to take the case to court. Last month, Trump sued New York officials and the House Ways and Means Committee to block Democrats from using a similar law to obtain his state tax returns.

New Gallop Poll Reveals Most American Oppose Reparations According to a new Gallop Poll, a majority of Americans don’t support cash reparation payments to the descendants of slaves, which have become part of the debates leading up to the Democratic presidential primary. Several candidates–including Senators Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker– were in favor of some form of reparations.

The poll revealed that 49% of Democrats support the idea of reparations while 92% of Republicans opposed the idea. 65% of independents also opposed.

Broken down along racial lines, 73% of blacks were in favor of reparations while just 16% of whites supported them.

Last year, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee sponsored a resolution calling for an examination of how former descendants should be compensated with the creation of an expert commission to study reparations and give their recommendations to Congress.

While the current 29% support among all Americans is low in absolute terms, more support the idea of reparations today than did so in 2002, when 14% were in favor as the subject was making news.

L.A. Focus/August 2019

The CBC Launches Census Taskforce

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INGLEWOOD PLAYBOOK: At the team’s “Playbook” event, Los Angeles Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer formally unveiled renderings (pictured above) and details of his team’s proposed sports and entertainment center, which will feature a state-of-the-art 18,500-seat basketball arena in Inglewood. “My goal is simple,” said Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer. “I want the Clippers to have the best home in all of sports.

Our goal is to build a facility that re-sets fans’ expectations while having a transformative impact on the city we will call home.” If approved, the project would be completed in 2024 when the Clippers’ lease at Staples Center expires.

The Congressional Black Caucus has launched a new taskforce to focus on the upcoming 2020 Census and a history of undercounting the African American community.

“This time around, we are facing a big question regarding how the census is going to be administered in 2020 under the Trump Administration,” said CBC Chair Karen Bass of plans for the census becoming digital.

Members of the Black Caucus will meet with African American leaders from around the country to discuss the current state of play and the tools needed for effective outreach to hard to count communities.

Data gathered by the census is used to determine how $800 billion annually in federal dollars is dispensed to states and local communities impacting health care, housing, schools, and other economic priorities.

Said Congresswoman Bass, “Our community must be counted.”

HeadToHead War Of Words Over Racist Tweets Sparked by “The Squad” merica is at a crossroads.

GOP, which adheres to white Send Trump It must choose whether to genocide theory – the notion that Back, Because strive to become a truly white people are an endangered White Supremacy multiracial democracy, or to species threatened with replaceWill Kill Us All plunge down the current trajectoment through nonwhite immigrary towards a white supremacist and fascist tion, civil rights, abortion and contraception. state governed by slave master Christianity.

Republicans sought a change to the cenNone of the human rights violations our gov- sus to include a citizenship question solely to ernment is committing, and none of the preserve white power. Red states, emboldatrocities taking place in our name will sub- ened in the age of Trump, engage in voter side until Donald J. Trump is removed from suppression and racial office. gerrymandering to perThe migrant families of color caged like petuate white minority animals – the human zoo specimens a cold- rule. Governor Bill Lee hearted and stone-faced Vice President of Tennessee signed a Mike Pence recently served up to please his proclamation honoring base for the 2020 campaign – are the delib- the domestic terrorist erate, intentional faces of racialized suffer- Nathan Bedford ing under the Trump administration. Forrest, the founder of Meanwhile, the “Squad,” the four black and the Ku Klux Klan, who brown freshman congresswomen – presided over the Fort David A. Love Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Pillow Massacre, killing 300 black Union Ayana Pressley and Rashida Tlaib – repre- soldiers after they had surrendered to the sent the high-profile representatives of the Confederate Army. anti-Trump resistance. That Trump told the Emboldened by the rise of accused sexual four progressive lawmakers of color to “go assaulter Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme back” home to their own “broken, crime- Court, red states have enacted harsh aborinfested countries” is a reminder that he tion bans criminalizing women’s reproducbuilt his career on Birtherism, and evidence tive freedom rather than the men who comthat his campaign to scapegoat undocu- mit rape and incest. “You need to realize mented immigrants serves to “otherize” all that in this country right now we’ve got a immigrants, naturalized citizens and whole lot of white folks are scared to death native-born citizens who are nonwhite and because they know that within 30 years, not regarded as true Americans. white people will have lost their numerical This White House is a white supremacist majority in the United States of America,” crime syndicate, a terror organization that said anti-racism activist and educator Jane trafficks children and locks families in cages Elliott. “You need to know that the attempt and concentration camps in violation of to get rid of my right or any other woman’s human rights law, both for profit and for right to have an abortion is not about relipolitical gain. Trumpian policies reflect gion, it is not about morality. It is about xenophobic, white nationalist hate groups keeping white people in the numerical such as FAIR that support and staff this majority in this country, and you’d better White House, and the eugenicist and racist realize that’s what’s happening.” spirit of 1920s immigration laws designed to Democratic leadership – who are not cap immigration, with extreme limits on caged migrants – lack a sense of urgency “morally defective” Italians and Eastern and proceed with the caution and moderaEuropean Jews, and a complete ban for tion white skin privilege affords, even in the Asians. face of emergent fascism. Unwilling to The endgame of white supremacy is impeach Trump and hoping to court his supgenocide. Of the ten stages of genocide, the porters, Democrats are misguided to place U.S. has arguably reached the seventh all their faith in voter turnout to overcome a (preparation), eighth (persecution) and Russian- and Republican-rigged 2020 electenth (denial) stages through the Trump tion. Claiming they value voters of color – policy against migrants, refugees and asy- their energetic base – Dems marginalize lum seekers. four black and brown women lawmakers Immigration is not the only example of who already receive death threats. Amid white supremacist measures in the Trump David A. Love continued to page 22

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Headlines From Africa Cote D’Ivorie: The Ivory Coast has passed legislation updating its family code and giving women more equity in managing household assets and financial decisions. It also ensures widows are entitled to inheritances, additional protections against domestic violence, and sets the minimum age for marriage at 18 for both women and men.

Eritrea: A year after Ethiopia and Eritrea restored diplomatic relations, residents and traders in border towns are worried by the delay in progress. Borders remain closed and little is said of what stands in the way of a stalled peace deal.

Ethiopia: Ethiopia could be the first African country to show China it has bargaining power.

China’s decision to cancel all interest-free loans advanced to Ethiopia demonstrates the power of protest and international oversight (in conjunction with Ethiopia’s growing international might), while on the other hand it gives direct insight into the burgeoning presence of China in Africa.

Gambia: Former members of a Gambian death squad known as the Junglers accused ex-president Yahya Jammeh of ordering the murder of two US citizens in 2013, having already confessed to the killing of a well known journalist.

Kenya: Western powers are leading an emerging scramble for Kenya’s multi-billion shilling energy generation, transmission and distribution projects under an ambitious plan aimed at connecting all homes to electricity by 2022.

Mozambique: Mozambique’s national assembly took an important step toward ending the country’s sky-high rate of child marriage by unanimously adopting a law banning the practice. The new law prohibits marriage of children younger than 18 years old, without exception.

Namibia: Namibia’s state-run utility will build four plants powered by renewable energy over the next five years as the southern African nation seeks to guarantee local supplies and cut its use of fossil fuels.

Niger: President Mahamadou Issoufou called for greater U.S. involvement in the fight against mushrooming Islamist

nfortunately, the U.S. interest is selling their dogma.

Understanding House of Representatives is Why 'The Squad' So, following the advice of starting to look more and Screams 'Racism' Alinsky, they get attention not more like America's universities. by developing quality ideas for Freshmen show up not to learn but to public policy reform and engaging in teach. They think they already know it all thoughtful discourse, but through sensaand see their personal mission is to set tional hype of dogma and character assasstraight the faculty, the university admin- sination of those who disagree. istrators and the world.

As a result, the discussion is not about So we see it with "The Squad," the now- the merits of the socialism they are selling, famous far-left fresh- about their big-government answers to men four in the House health, housing, education and lifting up – Alexandria Ocasio- the poor, but about answering their Cortez, Ilhan Omar, charges that anyone who does not agree Rashida Tlaib and with them is a racist.

Ayanna Pressley – Attacking the messenger, rather than who believe they have discussing the message, is a well-estabbeen elected to a first lished tactic of those whose aspiration is term in Congress to political power rather than seeking truth. reinvent what they Demagoguery is an age-old threat to Star Parker think is a failed freedom and the democratic process. There America and set straight the leadership of will always be those who long for power their party and the nation. and try to get it with heat rather than Fortunately, most Americans do not light. There is only one weapon I’m aware share this highly vocal four's negativism of to fight this and that is doing the hard about America. In a new Gallup poll, 70 work to inform people and get the truth to percent agreed with the statement "If you them. work hard and play by the rules, you will The opposition to socialism, support for be able to achieve the American dream in freedom, is not about being racist. It's your lifetime." Even a significant majority about believing in human potential, the – 61 percent – of households earning less uniqueness of every single person, and than $40,000 agreed. that no system serves human potential It goes without saying that immigra- better than freedom. tion is a high-priority issue on the national This is not dogma. There's tons of agenda because millions from around the research and data that supports the conworld want to come here. There is no more clusion. And it is this that has made and sought-out destination than the USA, and makes the USA so great. the reason is that no nation in the world The task is particularly formidable offers more opportunity. among our youth, where so many have So why is this dubious group of naysay- abandoned traditional faith, and among ers commanding such attention? our poor, where the harshness of life The first rule on the list of Rules for increases susceptibility to political demaRadicals, authored by famed left-wing goguery. community organizer Saul Alinsky, is It is no contradiction to say our country "Power is not only what you have but what and its tradition of freedom is what makes the enemy thinks you have." us great but to also be open and honest Our age of technology and social media about how we have problems. adds immeasurable power to Alinsky's Most of these problems – fiscal probadvice to gain attention way beyond the lems and social problems – are manifest support you actually have. in areas where we have departed from our Another Alinsky rule, "Ridicule is tradition of freedom and allowed big-govman's most potent weapon," provides the ernment answers into our lives. ammunition.

Don't agree? This is the discussion we These four young freshmen Democrats will have in 2020. have no interest in a public discourse of Star Parker is an author and president of deliberation where we soberly seek what is CURE, Center for Urban Renewal and true and what really works. Their only Education. Contact her at urbancure.org.

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A look at current news from the continent of Africa insurgencies in West Africa, asserting that too little was being done to combat the fighters.

Nigeria: Nigeria, which ranks as the largest economy in Africa, provided a big boost to a continental free trade zone launched by African leaders, when President Muhammadu Buhari, signed on in July.

54 of the continent’s 55 states have signed up for the projected $3.4 trillion economic bloc that would unite 1.3 billion people, boost intra-regional trade and improve Africa’s economic potential.

South Africa: South African lawmakers voted to speed up land reform by establishing a committee that will propose constitutional changes to allow for land expropriation without compensation to address historic wrongs. The governing ANC had repeatedly pledged to accelerate land transfers to the black majority since taking office in 1994, after white-minority rule ended, but progress has been slow. Those in opposition point to Zimbabwe where a similar policy by former President Robert Mugabe wrecked the economy and scared away investors, adding that South Africa’s economy is already ailing.

South Sudan: South Sudan's National Revenue Authority says the government is losing vast sums of money each month because of excessive tax exemptions.

Tanzania: Tanzania is in the spotlight over alleged kidnappings of critics of the government.

According to human rights activists, those kidnapped are tortured and even killed.

Uganda: Amendments to electoral laws tabled last month have caused a storm within Uganda’s opposition and civil society, with many questioning the government’s willingness to conduct free and fair elections in 2021.

Zambia: Over a thousand of citizens turned up Parliament Grounds to launch the “One Zambia, One Nation – The Zambia we love Campaign” that emphasises an evidenced-based fight against corruption and encourages Zambians to be patriotism and national unity in order to fight bitterness, hate speech, tribalism.

MoneyMatters

On the Money

New Proposal from Trump Administration Will Leave 3 Millions Without Food Stamps new proposal from the Trump Administration has the possibility of leaving 3.1 million Americans without the food stamps they rely on.

Californians are likely to be hit particularly hard.

Here’s why: The proposed rule, announced last week, would undo the ability of states to provide food stamps to households that have incomes above the federal food stamp limit – 130% of the federal poverty line –but hefty expenses.

That would have the biggest impact in states like California that have raised the minimum wage to try to chase the skyrocketing costs of housing. As California’s minimum wage creeps towards $15 per hour by 2023, many more workers could be bumped off food stamps when their monthly incomes rise above the federal limit.

Under current law, a California family of two with a gross monthly income between 130% and 200% of the federal poverty level–or between $1,784 and $2,744–can qualify to receive CalFresh as long as their net income after housing, childcare or medical costs falls under 100% of the poverty level, or $1,372.

The rule would also cut the benefit for families who have savings or assets above a federal limit that many states, including California, curThat waive. rently limit–$2,250 for most families–is only slightly over the median monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in California ($2,110) and about half that of a two-bedroom in San Francisco ($4,730).

“It’s clear that states like California are a target on this,” said Jessica Bartholow, a policy advocate for the Western Center on Law and Poverty.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said that the proposal to eliminate what he called a “loophole” would reduce fraud and save the federal government money–more than $9 billion over the next five years, according to a federal estimate. The proposal could go into effect following a 60 day public comment period.

“Our job is to make sure folks have the tools they need to move away from (food stamp) dependency… and preserve the benefits for those most in need,” Perdue said.

But advocates counter that the move would largely cut

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Americans Unprepared for the Cost of Retirement?

benefits for working families who spend large chunks of their paychecks on housing and care-taking costs for young children or ill or disabled family members.

“There’s actually no evidence that making someone hungrier makes them less dependent on public benefits. And there’s plenty of evidence showing the opposite,” said Bartholow.

The Western Center estimates that some 250,000 Californians could lose CalFresh, based on estimates made when California expanded eligibility in 2008 under Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and again in 2013 under Democrat Gov. Jerry Brown.

Additionally, children in those families could lose automatic eligibility for free lunches at school.

The proposal to cut food stamps is the latest in a series of Trump administration initiatives to curtail government benefits for low-income people, including a rule that would tighten food stamp work requirements, another to block some legal immigrants from getting a green card if they are deemed likely to use public services, and another to adjust the way the federal poverty measure is calculated.

Those other prohave rules posed cleared their comment periods, but the Trump administration has yet to impose them.

Opposition from C a l i f o r n i a ’ s Democratic leaders to the latest proposal was swift and predictable.

“There is not a state in the country that is probably more aggressive in pushing back from a litigation perspective, so that will be analyzed by the lawyers,” Gov. Gavin Newsom told CalMatters. A spokesman for Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who has sued the Trump administration over 50 times thus far, said his office was reviewing the proposal.

(CalMatters is tracking those lawsuits here.)

U.S. Rep Jimmy Panetta sent Secretary Perdue a letter, signed by 45 California Democrats in Congress, asking that he “take into consideration the harmful effects of this proposed rule and act quickly to rescind it.”

The proposal is scheduled to be debated during a twomonth comment period.

$1.7 million. That’s the average Americans need to save for retirement, according to a recent Charles Schwab survey. Unfortunately, few Americans will actually reach this goal.

More than half of those polled by Schwab are contributing 10% or less of their salary to their 401(l) with an average annual contribution of $8,788.

A separate survey from Northwestern Mutual found that 15% of Americans have no retirement savings at all, making it clear that Americans are falling short when it comes to saving for their golden years.

In another study by the Federal Reserve Bank, results showed how Americans are setting themselves up for retirement failure. Of those surveyed, 13% of non-retirees in their 60s have nothing saved for retirement but 45% of non-retirees in their 60s think their retirement savings are on track. Additionally, 27% of workers aged 45 to 59 have just $250,000 or more saved even though 42% believe they're on track.

Why then, are so many non-retirees off track but convinced that there is no issue?

Part of the reason Americans find themselves facing retirement without enough money is that individuals fail to know how much they need to have saved to be successful after they leave the workforce.

While many studies estimate over $1 million it is important to do your own homework and determine what that magic number is for you. There are now various retirement calculators online available for free.

The general rule of thumb, according to Fidelity, is that an individual should start saving at least 15% of their annual income starting at age 25 in hopes of saving at least one times their salary by age 30, three times by age 40, six times by age 50 and 10 times by age 67.

But, if you are like many Americans who will start saving later in life be ready to make larger sacrifices in your spending to catch up or prepare yourself to run out of money after you’ve retired.

Consider how much you expect to spend each year in retirement and be honest with yourself about your goals. If you hope to check off a long bucket list with expensive vacations, don’t expect your expenses to decrease after you leave your job as is usually the case.

Additionally, trying to get over the disconnect between knowing that you need to save more and actually saving. Following through is key and acknowledging and accepting that you may off track will help bringing change to spending and saving habits more quickly.

Biz News Briefs Entrepreneur, Gram-my winning R&B artist, and Real Housewives of Atlanta atar Kandi Burress–is expanded her burgeoning empire with the launch of Kandi Koated cosmetics, celebrating diversity and inclusivity across all identities and skin tones. Burruss designed the line for those seeking to express their authentic selves–who want to look and feel confident on their own terms.

"People come from all walks of life," Burruss said. "They are not only a rainbow of shades, hues, and colors but also identities.

"Kandi Koated is more than a cosmetics line. It is a celebration of beauty, individuality, and diversity in a world where acceptance should be more than a goal. It should be our reality," added Burruss. "I can't wait to share this collection and its message of empowerment with people across the country and around the

L.A. Focus/August 2019

Kandi Burress Launches Cosmetics Line

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world."

African American Wealth May Fall To Zero By 2053 A report published by Prosperity Now and the Institute for Policy Studies reveals that the median wealth of black Americans will fall to zero by 2053 if current trends continue.

The prediction underscores how black communities continue to be impacted by the negative net worth virus that keeps African-Americans from building wealth, according to the report titled, The Road to Zero Wealth.

The Federal Reserve Board Survey of Consumer Finances showed that a black person with a bachelor’s degree has a median net worth that is only two-thirds of the median net worth of a white person with no bachelor’s degree. That net worth is additionally hindered as black students are more likely to go in debt in hopes of becoming a college graduate. An estimated 77.7% of black students access federal student loans to pay for higher education, as opposed to 57.5% of white students.

The statistics are even grimmer for African American women. Single black women with a bachelor’s degree ages 20-39 have a median net worth of -11,000 to $0 while the white woman has a net worth range of $3,400 — $7,500.

Married black women with bachelor’s degree ages 2039 have a median net worth of -20,500 to 7,700 while white women have a net worth of $18,700 to $97,000.

Single black women with a bachelor’s degree over 60, have a median net worth of $11,000 while white women have a net worth of $384,400.

Married black women with a bachelor’s degree over 60, have a median net worth of $424,000 while white women have a net worth of $778, 000.

The solution? To change the conversation from working harder to working smarter.

Ebony’s Iconic Phota Archive Sells for $30 Million A $30 million deal for the purchase of Ebony’s iconic photo collection–dating back to the 1940’s and spanning some of the biggest moments in black history and the civil rights movement–will not only insure its preservation, but make it accessible to the public.

The collection–purchased by a group of Foundations led by the J. Paul Getty Trust –includes rare photos of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Muhammad Ali and Emmett Till’s funeral. The purchase will make the photos available to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Getty Research Institute and other institutions.

“There is no greater repository of the history of the modern African American experience than this archive,” James Cuno, president of The J. Paul Getty Trust, said via a press release. “Saving it and making it available to the public is a great honor and a grave responsibility.”

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efore last month, few Americans would have known much about the four women of color– Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib– known as “the squad”, with the exception of Ocasio-Cortez, who had been making waves–and generating headlines– since she campaigned to serve as the U.S. Representative for New York’s 14th congressional district in 2018, unseating a 10-term incumbent with her firebrand style of activism.

Rookie Congress woman Ilhan Omar, who made history as the first Somali-American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district) got her first taste of national attention when in March, her comments about America’s support for Israel ignited a political debate within the walls of Congress on Israel and anti-semitism. Comments she would later apologize for.

The two–along with Tlaib, who occupies the seat once held by John Conyers and Pressley, who pulled off a major political upset with her election to Congress representing Massachusetts–share a great deal in common.

They are all under 50, representing historical firsts in their ascents to Congress. They are all progressively liberal and supportive of each other’s agenda. And they are all social media savvy.

It was with an Instagram photo of the four taken during Freshman Orientation Week that Ocasio-Cortez dubbed them “the squad”. The photo went viral and the label stuck, drawing the ire of those like Fox News Laura Ingraham who referred to them as “the four horsewomen of the apocalypse”.

But it wasn’t until President Trump’s public twitter attack last month that “the squad” made headline news and became a household name.

In the tweets, Trump said that the four women should go back to “the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.” Not only was the statement inaccurate—all four of the women are U.S citizens and all but one were born in the country—but critics noted that the insults repeated a well-established racist trope that people of color are foreign.

His tweets spurred a crowd at one of his rallies to target Omar in North Carolina and begin chanting “send her back.” Trump would later say he did not

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DIANNE LUGO Staff

approve of the chant, though that disavowal was quickly reversed when he said the people at the rally were “incredible patriots.”

The comments spurred Trump supporters and other conservatives to share similar racist sentiments. Memes calling the four women terrorists have proliferated across social media and the Facebook account for the Illinois Republican County Chairmen’s Association posted a photoshopped photo of the four women that called them “The Jihad Squad”. The group later apologized and deleted the photo.

Democrats were quick to rebuke the attacks with the House of Representatives passed a resolution denouncing the president’s comments. Even Michelle Obama weighed in, tweeting “What truly makes our country great is its diversity”.

Trump doubled down.

"I don't believe the four Congresswomen are capable of loving our Country," Trump tweeted. "They should apologize to America (and Israel) for the horrible (hateful) things they have said. They are destroying the Democrat Party…but are weak & insecure people who can never destroy our great Nation!"

The squad did not remain silent in response, instead they pushed back just as they’ve pushed back against critics that have emerged since they joined Congress, rattling Republicans and Democrats alike and helping to shift the national conversation about race, in large part via social media.

Most recently, they were the only four Democrats to vote against the House version of an emergency border aid package that was backed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi once again pitting the four against House moderates and House leadership.

It was a move that prompted Pelosi to criticize the young congresswomen, framing them as a marginal outsider force.

“All these people have their public whatever and their Twitter world,” but no following on Capitol Hill. In the Washington Post, Ocasio-Cortez stated that Pelosi was “singling out newly-elected women of color” with the comment.

All four represent a new generation of politicians that is unafraid to go against the establishment and advocate for similarly progressive policies that can clash with their own party’s leadership.

Their consistent presence in news outlets, notoriety and the fierce scrutiny they’ve faced is perhaps unsurprising when you take a look at who they are and the

Our squad is big. Our squad includes any person committed to building a more equitable and just world. And that is the work that we want to get back to.

And given the size of this squad and this great nation, we cannot, we will not, be silenced.

path all four took to be successful in the 2018 midterm elections.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 29 Just a year before OcasioCortez was elected into the House of Representatives, New Yorkers could stop by Flats Fix, a taco and tequila bar in Union Square, and spot Ocasio-Cortez tending bar or waiting tables.

Commonly referred to by her initials AOC, she would go on to win the Democratic Party's primary election for New York's 14th congressional district in 2018, pulling off what is largely considered to be the biggest upset victory of the 2018 primaries when she defeated 10-term incumbent and Democratic Caucus Chair, Joe Crowley, considered by many as the likely future Democratic Speaker of the House.

“Women like me aren’t supposed to run for office,” said one of her campaign ads (the ad was viewed millions of times online) but her campaign and victory was indicative of the kind of movement that grew in the wake of Trump’s election. A movement full of young and rebellious firsttime politicians—mostly women—who ran in an effort to reshape the country’s leadership.

Born in the Bronx to a Puerto Rican family, she lost her father to cancer in 2008. Without a will, the family not only struggled with his loss, but additionally became frustrated with the long and bureaucratic process they were forced to go through to settle his estate.

She graduated from Boston University College of Arts and Sciences in 2011 with a degree in international relations and economics. After her father died, she moved back to the Bronx and began working 18 hour shifts as a bartender and waitress to help her mother and avoid losing their home.

Her campaign began after she first worked as an organizer for Bernie Sanders’ failed 2016 presidential bid. After the election, she visited Flint, Michigan and Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota solidifying her reputation as an activist.

In an interview with The Cut she remembered working for the late Senator Ted Kennedy when she was younger but never considered running on her own until she went to Standing Rock in 2016.

“I saw how all of the people there – particularly the Native people and the Lakota Sioux – were putting their whole lives and everything that they had on the line for the protection of their community. I saw how a corporation had literally militarized itself against the American people, and I just felt like we were at a point where we couldn’t afford to ignore politics anymore,” she explained.

And so her campaign began.

Ocasio-Cortez supports single-payer Medicare for All and tuition-free college. She also supports the cancellation of outstanding student debt sharing that she herself still owes student loans.

Additionally, she calls for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

She gained attention with her first piece of legislation known as the Green New Deal, which calls for completely transitioning to an electrical grid running on 100% renewable energy and the end of fossil fuel usage within 10 years. With a cost of $2.5 trillion per year, Senator Dianne Feinstein and Speaker Pelosi dismissed the proposal.

Ocasio-Cortez proposed a 70% tax on income above $10 million to pay for the deal.

Her positions have not made her popular. In March, PolitiFact reported Ocasio-Cortez is "one of the most targeted politicians for hoax claims, despite the fact that she just entered Congress as a freshman.''

“Weak minds and leaders challenge loyalty to our country in order to avoid challenging and debating the policy,” Ocasio-Cortez said in response to Trump’s attacks.

Ilhan Omar, 37 Omar was born in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, but was raised in Baidoa, Somalia. The youngest of seven, Omar was raised by her father and grandfather after her mother died when she was two. Her family secured asylum in the U.S in 1995 after they fled the Somali civil war and spent years as refugees in Kenya.

The Big Picture: Is The Squad Helping Or Hurting The Democratic Party?

For all the excitement the Squad has ignited with one political insider regarding them as “some of the most effective and compelling messengers the Democratic party has for reaching a broader audience”, the four have clashed with both Democrats and Republicans as they pushback against what they consider as blind and desperate clinging to bipartisan civility and “bad politics full of timid political leaders”.

Those same leaders consider the Squad to be naive freshmen congresswomen obsessed with the limelight and little regard for how ‘actual’ politics work.

While they hope their contemporary approach will change the party for the better, many Democrats fear the approach will harm the party in the long run.

Though Democrats were united in the vote to condemn Trump’s racist tweets about the squad that hurt him politically, a growing number are beginning to regard the four rookie congresswomen as a real threat to the party’s success in 2020 given the notion that the party needs to return more to the center in order to beat Trump.

For the GOP and a growing number of independents, “the squad” is representative of a left that has grown increasingly radical, setting what many fear as a trend toward socialism that could derail the Democratic party.

Said rising GOP star Candace Owens, “I’m happy that they are out there because they are waking more people up than we ever could as conservatives. They think that because these girls are getting a lot of clicks and retweets, this must mean that America wants to go in this direction. No, we’re retweeting them because it’s so absurd. I think truly the Squad represents the end of the Democratic party.”

As the 2020 election shifts into high gear and the squad squarely becomes a lightning rod for “the right” with Republicans hoping to paint them as the face of the Democratic Party, the squad remains clear on their mission. Said Ayanna Pressley: Our squad is big. Our squad includes any person committed to building a more equitable and just world.

own community that the woman can think she’s leading all that she wants, have a semblance of influence, but the ultimate voice rests with the man.... I am not one who subscribes to that belief.”

Just months after taking office Omar had received hundreds of death threats according to her office. Notably, a 55-year-old man of Addison, New York was arrested in April after staff members reported receiving a call from the man.

“Do you work for the Muslim Brotherhood? Why are you working for her, she’s an (expletive) terrorist. I’ll pull a bullet in her (expletive) skull,” he allegedly said.

But Omar has shown that threats and attacks against her do little to dissuade her from expressing her opinion and from her growing political clout.

Rashida Tlaib, 43 In 2016 Rashida Tlaib was dragged out of a meeting at the Detroit Economic club where then-candidate Trump delivered a speech.

In the video, she is escorted out of the room as she yells at those in attendance.

“You guys are crazy!” she shouts while someone offcamera responds, “You’re an animal, get a job.”

And so, she did, becoming one of the first two Muslim women ever elected into Congress and the first Palestinian-American to serve Congress. She was sworn into office wearing a traditional Palestinian garment that was stitched by her mother.

Tlaib is the oldest of 14 children born to Palestinian immigrant parents. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in political science from Wayne State University and a Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in 2004.

Before being elected Tlaib had been working as a public interest attorney at the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice. Her political career included her tenure as a representative in Michigan state legislature before she had to leave due to term limits after losing her bid for state Senate.

Tlaib’s interruption of Trump’s event in 2016 foreshadowed her behavior in office. At the time she stated that Trump did not deserve “social niceties” or “courteous behavior” “Confronting Trump was the most patriotic and courageous act I could pursue,” said Tlaib, who continues to be a leading advocate for the president’s impeachment. She similarly supports the abolishment of ICE, Medicare For All and a $18 to $20 hourly minimum wage.

Ayanna Pressley, 45

The married mother of three became not only the first Somali American to serve in Congress, but the first woman of color to represent Minnesota in the House, the first naturalized citizen from Africa, and one of the first two Muslim women to serve in Congress—the other is fellow Squad member, Rashida Tlaib.

She campaigned on a platform that also included support for Medicare for all, abolishing ICE, tuition free college and raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

“Tonight, we are celebrating because we engaged and empowered our community and we won,” she said in a statement after her victory. “Our campaign staff, our volunteers, and the people of the Fifth Congressional District are the inspiration we need to get up every day and fight for a democracy that guarantees a more just and equitable society.”

When she took office, she fought and succeeded in changing a 181-year ban on headwear in the House which allowed her to wear a hijab for her oath of office.

Before her campaign, Omar had served in Minnesota’s state legislature after defeating a 22-term Democratic incumbent.

Not only has Omar faced allegations of bigamy and immigration fraud since she began wading in local politics, but she has faced conflict, death threats and Islamophobic attacks before she ever reached Congress.

“There is a feeling by some people in politics and in my

Pressley joined Congress after pulling off a major political upset in the Democratic primary by unseating 10-term Rep. Michael Capuano. Before reaching Congress, Pressley was elected to the Boston City Council in 2009, becoming the first woman of color to serve in the 100-year history of the Council.

The self-described advocate, activist and survivor campaigned as a compelling politician who was unafraid of broaching topics like domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking.

"People close to me, personally, politically, have expressed frustration that I'm not the political animal that they wish that I were," she said in 2011. She says they wish she was more "self-promoting" and "less collaborative."

She recalled being warned against taking on controversial issues like sexual education during an election year.

“Broaden your portfolio, or white people won’t vote for you,” Pressley, a survivor of sexual assault, was advised, but she ignored the warnings and was successful in implementing a more comprehensive sexual education and health curriculum into Boston Public Schools.

When running against Capuano her campaign emphasized that while Capuano and her voting records were nearly identical, the district needed someone that better reflected the changes in demographics and character it had gone through. She also promised to be more aggressive in opposing Trump.

She has been true to her word.

UpFront Extra Biden Redeems Himself At Second Round of Debates; Pool of Candidates Likely to be Halved for Next Debates he second round of the Democratic Debates have ended and now the public must juggle analyzing the crowded field of presidential hopefuls.

Twenty Democratic candidates once again squared off over two nights to discuss health care, racism, immigration, the criminal justice system and climate change. The second Democratic debate night on CNN brought in 10.7 million viewers, 24% more viewers than the first.

The rise in viewership is little surprise as people prepared to watch a rematch between California Sen. Kamala Harris and Former Vice President Joe Biden.

As some may recall, Kamala Harris surged forward after clashing with Biden in last month’s Democratic debate, upping not only her national profile but raising $2 million in the 24 hours following the debate.

Biden’s less than impressive performance cost him a double-digit lead over Harris but fortunately for Biden, it appears Harris lost all of her momentum at the second debate.

Biden dominated the stage speaking a total of 19 minutes at the debate. He once again faced several attacks from his fellow Democratic presidential hopefuls as they continue to try and topple him from the top of the polls.

However, Biden seemed to be prepared this time.

Instead of remaining stunned as he was last debate, Biden took the chance to pick apart his rivals’ proposals on

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health care and immigration successfully showing his grasp of their history and positions. He also took the opportunity to critique Harris and her health care plan opening up the opportunity for others to similarly rip into Harris who seemed unprepared to be everyone’s target.

Harris struggled to defend why the health care plan does not constitute a true “Medicare for All” proposal and her record as California Attorney General faced harsh crit-

icsm from Tulsi Gabbard.

It was Tulsi Gabbard who effectively kept Harris on the defensive about her record as a former prosecutor.

Unfortunately, for Gabbard it was about the only thing she was able to contribute to.

Julian Castro, who was also remembered favorably from his last debate where he earned high scores for his performance went after Biden on immigration, particularly on his record on deportations in the Obama administration. The approach was surprising for Biden and fellow Democrats.

“I must tell you I was a little surprised by how much incoming there was about Barack— about the preisdent,” Biden told reporters afterwards. “I’m proud of having served with him. I’m proud of the job he did. I don’t think there is anything he has to apologize for...It kind of surprised me, the degree of the criticism.”

Viewers on Twitter were quick to also criticize Democrats who took shots at Obama.

Nonetheless, Biden successfully naviagated the continued push from rivals and will likely maintain his frontrunner status.

While night two of the second debates won in viewership night one perhaps held some of the best moments.

Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders teamed up to deliver powerful performances. Both of them delivered the best sound bites of the debates speaking Debates continued on page 24

Game Changers April Verrett alifornia’s senior population has entered a period of rapid growth.

According to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), by 2030, the over-65 population (Baby Boomers) will grow by four million people.

The increase in retirement-aged seniors means many are likely to be living alone, single and/or childless. The PPIC has projected that slightly more than one million seniors will require some assistance with self-care, and the demand for nursing home care will see a major increase by 2030 as well.

This all points to an evolving landscape for senior care in the state of California.

The state will need additional resources, including nursing care facilities, assisted living communities and health care professionals — especially those who provide inhome, and community-based services.

Perhaps the most-ready individual to address the growing demand of senior caregiving needs in California is April Verrett, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2015.

Verrett has the task of leading what is currently the largest long-term care union in the nation, representing some 385,000 homecare and nursing home workers throughout California.

Investing in the caregiver workforce and programs that give attention to the needs of seniors (in a respectful and loving way) Verrett maintains is her top priority because a significant number of seniors will have trouble caring for themselves.

“Being a fighter and advocate for working people is my passion,” said Verrett.

“And there is no greater group of workers to fight for than caregivers.” She further

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adds, “As those living in our country and our state are growing older and living longer, we must continue to support and strengthen the infrastructure that allows our loved ones to age with dignity and receive the care they deserve.”

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Verrett began her work as a union organizer in 2001. She launched into the field as a lead union campaign organizer for hospital workers at Roseland Hospital, which is based is one of the most economically depressed communities in The Windy City.

Starting out at the grassroots level, Verrett went door to door meeting with hospital employees to discuss the rights, the powers, and the voice they possess in the medical care system.

It wasn’t long before she was named Executive Vice President of the Chicago based local union that represented more than 7,000 hospital employees and social service workers. Over time they merged with two other local unions in Chicago.

Leading this initiative in the Midwest sector of the U.S., Verrett went on to create what is now known as SEIU Healthcare Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, which represents over 90,000 workers—many of whom are home caregivers across those four states.

In 2015, she honored the invitation of long-time friend and fellow union organizer, Laphonza Butler, to relocate to Southern California. The two laid the foundation for the SEIU local where Verrett was initially voted as one of three executive vice presidents in 2017.

Verrett acknowledges that part of her union organizational capacity today was built by gleaning from Butler, whom she succeeded as President of SEIU Local 2015

GERALD BELL

Staff Writer earlier this year.

“I learned from her and I'm trying to be like her [in certain respects] to always ask the important questions, and to make sure you know why you're doing something before you start doing it. Because if you know the why, you never lose track.”

Verrett continues. “Putting the members and their interests first, no matter what, and taking risk. Those are some of the skills about leadership I learned from her.”

The veteran labor organizer, however, has independently embraced her multiplelevel responsibilities with full confidence.

Over the last several months, she and the union has had to fight against numerous attacks on the care, livelihood, and dignity of seniors, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. She insists that having key pollical support and partnerships working alongside her, such as the likes of Governor Gavin Newsom who just signed an executive order calling for a master plan on aging, is a huge step in the right direction.

“I think the purpose of the union is about building power and not just building power for the sake of having it,” she said.

“It's about how are we building power to get things done.

And in this country, you get things d o n e through policy.

Through electing people. And so, we have to be able to act and exert power in the political space.”

Verrett goes on to announce, “We have a broad justice agenda around worker and economic justice, housing justice, restorative justice, immigration justice, environmental justice and disability rights…Our members are not just workers and so we have to be able to transform not just their lives as workers, but their lives as people.”

The PPCI has reported that California’s community college system will be critical in training workers to meet the state’s health care workforce needs for the growing and changing senior population.

“We estimate there are about 1.5 million Californians who work in the long-term care space, whether it is in the formal space, for an agency, or just as workers like our members,” Verrett notes. “Now more than ever we must continue to stand together to protect what we fought hard to create, such as the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and Medi-Cal…We have a lot of work ahead of us.”

Some of that work will require union organizing for people who work for private agencies. Currently, Verrett is representing some 2000 workers, mainly in n o r t h e r n California, who work for private home care agenGame Changer continued to page 25

Calendar of events

Ongoing Art exhibit: Ernie Barnes: A Retrospective(Thru September 8) Tues-Sat: 10am — 6pm; Sun: 11am — 6pm Free/Parking $12) California African American Museum (CAAM) 600 State Drive Info: (310) 676-7300 caamuseum.org Orange County Fair (Thru August 11) Offers farm exhibits, a petting zoo, pig races, carnival rides, a rodeo, a sports arena, wine tasting, fried food, and big-name music concerts including Chaka Khan $7-80 • 11AM-Midnight 88 Fair Drive Costa Mesa Contact: (714) 708-1500 www.ocfair.com BFit Yoga Class On the Macy’s Bridge Free • 10AM-11AM Saturdays Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 3650 W Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Info: (323) 290-6636 baldwinhillscrenshawplaza.com

Exhiibition: She Power With Grace (by Diana Shannon Young) (Through September 22) 3rd Floor of Macy’s at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 4005 Crenshaw Blvd Info: (323) 294-7071 www.maaala.org

Friday, August 2 In Concert: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic 7:30PM • $39-$150 The Greek Theater 2700 North Vermont Ave Info: 844-LAGREEK www.lagreektheatre.com

Saturday, August 3 An Evening With Jill Scott 8PM • $59-$145 Microsoft Theater 777 Chick Hearn Court Contact: (213) 763-6020 microsofttheater.com

Sunday, August 4 Taste of Inglewood Street Fair and Music Festival with Special Guests Big Daddy Kane, Kindred the Family Soul 11AM-7PM • Free Inglewood High School 231 S Grevillea Ave

Monday, August 5 In Concert: Lionel Richie 8PM • $41 - $283 Hollywood Bowl 2301 N. Highland Avenue Contact: (323) 850-2000 hollywoodbowl.com

Wednesday, August 7 Seminar: Women’s Heart Health Warning signs to know if you’re at risk for a heart attack and lifestyle changes to make 7-8:30PM • Free UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica 1250 16th Street, Auditorium RSVP: (800) 516-5323 uclahealth.org

Fabulousforum.com

tival.com

Friday, August 9

Harold & Carole Pump Foundation 19th Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament & Dinner Honorees include Cedric The Entertainer, Jerry Rice, Pete Rose and Mike Tyson The Beverly Hilton Hotel 5:30PM+ • $1000 Pricing: (310) 445-2588 Haroldpumpfoundation.co m

31st Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival Line up includes Eric Benet, Norman Brown w.

Angie Stone, The Rippingtons, Arturo Sandoval, Terence Blanchard, a Tribute to Nancy Wilson and more.

(Through August 11th) Check hours /pricing Rainbow Lagoon Park 400 E. Shoreline Drive Long Beach 90802 Information: (562) 4240013 longbeachjazzfes-

Thursday, August 15 In Concert: Kirk Franklin 7PM • $30 -$230 3790 Wilshire Blvd Info: (213) 388-1400 Wiltern.com

Saturday, August 17

Thursday, August 8 In Concert: Blink-182 & Lil Wayne 7PM • $24 - $127 The Forum 3900 W. Manchester Blvd Information: (310) 330-7344

One

EVENT SPOTLIGHT Saturday, August 24

Southside Church of Christ 63rd Anniversary Goes through August 30 Features a concert, guest teachers and anniversary service honoring Dr. Carl C. Baccus Times Vary • Free Southside Church of Christ 1655 West Manchester Avenue www.southsidechurchofchristla.org

L.A. Focus/August 2019

Michelle Williams shines bright in a sparkling sleeveless dress at the Lion King premiere last month.

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rabi— ueen Sa nnels Q lm—on the a h c d r fi ooda the new Alfre W voices in red carpet. g who she Lion Kin

Rapper E ve m the red ca akes an appearan ce rp Furious P et premiere of Fast at resents: H & obbs & S haw. der McQueen design Beyoncé in an Alexan ing blazer and sheer that featured a sparkl King premiere. n Lio the skirt at

Kelly Rowland walks the Lion King premiere red carpet in a zebra-print look.

Ava Duvernay, CEO of AT&T Communications, John Donovan, and Zendaya at the AT&T Dream in Black brunch during the 25th Annual Essence Festival in New Orleans last month.

(Photo by Travis Ellison)

Toni Braxton and son Diezel attend Michael B. Jordan’s 3rd Annual MBJAM for Lupus LA on Saturday, July 27, 2019

Man Show: The Life of Paul Robeson 8PM • $15 Santa Monica Playhouse 1211 4th Street Santa Monica Info: (310) 394-9779 www.santamonicaplayhouse.com

“Smooth Summer Jazz” (Featuring Dave Koz, the Commodores and more) 6PM • $23 - $257 Hollywood Bowl 2301 N. Highland Avenue Contact: (323) 850-2000 hollywoodbowl.com

In Concert: Leela James 7PM • Free Burton Chace Park 13650 Mindanao Way Marina Del Rey Info: (424) 562-7900 marinadelrey.lacounty.gov

Seminar: New Treatments for Knee Arthritis Noon-1:30PM • Free Santa Monica Family YMCA 1332 6th Street RSVP: (800) 516-5323 uclahealth.org

Sunday, August 18 On Stage: The Fannie Lou Hamer Story 4PM -7PM • $25 First AME Church 1700 North Raymond Pasadena Figure Sculpture Workshop Noon — 2PM • Free/Parking $12 (Must register online) The California African American Museum 600 State Drive Los Angeles, CA 90037 www.caamuseum.org

Wednesday, August 21

“Herbie Hancock: Next Generation” 8PM • $9 - $165 Hollywood Bowl 2301 N. Highland Avenue Contact: (323) 850-2000 hollywoodbowl.com

Friday, August 23 In Concert: Miki Howard (Through August 24) 8:30PM • $35+ Catalina Bar & Grill Rsvp: (323) 466-2210 catalinajazzclub.com

2019 Leimert Park Village Book Fair Interactive activities, panel discussions, film screenings, readings, meet & greets, spoken word, and live music 10AM — 5PM • Free Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 3650 W Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd leimertparkbookfair.com 22nd Annual Venice Beach Gospel Crusade Rally Various Citywide Choirs, Gospel Artists, Dynamic Speakers & Much More!

Venice Beach Boardwalk Corner of Pacific & Windward Street 11:00AM - 6:00PM Info: (213) 359-3185 disciplesonthemove.com 9th Annual Taste of Brews Long Beach Dozens of craft beers and select hard ciders, seltzers and kombucha along with So Cal’s premier mobile restaurants Noon — 5PM • $25 — $40 Lighthouse Park 200 Aquarium Way

Long Beach, CA 90802 tasteofbrews.com/lbtob Keith Sweat — I’ll Give All My Love To You (with Xscap3, 112, SWV, JoJo & Mr. Dalvin of Jodeci) 6:30PM • $55 - $235 The Greek Theater 2700 North Vermont Ave Information: 844LAGREEK www.lagreektheatre.com

Sunday, August 25 17th Annual Gardena Jazz Festival Headliner: Stanley Clarke Hosted by Pat Prescott 10AM - 7:30PM • $25+ Rowley Memorial Park 13220 Van Ness Avenue Gardena, CA 90249 gardenajazzfestival.com Art Poetry Marathon 3 — 4:30PM • Free The California African American Museum 600 State Drive Los Angeles, CA 90037 www.caamuseum.org

Facial Aging: Surgical and Nonsurgical Options Free • 6PM — 7:30PM 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Ste 206 RSVP:plasticsurgery@mednet.ucla.edu uclahealth.org Discussion: Los Angeles: State of the Black Press (With Tre’vell Anderson, LA chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, Brandon I. Brooks, managing editor at the Los Angeles Sentinel ; Lilly Workneh, editor-inchief of Blavity News, and Tony Cox, associate chair and professor of journalism at Cal State Los Angeles.

7-9PM • Free/Parking $12 The California African American Museum 600 State Drive Los Angeles, CA 90037 www.caamuseum.org

Friday, August 30 Dance: “Urban Bush Women: Hair & Other Stories” A multidisciplinary experience blending dance-theatre

around los angeles Saturday, August 24

Jamie Foxx was joined by his youngest daughter, Annalise Bishop (R), and two of her best friends at the premiere of the new live-action Lion King film. n also attended the Yvette Nicole Brow ere of Disney’s star studded premi .

Lion King last month

Thursday, August 29

Seminar: The Treatment of

Idris Elba is joined by his wife Sabrina and daughter Isan at the Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Sh aw premiere.

with conversations that challenge existing American values and celebrate choices around “who we be” 8PM • $25-50 Ford Theatres 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East Hollywood, CA 90068 /www.fordtheatres.org/ L.A. County Fair (Through September 22) Call for Hours/Pricing 1101 W. McKinley Ave Pomona 91768 Information: (909) 623-3111 Lacountyfair.com In Concert: The Ojays & The Spinners 7:30pm • $44 - $125 1101 W. McKinley Ave Pomona 91768 Information: (909) 6233111 lacountyfair.com

Saturday, August 31 In Concert: Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly (with Regina Belle & Donnell Rawling) 6:30PM • $50 - $225 The Greek Theater 2700 North Vermont Ave www.lagreektheatre.com

Dwayne “The Rock” Joh nson walks the gray carpet at the premiere of the first Fast & Furious spinoff movie of the franchise.

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Eye On Gospel Kirk Franklin’s Life Story Headed for the Big Screen Sony is developing a currently untitled biopic about multi-platinum selling gospel singer Kirk Franklin to be produced by former Sony executive DeVon Franklin.

Franklin will serve as an executive producer through his label Fo Yo Soul Entertainment.

The film will follow the 14-time Grammy-winning artist from his humble beginnings to his rise as the face of gospel music. Franklin released his first album in 1993 called Kirk Franklin & The Family. The album went platinum with over 1 million copies sold, the first gospel album to do so. It sat at the top of the Billboard charts at No.1 on the Top Gospel Albums chart for 42 weeks. A string of now classic gospel hits have followed, including “Hosanna”, “Now Behold The Lamb”, “My Life, My Love, My All”, “You Are The Only One” and “I Smile”.

Franklin has gone on to become the biggest selling gospel artist of all time and is currently on tour in support of his latest album, Long Live Love, which made him the first artist in history to top all five Billboard gospel charts at one time, while amassing more than 4.3 million streams in its first week.

Franklin is also currently hosting the ninth season of BET’s popular music competi-

tion series, Sunday Best

Kurt Carr Releases First Album in Six Years Award-winning famed Gospel icon Kurt Carr returns with a vibrant vocal musical extravaganza on his new album Bless Somebody Else (Kurt Carr Gospel/RCA Inspiration), available now. The pioneering two-time Grammy® nominated, Dove Award and multiple Stellar Award-winning Gospel Hall of Famer has created another soon-to-be classic album, delivering sixteen tracks filled with rousing vocal runs and cutting-edge melodic flourishes that have made him one of the most illustrious and enduring recording artists, songwriters and producers for the past three decades. Featuring the Kurt Carr Singers and special guests, Bless Somebody Else comes six years since his last release, 2013’s Bless This House. After enduring a painful period dealing with a prolonged season of losing loved ones including his mother Delores, his longtime ministry partner Dorothy King, and mentor Andraé Crouch among others, Carr has come through with Bless Somebody Else, bringing a message of thanksgiving and hope, with powerful inspiration to praise God’s blessings in our lives and be a blessing to others.

After enduring this season of loss, Carr told God, “I’m tired and I can’t do this anymore,” and he says as clear as day, he heard God say, “If you don’t want to do it anymore, “Do It For Somebody Else.” This epiphany fueled the title track and carrying out his mission with the album, to bless somebody else. Produced and written by Carr, Bless Somebody Else features the all-star single “Bless Somebody Else (Dorothy’s Song).” Carr is joined by The Kurt Carr Singers and special friends Wess Morgan, Fred Hammond, Faith Evans, Yolanda Adams, Smokie Norful, Erica Campbell, John P. Kee, Jekalyn Carr, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Keke Wyatt, Bishop T.D.

RedCarpet Style

RUSSELL WILSON & CIARA

make a stunning couple in matching red carpet attire

Jakes, and Zacardi Cortez on the track.

DWIGHT HOWARD brightens up the red carpet in a pastel pink look

Vashawn Mitchell’s New Project Marks The Culmination of His Music Journey Multiple Stellar and Dove Award winner, and GRAMMY nominee, VaShawn Mitchell returns with prolific new album Elements. In commemoration of his storied, and successful 20-year career Mitchell offers Elements as the culmination of the full breadth of his music journey. With a fusion of pop, rock, gospel and that signature Chicago Gospel sound that has defined him, Elements is a beautiful representation of Mitchell’s continued evolution in music.

Elements is Mitchell’s first album in three years, and he recently shared the album’s cover on Instagram to tremendous excitement. Buzz about the new album has been jumpstarted by the success of Mitchell’s first two singles “God Can Do Anything,” and “Wind of God.” Both singles continue to impact on streaming platforms and on radio.

“I was looking back at the twenty years, and thinking about my start in music, and what I've accomplished. I realize there are specific elements in life and elements of God that allowed me to get to where I am,” Mitchell explained. “I purposely want to write music regarding my personal story, and how God used elements like fire, wind and rain to speak to me at times in my life that needed to be spoken to!”

Mitchell will hit the road in support of the albums with performances around the country in Detroit, Atlanta, Charlotte, New York, Indianapolis, Washington DC, Nashville, and his hometown of Chicago.

In other gospel news, Brian Courtney Wilson will hit the road this month on his first North American tour...Mary J. Blige joined the Clark Sisters and the cast (including Aunjanue Ellis, Raven Goodwin and Shelea Frazier) of their forthcoming biopic at the Essence Fest last month. Blige is one of the project’s exec producers along with Queen Latifah and Missy Elliott.

The 27th Annual ESPY Awards was hosted lost month in Los Angeles and gave others the chance to see athletes dressed up and out of their regular uniforms. Here are some of the best looks.

LAILA ALI is wearing a high-low sequined navy dress

USHER makes a statement with head-to-toe houndstooth

GABRIELLE UNION completes her minidress look with a bejeweled purse

INSIDE HO L LY W OOD with Neily Dickerson “Brian Banks” Is A “Must See” Movie School might not start for a few weeks, but if you go see Brian Banks, and I think you should, class is in session.

“Brian Banks” is the true story of an All-American football player who learns, at a young age, actions come with consequences that can impact the trajectory of your life.

Here’s what happens, Brian Banks, played by Aldis Hodge of “What Men Want” & “Underground” fame, gives an excellent performance of the High School athlete set to attend USC. Excited about his future and the attention being received the rising star flirts with a young woman, she flirts back and the pair make their way to the campuses make-out spot. Right before

mer co-host of The View & actress Sherri Shepherd, secure the assistance of an attorney who mislead them and he is sentenced to a 6 year prison term.

While serving his time in a broken justice system the teenager finds an unlikely mentor, played by Morgan Freeman, and evolves into an uplifted man determined to fight for himself.

Once released from prison Banks is determined to clear his name and in things get heavy between the two, the fight for his life enlists the help of Banks changes his mind deciding he the, California Innocence Project, led doesn’t want to further engage and by Justin Brooks, played by Greg walks away. Feeling rejected, the Kinnear.

“Brian Banks” is a solid film filled young woman shares her story spinwith teachable & unifying messages, ning it into a chain of events that never but the most significant lesson here is, Hometown: Onslow County, North Carolina happened leaving Brian vulnerable never give up on you and go see Brian Big Break: “Straight Outta Compton” and later arrested.

Current Projects: City On A Hill, Brian Banks Banks and his mother, played by for- Banks.

He played MC Ren in the 2015 hit, Straight Outta Compton, the husband of Janelle Monae in Hidden Figures and starred in the WGN series Underground, yet 2019 seems to be Aldis Hodge’s breakthrough year.

With three films (What Men Want opposite Taraji P. Henson, Clemency and Brian Banks) coupled with the Showtime series, City On A Hill, there’s little doubt the 32-year old actor –who appeared on Sesame Street as a kid–is on a hot streak. August 9 will mark the release of his latest film, Brian Banks, about a high school football player whose dreams of making the NFL are sideDon’t Let Go Angel Has Fallen The Kitchen tracked when he is wrongly convicted of rape.

Q&A

AldisHodge

DUE IN THEATERS THIS MONTH

HOLLYWOOD BUZZ

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw –– August 2 Keke Palmer Lands Permanent Co-Host Spot on Strahan and Sara

Known for her roles on “Scream Queens” and “True Jackson, VP” and her music, Keke Palmer has landed a deal to join Michael Strahan and Sara Haines on ABC's talk-show spinoff of “Good Morning America” named “Strahan and “Sara” as its third host.

She has already demonstrated her chemistry with the hosts after multiple appearances on the show, filling in as a guest co-host on the show while Haines was on maternity leave.

Additionally, the network hopes that bringing 25-year-old Palmer will widen the appeal of the show and attract younger viewers.

“She’s got tons of energy, she’s fun and super spontaneous,” a source told Deadline.

“You can see everyone is having a blast.”

Lil Nas Xs “Old Town Road” Breaks DecadeOld Record Mariah Carey has gracefully passed the torch to Lil Nas X after his popular hit, “Old Town Road” surpassed the decade-old Billboard record previously held by her song with Boyz II Men, “One Sweet Day.” The “Old Town Road”

August 9

August 23

remix featuring Billy Ray Cyrus has now become the longest-running No. 1 single ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as it passed its 17th consecutive week at the top spot.

Carey posted a photo on Instagram and Twitter congratulating the 20year-old singer.

"Sending love & congrats to @lilnasx on breaking one of the longest running records in music history!" reads the caption of the image. "We've been blessed to hold this record with a song that means a great deal to @BoyzIIMen and myself and has touched so many. Keep living your best life! " The song also beat “Despacito,” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, featuring Justin Bieber (the song sat at No. 1 for 16 consecutive weeks) and takes sole possession of the distinction of the longest leader in the history of Streaming Songs, which began in 2013.

With “Old Town Road” also currently at No. 1 on the OnDemand Streaming Songs ranking, which measures ondemand audio streams only for 16 weeks in a row, it is likely going to tie and beat the all-time record held by Post Malone’s “Rockstar” at 17 weeks.

Mary J. Blige Will Star in “Power” Spinoff Series Mary J. Blige is staying busy, recently announcing her next acting gig.

Fans of the Starz series “Power” have known that the

August 30

series’ sixt season, which recently wrapped, will be the final one for th cable network.

However, during the 2019 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour, executive producers Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Courtney A. Kemp announced “that a new show named “Power Book II: Ghost,” whill be continuing the journey for some of the series’ notorious characters.

During the panel discussion, Blige said she was thrilled to join the series that is currently in pre-production.

"This is probably going to be the most exciting thing that will happen to me this year," she said. "I've known so many Tashas, I've known so many Ghosts. I've dated so many Ghosts.

I'm a huge fan for life, and I'm so grateful to be a part of it."

In other Hollywood news Duane Martin is claiming that his estranged wife Tisha Campbell-Martin is mentally unstable.

In court documents obtained by TMZ Martin said that he does not believe Campbell-Martin is able to control her emotions. He also claimes that she has had multiple mental breakdowns, includng a severe episode in August 2017.

Campbell-Martin previously accused Martin of stealing millions, a claim he says should not be taken seriously because her unstable mental health makes her an unreliable source.

Martin claims that his wife is anxious and paranoid and says that she has been “fabricating stories that clearly are untrue.”

Now, the couple will continue to battle as final custody arrangements and division of marital assets are decided.

On playing Brian Banks As an actor, I want to fill my life with meaningful work and this is some of the proudest work I’ve done in my 30-year career not only because I get to share what I’ve learned, but I do hope I will help in honoring [Brian Bank’s] life. How rare is it to go through all that…and then come out to clear your name, make it to the NFL. He chose to take his situation, not let it own him and use it for what it was intended for…to teach and hopefully make things better for other people so they can realize there are still problems in the world, but we’re hopefully trying to be a part of the solution, so it was a fantastic experience. It helped educate me a little bit more about life as a man.

On racism…

I grew up around racism. It's weird that people don't realize that we live in this reality continuously. In New York, I've had a Caucasian man call me the n-word. ...

To my face, yeah. I've had another Caucasian man in his 50s call me to my face, said, "You're intimidating because you're black." In that, I had to invoke my own power to understand my value, because: I'm a human being. I'm not intimidating. I know what I bring to the table, and I know how to treat people.

On overcoming challenges…

We used to live in our car at a certain point and all that.

And for everything, my mom was like: Education is your way out. So she was not playing about the education. My mom reinforced the value of who we were in us continuously. And she – you know, she sacrificed a lot so that we may pursue our dreams.

She was very conscious of the fact that she was a single mom raising two black men in a world that would not be so kind to them. So with acting, she made us earn it.

She said, "Look, if you're not bringing home As and Bs, you ain't going to see no audition.

On evolving in the industry When I was a teenager, all I was getting was thug and athlete role auditions. And I remember, I was always a science nerd. I was like: Black people are more than this. Now, 30 years in the game, I've spent this entire time trying to figure out what I'm doing here and demanding more of this career for me. So I've made sacrifices. There are jobs I didn't take and auditions I didn't go on. It all amounts to where I am now.

On his mission You have to actively participate in your fate, in your future. So I got a mission to make sure that when people see me, they see a man of content and moral fiber.

That's the path I hope to walk for the rest of my career.

ChurchNews Whitlock Exits Christ Our Redeemer To Lead Nations Largest AME Church

wenty years after Rev. Mark Whitlock started Christ Our Redeemer AME Church in a county that is less than 2 percent Rev. Mark Whitlock black and built it into for a formidable force of 40 -plus ministries and sizeable land holdings in Irvine, he will be departing to oversee Reid Temple AME, one of the largest African Methodist Episcopal churches in the nation.

The appointment came as a surprise to Whitlock, who is known for his savvy administrative skills and as a bridge builder, and who also served as Executive Director of the Cecil Murray Center at USC for Community Engagement and Director of Community Initiatives at the USC’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture.

“I didn’t ask for it, so I know this was an act of God and I am excited for the opportunity, though it is not easy leaving the church I’ve built and loved,” said Whitlock.

“We needed someone who was a great communicator, preacher and talented administrator,” said Bishop Clement Fugh, president of the AME Church’s Council of Bishops. “Rev. Whitlock’s involvement in Orange County showed his ability to take a leadership role in politics and social justice issues.”

Whitlock succeeds Rev. Dr. Lee Washington, who recently retired from the Glenn Dale, Maryland-based church with a membership base of over 14,000 members.

“While I will miss his local leadership immensely, his contributions here in Orange County and his ability to continue that fight on a national level are something to be celebrated,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer to the Orange County Register.

T

Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell Diagnosed With Cancer Kirbyjon Caldwell, pastor of the 16,000-member strong Windsor Village United Methodist Church, has revealed to his congregants that he has been diagnosed with stage one prostate cancer.

“I wanted to tell you myself before you heard it from someplace else, so you’d know what’s going on,” he said in a Facebook video, while adding that his prognosis was favorable.

Caldwell–who has been a spiritual advisor to President George W. Bush–was arraigned last year for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering in a $3.5 million case involving the sale of worthless Chinese bonds to investors. The Houston-based pastor who has maintained his innocence is set to go on trial in December. Last month, the Louisiana investment adviser who was charged along with Caldwell, pled guilty and is set to be sentenced later this year.

In other local church news, L.A. Focus has named First Ladies Erica Campbell (California Worship Center), Melinda Campbell (First A.M.E. Pasadena), Barbara Hendrix (Church of the Living God) and Juanita Edwards (Pasadena Community Christian Fellowship) among its honorees at the 22nd Annual First Ladies High Tea, set for Saturday, September 14 in Beverly Hills.

Corprate Office: 4602 Crenshaw Blvd, Suite 2A, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 295-5571 www.agapela.org Bishop Craig A. Worsham, Founder & Senior Pastor Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Worship: 11:00am Loving, Lifting & Liberating Humanity Through The Word Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of South L.A. 10905 S. Compton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90059 (323) 566.5286 Pastor Reginald A. Pope Sunday School: 9:30am Morning Worship: 8am • 11am Children’s Church: 11am (2nd/4th Sundays) Evangelism Training/Bible Study/Independent Prayer: (Mon): 7:29pm Mobile Prayer/Bible Study: (Wed) 11am Book by Book Bible Study (Wed.): 6:30pm Bryant Temple AME Church 2525 W. Vernon Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 293-6201 • F: (323) 293-0082 Pastor Dwaine Jackson Sunday School: 8:15am Morning Worship: 9:15 am Bible Study (Tues): Noon Pastor’s Bible Study( Tues): 6:00pm

Former Vice President Joe Bidden speaking at a Faith Leaders Breakfast in Los Angeles, Ca.

God’s Faithful Disciple of Jesus Christ / Prayer Clinic & Deliverance Ministry P.O. Box 561368, Los Angeles,CA 90056 (323)293-7566 • www.gfdjc.org•gfdjc@att.net Dr. Ruby Cottle, Pastor & Teacher G.F.D.J.C Every Friday: 7:00pm -9:30pm Location: St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 3901 West Adams Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90018

Grant AME Church 10435 S. Central Avenue • Los Angeles, CA 90002 (323) 564-1151 • F: (323) 564-5027 Rev. Dr. J. Arthur Rumph, Senior Pastor Reappointed to Grant AME Church Los Angeles Rev. Dr. James A. Rumph

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

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

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

Grace United Methodist Church 4112 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 294-6653 • F: (323) 294-8753 • graceumc1@earthlink.net Rev. Dr. Cedrick Bridgeforth, Pastor • www.graceumcla.com Early Morning Worship: 7:45am Sunday School (all ages) : 9:45am Morning Worship: 10:45am Tues. Mobile Prayer: 6:15am Wed. Bible Study: Noon Follow us on Facebook

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

Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church 5300 S. Denker Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 759-4996 Rev. DeNon Porter

Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship 2085 S. Hobart Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 Phone: (323) 731-8869 • F: (323) 731-0851 www.christianfellowshipla.org Pastor James K. McKnight Sun. Early Worship: 8:00am Prayer Meeting: 10:30am Morning Worship: 11:00am Wed. Afternoon Bible Study: 1:00pm Wed. Prayer Meeting: 6:00pm Wed. Evening Bible Study: 7:00pm View Pastor McKnight’s Sermons on YouTube

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

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

Mt. Sinai Church 3669 W. 54th St. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 291-1121 F: (323) 291-1133 • office@sinai.church • www.sinai.church George E. Hurtt, Pastor-Teacher Sunday Worship: 8:00am, 10:00am Noonday Prayer (Mon): 12:00pm Tuesday Night in the Truth: 7:15pm Noonday Bible Study(Wed): 12:00pm Radio: KKLA 99.5 FM (Sat): 9:00pm

Sunday Service: 9:45am Bible Study (Tue): 11:00am & 7:30pm Tue. Night Children’s Ministry: 7:30pm Tue. Night Bible Study (Teens): 7:30pm Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (Wed): 7:30pm

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

L.A. Focus/August 2019

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

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

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

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

Please call for our Sunday School & Discipleship Schedule

Our Goal: To glorify God by winning more Christians and developing better Christians (Matt. 28:18-20) Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1300 E. 50th Street Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 235-2103 • 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

New Antioch Church of God in Christ 7826 So. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 778-7965 Elder Jeffrey M. Lewis Sunday Early Morning Worship: 8:00am Sunday School: 9:30 am Morning Worship: 11:00am Tuesday Prayer and Bible Band: 11:00am Wednesday Bible Study: 7:30pm Wednesday in the Word: 7:30pm One Church Potter House 614 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 (818) 763-4521 • www.onechurchla.org Sr. Pastor Toure’ Roberts

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 2009 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 293-6448 • F: (323) 293-6605 Dr. Sylvester Washington Sunday School: 8:00am Morning Worship: 10:00am Tues. Bible Study: 11:00am Wed. Evangelism Class: 6:30pm First Sun. Holy Communion Service: 4:00pm www.pleasanthillbaptistchurch.org

Praises of Zion Baptist Church (“Praise City”) 8222 So. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90003 (323) 750-1033 • F: (323) 750-6458 Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick, Sr. Pastor Early Morning Worship: 6:45am Educational Hour: 9:15am Mid-Morning Worship: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 7:00pm Sunday Morning Broadcast: 5:30am Live Streaming Sundays: 12:00pm http://www.pozlive.com

Sunday Worship: 9:00am, 11:00am & 1:00pm Wednesday Midweek Service: 8pm www.Channel1Live.tv–View live streaming

St. Matthew Tabernacle of Praise “The S.T.O.P.” 1740 West 59th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90047 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 56608, Los Angeles, CA 90056 (323) 291-1115 • F: (323) 293-0471 Rev. C.Barry Greene, Pastor Sunday Worship Service: 8:00am PrayerLine: (Tuesday & Wednesday): 6:00am WordLine (Tuesday): 7:00pm ( (712) 775-7031 Access Code: 814352108) E: thechurchstop@yahoo.com pastorcbgreene@aol.com St. Rest Friendship Baptist Church 709 W. Manchester Ave., Los Angeles, CA,90044 (323)752-6179•strestfriendshipglobal.net Rev. Torrey Collins, Pastor Sunday School: 9:00am Morning Worship:10:45am Bible Study(Tues):7pm Choir Rehearsals(1st & 3rd Wed.): 7pm

CHURCHES CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES AND REVIVALS OR OPPORTUNITIES PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE CELEBRATION

SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 Compton Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90011 Celebrating 39 years of Pastoral Leadership

Reverend, Dr. Lovely Haynes

Friday Night ~ August 9, @7:00 PM Sunday ~ August 11, @ 3:00 PM Sunday ~ August 18, @ 3:00 PM Paradise Baptist Church 5100 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323) 231-4366 Pastor Darryl Barnes Adult Life Sunday School Study: 8am Sunday Worship Servie: 9:30am P3 - Pray, Praise & Partake (Fri before 1st Sunday) Mission Bible Study(Wed): 12:00pm Women’s Bible Study(Thurs.): 7:00pm New Life Bible Study(Sat.): 9:00am

The City of Refuge Ministries, Inc. announces sponsorship of the Summer Food Service Program. Free meals wil be provided to ALL children, without eligibilty documentation, who are 18 years of age and younger at the following site: City of Refuge Ministries, Inc. 14527 S. San Pedro Street Gardena, CA 90248 (Beginning 7/15/2019 to 8/20/2019 meal service for Breakfast and Lunch will be served between the hours of 9:00a.m. to 10:00a.m. and 12:00p.m. to 2:00p.m.)

“In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies,the USDA,its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to: US Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 Fax:(202) 690-7442; or E-mail: program.intake@usda.gov

Price Chapel AME Church 4000 W. Slauson Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 296-2406 • pricechapel@sbcglobal.net Rev. Benjamin Hollins Sunday Worship Service: 10:00am Sunday School: 8:30am Power Lunch Bible Study (Wed): 11:00am Praise & Worship Bible Study (Wed): 6:30pm

The Sanctuary Church of Refuge 888 S. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323)519-2341 • Sanctuarycor@gmail.com Pastor Markees Williams Sunday School: 9:30am(Youth) & 9:45(Adult) Sunday Worship: 8am and 11am Morning Worship: 11:00am Bible Study (Thurs.): Noon Sun. Radio: KJLH 102.3FM: 11:00am

Gather, Grow,Go and Live The Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Park Windsor Baptist Church 1842 W. 108th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 756-3966 • RevTerrellTaylor@sbcglobal.net Rev. Terrell Taylor Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Bible Study Wednesday: Noon & 7:00pm Communion: 1st Sunday at 8:00am & 11:00am

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

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

Southern Saint Paul Church West Angeles Church of God In Christ 4678 West Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016 3045 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 731-2703 • smbc@smbcla.org (323) 733-8300 Rev. Xavier L. Thompson, Senior Pastor/Teacher Bishop Charles E. Blake Corporate Prayer: 8:30am Sunday School: 8:00am & 10:30am L.I.F.E. Groups: 9:45am Early Worship: 8:00am Morning Worship Service: 11:15am Morning Worship: 11:00am Baptism & Communion (First Sunday): 4:00pm Evening Worship (North Campus): 7:00pm Pastoral Bible Study (PBS)Wednesdays:7:00pm Wed. Mid-Week Worship: 7:00pm North Campus: Sun. Radio Broadcast KJLH 102.3FM: 10am Worship Service: 8:00am www.westa.tv 11137 Herrick Av • Pacoima 91331 (818) 899-8031 st.paul@smbcla.org •“Loving People Making Disciples” St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 S. Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 231-1040 • stmarkmbcofla.org Reverend Dr. Lovely Haynes, Pastor Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Mon-Wed Corporate Prayer: 6:00 - 6:55 pm Monday Night Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday Noon Prayer: 12 Noon Wed. Exposition of Sunday School Lesson: 7:00pm

Trinity Baptist Church 2040 West Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 735-0044 • F: (323) 735-0219 Rev. Alvin Tunstill, Jr Sunday Worship: 7:30 & 10:30am Sunday Church School: 9:00am Radio Broadcast KJLH FM: 9:00am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: Noon-7:00pm www.trinitybaptistchurchofla.org

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The Neighborhood Church 3435 San Anseline Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808 (562) 425-1235 Pastor Lance Riley Early Worship: 8:00am Sunday School: 9:30 am Morning Worship: 11:00am Bible Study:7:15 - 8:15

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

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

Resurrection Church L.A. 1135 East Janis St., Carson, CA 90746 Office Address: 1143 East Janis St., Carson, CA 90746 (310) 626-4864 •www.resurrectionchurchla.org

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

Weller Street Baptist Church 129 S. Gless St, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 261-0949 • F: (323)264-6601 • www.wellerstreetlive.com Pastor K.W. Tulloss Sunday School: 8:00am Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00am Tues. Bible Study: 6:45pm www.wellerstreetlive.com

Pastor Joseph Carlos Robinson Worship Services: 8:00am & 10:00am Bible Study Tuesdays: 7:30pm

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

“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

In Carson

First United Methodist Church Compton 1025 S. Long Beach Blvd • Compton, CA 90221 (310) 639-0775 • Fax: (310) 639-1161

Dr. Arnetha E. Inge, Pastor Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Worship: 11:45am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Wed. Noon Day Bible Class: 12:30pm Wed. Bible Class: 7:30pm

Sunday School: 8:30am - 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship: 10:00 - 11:45am TONGAN Worship: 1:00 pm (2nd & 3rd Sundays) Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: 7:30 am & 6:30pm

Pastor Profile: Michael Kelly Church: Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church How Long at Church: 10 years Hometown: Los Angeles Family: Two daughters aged 16 and 13 How did you end up in Riverside?

Well, I was born and raised here but I graduated high school at 16, and so I went away to college in Maryland to Washington Adventist University. I got my bachelor's in theology and a minor in psychology there. From there I went to Andrews University in Michigan where I got my master’s in divinity.

It sounds like you knew that you were heading towards the church and becoming a pastor in college, but was that always your goal?

No. My major going into college was biochemistry. But I was in my chemistry class one day and I felt the Lord talking to me. He was like, "You know, I really want you to do something different to help my people." So, I went upstairs to change my major to psychology and he was like, "That's not what I had in mind. You know what I had in mind." So, I changed it to theology and minored in psychology. So, I didn’t have like some bright light. It was really just that I switched my major and then everything just really fell into place from there.

Did you grow up being very active in church, then?

Church was always my background and I would go, but we were more of that family that would just kind of go to church, not always, but church wasn’t like what it is in my life now. Yes, I had a Christian home, but my dad owned a video store back in the day, so that was really big for him and my mom was working a lot. So, we’d go to church, but it wasn’t like the end all, be all, if that makes sense. It was a big part of our lives but not like it was later on in my life.

L.A. Focus/August 2019

So, what brought you to Mt. Rubidoux?

I was in Nebraska actually and they just gave me a call and were like, “Hey, we have an opening at Rubidoux would you be interested?” And I’ve always wanted to come back home as a pastor. So, I was like, “Man, that’d be great.” So I went through the interview [process] and it worked out from there. Funny though, when I was 18, Rubidoux had an internship and I interned there for a summer as their youth pastor when I was 18. So, it’s kind of funny, ten years later I end up here.

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How was that transition for you then? Easier because you were kind of familiar with what Mt.

Rubidoux was like or did that shift?

The only thing that was difficult was the size of the church. My previous congregation was about 350 in Nebraska. This congregation was double that when I got there. So that was going to be a challenge. But I was excited to be back home.

How did you meet those challenges?

I read excessively, and so I’m always reading books on leadership, going to conferences. Funny enough, there’s this one book I picked up called “Next Level Churches” and it teaches you how to lead each church at different levels. And I’d just been reading that in general and then I get this call, so it was perfect timing. So, most of it is because I just get my hands on as many resources as possible. So when I went to this situation I didn’t come in not having any idea what to do. I had a pretty good idea of what I needed to do. There was just going to be a lot.

How would you describe yourself as a pastor?

I’m definitely not your traditional pastor. I’m more of a visionary than a nuts and bolts person. So, one of the things that I really like to do is look at the big picture and see what things can become and the strategies in order to get us there. Like, what can we become? What does the future look like? What are the steps necessary in order for us to get there?

With my members, I’m very personable. I’m the guy that goes to the 22 Marvel movie marathons. My office is decorated with Star Trek figures because it represents me and my leadership. I’m really just authentically me. I don’t change who I am in the pulpit. I don’t have a different preacher voice when I talk. I’m really just me.

Is that a conscious choice from you or do you think that was just who you’ve always been?

I never came into ministry being anyone other than myself. And my professors in college and mentors really poured that into me. So, I've always been personable.

Some people don't like it because they want you to kind of be a certain way, and that's just not me. If they don’t like me that's okay, but it's not going to be because I'm a bad guy. It's just like, no, I actually don't want a pastor to say the word “dude”, but that’s just me.

Is that one of the obstacles you have to face? You’re not what people expect?

Exactly. Absolutely. I mean, my age—I'm 39—combined with the way that I pastor that can throw some people off.

You mentioned that you are a big picture guy, what’s the big picture?

My big picture for Mt. Rubidoux is for us to just be the

center of life development for the community. And so, when someone comes to Mt. Rubidoux, we don't just want you to be able to come there for church, but I want you to be able to come there and learn how to interview for a job and learn how to code, for example.

We really just want to be like this one stop shop for the community. Just being able to develop people in their everyday lives. And we have been doing pretty well with that. We have a very good reputation in the community.

The month of July in Riverside was Mt. Rubidoux month for the work we've done in the community. We work very closely with the mayor on his homeless initiatives. We have an afterschool program that has tutoring.

We're in the process of building a computer lab.

We're not all the way there, but,we're seeing bits and pieces of who we want to become coming in place and I love it because that's what I talked to them about when I first got there. Ten years later, we’re really starting to see those pieces come in place.

We are also big –and active – on social justice issues and we've provided a lot of different platforms for town hall meetings. Our church is also very big on adoption.

We've had over 40 families adopt over 40 kids in the last three years. I’m super proud of that but again, that’s just us really seeing that picture and starting to live up to it.

Any major lessons or challenges that you’ve faced or didn’t expect?

I would say it’s two things.

Number one, a ministry and anytime you have a vision, it’s really a marathon and not really a sprint.

You really have to take your time. I’m the kind of person who loves to move pretty quickly. I continued to page 22

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

First Lady Files Mironda Lewis

Crusade Christian Faith Center 801 S. La Brea Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-8535 Bishop Virgil D. Patterson Sr.

New Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church

Dr. Michael J. Fisher, Senior Pastor Sunday Worship: 8:00am|10:45am| 5:00pm Wednesday Bible Study: 12pm|7:00pm FB: GreaterZion IG: GZCFamily www.gzcf.us

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

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

In Gardena

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

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

Atherton Baptist Church 2627 W. 116th Street Hawthorne,CA 90250 (323) 757-3113 • www.athertonbc.org F: 323-757-8772 • athertonbaptist@sbcglobal.net Pastor Larry Weaver

In Hawthorne

Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00 am Sunday Bible Enrichment Class: 9:45am Mon.-Thurs. Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday Bible Study: 12:30pm & 7:00pm Victory Institutional Baptist Church 4712 West El Segundo Blvd., Hawthorne, CA 90250 (310) 263-7073 • www.vibconline.com Pastor Richard Williams, III Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00am Sunday Evening Worship: 6:00pm Wed. Mid-Week Worship: 7:00pm Bible Study Tuesday: Noon & 7:00pm

Bible Enrichment Fellowship International 400 E. Kelso, Inglewood, CA 90301 In Inglewood (310) 330-4700 • www.bamcm.org Dr. Beverly “BAM” Crawford Morning Worship: 9:30am Tues. Bible Study: 7:30pm Wed. Mid-Week Prayer: 5am, Noon & 7:00pm Wednesday Pathway: 7:00pm Thurs Bible Study: 10:00am Sat Marriage & Family Prayer: 7:30am

Blessed Family Covenant Church 325 North Hillcrest Blvd, Inglewood, CA, 90301 (310)-674-0303 • F: (310)-674-0303 • blessedfamilycovenant.org Rev. Wendy Howlett Sunday School: 8:30am Morning Worship: 9:30am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: 7:00pm

Wed. Mid-Week Service: 7:00pm Sunday School: 9:00am Sunday Worship: 10:30am

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

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

Jacob’s Ladder Community Fellowship, inc.

1152 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90302 (866) 330-1702 • F: (310) 674-0760 Watchman/Shepherd Dr. Robert T. Douglas Sr. Sunday Fresh Start & Prayer 9:00am Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Services: 11:45am Evening Service: 7:00pm Wed. Lock & Load Prayer: 7:00pm Wed. Bible Study: 7:30pm 3rd Friday Youth Night: 7:30pm www.jacobladderschurch.com New Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church 434 S. Grevillea, Inglewood CA 90301 (310) 673-6250 Office • (310) 673-2153 Rev. Dr. Phillip A. Lewis, D. D., D. Th., Senior Pastor Early Worship: 8:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Morning Worship: 11:00am Mid-Week Bible Study (Wednesday): 7:00pm Afternoon Bible Study (Thursday): 1:00pm True Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 7901 South Van Ness Ave. Inglewood, CA 90305 (323) 750-7304 Rev. James A. Perkins

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

In Long Beach

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

Christ Second Baptist Church 1471 Martin Luther King, Jr., Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-3421 • Fax: (562) 599-6175 • www.csbclb.org Rev. Welton Pleasant II, Senior Pastor Sunday School: 8:30am Sunday Worship Service: 9:40am Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm Wed Youth & Young Adult Ministry: 7:00pm

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

Sunday School: 9:30am Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 10:45am Bible Adventure Hour (Tues): 6pm Bible Study (Tues): 7pm Bible Study (Thurs): Noon

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

Mironda Lewis and her husband of 36 years, Pastor Phillip Lewis, were members of New Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in the 1980s until they relocated back to their hometown in the Bay area in the 90s to raise their three children closer to family.

After moving from Oakland to Los Angeles in 2013, Mironda Lewis now serves as First Lady of New Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Inglewood.

As First Lady, she is committed to raising health awareness in her church community. “I’m really involved with the First Ladies Health Initiative. It’s one of the first things I brought to our church.”

Not only is she First Lady, but she is also a member of New Mt. Pleasant’s church choir. “One of my other passions is just praising the Lord in song. I’m a choir member and a soloist.”

In addition to the church choir and the First Ladies Health initiative, Mironda is also heavily involved in organizing New Mt. Pleasant’s annual Women’s Retreat.

“It’s always been an event that women come back from refreshed, renewed and inspired.”

This year the 32nd annual retreat will begin August 29.

Mironda is excited to see the event continue to grow and expand even after all these years.

When she’s not busy serving as First Lady, she is serving stylish looks. “I’ll be 68 this year and I’m still wearing my skinny jeans. So, I think I’m making a statement that age is only a number, and you’re only as old as you feel, and I feel great!”

In La Puente

Sunday School: 9:30 AM Early Worship: 8:00 AM Morning Worship: 11:00 AM Spanish Service: 9:30AM Bible Study: Every Wednesday 7:00 PM www.stsbc.org

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

Gospel Memorial Church of God In Christ 1480 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-7389 • F: 562-599-5779 • gospelmemorial@aol.com Bishop Joe L. Ealy Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Wed. Intercessory Prayer: 7:00pm Wed. Pastoral teaching adults: 7:30pm Wed. Youth Ministry Boot-Camp; Youth Bible Study: 7:00pm & Choir Rehearsal: 7:30pm

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

From the Pulpit of: Church of the Living God. C.W.F.F “Don’t Turn Back” The fourth gospel is quite different from the other three gospels. The gospel of John omits so many things that the other three gospels include. The Gospel According to John has no account of the birth of Jesus, of His baptism, of His temptations; It tells us nothing of the last supper, nothing of Gethsemane, and nothing of the ascension. It has no word of the healing of any people possessed by devils and evils spirits. Nor does it have any of the parable stories which are so prominent in the other three gospels.

But, if John differs from the other three gospels, it is not because of ignorance or lack of information. The plain fact is that if John omits much that the other three tell us he also tells us much that they do not mention.

John alone tells of the marriage feast at Cana of Galilee ( 2 : 1-11); of the coming of Nicodemus (3 : 1-15) ; of the woman of Samaria (Ch. 4); of the raising of Lazarus (Ch. 11) ; and of our third sacrament, the washing of feet (13 : 1-17). In 100 AD when the fourth gospel was written the Christian church was no longer predominately Jewish. In fact the church was now overwhelmingly Gentile. And though the truth about Christianity had not, and will never change, its audience had. So John was written to a new believer with a Hellenistic background.

When we pick up in chapter 6 Jesus Ministry has already reached its peak. And the tide had changed.

Here is a passage filled with tragedy, for it is the beginning of the end. “After this many of His disciples turned back and would not walk with Him any longer”. The same can be said about many a church member today.

Many of His disciples turned back?

There was a time when men came to Jesus in large numbers. In chapter 2 verse 23 when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover many saw His miracles and believed in His name. In chapter4 verse 1-3 so many came to be baptized by His disciples that Johns disciples got jealous. Chapter 4 verse 1and 39 tells us in Samaria great things happened. And just one day before this in Chapter 6 verse 2 in Galilee crowds flocked after Him. But the tone had changed and from this passage on there is a growing hatred which will culminate at the cross. This is the beginning of the last act.

Circumstances tend to reveal men’s hearts. I have but three points I want to share and I’ll close. I’m talking today about not turning back.

There are three reactions to Christ.

First there was a defection. Many turned back and walked with Him no more.

Some saw clearly

Bishop Harry Hendricks

where Jesus was heading. It was not possible to challenge the authorities as He was doing and get away with it. He was headed, they thought, for disaster and they were getting out while there was still time. They were fair weather followers. It has been said that the test of an army is how well it fights when it’s tired.

Those who

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

Walking In The Spirit Ministries Double Tree (Sonoma Grill) 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk CA 90650 (213) 248-6343 P.O Box 1597 Norwalk CA,90651 Tim & Leshia Brooks Morning Worship: 11:00am Services Held Every 2nd & 4th Sunday and Free Breakfast Is Served Bible Study: 8:30am (Every 5th Friday)

First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Pasadena 1700 N. Raymond Ave, Pas, CA 91103•(626) 798-0503 admin@famepasadena.org•www.famepasadena.org Rev. Dr. Larry E. Campbell Sunday Worship Service: 8:00 am - 11:00am Church School: 10:00am Wed’s: • Sunrise Prayer Service: 5:30am • Hour of Power Bible Study: 10:30am • Sunset Prayer Service: 6:00pm •Evening Bible Study: 7:00pm Third Saturday Bible Study: 10:00am Children Ch 1st, 2nd, 4th Sun: 8 & 11:00am First AME Church Santa Monica In Santa Monica 1823 Michigan Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404 • (310) 450-0331 F: (310) 450-4680 Rev. Reuben W. Ford, Pastor Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Bible Study/Prayer Meditation: Thursday 6pm “The Church In The Heart Of The Community with The Community at Heart” Email:famecsm@verizon.net Facebook: First AME Church Santa Monica

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

turned back would have stuck by Jesus as long as His ministry was on the way up, but at the first shadow of the cross they left. They had come to get something from Him, but when it came to suffering for Him and giving to Him they quit. We can never out give Jesus, but if we come to Him solely to get and never give we will certainly turn back. In following Jesus there will always be a cross to bear.

Second there was deterioration. This is best seen at looking at Judas. Jesus chose Judas and must have seen something He could use. But Judas went from one who might have become a hero to become a villain. He who might have become a saint becomes a shame.

There is a story about an artist who was a painting the Last Supper. It was a great picture and took him many years. As a model for the face of Christ he used a young man with the face of loveliness and purity. Bit by bit the picture was filled in and one after another the disciples were painted. The day came when he needed a model for Judas whose face he had left for the last. He went out and searched the lowest places of the city and in the dens of vice. At last he found a man with a face so depraved and vicious as matched his requirement. When the sittings were at an end the man said to the artist, “you painted me before”. “Surely not”, said the artist. “O, yes”, said the man, “I sat for your Christ”. The years had brought such a terrible deterioration. The years can be cruel. They can take away our ideas and our enthusiasm and our dreams and our loyalties. They can leave us with a life that has grown smaller not bigger. There can be lost loveliness in Life. But Christ can save us from that. Don’t turn back.

The third attitude is that of determination. Peter said, “To whom shall we go. For you have the words of eternal life, we believe and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.” There were things Peter did not know or understand. But he knew he could not turn back. I think of happy days, when Jesus washed my sins away. When trouble and heartaches will be over. When I see Jesus the one who paid the price on Calvary. If I walk the pathway of Duty, If I work till the close of day. I shall see the great king In His Beauty. When I’ve gone the last mile of the way. When! I’ve gone the last mile of the way. I will rest at the close of the day. And I know there are joys that wait me at the close of the day.

Pastor Profile continued from page 20 like to see things happen quickly, particularly when I’m like, “We can do it.” But you need to take your time so that people actually can see the picture that I actually saw myself.

So, of course it’s a vision that I had so I’ve been intimate with it and one of the things I wish I could have done differently is taken more time so other people could have seen it the way I did. And then I think it would have been easier for people to buy in or we wouldn’t have hit some of the bumps that we did along the road because we really changed the culture of that church and it takes a lot to change culture.

Changing the culture in what way?

The tendency is for a church not to always be as concerned about its community. Sometimes the church is mostly concerned about its own members and its old people who are already in the building. So, now when you change the culture to want to say, “Hey, we’ve got some people in our community who really need what we have to offer.” That changes the way that budget goes. That changes the way that we do ministry and that’s a big mindset for people to change. So I tried to rush that mindset as opposed to saying, wait a second, you know that takes time to change people’s mind.

That’s the biggest challenge I had, but now that culture has shifted and it’s because I’ve been there for so long and people are seeing results. But that has been my biggest learning experience and whenever I go to another church I’m going to make sure I take my time to really get people to understand before we actually start.

Anything you think is important for people to know about you or your church?

I'd love for people to know that it's a safe place for all different walks of life. That we want to be that beacon of light for the community, to not just help people spiritually, but to just help them in life generally. We would love for people to know that if they're looking to take their lives to the next level, and they want to be a part of an incredible community that loves people, Mt. Rubidoux is the place. I believe it's a great place to find a good community and be part of a movement that wants to make the city of Riverside a better place.

Larry Elder continued from page 7 calls for bold, audacious change, Democrats would tweak the edges of an inherently flawed system, stake out a dubious neoliberal “middle ground” between progressives and fascists, and return to the good ol’ days when white moderate lawmakers got along with their segregationist colleagues.

Although some insist we are better than this, that this is not who we are, racial violence is very American. America is the home of the plantation authoritarian state, the separation of enslaved black families, and the kidnapping of Native American children forced into boarding schools. The U.S. deported 1 million Mexican-Americans during the Great Depression, and sent Japanese-Americans to internment camps during World War Two. Hitler studied Jim Crow segregation and took notes, and 20,000 American Nazis once filled Madison Square Garden.

However, we should aspire to be better. People of good will – woke and steeped in outrage – must ensure this nation changes direction and ends this racist madness. This is impossible while Trump remains in office, yet even after his departure, the hard work begins of draining the swamp of white supremacy, corruption and injustice that is the U.S. political system.

David A. Love is a journalist and commentator who writes investigative stories and op-eds on a variety of issues, including politics, social justice, human rights, race, criminal justice and inequality. Contact him @davidalove.

Through the Storm elebrity Judge Glenda Hatchett couldn’t have been happier when, nearly three years ago, she arrived in Los Angeles for the birth of her now grandson, Langston. It was the second child for son Charles Johnson IV and his 39-year old wife, Kira, who had checked into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for a scheduled C-section delivery.

The plan was for Hackett to be with their firstborn, Charles V, just 18 months old at the time, as her son and Kira left for the hospital. Sadly, Kira would never return home.

With her husband by her side, Kira delivered a healthy baby boy at 2:33p.m. By 3:00p.m., Kira was taken to a post-anesthesia care unit and was bonding with their baby boy at 3:04p.m.

But jubilation turned to concern when a little more than an hour and a half later, Kira was experiencing symptoms often associated with uterine atony, the failure of the uterus to contract after delivery, which can lead to a deadly condition known as postpartum hemorrhage.

By 5:24p.m., Kira’s foley catheter–inserted into her bladder to drain urine–was instead draining bright red blood. Records indicate that a resident physician was called by a nurse about the increasing concern for excessive bleeding.

The bleeding would continue for hours as the situation became more and more dire and hospital support staff worked to get a handle on the situation. Yet, despite blood in the foley, no urine output, abnormal labs, symptoms suggesting acute blood loss, enlarging hematoma, it was not until about 11:30 p.m. and thereafter that a surgical discussion was held and consent provided for surgery.

At approximately 11:25p.m., her doctor was notified with a concern “for active internal bleeding.” While shortly thereafter, a massive transfusion protocol was initiated on Kira, another hour would pass before she was taken to surgery around 12:30 a.m.

Kira’s last words to her husband were, ‘I’m scared’. He held her hand and told her everything would be okay.

During surgery, Kira was found to have three liters of blood in her abdomen. She was pronounced dead at 2:22 a.m. on April 13, 2016, twelve hours after giving birth.

The autopsy recorded the cause of death as “due to hemorrhagic shock, due to acute hemoperitoneum (blood in the abdomen).

In 2017, Hatchett and her son Charles S. Johnson IV held a press conference to announce that they had filed a medical malpractice lawsuit in the Superior Court of California against Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, five doctors and others, for the wrongful death of 39-year old

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mother and wife, Kira Adele Dixon Johnson.

The plaintiffs are seeking damages for wrongful death and negligent infliction of emotional distress, stating that Kira’s death was a result of the defendants’ failure to properly and timely respond to her symptoms, and adequately treat her.

“We’re talking about a woman who was not only in good health, but exceptional health,” stated her husband, Charles Johnson. “She was allowed for her condition to deteriorate and to bleed internally for more than ten hours at Cedars Sinai while my family and I begged them to do something. Essentially, she passed away due to their negligence. This is not a medical tragedy. This is a medical catastrophe. It should have never happened.”

In fact, medical research cites the major factor in the adverse outcomes associated with severe hemorrhage as a delay in initiating appropriate management.

“I was very prayerful and reluctant to come forward but the thing that I realized is that this is so much bigger than me and my family,” Johnson said. “So many families get railroaded when things like this happen and they don’t have the resources or a mother who has a platform to get their voice heard, so I’m not only committed to advocating for my wife and speaking Kira’s name, but this is important that this doesn’t happen to any other families because what we’re learning is that things like this are happening far too often.”

Both Hatchett and her son leaned heavily on their faith in the year after the tragedy.

“I grew up in the church,” Hatchett reveals. “The faith I learned from my parents is what I tried to instill in my children. My son starts every morning on his knees and he said to me something very profound, I’ve not had to ask God why it happened, but for direction.”

“I stay away from why, because ‘why’ will drive you crazy,” Johnson explains. “I pray for answers and directions as to how, meaning how do I get through this. How can I be the best father I can be? How do I raise my sons consistent with the values and ideals that my wife would want?”

For Hatchett, that it happened at Cedars Sinai, is even more ironic.

“We’re talking about a worldrenown hospital and it just is so

So many families get railroaded when things like this happen and they don’t have the resources or a mother who has a platform to get their voice heard. unbelievable,” states Hatchett.

“We have two precious little boys who will not have their mother on Mother’s Day–not just Mother’s Day, but every day. How do you explain that to a two year old, particularly under circumstances that should have never happened? His Dad says, ‘Mommy is in heaven’, and he is like ‘Well, when is she coming home?’

Unfortunately, Kira’s death is not an isolated incident. Every year, 50,000 women in the United States suffer serious complications from childbirth but black mothers are disproportionately more likely to die from these complications than white mothers.

Kira’s story has helped raise awareness for the issue. Earlier this year an episode of Fox’s “The Resident” explored the tragic pattern of racial bias in maternal mortality. Producers of the show reached out to the family after Johnson brought his heartbreaking story to Congress. At the end of the episode a brief clip of Kira is shown with her hugging her first son and flashing her bright smile at the camera.

Congress also unanimously passed a bill that would provide $60 million over the next five years to prevent maternal mortality in the U.S after Johnson’s testimony.

While the lawsuit against Cedars-Sinai is pending, they released a statement after Congress passed the law stating that Johnson “"is demonstrating important leadership in raising awareness of preventable maternal deaths" and that Cedars-Sinai faculty support efforts to improve care.”

“More has been done in the past 18 months than in the past 20 years,” Johnson said after Congress’ decision. “Telling the stories of other women who have died and people becoming outraged has helped. That’s what I’m most proud of.”

Game Changer continued from page 13

cies, nursing homes and convalescent hospitals.

“We're trying to figure out how do we create new structures,” she admits. “The way the laws, the National Labor Relations Act and the state Labor Relations Act are structured, it doesn't, in my opinion, fit today's economy. You have workers who work more casually (paid under the table). The labor laws that we have were really written when people went to work in a factory at age 18, and that was the job that they'd have of their entire life.”

“Part of what we want to do is figure out how do we build structures that allow workers who are taking care of that neighbor to be a part of a union, to be a part of the labor movement, and still be able to bargain over wages and benefits,” Verrett says.

Putting in the work to attain such a vision for union organizing should be a non-issue for Verrett who was raised by her grandmother, a union steward at SEIU in Chicago. “She worked for the Chicago Park District and was very active in her union,” Verrett praised. “So, [very early in life] I knew what unions were. I get it.”

Unmasked continued from page 6

a win-win for the community all the way around.”

It appears Dolan is willing to kill this low-income, largely minority community’s dream of a better future than acquiesce to the prospect of fair competition with the proposed venue. As a result, Dolan continues to turn up the heat on the City of Inglewood and its residents in an all-out effort to work his will. The contest has grown so heated NBA Commissioner Adam Silver attempted and failed to broker a compromise between Dolan and Ballmer.

The New York Daily News (NYDN) and a variety of media outlets are shining a light on Dolan’s win-at-all-cost strategy, including the following: — Dolan evidently made several failed attempts to encourage Laker’s owner Jeanie Buss to move the her franchise back to Inglewood when its lease with Staples Center expires in 2025. The Lakers played at the Forum for more than 30 years between 1967 and 1999.

— MSG has initiated several lawsuits including fraud allegations against the city.

— vDolan and MSG have also filed suit against the city accusing it and Mayor Butts of holding secret negotiations with Ballmer about the new arena and as a result, violated their agreement with Dolan.

— He has sued the mayor personally even though the mayor’s actions in support of the Clippers arena are being executed in alignment with his duties as an elected official for the benefit of the city and its residents.

— MSG has also purportedly funded additional lawsuits against the city through questionable community groups.

NYDN alleged Dolan is funding a fictitious “grassroots” organization called Inglewood Residents Against Takings and Evictions or IRATE as a front in a 2018 lawsuit to block the development of the arena. The same day MSG apparently filed a nearly identical lawsuits–the case

numbers were consecutive.

— Another questionable citizen’s group titled the Uplift Inglewood Coalition has also taken legal action against the development. NYDN reports MSG has admitted using the California Community Foundation as an intermediary in order to conceal the true source of funding for this suit.

—According to public records attained under the Freedom of Information Act by the New York Daily News (NYDN) Dolan has also deployed an aggressive political lobbying effort in California against the Clippers arena at a cost of about one million dollars.

MSG has adamantly and strongly refuted many of the revelations offered about Dolan and MSG purportedly revealed in public records reviewed by NYDN. In a statement MSG described the NYDN report as an “epically overwritten hit piece.” Referring to it as one of several, “egregious, personal attacks” by the news agency.

It is apparent to media outlets like the NYDN and others who have reported on Dolan’s business dealings for years, the billionaire may have dusted off pages of an old playbook and appears to be using many of the same tactics of misinformation and smear campaigns it so successfully deployed to prevent similar development/competition (a football stadium on the west side of Manhattan) to his crown jewel in New York–Madison Square Garden.

But–New York is not California–and Manhattan is not Inglewood.

The City of Inglewood is fighting for its future, having initially worked jointly with Dolan/MSG and an arbitrator to reconcile disputes over access to several discovery issues without success–the city has now turned to the courts.

The city turned to the courts after the arbitrator denied the city’s discovery request to review communications between the law firm representing MSG and third parties like IRATE, Uplift and others. The arbitrator denied the city’s request even after acknowledging the information was relevant.

In a motion filed recently in Los Angeles Superior Court, the City of Inglewood asked for the right to discovery declaring MSG’s law firm in effect, has orchestrated various campaigns against the Clipper’s development. The city is looking to the court to overturn the arbitrator’s decision.

Debates continued from page 12

against rivals and sharing their frustration with fellow Democrats’ hesitance to push for progressive policies.

At one point, Warren slammed John Delaney who had spent much of the night pushing back against Warren and Sanders, calling their ideas unrelasitic. He called their proposals “impossible promises” and “fairy tale economics” which presented Warren the opportunity to respond with the most shared moment of the night.

“I don’t understand why anybody goes to all the trouble of running for president of the United States just to talk about what we really can’t do and shouldn’t fight for,” she quipped.

Sanders echoed the sentiment saying that he was “a lit-

tle bit tired of Democrats afraid of big ideas.”

Warren and Sanders’ disinterest in going head to head as some expected worked in their favor as they outshined everyone else on night one.

At one point, moderaters attempted to get Sanders to disagree with her trade policy but instead he replied with a simple “Elizabeth is right.”

O’Rourke once again failed to breakout as he so desperately needed and instead once again faded on stage. He will have to seriously try and pick up some momentum in the next ones.

Focus now shifts to the dramatic narrowing of the candidate pool as the Democratic National Committee beefs up the criteria for the third set of debates.

So far, only seven candidates qualify with three others closely behind. If 10 or fewer make the cut, the debate will take place on a single night.

Candidates will now need 130,000 unique donors and to register at least two percent support in four polls. They have until August 28 to do so.

The seven already guaranteed a spot are Former Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Cory Booker, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Senator Kamala Harris, Former Representative Beto O’Rourke, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Former Housing Secretary Julian Castro and entrepreneur Andrew Yang have reached the 130,000 donor benchmark and have three of the four qualifying polls they need while Senator Amy Klobuchar has met the polling threshold, but needs about 10,000 more donors.

The next debates will be held September 12-13 in Houston.

People Files As Los Angeles begins to get used to the idea that Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will be part of the Clippers new reports give the public a better idea of how the deal was made.

Media and fans alike were shocked when the trade was made as many believed that the team likely to land Leonard during free agency would be the Lakers.

It turns out, Magic Johnson’s inability to keep a secret may have hurt those chances. Reports reveal that Leonard and his camp had asked all teams courting him to avoid leaking any information about his free agency process.

So, of course, Johnson announced in late June that Leonard had requested a meeting with him, despite the privacy request, In other news, check out the photo in our calendar to see Michael B Jordan as he threw his 3rd annual MBJAM in support of Lupus LA. The charity event hoped to bring awareness about lupus and funds to combat the autoimmune disease that affects Jodan’s mother.

InGoodTaste

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L.A. Focus/August 2019

lifton Powell has had a long and impressive acting career spanning 30 years with roles in films such as “Ray,” “Rush Hour,” “Dead Presidents,” and many more. He’s played characters from Pinky in “Next Friday” to Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1999 television film “Selma.”

Lately, Powell has come to be known as the main antagonist in Bounce TV’s first prime time soap opera, “Saints & Sinners.” The show follows members of a Baptist church in small-town Georgia and the trouble they find themselves in.

“Saints & Sinners” has been a surprising hit for the African-American oriented TV network. A ratings breakthrough, it has become their most-watched program since the network launched.

Last month, the season four premiere was the number one most-watched program on television according to Bounce. With 1.3 million viewers tuning into the show the night it premiered, it beat out HBO’s “Big Little Lies” and Fox’s “What Just Happened?”

For Powell, “Saints & Sinners” success is no surprise at all. Ordered as an original series in 2016, it was developed from a movie Powell also starred in, “The Under shepherd.” While developing that film Powell could see the potential in the story.

“It was very powerful, and I felt like the story could be a real hit [on TV as well].”

In the show, Powell plays Rex Fisher, a tough and dangerous gangster willing to do whatever it takes to stay on top. For Powell, playing a bad guy like Rex isn’t necessarily a challenge, instead, it’s another opportunity to show off his acting chops and his training as a character actor.

Said Powell, “Any chance you get to play a juicy character is always fun. Rex Fisher is the polar opposite to myself and I could never do what Rex does, but because I’m trained as an actor, I’m able to morph into Rex Fisher and give him the kind of edge he needs.”

The 63-year old actor didn’t always expect to one day find himself with hundreds of roles under his belt.

“I never had any inkling of being an actor. I never wanted to be an actor. I got into acting by happenstance and it was not something that I wanted to stick with but sometimes your steps have already been ordered,” he revealed.

Growing up in Washington D.C, Powell instead had dreams of becoming a professional football player. When he realized that h e

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Clifton Powell My father would always say to me...all you need is faith the size of a mustard seed to succeed in life. That’s what I try to employ in my work and in my life. It’s not always easy but if you keep faith then you can navigate through all that. wouldn’t be able to make it in football he hoped to become, of all things, a bus driver.

“I decided in 1972-73 that I was going to be a bus driver because bus drivers made $6.50 an hour,” he explained. “I was this little black kid out of the hood, and I was like man you know what. I’m not going to play football so I’m going to be a bus driver because they make a lot of money.”

When he found himself in an acting program, however, Powell was surprised with how exciting and fun acting could be.

“Once acting picked me, I never thought twice about it because I was bitten by the fascination and amazement of acting,” Powell recalls. “Because again, I wanted to be a footballer so once you put me in a drama program, I was like ‘this ain't bad, it’s kind of fun’. I got into the magic of it all.”

Powell also attributes his career path to the mentors he had in the program. While he fell in love with acting, he is honest enough to describe himself as the worst student in his acting program. He recalls nearly getting kicked out of the program until one of his mentor advocated for him. On his behalf, his mentor pushed back against the board of directors, succeeding in his quest to have the program give Powell a second chance.

“I believe he saw something in me.”

Powell’s journey in Hollywood has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride full of stops and starts.

“My early New York days when I was struggling as an artist, I was homeless and just before I came down to Atlanta, after making millions I was homeless again because I ran out of money,” he explains. “Part of that was my lifestyle. I got caught up in this business and this

lifestyle.”

He thinks back on those mistakes and recognizes that he was blessed to have friends around him who were willing to help him. Additionally, he relied on his faith to keep him going.

Growing up, Powell’s family attended church since he was a small boy. His brother grew up to become a pastor and while Powell considers himself to be much more spiritual than religious, he believes that growing up in a family that valued church –and the sound principles it encouraged –helped him to become the man he is today.

“My father would always say to me, where there is a will there's a way. And he would also say all you need is faith the size of a mustard seed to succeed in life,” he recalled. “That’s what I try to employ in my work and in my life. It’s not always easy because being in the spotlight is not always easy. There’s a lot of people out there saying things about you or trying to set you up. But if you keep faith then you can navigate through all that.”

Powell’s struggles are why he’s now dedicated to hosting seminars called “Behind the Lens”.

“I’m not doing my seminar to get any praise from anyone,” he said. “I’m really just trying to use my story to inspire other artists to not quit or give up. If this is something you want to do, it’s a tough profession, but step out on faith and you can do it.

“If I can do it, anyone can do it.”

Powell hopes that by sharing his mistakes and by dedicating seminars to teaching young and fresh actors on money and how to be financially responsible, others might be able to avoid the problems he faced.

“This is a tough business to break into. And not just break into but have a career that can span 30 to 40 years because there are so many challenges.”

Powell strongly believes that teaching young actors about how to handle fame is key. He hopes to bring those lessons to acting schools and make it a part of training programs as another component to what being a successful actor looks like.

Powell is humble when he discusses these plans, emphasizing that he doesn’t want to think of himself as a role model.

“I want to be a person that can share my story,” he explains. “And if my story can give someone inspiration that would be fantastic.”

Aside from hosting seminars to help up and coming actors Powell hopes to begin moving behind the camera do what he loves most: develop stories. He currently has five projects in development. He’s also begun moving into producing and directing.

For now, Powell is excited for people to see the new season of “Saints & Sinners”, grateful to still be able to share the powerful show with everyone at home.

As for what people should expect of the new season?

“If I were you, I’d get some red wine and some popcorn and hunker down,” he joked. “Watch this show unfold because it’s going to be crazy.”