L.A. Focus Newspaper November 2020

VOLUME XXV • ISSUE 9 • November 2020 >> PAGE

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

L.A. FOCUS

@LAFOCUSNEWS

12

People Bishop Charles BLake To Retire As COGIC’s Presiding Prelate PAGE

30

Saving Grace Mary J. Blige PAGE

24

SEE PAGE

14

AmericaOn Edge

Officials Prep for Possible Post Election Civil Unrest

Ballot boxes being burned. Americans loading up on guns. Government and police agencies preparing for riots and the FBI investigating threatening emails to Democratic voters them tofirst castpresidential their ballotsdebate to Trump “or else”....

Ainstructing fter a tumultuous between democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, democrats are placing their hope in senator and vice-presidential nominee, Kamala Harris in the second of three debates...

Church News Pastor Jawane Hilton Seek Second City Council Term

>>

SEE PAGE

10

<<

contents

L.A. Focus Publications

October 2020 November 2020

Left: Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas holds a “Keep Leimert Park Safe and Thriving" event; Middle: Mayor Eric Garcetti attends the launch of the rapid antigen testing program; Right: Congresswoman Maxine Waters is joined by local pastors –including Shane Scott, K.W. Tullos, and J. Edgar Boyd after holding a press conference in support of the Congresswoman at her headquarters in Hawthorne,

4 Commentary

From The Editor “”The Choice Is Ours; The Stakes Are Huge”

6

Voting Yes on Prop 16 Will Help Close the K12 Black Student Academic Achievement Gap

UpFront Protesters Demand Immediate Release of Activist; A Single Dose of Remdesivir Costs Uninsured Two Months of Income; Local Clergy Unite in Push For Oversight Commission; Battle Over Potential Crenshaw Mall Deal Continues

8 Headlines From Africa Head to Head

The Takeaway from Ice Cube’s Work with Trump

10 People 12 Money Matters 13

America On Edge Officials Prep for Possible Post Election Civil Unrest

Bishop Charles Blake Set to Retire from COGIC Board

Voters Decide Fate of California Bail Industry with Prop 25

Biz News Briefs

Shaq Joins with Disney in New Venture; Operation Hope Teams Up to Create One Million Black-Owned Businesses

staff

Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Staff Writers Photographer Advertising Advertising

Lisa Collins Stephen Oduntan,Christal Mims Dianne Lugo Ian Foxx Leatha Davis,Kisha Smith

Maxine Waters: “Fighting The Good Fight”

Upcoming Tyson Biopic Opens Old Wounds For Robin Givens; Taraji Henson Splits With Fiance’, Michael B. Jordan to Adapt Black Superhero Comic

Carpet Style 19 Red One On One Gabrielle Union

Jenifer Lewis

20 Eye On Gospel 21 Through The Storm 23 Church News 24 Game Changer

Channing Dungey

25 Pastor Profile 26 From The Pulpit of 27 In Good Taste 29 Saving Grace 30 First Lady Files

Clare Anderson Fox McCarty Memorial Christian Church

Michael Ealey – Prevailing In Christ Ministries

Hill City Church LA

Lonell Williams “Delights By Lionel”

Mary J. Blige

The Dodgers are getting an early pay off of the 12Tasha Cobbs-Leonard Soars To #1 With year, $365 milLatest Project, featuring Ciara lion deal (thru 2044) they made with star right fielder The Fight Against An Mookie Bett who Intergenerational Nightmare has helped power the team to the World Series. "God”, he says, always has a plan for Jawane Hilton Seeks Second Term; Mt. things and I was just Sinai Food Program Helps Black Restaukind of following what he rants; COGICs Launch “Press To the Polls” was telling me to do."

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

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

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

#LAFOCUS

@Lafocusnews

@L.A.Focus

L.A. Focus/November 2020

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.

14 Hollywood Buzz 18 Cover Story

3

Commentary

JOE W. BOWERS JR Claifornia Black Media

Voting Yes on Prop 16 Will Help Close the K-12 Black Student Academic Achievement Gap n Nov. 3, voters will determine the fate of Proposition 16. If approved, it will repeal the ban on affirmative action written into the California Constitution after voters approved Proposition 209 in 1996.

The Constitution reads, “The state shall not discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting.”

The campaign behind Prop 209 purposely omitted the phrase “ban affirmative action” in the ballot language because voter polls indicated that if it was used, support for the initiative dropped below 50%.

California is among just nine states outlawing affirmative action policies and programs in public education and government offices. Prop 209 halted all of the state’s affirmative action programs to increase representation of racial, gender and ethnic groups that have historically been discriminated against in access to public education, jobs, and business opportunities.

Prop 16 is on the ballot because a super majority of the Legislature passed Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA)-5.

This initiative was introduced by Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber (D-San Diego) and cosponsored by the Legislative Black Caucus.

According to Weber, “While it was sold as a civil rights law when it passed in 1996, Prop 209 has cost women and minority-owned businesses $1.1 billion each year, perpetuated a wage gap wherein women make 80 cents on every dollar made by men, and allowed discriminatory hiring and contracting practices to continue unhindered. Far from being colorblind, the bill has set up barriers to women and minorities to share in the economic life of California. Proposition 209 has hindered public policy, thwarted opportunity and maintained economic disparity long enough. It’s time to give voters a chance to right this wrong.”

When legislators put the constitutional amendment on the November ballot, they were conscious of the protests over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the

O

devastating impact that the COVID -19 pandemic has had on people of color and consequently they embraced their responsibility to come to a reckoning with systemic racial inequities prevalent in the most diverse state in America.

Prop 16 will allow any state agency, city, county, public university system, community college district, or school district to establish policies and programs that can factor in someone’s race, sex and ethnicity in making decision on admissions, spending, and hiring. It will not permit the use of quotas.

While the public debate about repealing Prop 209 has fixated on the fairness of admissions policies at California colleges and universities and its detrimental impact on minority matriculation on the campuses, concerns about violating Prop 209 has for over two decades impeded policy makers from instituting programs in k-12 public schools specifically tailored to close the Black student academic achievement gap.

According to Dr. Elisha Arrillaga, Executive Director, The Education Trust West. “Repealing Prop 209 will enable our Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) to address the needs of our most vulnerable students.”

Weber has twice proposed legislation, AB 2635 and AB 575, which would have directed LCFF funding to Black students who currently are the lowest performing racial ethnic subgroup on standardized assessments. Both times, concerns about violating Proposition 209 were raised and the bills failed.

In January, when Governor Newsom briefed Californians on his 2020-21 Education Budget, he said, “Where we are not seeing progress is for African Americans. It seems self evident that we should focus and concentrate our efforts in those areas in order to address … the substance of the vexing issue as it relates to academic achievement for our African American students.”

Newsom also mentioned the need to build a diverse teaching workforce with more teachers that look like their students. “That’s incredibly important as related particularly to African American achievement,” he said.

But, when the Department of Finance released the “omnibus education trailer bill” detailing Newsom’s edu-

From the Editor

cation funding proposals there was no specific funding designated to help Black students close the achievement gap or any reference to sourcing more Black teachers.

While not cited, avoiding conflict with Prop 209 was likely behind the trailer bill language omissions.

Passing Prop 16 will unblock the Governor, the Legislature and school districts with large African American student bodies from using LCFF supplemental funds on race conscious programs concentrating on closing the academic achievement gap being experienced by all Black students independent of their economic standing.

The ballot title for Prop 16 submitted by Attorney General Xavier Becerra says: Allows diversity as a factor in public employment, education and contracting decisions.

Polling for Prop 16 shows it not being well received by likely voters. The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) found 37% support. The Education Trust —West poll reports 66% of parents of K-12 students supported it and a poll conducted by David Binder Research found 45% support for the initiative.

Eva Patterson, co-chair of the Opportunity for All — Yes on 16 Campaign, said, "Watching a focus group with Black voters from Los Angeles, they all said no we won't vote for this as it was read to them. Then we explained that it was in favor of affirmative action and equal opportunity, and they all said, 'Of course we'll vote for this.”

Because the phrase “ban affirmative action” was cleverly not used in Prop 209, the challenge for the Yes on 16 Campaign is to clear up voter confusion about repealing a law that says you can’t discriminate at the same time it denies racial and gender equity.

If they succeed, school district policies targeting the specific needs of African American students will be legal to be implemented in California.

About the Author Joe W. Bowers Jr. is an advocate for education opportunities for all and the education writer for CBM. He is a former corporate engineer and business executive and is a graduate of Stanford University.

LISA COLLINS Publisher

“The Choice is Ours; The Stakes Are Huge”

T

L.A. Focus/November 2020

his column is for anyone out there who has decided not to vote or who is not sure of what’s at stake on November 3rd.

You’ve heard a million people tell you that this is perhaps the most consequential election of our lifetime and my plea won’t be much different. Only this time it’s not going to be about the countless African Americans who died for the right to vote or suffered the humiliation of being asked to count the number of jellybeans in a jar. Nor is it about those like John Lewis who were beaten nearly to death for a voice in this nation.

To be sure this election is more a referendum on Donald Trump (or as one voter puts it, this election is about good vs. evil”. Just as importantly, it’s about the role you have in shaping the world around you.

From every vantage point there are huge stakes in this election–spanning science to foreign policy to the legitimacy of our democratic elections. The idea that our votes count for something–and that our democratic process is intact and not rigged– is fundamental to the viability of American democracy. As one of America’s leading political scientists put it, “America’s role in the world, and the organization of the global system, is also on the ballot” as many fear Trump’s intent to move the nation toward tyranny.

On the science front, think of how another year of Trump wishing the pandemic away–or letting it run its course– will impact the already soaring numbers of those dying from the Coronavirus. If that doesn’t scare you enough to vote, I don’t know what will.

Then again, there would be four more years of Trump’s twitter bully pulpit and the insanity, vulgarity and racial division he propagates with it. There’d be more tell all books, though not much we don’t already know. And of course, there would be more Pinocchio lies amidst calls to lock up his political opponents, all

4

while poisoning at least one segment of American voters into believing that a free press–the cornerstone of any democracy– is fake news.

As one pundit put it, “this isn’t a normal election. It’s an emergency,” with stakes too high for anyone to sit out.

And from the Washington Post editorial board came this: “Another term could allow Mr. Trump to complete the demoralization, politicization and destruction of a workforce that was once the envy of the world: the American civil service, health service, Foreign Service and uniformed military. In everything from consumer safety to air quality to life expectancy, the results would be catastrophic. But there would be nobody left to measure them.”

Yet, for as important as the top of the ballot is, – whether or not you’re Democrat or Republican, conservative or liberal– the outcome of your yes or no votes on California’s 12 ballot measures is likely to be almost as impactful in your daily life.

There’s the restoration of voting rights to those with felony convictions who’ve been released; the future of stem cell research (see our story on page 22); greater enforcement of laws that protect your consumer privacy; and the chance to do away with cash bail which will mean that we’ll have to take a longer and harder look at those who we elect judges and could be determining the risk assessments that will determine whether or not you’ll go free.

Prop 16 would allow the state and public universities to grant preferential treatment based on race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, or contracting, and prop 21 expands rent control.

There is to be sure much at stake and America is on edge with governmental agencies and police preparing for the kind of unrest surrounding the elections that is often seen in third world countries. (See our story on page 10).

Keep in mind that the biggest lesson in not voting is seeing what happened the last time you didn’t vote, and President Donald Trump took up residence in the White House.

Understand that just as surely as you don’t go to the polls, you demonstrate that you’re okay with the status quo as any election is decided not only by those who vote, but those who stay home.

In the words of President John F. Kennedy on the acceptance of his party’s nomination in 1960: “That is the choice our nation must make–a choice that lies not merely between two men and two parties, but between the public interest and private comfort, between national greatness and national decline…All mankind waits upon our decision. A whole world looks to see what we will do. We cannot fail their trust; we cannot fail to try.

Recall with me the words of Isaiah: They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary.

As we face the coming challenge, we too shall wait upon the Lord and as that He renew our strength. Then shall we be equal to the test. Then we shall not be weary.

And then we shall prevail.”

Keep the faith.

UpFront

News Briefs

Protesters Demand Immediate Release of Activist Tatiana Turner Accused of Attempted Murder

A

nthony Bryson called on the crowd to raise their fist in a show of solidarity. It was Sunday, October 25, one month after authorities booked Tatiana Turner into jail on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly driving a white sedan into counter-protesters during a March for Equality in the Yorba Linda Public Library parking lot.

Prosecutors are alleging just that. But Bryson from the group Urban Organizers Collective and about 50 demonstrators poured into downtown Los Angeles last month to demand, among other things, that authorities release Turner, reduce her $1 million bail, and charge the counter-protesters who threatened her life.

They chanted “Free Tia” in unison while circling downtown Los Angeles as three LAPD vehicles trailed them.

“It’s important for us to draw the attention and awareness of Tatiana Turner’s case and the systemic racism that has kept her behind bars as a political prisoner,” said Bryson.

“Tiana’s incarceration,” added Bryson, “is partly due to the rhetoric and language our president has displayed, which is something that they live by in Orange County. And so, we’re going city to city to spread the awareness of Tatiana Turner, and her struggle in the hopes and efforts she’ll receive bail and get the charges reduced.”

According to a September 29 press release, issued by Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, “Tatiana Rita Turner, 40, of Long Beach, has been charged with one felony count of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, six felony counts of

A Single Dose of Remdesivir Costs Uninsured Two Months of Income

assault with a deadly weapon, including one causing great bodily injury, one felony count of mayhem, and two felony counts of the use of pepper spray by a felon.”

She faces a maximum sentence of seven years to life plus 13 years and four months in state prison if convicted on all charges.

Her defense attorney said Turner tried unsuccessfully to get help from deputies after her group was overwhelmed by a hostile crowd. Turner saw people with guns and feared for her life when she got into her car that was blocked by Donald Trump supporters, attorney Ludlow Creary II said. She was trying to get away and didn’t intend to hit anyone.

Moreover, protesters say they’ve become conspicuous targets for arrest, intimidation, and assault by law enforcement officers for protesting police brutality and racial injustice.

“I believe [Turner] is being singled out for the simple fact there are two similar cases, similar cases that are almost identical. And those two individuals are

SUNITA SOHRABJI

E

L.A. Focus/November 2020

ssential workers, who must continue to work even as COVID rates spike and shelter in place orders are reissued, largely lack health insurance coverage despite the Affordable Care Act, and thus would not be able to access treatment if they become ill from an infection.

David Hayes-Bautista, Director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at UCLA Health released a study a day earlier which highlighted that just a single $3,120 dose of Remdesivir, a therapeutic approved earlier this month for treatment of hospitalized COVID patients, would amount to two months of a farmworker’s salary.

“To pay for just that one item, you would basically have to forgo all food, all housing, all clothing, and all transportation for two months,” he said.

Patients using the drug must receive daily infusions for 10 days for a total cost of more than $31,000.

Simply getting a COVID test can cost upwards of $100 to $2,000 if you’re uninsured, he said, adding that for a family,

6

Remdesivir continued to page 36

O

ver 100 local clergy and members of the church community gathered at the steps of five city’s City Halls on Oct. 22 to push local politicians for tangible and effective legislation against police brutality in a day of prayer and meetings they called “Operation Unity”.

“We don’t want them to say it to us privately anymore. We want them to actually enter into an agreement that says, as long as you’re in a place of power, you’re going to work with clergy and community to make sure we move forward in accountability between community and law enforcement,” explained Pastor Michael J. Fisher of Greater Zion Church Family and organizer of Operation Unity.

The “operation” comes on the heels of a summer of protest, where thousands of

Staff Writer

home and free,” said Sequarier McCoy, the aunt of Dijon Kizzee who was fatally shot last month after deputies tried to stop him for riding his bicycle on the wrong side of the road.

McCoy’s comments were a reference to an incident in which two vehicles drove through a crowd of people in Hollywood protesting police brutality and the decision in the Breonna Taylor case. Officers were seen taking the drivers into custody, but the Los Angeles Police Department said they released them “pending the outcome of a hit and run investigation.”

McCoy suspects that Turner has long been on law enforcement’s radar because her work as an activist is centered on police abuse and voter suppression.

“From my knowledge, she’s been doing activism work for about four years now. The system doesn’t like a strong leader and so they want to make an example out of her,” she said.

Dr. Nizan Shaked, a professor at Cal State University, called the charges against Turner “completely inflated and bogus.” She emailed Spitzer, expressing her disappointment that the DA’s office continues to trample on the constitutional rights of protesters and activists.

“It’s disappointing that Spitzer is discouraging people from participating in their democracy,” Shaked told L.A. Focus. “We have every right to peacefully protest.”

That sentiment was echoed by Kennedy Carter who said the police are purposely targeting focal leadership

Compton Mayor Guarantees Income for 800 Residents with New Program Compton Mayor Aja Brown is creating a new program that guarantees 800 residents in the community a basic income for two years. The Compton Pledge is a pilot program being rolled out to help those who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I recognized that there’s a need for additional income, especially with the pandemic resulting in record-high numbers of unemployment throughout the entire country,” Brown said. “ “This is a great opportunity to address inequalities for Black and brown people and also additional opportunities for upward mobility.”

The initiative would provide free cash for two years and will target low-income Black and Latinx individuals in addition to those who were formerly incarcerated.

Private donors are contributing $2.5 million to fund the program.

The exact amounts received by each participant will vary, but “each participant will receive at least several hundred dollars, with greater amounts received by parents with multiple children. The frequency of distribution will also vary but participants will be informed at the outset about the timing of their expected payments so that they may plan accordingly.”

The program will begin in late 2020.

Protesters continued to page 28

Local Clergy Unite In Push For Oversight Commission

Ethnic Media Services

STEPHEN ODUNTAN

DIANNE LUGO Staff

racial-justice protests occurred across the United States largely after the killing of George Floyd in May. One report from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) estimated from May 26 through Aug. 22, about 7,750 protests took place in 2,400 locations across all 50 states and D.C. For Fisher, Operation Unity was a way for communities fighting for justice to come together, especially within the black church community.

“Black Lives Matter does things together. The LGBTQ+ community, they do it all together. The Latino nationality, they kind of move together. When it comes to the black church, we don’t,” he believes. “If we’re going to have a voice in this, we’re going to have to do it together…It’s all about unity. It’s all about us having one sound, one band, one message.”

As much as the day was about showing a united front, the group was also determined to receive a solid response from elected officials in terms of promising legislation that will hold law enforcement accountable. Outside, participants gathered at the steps of City Hall at the five chosen cities to pray and sing while pastors met inside with city leaders to discuss and sign the “Declaration of Local clergy continued to page 28

Report Finds Disturbing Trend in LAPD Stops A report by the LAPD Inspector General Mark Smith’s office found that racial disparities identified in an L.A. Times investigation were partially a result of failed strategies to use traffic and other minor violations “as a pretext to identify or suppress more serious crimes.”

An independent review of thousands of stops conducted by L.A. police officers showed Black and Latino drivers being stopped more frequently than white drivers and experiencing more invasive searches and questioning.

Units specifically assigned to suppress crime also made more stops in communities of color with high crime rates and were more likely to question people about their backgrounds, their parole or probation status and their criminal records.

The report also suggests that a large number of stops have gone unreported. A video review from almost 200 stops found that LAPD officers failed to document searches for 23 percent of the people being searched on camera.

As a result of these findings, the inspector general’s office made several recommendations including that LAPD aim to eliminate racial disparities in stops by continuing to “refocus its crime fighting strategies away from the use of pretextual stops – particularly those pretextual stops based on minor equipment or regulatory violations, which more heavily impact low-income communities.”

“Battle Over Potential Crenshaw Mall Deal Continues”

M

onths after community members and leaders successfully thwarted attempts from CIM Group to buy the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, local leaders and community activists are once again voicing their disapproval of a new buyer.

New York developers, LIVWRK and DFH Partners have announced their purchase of the plaza, the 40-acre property at Crenshaw and Martin Luther King Jr. that first opened as one of the early regional shopping centers in 1947.

The mall, struggling in recent years, has been controlled by Capri Urban Investors since 2019, a private equity fund of investors located in Chicago. The group previously arranged the sale to CIM Group in April before CIM dropped their $100 million plans to convert the property into a luxury mixed-use complex.

Residents were quick to oppose those plans. A group called Downtown Crenshaw created a popular petition that also said the group was backed by President Donald Trump and Jared Kushner.

“What CIM proposes is a hostile takeover of the most iconic AfricanAmerican retail space west of the Mississippi and the construction of a project that would ignore the community’s needs and wishes, and possibly wipe out dozens of minority businesses that are now tenants in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza mall,” Pastor William D. Smart Jr., president of the SCLC of Southern California, told the Times in June.

Now, residents are feeling a sense of deja vu, facing new companies with similar

Trump affiliations and connections to previous buyer CIM. “CIM Group put their costumes on early before Halloween and came in as LIVWRK,” said president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Southern California, Pastor K.W. Tulloss.

The Crenshaw Subway Coalition launched another online petition urging the community to once again mobilize to stop the sale of the shopping mall to LIVWRK and DFH partners. LIVWRK’s founder, Asher Abehsera, has previously partnered with Kushner and has other active real estate projects with CIM Group, Abehsera said.

“We don’t need a bunch of Trump towers on Crenshaw. It’s more expensive to build developments over six stories with a concrete base which ultimately means the less affordable those properties become,” said Damien Goodman, founder of the Crenshaw Subway Coalition.

“Neither Jared nor his family have any investment in my company or this deal,” Abehsera insisted, however, in a report from the LA Times.

Abehsera has promised to talk to local residents before the group decides on a final makeover plan saying a project “of this scale affords a mix of uses.”

Nonetheless, opponents say a largescale real estate development of this magnitude often results in longtime resident migration and gentrified displacement.

But this reflects national trends, says Goodman, and these kinds of aggressive methods have been used to displace poorer tenants in Black and Hispanic Los Angeles

communities. He pointed to how developers erected the Cumulus Skyscraper at La Cienega and Jefferson Boulevard.

“We challenged that project,” he said.

“But now the project has gone up and it’s not yet occupied we learned that the rates for that tower is $5,300 a month which is like three mortgages in our community.

We know these rent prices are an intentional effort to price those of us who’ve held down South Central, South Los Angeles, Baldwin Hills, and the Crenshaw area for such a long time.”

Community members are hopeful that the mall might instead be left in the hands of the community, as they’d proposed before.

“There were multiple Black bidders for the Crenshaw Mall,” Sam said. “Including a Black community bid in the form of Downtown Crenshaw. These Black bidders are all more competent and capable than LIVWRK and yet they were passed over for Kushner’s business partners,” said Linda Morgan Sam from the L.A South Chamber of Commerce.

Smart echoed the sentiment that those in the Black community know what’s best for the space and don’t need outside interference from people who are not tapped into the needs and wants of local residents.

“The mall, the sacredness of that site, belongs to Black folks,” Rev. Smart said.

“Give us the opportunity to show what we can do. We have the power; we have the determinism. We need this as a victory.”

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas voiced his own support of neighborhood-control.

“Redevelopment of the @DTCrenshaw

UpFront DIANNE LUGO Staff Plaza is a game changer. The future of the Plaza is bright given its proximity to the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Line. Community advocacy is a must for ownership that shares its values and priorities... #40AcresAndAMall,” he tweeted.

“I believe in the power of the people, and the people of LA built a historic effort to acquire the Crenshaw Mall. Local ownership = local power. This is exactly the type of investment we need for the 2nd District to thrive. @DTCrenshaw, let’s figure out how to make it happen,” added State Sen. Holly Mitchell in a tweet.

The petition to stop the sale of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza to outsiders has received nearly 13,500 signatures so far. Community members are asking residents to continue signing.

“I’m pleased to support Downtown Crenshaw in its efforts to acquire and redevelop the Crenshaw Mall. It is organized around issues of community ownership and self-determination concerning the future of this significant commercial hub in South Los Angeles,” said retired L.A. City Council member Robert Farrell. “Its development team is unrivaled in experience and expertise and gives it the capacity to direct a project of this magnitude. I encourage and urge your participation in Downtown Crenshaw. We have a competent and capable team, and we don’t need anyone associated with Donald Trump or his son-in-law Jared Kushner coming into our community.”

HeadToHead What We Should Take Away From Ice Cube’s Work With Trump

R

apper/actor Ice Cube is on you the way a man can ... You need Ice Cube the brink of understanding a man to teach you how to be a Gets It -the left-wing con! He man." –Tupac Shakur.

Almost appears on the verge of under"Don't blame the system (for standing the fake product that the Black incarceration). It starts at the home.

Democrats and the media have been ped- It starts at home. ... It starts with how you dling: that America remains guilty of "sys- raise your children. If a young man doesn't temic racism." have a father figure, he'll go find a father In a video Cube posted on social media, figure." – Denzel Washington, Nov., 2017. he wondered what Blacks are getting in Of the 1,000 people killed by cops each return for their virtually unquestioned loy- year, less than 4% are alty to the Democratic Party. In explaining white cop/unarmed why he recently met with Democrats and Black. Half of all Republicans, Cube tweeted: "Every side is homicide victims are the Darkside for us here in America. Black, almost all They're all the same until something killed by Blacks. It changes for us. They all lie and they all isn't poverty or "syscheat but we can't afford not to negotiate temic racism." During with whoever is in power or our condition the Great Depression, Larry Elder in this country will never change. Our jus- Black unemployment tice is bipartisan." was 50%, with a lower I sent him a series of tweets to assist murder rate. him in his journey of political discovery: Speaking of "systemic racism," Dear Ice Cube, Democrats want to INCREASE the miniUrge Blacks to follow your lead and mum wage to $15. Economist Milton that of your parents! You were raised by Friedman called the minimum wage law two parents and were voluntarily bused to "the most anti-Negro" law on the statute a better school rather than attending the books. nearby inferior public school. Like your "There is nothing more painful to me at parents, you raised your own kids in a this stage in my life than to walk down the nuclear intact family. street and hear footsteps and start thinkDemocrats' policies hurt Blacks. Welfare ing about a robbery. Then (I) look around causes fatherlessness. Unskilled illegals and see someone white and feel relieved." compete with unskilled Blacks for jobs. – The Rev. Jesse Jackson, 1993.

Democrats oppose school choice. For votes, Of the approximately 1,000 people Democrats play the race card to keep killed by police each year, most resisted Blacks angry. IT'S A ... SCAM! with a weapon or resisted violently. Half The No. 1 problem in the Black commu- are white. Less than 4% of the 1,000 nity is that 70% of Black kids are born involve a white cop and an unarmed Black. without the father married to their mom. More unarmed whites are killed by cops Barack Obama said kids growing up with- each year than unarmed Blacks.? out a father are five times more likely to "White police officers were less likely than live in poverty, nine times more likely to Black or Hispanic officers to shoot drop out of school and 20 times more likely unarmed Black suspects. ... 'An Empirical to send up in prison. Blame government Analysis' ... by (a Black) Harvard economwelfare. ics professor ... (found) zero evidence of "There's no more important ingredient racial bias in police shootings. ... Note also for success, nothing that would be more that police officers face an 18.5 times important for us reducing violence than greater chance of being killed by a Black strong, stable families – which means we male than an unarmed Black male has of should do more to promote marriage and being killed by a police officer." – Heather encourage fatherhood." -Barack Obama, Mac Donald, Manhattan Institute, July Feb. 15, 2013.

12, 2016.

"I know for a fact that had I had a In 2018, the FBI reported 748 interrafather, I'd have some discipline ... more cial homicides between Blacks and whites. confidence. Your mother cannot calm you Homicides committed by Blacks (13% of down the way a man can ... can't reassure Larry Elder continued to page 28

Headlines From Africa Botswana: Toxins in water produced by cyanobacteria have been identified as the likely cause of the more than 300 mysterious elephant deaths in Botswana.

Burundi: Burundi's ex-president Pierre Buyoya has been sentenced to life in prison in absentia over his role in the 1993 killing of the first democratically elected president, Melchior Ndadaye, during a coup that plunged the country into civil war. “We reject these judgments, which are in no way binding on us,” said Buyoya, who is currently the African Union’s representative in Mali.

Cameroon: At least eight children were killed and a dozen wounded after attackers stormed a school in southwestern Cameroon with guns and machetes, the United Nations reported. It was not clear if the attack was linked to a continuing struggle between government forces and armed groups in the English-speaking west seeking to form a breakaway state.

Congo: 1,300 inmates escaped from a prison in Beni during a jailbreak ISIS claimed responsibility for.

Ethiopia: Trump’s statement that Egypt would “blow up” the huge dam project Ethiopia is completing on the Blue Nile River has caused an uproar. Ethiopia’s foreign minister said the incitement of war from a sitting U.S. president “neither reflects the longstanding partnership and strategic alliance between Ethiopia and the U.S nor is acceptable in international law governing interstate relations.”

T

o Sean Broadus and his asked that he wait until after CA Congressbrother Evan, Ice Cube the election to discuss specifics woman, So Central was more than an icon. of Joe Biden’s plan for Black Residents He presented as someone to America, the Trump adminisBewildered by Ice admire — a hope for making it tration embraced his demands.

Cube/Trump out of the hood.

He said the President Relationship The Broadus brothers live had promised as much as $500 near the Gilbert Lindsay Community billion outlined in Cube’s “Contract with Center in South Central, Los Angeles, less Black America.” The contract outlines 13 than 20 minutes from where their idol separate bills that Cube believes will grew up. greatly help African Americans moving forBoth are having ward. a hard time processing In signing the deal, Trump agreed to the hip-hop icon’s rev- support and demand an open debate and a elation that he’s work- transparent and fair vote within the first ing with President 100 days of the 117th Congress in 2021.

Donald Trump’s reAmong the 13 pieces of legislation election campaign on demanded is a bill to guarantee Black what Cube calls a opportunity and representation, bank lendStacy Brown “Contract with Black ing reform, and baby bonds’ federal fundAmerica.” ing.

“We can’t say we understand why he The document also includes government would roll like that knowing the damage 45 pensions, finance oversight to look at Black has done to Black people, to Hispanics, to and minority lending, and guidelines our women and children,” Sean, the older regarding arrest records that allow similar of the brothers, told Black Press USA. privacy and accuracy protections and the Like Sean, Evan struggled not to criti- right to dispute and correct inaccurate cize Cube heavily, often fumbling with his credit reporting data. cellphone.

It calls for abolishing privately run pris“I don’t want to say the dude is a sellout. ons, disallowing prison labor without conMaybe we need to hear more from Cube sent, and freedom for nonviolent offenders because when I look around the neighbor- incarcerated for ten or more years, providhood when I go to Compton when I walk ed acceptable behavior standards are. around our hood, there’s nothing, and I It also calls for the immediate release of mean nothing, that puts damn Donald all prisoners convicted of marijuana posTrump and freakin’ Ice Cube in the same session. breath,” Evan stated.

The contract’s judicial and police Though social media heat has turned up reforms include eliminating mandatory on the star, Cube stood firm in his decision minimums and three-strike laws and qualto work with Trump on a “Platinum Plan ified immunity. for Black America.”

Cube asked for a requirement of mandatoThrough a spokesman, Cube said he ry malpractice insurance for police officers, only wants what’s best for African making municipalities liable for unconstiAmericans. He demanded that it’s always tutional actions by police, and the mandabeen his position, and nothing has changed tory use of dashboard and body cams. despite a flurry of social media posts Additionally, the contract calls for elimattacking the California-based mogul. inating chokeholds and “no-knock” war“I will advise anybody on the planet who rants, establishing residency requirehas the power to help Black Americans ments, de-escalation training, and the close the enormous wealth gap,” Cube stat- requirement to update training and severe ed. “Black progress is a bipartisan issue. penalties for evidence tampering, including When we created the Contract with Black withholding DNA. America, we expected to talk to both sides “I put out the CWBA. Both parties conof the aisle. Talking truth to power is part tacted me,” Cube stated. “Democrats said of the process.” we’ll address the CWBA after the election.

Cube, whose real name is O’Shea Trump campaign made some adjustments Stacy Brown continued to page 28 Jackson, noted that while Democrats

A look at current news from the continent of Africa to pass the bill. In Malawi, one of the leading causes of maternal mortality is unsafe abortion.

Namibia: National protests against gender-based violence have attracted attention locally and internationally, with President Hage implored to intervene.

Nigeria: At least 51 civilians have been killed in Nigeria’s unrest following days of peaceful protests over police abuses. President Muhammadu Buhari has called it Nigeria’s worst turmoil in years. The violence sparked international condemnation with demonstrations in support in countries around the world as the hashtag #EndSARS went viral in its call to pressure government officials to disband the controversial police unit known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, which has come under fire for inhumane tactics. Beyoncé and Rihanna are among the celebrities posting messages of solidarity and heightening awareness to the unrest.

Seychelles: An Anglican priest won the Seychelles presidential election. Wavel Ramkalawan— who clinched the presidency on his sixth attempt—has called for unity after his victory.

South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa has rolled out a major public works and job-creation initiative with the goal of reviving Africa’s most industrialized economy. The plan could unlock more than one trillion rand ($60bn) in investment over the next four years and create over 800,000 jobs.

Gambia: Officials are hailing the success of a 3-year project on Strengthening Women's Economic Initiatives in Central River Region (with the goal of increasing women's access and control over productive resources that empower them to participate in sustainable economic growth. 28,000 people have benefitted from the program.

Sudan: President Trump has said Sudan will be removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism if it follows through on its pledge to pay $335 million to American terror victims and their families. The move would open the door to new opportunities for the African nation—including international loans and the aid needed to revive its economy as it progresses to democracy and peace.

Malawi: Some traditional chiefs in Malawi are now backing an amendment of the abortion law to allow for the termination of unwanted pregnancies under certain conditions and are persuading members of Parliament

Tanzania: Tanzanians go to the polls October 28, and President John Magufuli is expected to win re-election, despite an opposition challenge and accusations he weaponized laws to undermine individual and political freedoms.

8

AmericaOnEdge “Officials Prep for Possible Post Election Civil Unrest”

B

allot boxes being burned.

Americans loading up on guns.

Government and police agencies preparing for riots and the FBI investigating threatening emails to Democratic voters instructing them to cast their ballots to Trump “or else”.

Earlier this month, Attorney General Xavier Becerra petitioned the Sacramento Superior Court to order the Republican party to provide details about the location of private ballot boxes it set up, and the voters who left ballots in them. Some boxes were placed at gun stores, churches, and GOP party offices.

“Our work to ensure that all voters have confidence that their vote will count moves forward,” Becerra said in a statement. “To the extent that unauthorized ballot drop boxes are redeployed, our investigation is ongoing, and we will act where necessary.”

All just a snapshot of the confusion and heightened anxiety surrounding the November 3ed election as Americans line up in droves to cast their ballot early and ensure their

votes are counted and their voices heard.

To say that America is on edge pending the outcome of the November 3 election is an understatement. Gun stores have reported all-time spikes in sales. The demand for tactical apparel is also up and gas masks have experienced a 20-fold jump in sales.

Fifty-six percent of voters (as published in Breitbart) say they expect to see “an increase in violence as a result of the election”. Another poll found that 61 percent of Americans are concerned that the nation was on the verge of another civil war.

The heightened tensions surrounding the election are expected to come to a boiling point in the days following the election, though fearing an uptick in disputes between voters at the polls–and or voter intimidation, some local election authorities will be adding armed security, particularly as President Trump –in an unprecedented move– urged supporters to go to the polls and watch very carefully for voter fraud. Thus, setting up a recipe for possible outbreaks of violence.

And as the campaigns of President Trump and Joe Biden are prepping for legal challenges to election results and the counting of ballots which is sure to further inflame tensions, pro and anti-Trump groups around the country are already making plans to protest.

Police departments around the country are taking extra precautions. The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. purchased more than $100,000 worth of less lethal weapons, including tear gas canisters in preparation for protests and potentially violent demonstrations after the election. The New York Police Department has told its officers to prepare for the possibility of protests that could last into 2021. The Justice Department is planning to station officials in a command center at FBI headquarters to coordinate a federal response to any disturbances that may arise around the nation.

Federal authorities have reportedly thwarted several right-wing terrorist plots across the country in recent months – from an alleged conspiracy in June to firebomb buildings and Black Lives Matter protests in Las Vegas by members of the "boogaloo" movement, to the arrest of 14 men linked to two anti-government groups that allegedly conspired to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Witmer.

In the months leading up to the election, People's Rights– a paramilitary group founded by an anti-government activist with chapters in at least 15 states and a professed membership upwards of 37,000 who, angered by COVID-19 restrictions, have staged rallies– and are telling their members to prepare to stock up for scenarios that may include chaos, riots and looting and that may lead to basic shortages of food and goods, power outages

“

If Biden wins, it will be an excuse totry to delegitimize the results and to go after perceived enemies on the left.

If Trump wins, this will be a signal to these far-right groups that have supported him, extremist groups like the Oath Keepers, Proud Boys...that they will see this is like open season to go after people that have been opponents of Trump.

”

and supply chain interruptions.

In fact, across the country, Americans are stocking up to hunker down for a possible wave of sustained election-related unrest and according to one analyst, the violence will occur no matter who wins.

"If Biden wins, it will be an excuse to try to delegitimize the results and to go after perceived enemies on the left, and of course, that means labeling pretty much anyone that you disagree as Antifa. If Trump wins, this will be a signal to these far-right groups that have supported him, extremist groups like the Oath Keepers, Proud Boys, that they will see this as open season to go after people that have been

Voting has already begun: How to Vote Early in L.A. County opponents of Trump."

Given how Trump has already framed the election as being rigged, officials also fear a possible threat in a loose coalition of vigilantes and other armed extremists who think that their election is going to–or has been – taken away.

Should Trump hesitate to accept the election outcome, the Protect the Results coalition has already set in motion over 200 non-violent rallies in cities across the United States slated to begin a 5:00 pm on Wednesday, November 4. Many of the groups have been planning “war game simulations” of how to prepare for various election scenarios.

Under one such simulation of a narrow Biden win that Trump contested; the Transition Integrity Project war game saw more than 4 million Americans take to the streets for the Democratic nominee.

Stephanie Owens, the NAACP's national grassroots election protection project manager, says the challenges of COVID-19 and the racial protests following Floyd's death have heightened the organization's normal concerns about violence. In some cases, the NAACP has been talking to voters about removing their yard signs and bumper stickers to avoid post-election violence.

"The symbolism of who you're supporting is a very large component of our election tradition. But there is almost nothing traditional about this election," says Owens. "People are already being targeted based on the candidates they are supporting."

The NAACP’s Detroit chapter announced that its members and area

attorneys will monitor polls across the city and state on Election Day for instances of voter intimidation or voter suppression.

“We’re not police officers, but we have eyes and we have ears,” said Chui Karega, a lawyer and general counsel for the Detroit branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

“We will stand tall and we will be present to assist in the enforcing of the law.”

The NAACP has also trained thousands of volunteers in de-escalation tactics, hoping to reduce violence before it even starts.

Political insiders believe that a close race would make for the worst scenario for civil unrest and a landslide win for Biden would be the best scenario. Even then experts say there is no playbook for what will happen on November 3rd and in the weeks following the election. The Bush/Gore Florida debacle that had poll workers counting chads lasted 36 days.

Here in California, Secretary of State Alex Padilla is projecting a safe election while conceding that counties need to be ready for potential trouble, including any efforts to threaten or harass voters.

LAPD Police Chief Michael Moore is assuring Angelenos that they will be safe, given that armed militia groups are not as predominant in Los Angeles as they are in other areas of the country. He has, reportedly, asked officers to reschedule any vacations or time off around election day in the event of any unrest.

It has often been said that the election ends on November 3rd, 2020, but the truth is that due to the Pandemic, stay at home orders and increase of Vote by Mail — the election is NOW. We are already witnessing a record turnout nationwide.

In one of the most important elections of a generation 2020 is already generating attention and engagement across the country. The fact is that it is crucial for every voter or potential voter to engage and participate in the political process. It is what makes a democracy flourish and will be key in strengthening our institutional foundations for years to come.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the dynamic of the political process. Not only is it imperative that every individual vote, but it is more important now than ever to vote early and to utilize the vote by mail advantages. It’s safe, secure, and will help keep every voter safe.

The Los Angeles County Registrar announced recently that vote-by-mail ballots have been mailed to all registered voters to ensure safe and accessible voting options during COVID-19.

L.A. County has already seen nearly 1million ballots returned, yet it is widely recognized that communities of color prefer to vote in person.

This means that communities already disproportionately impacted by the pandemic are falling at greater risk of being exposed. Voting early provides a safe way to cast a ballot and will reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Not only will lines be much shorter, but you can still

guarantee that your ballot is counted and keep you, your family, and those around you safe.

When the shelter at home orders went into effect, the majority of essential workers unable to stay home were people of color. According to a report by USC, only 36.1% of Latino eligible voters, 29.9% of African-American voters, and 45.2% of Asian-American eligible voters prefer to vote by mail, compared to 46.7% of white voters.

Voters should safely participate in this election by creating a voting plan and taking advantage of the vote-by-mail option available to all registered voters.

Voting early via vote-by-mail will save lives by allowing voters to stay away from the polls.

The Los Angeles County Registrar provides voter language services in 18 languages, including Spanish for voters that require language assistance, eliminating the need to vote in person. Voters can request translated election materials, receive bilingual assistance at voter centers ahead of the election, and call the Bilingual Assistance Hotline at 1-800815-2666, option 3.

The U.S Postal Service has assured protection and tracking for peace of mind.

Voters can track their ballot with Where’s My Ballot, an easy-to-use tracking tool that sends voters automatic notifications when their ballot has left the post office and provides an estimated time of arrival.

People

“Bishop Charles Blake Says He Won’t Pursue Another Term as COGIC’s Presiding Prelate and Chief Apostle” For the last 13 years, he has led the nation’s largest African-American denomination and has been viewed as one of the country’s most powerful Black religious leaders. Last week, Bishop Charles Edward Blake, Sr. Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) announced that he would be stepping down from the role at the next election, the date of which is still being determined by board members.

“I have made the decision to not seek re-election as a member of the General Board or as Presiding Bishop. I have requested that the General Board grant me emeritus status,” Blake said in a video on the Church’s website.

The Church of God in Christ is the fifth largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., the largest Pentecostal group in the country and the second largest Pentecostal organization in the world with churches in 60 countries and an estimated membership of nearly 6.5 million.

“Bishop Charles E. Blake was to the Church of God in Christ what the Apostle Paul was to the first century church,” said Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, Senior Pastor of Faithful Central Bible Church and Presiding Bishop of the Macedonia International Bible Fellowship.

“Likewise, I suggest the Lord used the man, the ministry and the message of His Grace Bishop Charles Blake to take the largest Pentecostal denomination of color in the world into the dimension where eyes had not seen, ears had not heard, of the growth, progress and global imprint that characterizes the 13 year tenure of this great Man of God. “God used the grace and anointing on his life and transitioned the African American Pentecostal/Charismatic family of the Body of Christ out of the margins where many so fervently attempted to relegate us, on to the front line of spiritual transformation, social change and economic advancement.”

Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis, General Supervisor of the COGIC’s International Department of Women dubbed him as “one of the greatest leaders in the history of Christendom”.

“Bishop Blake’s global mindset caused the Church of God in Christ to grow exponentially around the world,” McCoo said. “He has been a leader of impeccable integrity which is reflected in a posture of financial accountability.”

Under Blake’s leadership the denomination completed the first comprehensive financial audit of its records in more than 100 years, while completing massive renovations to its headquarters campus in Memphis along with major restorations to downtown Memphis properties and

the acquisition of additional properties around our Headquarters campus, including the development of 77 apartment homes near the COGIC’s Mason campus.

Other successes include moving the Holy Convocation to the 502,000 square foot America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, from 2010 through 2019.

The decision to not seek reelection with the national COGIC does not affect Bishop Blake’s pastoring in Los Angeles where the 80-year old Little Rock, Arkansas native will continue as Senior Pastor of the West Angeles Church, which is one of the denomination’s largest churches with upwards of 20,000 members.

“I have had many great responsibilities over my lifetime but the two that have always been forefront of my mind are my family and pastoring the West Angeles Church, said Blake, who became pastor in 1969 when the church has just 50 members. “God has blessed West Angeles to enter into the next stage of the Family Life Center building project, a 25-million-dollar addition that will attach to the West Angeles Cathedral. West Angeles is soon to break ground on this project.”

Bishop Blake will continue to serve as Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle until his successor is selected.

Among the names being mentioned as possible sucessors are Bishops Jerry Macklin, Sedgwick Daniels, George McKinney, Darrell Hines and J. Drew Sheard, all of whom also serve on the COGIC’s General Board.

“Please understand the depth of my gratitude for every opportunity that God has afforded me in serving you,” Blake said. “I pray that I have pleased Him in all I have attempted for the advancement of the Church of God in Christ and ultimately, for His Kingdom. I remain committed to the success of our church and have pledged my support and assistance in a smooth transition so that the work of the Lord will seamlessly continue.”

Bishop Blake has been a member of COGIC for his entire life and is in his 64th year of preaching, 51st year of pastoring the West Angeles Church in Los Angeles, 35th year as COGIC Bishop and 32nd year as a member of the General Board. He is the husband of Lady Mae Lawrence Blake, “Bishop calls Lady Mae his secret weapon,” McCoo Lewis said. “I am afraid the secret is out. Lady Mae has been unwavering in serving and motivating women to embrace excellence. She is the epitome of the Proverbs 31 virtuous woman…. gracious, loving and enterprising.”

By all accounts, the couple has been a dynamic force in the Church of God in Christ and –at the helm of the L.A.’s largest Black church– continue to wield a great deal of influence on the city’s religious front.

Money Matters “Voters Decide Fate of California’s Bail Industry With Prop 25” he fate of the cash bail bond industry has officially landed in the hands California voters who will decide whether to end–once and for all– the lucrative bail system with Prop 25. If passed, the proposed referendum would replace California’s cash bail system with a new computerize platform that assesses the public safety and flight risk of a criminal before releasing them from jail.

A yes vote on the measure means no one would pay bail to be released from jail before trial. Instead, defendants would either be released automatically, or be released based on their assessed risk of committing another crime or not appearing in court. Conversely, a no vote would mean anyone charged with a certain crime would continue to pay bail to be released from jail before trial.

The Public Policy Institute of California estimated in 2015 that the median bail amount in California was $50,000 – which is five times higher than the rest of the United States. Bail agents earn their money by requiring the customer to pay a nonrefundable premium of 10% of their bail, meaning defendants are forking out an average of $5,000 upfront for bail.

In 2018, the bail industry issued an estimated $6 billion in bail bonds in California, collecting some $560 million in fees from jailed defendants. Currently, there are about 2,500 bail agents licensed by the state. In other places like New York, where cash bail systems have already ended, they’ve seen their state’s jail population reduce by about 25%. But this also means that bail bond agents’ bottom line is being slashed substantially as well, thus forcing larger agencies to close some of their offices and sending many agents on a search for other streams of incomes.

Under the new proposed software-based risk assessment system, defendants would be categorized as low, medium or high risk based on their risk to public safety and of fleeing the jurisdiction before trial. Data such as a person’s background and criminal history are assigned a risk score. There are a number of computer scientists, researchers and civil rights advocates who have warned that such algorithms could only worsen discriminatory practices. They argue that because black people are arrested at higher rates than white people, it makes them more likely to get higher risk scores, which a judge could use as a basis for keeping them behind bars.

“The idea that people are inherently risky needs to change,” contends Meghan Guevara, an executive with the Pretrial Justice Institute. “The problem with risk assessment tools is that everyone is ranked as having some risk.”

Last year, more than two dozen researchers signed an

T

Biz News Briefs Shaq Teams Up with Disney Executives to Invest in New Technology and Media

open letter warning about the use of risk assessment tools, claiming it suffers some “serious technical flaws,” including the reliance on criminal history data that provide “distorted” risk predictions. A second team of researchers insisted that the tools do not reduce racial disparities among people jailed while waiting for trial, and it may actually widen such gaps.

“For 30 years, we’ve been trying to end [cash bail] and now we’re in a position to end it. But some people don’t want to end it,” complained Sam Lewis, executive director of the Los Angeles-based Anti-Recidivism Coalition.

Lewis, who was released from prison in 2012 for a gang related murder committed when he was a teen, has now become a prison reform advocate. He sees a direct correlation between slavery and the post-emancipation laws used to prosecute Black people to the modern bail system.

“Why would I want to continue with a system that at least for Black people is based on racism?” Lewis questions. “If you lift that veneer and look at what’s the goal of ending money bail, it’s trying to free people from pretrial incarceration to keep them disentangled from the system.”

Proponents of Prop 25 have raised more than $6 million in support dollars, mostly from billionaire John Arnold.

His firm, Arnold Ventures have developed the risk assessment tool that is currently being used in New Jersey and several other jurisdictions across the country. Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, the state Democratic Party, and state labor unions have also contributed to campaign efforts in favor of the bill.

On the other side, the bail industry and the insurance companies that finance them are campaigning hard against the measure. With support from the state Republican Party, they have raised more than $8 million in their fight.

The California Bail Agents Association (CBAA) are standing firm on the belief that the bail industry is a necessity that upholds the rights guaranteed by the Eighth Amendment to the US Constitution — which prohibits the federal government from imposing excessive bail and fines.

“We must defeat this reckless law, which eliminates the surety bail industry and our livelihoods, and puts millions of Californians unnecessarily in harm’s way. The future of our industry and your business depends on the defeat of [Proposition 25] on Election Day,” the CBAA website states.

California taxpayers spend $5 million a day to detain defendants who cannot afford bail.

CFO Tom Staggs as well as civil rights activist and son of Martin Luther King Jr., Martin Luther King III, who will serve as a director.

Operation Hope and Shopify Team Up to Create One Million Black-Owned Businesses Operation Hope has partnered with global e-commerce platform Shopify to create 1 million Black-owned businesses over the next five years. The HOPE One Million New Black Business & New Black Entrepreneurship Initiative (1MBB) and its goal to develop several, new Black-owned firms throughout the nation in the U.S. by 2030 was announced by the organization’s CEO and president, John Hope Bryant.

“Creating generational wealth through the creation of new Black businesses and Black entrepreneurs is a direct gateway to social justice. The creation of ownership, jobs, and opportunity in a generation helps to strengthen democracy and ensure freedom through self-determination. This is empowerment at scale,” Bryant said in a release. “To have Shopify actively supporting the 1MBB Initiative is a true game changer. Working together, we can scale our business creation platform to help underserved communities and enhance economic prosperity across America.”

Operation Hope is one of the leading financial education and economic empowerment groups currently serving African Americans.

The 1MBB initiative is open to any Black entrepreneur or small business owner who “has a dream of starting a busi-

The Price Of Keeping Anthony Davis

A

s the Laker fans everywhere rejoice in the franchise winning its historic 17th championship, all eyes now look to the future in securing one of their most critical assets-- All-Star center Anthony Davis.

According to reporting by The Athletic, Davis is planning to become a free agent by opting out of his $28.7 million contract for the 2020-2021 year so he can negotiate a long term max deal with the Lakers.

Davis and his agent Rich Paul, who also represents Lebron James, will be holding meetings with the franchise in the coming weeks centering around the length of term.

While he will undoubtedly receive the max amount available under the league’s salary cap, Davis will be considering either a 2, 3 or 4 year deal that would include an option in the final year to opt out. While Davis will consider how long he wants to be a Laker, taking a longer term deal would mean more guaranteed money for Davis at a time of uncertainty in the leagues salary cap moving forward due to the impact of the coronavirus on the league’s bottom line.

When asked about his future after winning the championship, Davis responded, “I have no idea, I don’t know. I had a great time in L.A. this first year. This has been nothing but joy, nothing but amazement. Over the next couple of months, we’ll figure it out. I’m not 100 percent sure, but that’s why my agent is who he is, and we’ll discuss it and figure it out.”

Despite the mixed messaging, the strong friendship he’s built with L e b r o n J a m e s and the immediate success they’ve achieved indicate that Davis will be fighting for more Laker championships in the coming years.

ness or taking their existing business to the next level.”

The initiative will also help entrepreneurs launch their operations either in a physical location and/or through an e-commerce platform as well as provide guidance on ways to attract funding and long-lasting customers.

Largest Black Bank in the Nation Breaks Record with 100,000 New Customers OneUnited is the largest Black bank in the nation and has recently announced that they have acquired a recordsetting 100,000 new customers. The boost comes following the rise in Black Lives Matter protests and ongoing fight for social justice over the last couple of months.

“Our customer base continues to grow rapidly, and we have expanded access and now have over 100,000 locations to better meet their needs. Importantly, we’re on our way to fulfilling Black America’s long-held dream of organizing our spending power to create social and economic equality in our society,” Teri Williams, president & COO of OneUnited Bank said in a statement.

The bank will also be expanding its services including a new “Cash to Your Card” service which will allow customers to access over 90,000 new locations and the ability to deposit cash on the go using Green Dot. Not only are individual customers supporting the bank, but large businesses are as well. Biogen, a Bostonbased global technology company deposited $10 million into the bank back in June at the height of the Black Lives Matter resurgence.

L.A. Focus/November 2020

Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal recently joined forces with past Walt Disney Co. executives and Martin Luther King III to start a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The new company, Forest Road Acquisition Corp., has raised $250 million to do deals in the technology, media and telecommunications industries.

“We believe that our team’s experience in building and executing strategies that combine capabilities and expertise in consumer preferences and technology/product development will differentiate our ability to source a successful partner,” the company said in its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing.

O’Neal will serve as a strategic advisor, with the filing stating, “Mr. O’Neal has a keen eye for investing in successful ventures.”

Potential acquisitions may include “audience aggregation platforms,” or streaming services. The company is also interested in the area of “premium intellectual property.”

Also included in the list of executives and advisors is former TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer, former Walt Disney

GERALD BELL Contributor

On the Money

13

L.A. Focus/November 2020

S

ince Donald Trump’s arrival on the political stage, few voices have been as consistently outspoken against this President’s divisive rhetoric and policy agenda than that of Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D- CA 43). Thanks in part to the internet, Water’s characteristically sharp tongue and fearless devotion to the issues that matter to her constituency have made her a national figure of resistance-from being one of the first to call for Trump’s impeachment, to the now iconic shutting down of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin in his attempts to circumvent her questioning during testimony by repeatedly cutting him off saying “I reclaim my time”, to her controversial encouragement of civilians protesting Trump staffers in public.

14

KEITH DELAWDER Contibutor But followers of national politics have seen her be a tenacious, thorn-in-your-side to Democratic and Republican Presidents alike for the past 30 years, as she spoke up against police brutality during the Rodney King riots of the early 90’s with the same fervor as the killing of George Floyd earlier this year.

For Waters, who was one of 13 children growing up outside of St. Louis, Missouri, the fighting spirit is something she’s had since day one.

“I was raised and educated with the understanding that we have a responsibility to know the civil rights movement and be dedicated to the proposition that we can help our communities have people do better. I came in with that kind of attitude,” says Waters, who began her tenure in Congress in 1991 after serving in the California State legislature. “And then, coming from a family of 13 , I had to fight for everything so I have no fear of fighting. I have no fear of standing up for myself.

Through my work, I’ve walked with the kind of courage that has shown truth-to-power in ways that has got me recognized as a highly controversial figure, and as a fighter.”

Now at the age of 82, Waters, whose supporters have lovingly dubbed “Auntie Maxine”, is running for her 16th consecutive term and is making the case that she has the leadership and policy expertise to lead our ideologically torn country through the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic and into a more dignified political era.

While her fighting spirit is most often seen and attributed to her outspoken political stances, much of her fighting is done in her less glamorous work-- namely on the House Financial Services Committee (HFSC) where she sits as Chairwoman.

And the agenda of the HFSC is heavy to say the least.

Besides being an overseer of financial services agencies both in the public and private sector, Waters is looking ahead to reinstating the mission of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau-- a public watchdog organization set up under Obama to protect consumers against predatory financial organizations-- which has been undermined under the Trump administration.

“We’ve got to make sure that we continue to work on denying our big banks the opportunity to engage in

Coming from a family of 13 , I had to fight for everything so I have no fear of fighting. I have no fear of standing up for myself. Through my work, I’ve walked with the kind of courage that has shown truth-topower in ways that has got me recognized as a highly controversial figure, and as a fighter.”

predatory lending, which harmed our community so much in the 2008 crash,” says Waters. “We’ve got to pay special attention to payday loans, which are made to lure poor people who are desperate into borrowing situations where they will never get out of debt, and make sure that is outlawed.”

In addition, Waters is using the power of her position to create the first ever Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion in HFSC, creating more room at the top for money managers of color.

“We are looking at what we can do to advance asset managers of color in government agencies which is an opportunity that has not really been available to us due to exclusions and discrimination, which is something I am very excited to be engaged in.”

On top of her regularly jam-packed workload, there are the financial woes resulting from the pandemic to deal with. With millions of workers, homeowners, renters, small business, and landlords looking for some type of bailout, Waters and the Democrats are deadlocked in negotiations with Republicans on further allocations of funds.

“I’m focused, as one of the standing committees of Congress, on what is known as the HEROES Act. We passed the CARES Act which included $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 additionally to those who lost their job.

But that ran out,” says Waters. “So now we’re negotiating the HEROES Act, but we have no support from Republicans-- they don’t want to spend the money.”

Congressional Democrats have passed the HEROES Act twice now, first for $3.2 trillion then compromised down to $2.2 trillion, only to receive a stiff ‘no’ from Senate Republicans both times.

“They don’t want to give citizens and states the money, but we have to insist so that we don’t start laying off all of the people who provide essential services and keep our economy going,’ says Waters.

Waters also helped craft the HEROES Act to address the pandemic-induced evictions crises with $50 billion in rental assistance and up to $550 billion in relief for landlords who have been left on the hook.

“We’re in a crisis now,” says Waters. “People are desperate to put food on the table and not be put out on the street and be evicted. This president really doesn’t care about this, he interfered with negotiations and extended the moratorium on evictions with no money.”

With hospitalization rates 4.7 times higher for black people than their white counterparts due to the pandemic-- Waters recognizes that, like so often is the case in America, communities of color have to fight harder to get the same treatment.

“We had to fight for more testing in [black] communities and to ensure that we had the equipment in the hospitals that serve our constituency,” says Waters. “The next thing that we have to do is be on top of the vaccine and make sure that it’s safe, we have access to them, and they’ll be distributed fairly. We have to fight for everything. We cannot sit back and believe that somehow we are going to be treated fairly because history tells a different story.”

Waters is also working with leaders of faith through virtual meetings on how to reinforce the directives of how

to protect yourself from the virus.

“We tell people to listen and follow the advice of experts, put on your mask, wash your hands, and be involved with social distancing. You’ve got to do this in order to avoid getting infected,” says Waters.

While Waters’ work seems to be cut out for her, opponents on the right have made sure that she can’t look past her re-election bid this November. Her challenger is 34-year-old first time politician Joe Collins III, who despite only receiving 11% of the vote in March’s primary election, has received massive amounts of campaign funds largely due to his backing from Trump Republicans. Collins, who is a former sailor in the Navy, claims he left the military to run for public office which he couldn’t do while on active duty.

He is an outspoken Trump supporter who is running on an agenda of restoring the 43rd district’s economic livelihood, schools, and combating the lingering crime and homelessness issues, while painting Waters as a selfserving Washington elitist.

Collins has run an aggressive campaign with a large ad budget, regularly slamming Waters on social media.

In his latest video “Mansion Maxine”, Collins calls out Waters for her lavish $6 million home which is not in the 43rd district.

“Do you know where I am?” says Collins in his video.

“Maxine Waters $6 million mansion. Do you know where I am not? Her district. I was born right here in South L.A. in the place Maxine Waters refuses to live. Maxine doesn’t care about our district, she only cares about herself.”

It should be noted that it is not required by law for Congressional leaders to live in their district, and also that Waters’ home was once in the district she represented, before redistricting changed the borders.

Waters’ answer to Collins claiming that the woes of the 43rd district are her fault since she’s represented the area for 44 years with the same systematic problems persisting is that he doesn’t understand the general hierarchy of government.

“The young man that is running against me not only has no experience, he doesn’t even know how the government works,” says Waters. “He doesn’t know the difference between City Council, Legislatures and Congress, and who oversees the agencies who have different responsibilities. For instance, members of Congress fund cities to deal with homelessness. City Councils the ones in charge of contracting non-profit agencies to help shelter the unhoused. His arguments have not been substantive at all, in fact, he’s been missing arguments.’

Waters has also gone on the offensive attacking Collins character flaws, like the fact that he received a dishonorable discharge from the Navy which disallows him from referring to himself as a ‘veteran’ in any official capacity-- including on the ballot where his title is ‘sailor’.

Waters also brought to light the information alleging that Collins has some outstanding child support cases.

“It’s not just a lack of experience, it is a flawed character and the inability to represent that he can be a role model for the people he wants to represent, especially young people,” says Waters. “He is holding some food giveaways at his headquarters, and someone remarked to

me that he talks about feeding people in Los Angeles, but he doesn't even feed his own children.”

In coming to her defense, over 30 leaders of faith held a press conference outside the Waters campaign headquarters in Hawthorne to pledge their support for the Congresswoman’s reelection bid.

“Maxine Waters has a history of being there for her community,” said Reverend K.W. Tulloss, president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles. “Her opponent is someone who just popped up off the scene.

We know what a wolf looks like in sheep’s clothes. We can see the handwriting on the wall. We know that narrative this GOP candidate is trying to put out there. So, we just want everyone to know that we the faith leaders are praying for the Congresswoman in all her goals and priorities.”

Pastor Shane B. Scott of Macedonia Baptist Church also said that Waters’ record speaks for itself.

“In case Mr. Collins needs to be reminded, you don’t just serve 15 terms in Congress if you’re ineffective. But rather you serve 15 terms because you have been a champion for justice, for all people whether they are Black, White, Asian, Latino, or Native American.”

Proof of her effectiveness can be seen in Waters’ popularity amongst the much younger millennial generation, many who affectionately refer to her as ‘Auntie Maxine’.

“As far as I’m concerned it’s a nickname of honor,” says Waters. “The aunt in the family is considered, oftentimes, to rise above the parents because they take up for the children and they’re able to not only criticize them, but to help direct them in ways that sometimes the parents can’t. So, the aunt is always favorably embraced, and I love it!”

It’s this affection that drive Waters’ passion to fight for her constituents and the office she is proud to hold.

“One of the reasons I fight so hard is because people believe in me and they call on me, so I really want this election. I want to be re-elected because I want to continue to be a voice they can rely on,” says Waters. “And to be someone who will actually work at this job.

“This is what I do seven days a week. So, no matter whether I’m criticized by those who don’t like the way I do it or think I’m too confrontational, it doesn’t stop me.

I believe that people know I want to continue my work and to really represent and give everything I can give to my constituents.”

Besides her own re-election, the single most important thing to come from this historic election is replacing the man in the White House, who according to Waters, is the source of the divisive polarization in today’s political climate.

Her solution? “Vote him out!”

“The President of the United States has been the most divisive, most deplorable human being that I have really ever experienced in my life,” says Waters. “He has created polarization, he has dog-whistled to the white supremacists and those who have never been comfortable with the fact that they live in a country where blacks and others have a right to a decent quality of life. The solution is to get rid of those who cause the polarization, from the top of the ticket on down.”

16

L.A. Focus/November 2020

INSIDE HO L LY W OOD with Neily Dickerson Spotlight: Coming Soon The lineup at the 2020 New York Film Festival (NYFF) included an impressive array of African diaspora films. Attesting to NYFF’s eagerness to hear black voices, the fest featured three films from British director/writer Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave’’) that are part of a five-episode West Indian community-based mini-series “Small Axe.’’ McQueen’s homage to his Caribbean roots will appear on Prime Video later this year. Other NYFF entries will roll out in theaters and on streaming service in months to come.

Highlights included “All in: The Fight for Democracy” in which 2018 Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams addresses the devious ways people are denied their rights to

“Lover’s Rock”

elect politicians and specifically points to the artifices used to stifle Georgia citizens’ rights and impede her ability to become governor.

“Lovers Rock” is set in 1980s London, where the magic of dance and reggae/pop music put a joyful aura in the air.

The thinly plotted drama/romance follows Martha as she meets the very debonair Franklyn (Michael Ward) as McQueen recreates

OUT THIS MONTH

HOLLYWOOD BUZZ

Take Back November 6

L.A. Focus/November 2020

Upcoming Tyson Biopic Opens Old Wounds For Robin Givens Robin Actress Givens revealed that learning of a new Mike Tyson biopic starring Jamie Foxx reopened painful wounds.

“I felt this drop in the pit of my stomach and was like, ‘Oh no, here we go again,’” the 55-year-old star said. “I felt like the world was crumbling again.”

After an 8-month marriage to the prized fighter in 1988, Givens left Tyson after alleging physical and verbal abuse.

Though their separation happened years ago, Givens said that Tyson continues to talk down on her in public, including his online series, “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson” and in his memoir.

“The marriage was eight months of my life and yet he's still saying slanderous things on his podcast,” she said. “He's not physically hitting me anymore, but it hurts almost as much.”

Givens says that overall she is happy to have moved on and is focuson her role 18 ing in the hit show,

Red Notice November 13

a time when Caribbean expatriates held on to their culture by socializing.

“Mangrove” centers around police harassment in a West Indian community in the Nottinghill section of London in 1968. Continued brutality incites a march, which involves a clash with the cops. Nine people are imprisoned and dubbed the “Mangrove Nine” as they fight for their freedom in an impassioned court case.

“MLK/FBI” explores J. Edgar Hoover’s evil attempts to silence Martin Luther King, while “Red, White and Blue” is a true crime/drama capturing the depth of police rancor and Star Wars’ John Boyega as an officer Hometown: Kinloch, Missouri daring to fix it.

Big Break: Biopic, “What’s Love Got to Do With It” This week’s review courtesy of NNPA newswire Upcoming Projects: T.V. Show, “Old-ish” film critic Dwight Brown.

Known as the “Mother of Black Hollywood,” for her consistent, motherly roles, Jenifer Lewis is a familiar face to all. The 63-year-old actress began her career in Broadway musicals before making her way onscreen where she’s starred in movies like “Poetic Justice,” “The Preacher’s Wife” and “The Cookout.” Currently starring in the popular sitcom, “Black-ish,” Lewis will soon be taking on an even larger role in the show’s latest spinoff, “Old-ish.”

Q&A

Jenifer Lewis

Jingle Jangle November 13

“Riverdale” and helping other victims of domestic abuse.

Said Givens, “My story was very public, but when I speak to women and I sit in shelters and hold children, I realize the details of our stories are the same.”

Taraji Henson Splits With Fiance’ Taraji P. Henson and NFL player Kelvin Hayden have called off their engagement. Rumors began to swirl when she celebrated her 50th birthday in Mexico without him.

The actress revealed the news on the Breakfast Club.

“I'm dedicated to the Black man, y'all. I just turned 50 and I mean, I hadn't said it yet, but it didn't work out,” she said. “I tried. I was like ‘Let's do the therapy thing, but if you're both not on the same page with that then you feel like, you're taking it on yourself, and that's not a fair position for anybody to play in a relationship.” former the and Henson Indianapolis Colts player got engaged in 2018 after two years of dating and planned to tie the knot in June of this year.

Henson said that she realized they were not responsible for each other’s happiness, saying they needed to “first make ourselves happy to make each other happy.”

“It hurts when relationships don't last,” she said. “I love to see Black love and I want to see more of it.”

Soul Novembe 20

Michael B. Jordan to Adapt Black Superhero Comic “Black Panther” actor Michael B. Jordan will produce a movie based on the DC and Milestone Comics character Static Shock. The 33year-old will adapt the comic through his Outlier Society production company.

“I’m proud to be a part of building a new universe centered around Black superheroes; our community deserves that,” Jordan said on Twitter. “Outlier Society is committed to bringing to life diverse comic book content across all platforms and we are excited to partner with Reggie and Warner Bros. on this initial step.”

The character Virgil Hawkins, also known as Static Shock, is a Black teen who transforms into a superhero with electromagnetic powers.

Regina Hall Signs First-Look TV Deal with Showtime Actress Regina Hall has signed a first-look TV deal with Showtime.

The 49-year-old will produce and develop TV projects under her production company RH Negative.

Hall is reportedly in the process of developing a one-hour special that she will star in and produce.

Hall’s comedy, “Black Monday” has also been renewed by Showtime for a third season and she is set to executive produce and star in the occult drama, “Master,” and is currently in production on the limited series, ‘Nine Perfect Strangers.’ She can next be seen in “Breaking News in Yuba County,’ set for release January 29.

What can you tell us about the upcoming spinoff of “Black-ish” starring you and Laurence Fishbourne, “Old-ish”?

The show is going to be amazing, we're coming from that Boomer generation that will give some of that tradition and hard love to everybody watching now. Right now it's just in development. Kenya (Barris) is writing the pilot as we speak, so when I get the pilot I will know more. But I do know that we're going to be addressing some of the same issues as we have on Black-ish…

We're going to be talking about gentrification, the differences between the generations, how the internet has changed everything, how Boomers are so clumsy with technical issues, and just a lot of bad interacting, aging.

It’s going to be incredible.

What else are you looking forward to in your career or otherwise?

The greatest thing that is in my future is something that I’m very excited about, my activism. Getting the millennials out to vote, getting the millennials to lay down in the street as they did for police brutality, getting the millennials to say yes to their own future. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. Right when quarantine happened, I was hired for, I think, 10 animations. They called me and said they were giving me my star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Black-ish was coming back.

Old-ish is in the air. I'm just so grateful. I have so much to balance…But let me assure you though, show business is one thing. But my activism is what's very important to me right now.

What do you attribute to your longevity in such a tumultuous industry?

I want people to know that a lot of celebrities have lives that you think are perfect, but they are not. Had I not had a passion, a great passion, I wouldn’t be here.

Because it was that passion of entertaining that would get me up. Nothing was going to stop me from being a star. So I was unstoppable. I have lived the American dream, from poverty to great success. And I know I’m one of the lucky ones because I got to do what I loved to do. That’s huge.

You’ve been very open about your struggles, from molestation to bipolar disorder. Why do you feel it’s so important to be open and honest?

I have no problem talking about my molestation. I talk about it because I want other women to confront that however they can. And then if you can, confront your abuser. Get it off of you so that it doesn't eat you alive.

I felt it was my responsibility. Stigma, fear and just plain ignorance about mental illness, particularly among African Americans has taken a terrible toll on our families and communities.

RedCarpet Style

BET AWARDS 2015

BET AWARDS 2016

Gabrielle Union's longevity in the entertainment industry is well-earned.

Currently starring in the hit show, "L.A.'s Finest" the actress is always one to watch - on and offscreen. Here are some of our favorite red carpet looks.

EMMY AWARDS 2017

MET GALA 2018

ESPY AWARDS 2019

GameChanger Channing Dungey: “Breaking Boundaries In Hollywood”

C

L.A. Focus/November 2020

hanning Dungey’s rise in Hollywood from production assistant to one of the most powerful executives in the entertainment industry has been nothing short of meteoric. And groundbreaking to boot. In 2016, she became the first African American executive to run a major network’s entertainment division with her appointment as president of ABC Entertainment.

Dungey joined the network’s drama development department in June 2009, during which time she developed and launched such hit series as Scandal, Quantico, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., American Crime and Once Upon a Time.

During her tenure, she also shepherded the hit drama The Good Doctor, and the successful return of American Idol. Under her leadership ABC was the most social network on air, raising platforms for series such as black-ish, How to Get Away with Murder and The Goldbergs, and helping reinvigorate long-running series such as Grey’s Anatomy.

She made national headlines in 2018 when she cancelled the hit reboot of “Roseanne” after its star, Roseanne Barr, compared Valerie Jarrett–a senior advisor to former President Barack Obama–to an ape in a racist tweet.

Months later, Dungey would exit ABC Entertainment and join Netflix as Vice President of Original Content, where she was slated to oversee the company’s overall deals with Shonda Rhimes, Kenya Barris, and even Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions.

The Sacramento native would later say, “One of the reasons that I came to Netflix was because with our global audience and the opportunity to tell stories that reach people immediately around the world, the opportunity to have that kind of impact was really compelling for me.

Highlights of her 20 months at Netflix include Octavia Spencer’s Self Made: Inspired By The Life of Madam CJ Walker, two upcoming series from Shonda Rhimes, Hillary Swanks’ Away and championing deals for Regina King, Mara Brock Akil (Being Mary Jane, The Game) and Gina Rodriguez, while working with Kenya Barris, Rhimes and the Obamas.

Then early last month–with rumors circulating that she was being considered to take a key position with Warner Bros–Dungey stepped down as vice president of original content at Netflix.

In a matter of weeks it was made official with Dungey being named Chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group. Dungey, who will report to work in early 2021, will oversee Warner Bros.

Television Group, which is now part of Warner Media’s Studios and Networks Group, the division that also includes the WB Pictures Group, HBO and HBO Max, DC, Cartoon Network, TBS, TNT, TruTV, Wizarding World and consumer products, experiences and gaming units.

“Channing is one of the most talented, visionary, creative and respected executives working in television today,” said Ann Sarnoff, who Dungey will report to. She has impeccable taste, a breadth of experience covering all platforms and genres, incredible relationships across the creative community and a keen sense of what’s next and how best to get it to audiences. She’s a great choice to lead the Television Group as it continues to grow its production operations for HBO Max, while also maintaining its standing as the industry’s leading independent supplier of programming to all outlets.”

“The Warner Bros.

20

Television Group is the recognized industry leader in content creation and a true destination for talent based on its ability to produce across all genres and for all outlets,” said Dungey. “I’m thrilled to be joining the company at such a pivotal time in its history and look forward to working with my new colleagues at Warner Bros. and across the Studios and Networks Group to build on the incredible work of my predecessor, Peter Roth. This is such an electric time in our industry, and we have so much opportunity available to us between Warner Bros.’ core businesses and HBO Max, I cannot wait to dive in.”

The UCLA graduate– who is also the sister of Brooklyn Nine-Nine actress Merrin Dungey– began her career as a development assistant for Davis Entertainment at 20th Century Fox. She then became story editor at Steamroller Productions, where she worked on the development and production of such films as “Under Siege” and “On Deadly Ground.” Following that, she joined Warner Bros. as a production executive, helping to develop films including “Bridges of Madison County,” “Heat,” “The Matrix” and “Practical Magic.”

“She's one of those good people that you always root for,” said one network executive.

Dungey, who graduated magna cum laude from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television, has been a visiting professor at the school. She is also a founding and current board member of Step Up, a national nonprofit membership organization dedicated to helping girls living in under-resourced communities to fulfill their educational potential.

The 51-year old, mother of two credits the foundation of her success to great mentors and advises those who seek success to find their voice and to speak up for “the thing that excites you and you are passionate about.”

She says the best advice she ever got happened when she didn’t speak up about a project that excited her and was told by an executive, ‘We hired you for your opinion. The minute you cease to have an opinion you cease to have value.’

She remains focused on telling stories that are inclusive and diverse and representation has always been important to me.

“To me, storytelling is one of the best ways for us to impact change,” Dungey .

“When you look at something like “When They See Us”, which was a phenomenon for us globally and really brought a social justice story home in an incredibly resonant and emotional way.

That kind of impact we can have is so powerful.”

“

Channing is one of the most talented, visionary, creative and respected executives working in television today.

“She has impeccable taste, a breadth of experience covering all platforms and genres, incredible relationships across the creative community and a keen sense of what’s next and how best to get it to audiences...

”

Eye On Gospel Tasha Cobbs-Leonard Soars To #1 With Latest Project, featuring Ciara With her latest album– Royalty: Live at The Ryman – GRAMMY®-winning artist/songwriter Tasha Cobbs Leonard lands another No. 1 debut on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart. The project, accompanied by striking live performance videos, is already being called the singer’s most vulnerable and mature recording to date.

Recorded before “an audience of One”, Royalty: Live at the Ryman features standout hits “Pour It Out” and “Release The Sound,” as well as the lead single, “In Spite of Me”, featuring Ciara, who posted on social media “ God’s unconditional love is so good.

The R&B star–who characterized Cobbs-Leonard as one of the strongest voices in gospel–said she and her husband were fans and thanked her for the opportunity to be on the track.

“In times like these, I am super thrilled to be part of a song filled with messages of hope and inspiration that can be shared with the world.”

“Ciara is an icon. A role model. A wife, mother, and a lover of God,” Cobbs Leonard said. “Her musical versatility is undeniable and I am so glad she joined me on this song to tell people about the unconditional love of God.” Throughout the 17-track project, Tasha merges her country, bluegrass and gospel music roots to present an authentic worship experience.

Guest artists on the project include longtime friend Kierra Sheard as well as popular family band We The Kingdom.

Ironically, enough the release dropped with news that her debut album, Grace (released in 2013

and featuring the singer’s signature tune, “Break Every Chain”) had been certified Gold by the RIAA®, having sold over 500,000 albums.

It’s Number Five for Brian Courtney Wilson Brian Courtney Wilson returned with his eagerly awaited fifth studio album, Still, on October 16. Against the backdrop of a global pandemic and a fraught election year, STILL takes on multiple meanings. STILL is a reminder that God is still Sovereign and still with us and a metaphor for the 'stillness' in our lives and how everything has changed over the last several months. With the release, Courtney Wilson acknowledges the feelings, anxiety, frustration, anger, and fear, that has been immensely compounded over the last year through a lens of hope.

The project's title track "Still," is a sweeping and entirely personal ballad. Once again, Wilson makes us feel like he's letting us in on his innermost prayers and tapping into the same thoughts we have.

"Being 'still' doesn't mean you don't do anything," said Wilson. "To be 'still' is the act of tempering any anxiety long enough in order to do what you are called to do, fulfilling the assignment(s) on your life, and doing the work."

The album is loaded with gems including the poignant remake, "Inner City Blues," a guest appearance by Maranda Curtis om "Ain't No Need To Worry," and a powerful and apt worship song "Fear Is Not Welcome."

The multiple award winner, and 3x Grammy nominee, Wilson, continues to offer enlightening conversations every Thursday evening with his expanding "Breathe Again," digital chat series on Facebook & YouTube.

The Voice Runner-Up Toneisha Harris Thanks God With First Single

Toneisha Harris, the runner-up on this year’s The Voice vocal competition on NBC, has dropped an inspiring new track, “Forgive Me.” The tune is recorded in the retro-R&B style popularized by Andra Day. Although, she wants to eventually record an R&B album, Harris picked a gospel song for her first outing because of all of the hurdles she had to leap over to get to this point in her life and career. “I just wanted to thank God with a song,” she says. “I wanted to honor him first.”

It’s been quite a year for the Salisbury, Maryland native who hails from a musical family and who’d been singing since the age of five with her adult relatives in The Veney Gospel Singers. Years later, she was the uncredited co-lead on Rev. Bruce Parham’s “Call Jesus” which peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart in the fall of 2007.

Living in a small town stymied Harris’ chances to launch her singing career, so about a decade ago, she and her husband, Bill Andra, relocated to Atlanta with their sons, Trenton and Antoine. She was scheduled to audition for The Voice when Trenton was diagnosed with leukemia in 2011. “I stepped back from music for 4 years and devoted myself to him,” she says. She often watched that season’s shows from her son’s hospital room.

Harris wrote a song to encourage Trenton through his journey, “My Superhero.” It sat on the shelf until he was healed, and he encouraged her to audition for The Voice again. She did and made it on to the show where she chose country star, Blake Shelton, as her coach. Over the course of the tapings, she thrilled the judges with her renditions of Rihanna’s “Diamonds” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger,” and Minnie Riperton’s “Lovin’ You.” However, Harris brought the viewing audience and Judge Clarkson to tears with “My Superhero,” her dedication to her son on the May 19th finale episode. “That song opened up so many opportunities in the philanthropy world,” she says. “I’ve heard so many stories from families who went through the same thing.” Trenton is now healthy and a Georgia State College student.

Events 26th Annual African American Film Fest and S.E. Manly Short Film Showcase Gets Underway

T

he Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) has kicked off its 26th Annual African American Film Festival and S.E Manly Short Film Showcase (AAFM SEMSFS), which will feature 140 films, 10 panels and other special events until Nov. 29.

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic this year’s festival is taking place online on BHERC’s new streaming platform, BHERC TV. The streaming service

launched in February as an affordable platform promising feature films and documentary shorts about the African American experience.

This year, Executive Director John Forbes, curator of the festival, had the difficult task of narrowing down his picks from over 1500 entries from creatives around the world. His list includes films from 18 countries and 20 U.S states and filmmakers from local film schools includ-

ing Loyola Marymount University, UCLA and USC. One film was also made by a self-taught nine-year-old.

The complete program will include films across all genres including: faith, horror, drama, sci-fi, documentary, action, comedy and many more.

Director’s picks include a film called Appreciation a film about an African Pentecostal Pastor questioning everything she believes after a life-changing event by

Tomisin Adepeju, a filmmaker from the United Kingdom and The McHenry Trial

by San Sagoes from Los Angeles, CA about a young 14-year old who passes the bar exam only to have to defend his homeless father on a murder charge against a segregationist judge and arrogant prosecutor.

Panels will feature industry professionals and filmmakers covering the art of documentary, editing, the road to television for newcomers, Q&As and a discussion on social justice.

BHERC also announced that this year’s festival was dedicated in honor of TV and film director Michael Schultz, director of the ground-breaking film that was released 45 years ago, Cooley High. The movie, a the coming of age comedy drama, grossed $13 million at the box office with a $750,000 budget. Schultz was inducted in the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1991.

In celebration of Schultz, the festival screened Cooley High on Saturday, October 24 as a part of its signature event, “A Great Day in Black Hollywood” which was hosted by veteran actor, William Allen Young. The special event also included an online tribute and celebration to Schultz with a feature of the cast.

“Michael Schultz represents the ‘best of the best’ in Hollywood, a true genius at what he does,” said Sandra Evers-Manly, President and founder of BHERC. “His first feature film ‘Cooley High’ is a ‘Classic’ that launched the careers of several phenomenal actors and inspired a generation of filmmakers. A renaissance professional, Michael has placed an indelible imprint on the stage, film and television industries.”

In 1991, Evers-Manly –a top executive at a Fortune 500 company–founded the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) and in the more than two decades since, the nonprofit pub- lic benefit group has been dedicated to advocating, educating, researching, devel- oping, and preserving the history and future of blacks in film and TV while also supporting the early work of student filmmakers that have gone on to become block- buster directors like Gina Prince- Bythewood (Love & Basketball, The Secret Life of Bees) and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler.

Tickets to the festival start at $10 for a five film pass. A full Festival Pass is $75.00, available at www.BHERV.TV. All panels and special events, however, are free.

For more information on the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center and its film festival or the S.E Manly Short Film Showcase, visit bherc.org

Through the Storm

“The Fight Against An Intergenerational Nightmare”

A

“

So I didn’t have the stigma, but I did have a tremendous guilt that I think every parent who produces a child that has a genetic illness has, because it's something you've passed on? So for me, you know, I had it and I was supposed to not have it.

This was definitely not supposed to be my journey.

”

ibility she needed. Her path would eventually lead her to the World Stem Cell meeting in San Diego in 2013.

There, Adrienne was able to hear from the top researchers and scientists in the world and it would mark a significant turning point in Adrienne’s life.

“You know, I was so naive in so many ways,” Adrienne said. “I guess I had been so narrowly focused on what I needed and what I wanted and suddenly I go and I'm learning all the things that are possible, all the things they were doing. I spent from 7 a.m. in the morning to almost midnight for those five days talking to people and learning stuff. I became a stem cell research stalker.”

Adrienne would go on to create Axis Advocacy and become a “Stem Cell Activist.” Her mission has become to help support others like her daughter and push for continued funding for research that would ensure her daughter would be the last to be diagnosed with SCD in her family.

Having been raised in a family affected by sickle cell disease for generations, Adrienne is aware she had a certain “privilege” when it came to raising her own daughter with the disease. After all, Adrienne knew the resources available to her and her daughter.

“My mom treated it as this was really a part of our lives and was very outspoken about it. We didn't hide it.”

Even then, Adrienne remembers “some really traumatic experiences within the hospital systems.”

“My thought was I had to explain to her at every moment what was going on. And I had to teach her to be able to express what was going on, to watch, to be able to say no to adults when they were not doing the right thing towards her. I mean, that's a hard thing to teach a little kid,” she said. “It was a kind of partnership.”

Families like Adrienne’s now continue to wait for a

cure and Adrienne is particularly hopeful that on November 3, voters in California will vote yes on Proposition 14. The proposition would provide additional funding to stem cell research in the state. More specifically it would keep California’s stem cell agency open, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and allow the agency to expand its research.

The agency was first created in the early 2000s with the hope of finding cures to Parkinson’s and paralysis. It was opened as President George W. Bush banned federal funding for research using embryonic stem cells. To fill that research void, the state in 2004 borrowed $3 billion with voter’s approval for its own embryonic stem cell research.

Since, the California stem cell program has been involved in more than 1,000 research projects, 94 clinical trials and produced more than 3,000 peer-reviewed and published scientific and medical discoveries. That funding has since dried up. Now, voters will have to decide if the state should borrow an additional $5.5 billion.

Those against the ballot argue that the cures and breakthroughs promised in 2004 never really came to fruition and that President Barack Obama reversed the ban on federal funding supporting embryonic stem cell research.

Proponents argue that the argument against keeping the agency alive is dismissive of the clinical trials the research has led to and that voting against the measure would end critical and lifesaving work.

It’s the kind of work that allows Adrienne to imagine children like Marissa thriving and families like her own not worrying about passing on the weight of diseases like sickle cell from generation to generation.

“I used to say it was hope. And then for me, it went from faith, then hope and now it's trust. You can trust that your child won't end in a terrible early death. It doesn't have to end that way. And so, your greatest fear doesn't go to the fact that you're thinking you're going to have to watch your child suffer,” she added, emphasizing why she’s remained passionate about supporting stem cell work.

“There's something there that's viable. Not just something like my mom who would pray over my brother. She’d take him to these meetings at the church, and they put hands on him, we all prayed, and then when she and I would be together, she’d look at me and she’d say, ‘God is good’ but science is going to fix it. So, for me, once I realized what that really, really means, it gives you a certain amount of energy back. Because it's not just hope, right? You move to a point where you can see that as becoming an option for you. You can see that life.”

“It's my true belief that I'm going to be the last woman in my family to have a child with sickle cell disease,” Adrienne continues.

“Stem cells are going to fix this for us and many other families."

L.A. Focus/November 2020

drienne had not been expecting to become the fourth generation of mothers in her family to have a child born with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), the inherited red blood cell disorder that’s prominent among African Americans.

Aware that her family had a history of SCD, Adrienne, along with the rest of her family had been tested for the trait that causes it. Hers had come back negative and with the reassurance of a negative test, her daughter’s father did not go ahead and find out his own trait status.

“I didn't have to worry about it, or so I thought,” she told me.

Her test, unfortunately, turned out to be faulty. To her surprise, she was notified through a letter that her daughter Marissa would be born with the disease.

Adrienne, who saw her own mother raise her brother who had SCD, knew the tough journey that would follow.

“My life completely changed, right?” Adrienne remembered. “It completely changed when I got that letter, because it meant that all the things that I had to do from that point on had to be done through the lens of sickle cell and having my child survive and not only just survive but thrive.”

“I didn’t have the stigma, but I did have a tremendous guilt that I think every parent who produces a child that has a genetic illness has, right, because it's something you've passed on. So, for me, you know, I had it and I was supposed to not have it. This was definitely not supposed to be my journey.”

Marissa was just one of thousands of babies born with the disease every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control, SCD affects 1 out of every 365 Black births.

A detailed study published in 2014 estimated that a total of 60,000 babies were born with the sickle cell trait in 2010, just like Adrienne, even if she had been unaware of it. Broken down, the study estimated that the incidence estimate for sickle cell trait was 73.1 cases per 1,000 Black newborns and 3.0 cases per 1,000 white newborns. Put more starkly, the National Institutes of Health estimates that about 1 in 13 Black or African American babies is born with sickle cell trait.

It’s a statistic many parents-to-be can remain unaware of. The same 2014 study criticized the lack of “standardized methods or protocols for alerting families or healthcare providers to this information, educating them about the potential health outcomes that might be associated with the condition, or counseling them about the impact that this might have on the family’s future reproductive choices.”

For parents like Adrienne, however, who have grown up in families affected by SCD, the statistic instead becomes a haunting one.

“When you spend time with people that have gone from generation to generation, it's intergenerational horror, not being able to keep their child alive along with all the other things you go through being a black person in this country.”

Currently, a bone marrow transplant remains the only known cure for sickle cell disease. It is a treatment reserved for severe cases of SCD and requires a brother or sister to have matching bone marrow, or a very generous donor usually found through national organizations.

For Marissa, a bone marrow transplant was not possible.

Research became the family’s only hope.

Raising a child with sickle cell, Adrienne was unable to have a “regular” job as the nature of the disease meant she’d have to be available to rush Marissa to the hospital at short notice. Adrienne instead turned to consulting work, which allowed her to have the flex

23

ChurchNews

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

Jawane Hilton Seeks Second Term; Mt. Sinai Food Program Helps Black Restaurants

auding the development of new affordable housing, improved budget reserves, and attracting a $65 million athletic and academic facility to his city, Pastor Jawane Hilton is seeking a second term on the Carson City Council board.

Hilton, a native of Carson, insist he has work that must be continued and completed on his watch. Having already established the Carson Arts Apartments, Veterans Village of Carson, and a reported all-time low crime rate, Hilton claims, “Carson has moved from a being a bedroom city to a destination city.”

The fact that more restaurants are setting up shop in Carson and a new high-end retail outlet center is on deck, a second term for Hilton would offer him the chance to finish what he started.

As senior pastor of City on The Hill Church, Hilton points out that serving as a council board person and leading his congregation are not a conflict but a complement to each other. “I tell my members all the time we don’t have seats at tables, we’re on the table. If you’re on the table, you’re definitely on the menu,” Hilton said. “They know the role of the church in the twenty first century as it was in the civil rights era. The church was the most powerful place on the planet and what their pastor is doing is reclaiming that role.”

Hilton his hoping to head off an expected increase in homelessness in Carson. He says housing is going to be critical in the next four years and it will also be “important to address the food desert that is in north Carson.”

“We’re looking forward to how we can increase the budget and try to bounce back after COVID,” Hilton adds.

“We’re going to have to stretch and we’re gonna have to come together as a community. In order to get through COVID-19, in order to change systematic racism, it’s going to require us all being together. Even though we are socially distant we cannot be socially disconnected.”

Hilton is endorsed by the likes of Los Angeles’ Mayor Eric Garcetti, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Councilman Herb Wesson, and the LA County Federation of Labor respectively.

L

Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church Food Program Offers stimulus to Black Restaurants

L.A. Focus/November 2020

Pastor George E. Hurtt and his congregation at Mt. Sinai Church of Los Angeles have mobilized a COVID-19 feeding program. The initiative is to ensure that families, seniors and members of the community are provided meals during the pandemic, while helping small businesses—specifically restaurants—remain in operation.

Residents within the community simply come to Mt. Sinai Church and wait in line inside their cars. On a first come first served basis, the fully prepared meals, which feed up to four people, are safely handed to whomever shows up while supplies last. No identification or proof of residency, employment status or income level is required.

According to Hurtt, since March 2020 they have

24

been distributing some 300 meals per Sunday, and recently decided to expand the program to 4-days a week.

Therefore, from 12 noon to 1:00 PM designated meals and food are available for pick up as scheduled; Tuesdays is Pizza, Wednesdays is Chicken, Fridays are boxed groceries, and Sundays are Grab and Go dinners.

Local food vendors D’s Original Takeout, Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen, Woody’s Bar-B-Que, Papa John’s Pizza franchisees, and others are on board with the food distribution mission which is helping their businesses thrive.

“We started realizing how the pandemic was going to affect small businesses and could lead to restaurants shutting down,” say Hurtt. “We all know that restaurants in our community is critical to the economy.”

Participating restaurants have testified that the feeding initiative is working like a stimulus package enabling them to stay open and to keep their team members employed.

Mt. Sinai Church has been picking up the tab on all the meals, and the entire program is staffed by churchbased volunteers.

“This is everything our vision is which is to see our church, community and our city develop not just spiritually but socially,” Hurtt said. “We are unable to meet as a congregation at this time…but I keep encouraging our people to do everything you can do and then trust God to fill in the rest because our victory is in the struggle.”

The Church of God In Christ Launches “Press To the Polls” In an attempt to register 250,000 members and get them to vote on November 3, the Church of God In Christ launched “Press to the Polls”. It marks the first such ballot drive in the history of the denomination.

Additionally, in another first, West Angeles COGIC became a city-wide voting center with voting commencing on Friday, October 30 through Election Day, November 3.

“We saw this as an unprecedented opportunity for us,” says Charles Blake II of West Angeles COGIC. “Usually at this time of the year, we are in Holy Convocation, We’re usually never even home to be able to do anything in this regard and if were home during these times, we would always be a polling place. However, since COVID has kind of stopped all travel, it presented an opportunity.”

With some of their members leery about the post office going to a place to vote, they had been asked by parishioners if votes could be dropped off at the church.

“When we went to find out if we could be a ballot drop off point, that deadline has passed and as it turns out, it was easier for us to be a voting center. We just wanted to serve in any way we could.”

Providing an opportunity for people to vote is something that’s always been important to church officials.

“We’ve always stressed to members that they be registered and informed. We never tell you who to vote for or which way to vote but we do let you know that you should use the voice that you’ve given–that people fought for and died to give you that right.”

In other church news, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer has been tapped as keynote speaker of the Christian Legal Aid of Los Angeles’ 14th Annual Prayer Breakfast. The normally in-person annual event, which allows attorneys, volunteers, supporters, donors, and friends to share in celebrating the Lord's work of justice and to hear from inspirational speakers, will be conducted virtually for the first time this year due to the current pandemic. The event will be live via Facebook and YouTube, as well as live streaming on the CLA-LA website at http://www.cla-la.org/ on November 7th at 9am. His address will center around the theme of “generosity in a time of great need.”

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

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

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

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

Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship 2085 S. Hobart Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 Phone: (323) 731-8869 • F: (323) 731-0851 www.christianfellowshipla.org Pastor James K. McKnight Sun. Early Worship: 8:00am Prayer Meeting: 10:30am Morning Worship: 11:00am Wed. Afternoon Bible Study: 1:00pm Wed. Prayer Meeting: 6:00pm Wed. Evening Bible Study: 7:00pm View Pastor McKnight’s Sermons on YouTube Crenshaw Christian Center 7901 South Vermont, Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 758-3777 • F: (323)565-4231 • www.faithdome.org Pastor Frederick K. Price, Jr. Sunday Service: 9:45am Bible Study (Tue): 11:00am & 7:30pm Tue. Night Children’s Ministry: 7:30pm Tue. Night Bible Study (Teens): 7:30pm Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (Wed): 7:30pm

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

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

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

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

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

FIRST LADY FILES

Clair Anderson

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

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

Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church 5300 S. Denker Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 759-4996 Rev. DeNon Porter Early Worship: 8am Sunday School: 9:30am Mid-Morning Worship: 11am Radio-KALI 900AM: Sun. 11-Noon, 7-8pm KTYM 1460AM Sundays: 5:30pm Bible Study (Tues, Wed & Thurs): 7pm

Holman United Methodist Church 3320 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 703-5868 • www.holmanumc.com Email: holman@holmanumc.com Rev. Dr. Ken Walden, Senior Pastor Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday Radio: KJLH 102.3FM at 11:00am Sunday School: 9:30am (Children/Youth) & 9:45am (Adults) Bible Study: Every Thursday @ Noon We Gather,Grow,Go and Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

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

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

McCarty Memorial Christian Church

F

irst Lady Clair Anderson-Fox has two passions– food and community activism, and at the intersection of both (during a Black Lives Matter event) is where she met her husband, Pastor Eddie Anderson of McCarty Memorial Christian Church.

Married just this year at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Anderson-Fox is adjusting to life as a first lady, while balancing her role as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Everytable, where she gets a chance to mix her passion for food and activism.

“Healthy food is a human right and shouldn’t be a luxury product,” says the proud Angeleno. “Prior to COVID-19, Everytable’s mission was to make healthy food affordable and accessible for all communities. Since, we’ve had to pivot our entire company to focus on the rising tide of food insecurity that’s come about”.

Anderson-Fox worked with young people in public radio before discovering her passion in food justice.

“The radio work propelled me into focusing more squarely on social justice because I was working with teenagers. As a radio producer, I got to learn and hear their stories, and their stories were all about these systems that were harmful and not supporting their potential,” she explained. “I felt compelled to do more and to become more skilled in creating change.”

Prior to Everytable, she served as executive director of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council for eight years leading programs and policy change that improved access to healthy food for low-income residents.

The ministries she’s involved with at McCarty also pertain to food, one centering around feeding the homeless and the other being a garden project.

“I was really drawn to the history of the church, being one of the first churches in Los Angeles to racially integrate and how it was such a hub for civil rights activism for so long,” she said.

Anderson-Fox also knew how important it was to cultivate an authentic relationship with parishioners.

“When you choose to marry a minister, you are also choosing to be in a sacred relationship with the community he is serving.”

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

People’s Independent Church of Christ 5856 West Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 296-577 Roshod D. Hall Sundays: Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Wednesday Bible Study & Mid Week Worship: Noon & 7:00pm Prayer Meeting: 6:30pm

St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 S. Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 231-1040 • stmarkmbcofla.org Reverend Dr. Lovely Haynes, Pastor Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Mon-Wed Corporate Prayer: 6:00 - 6:55 pm Monday Night Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday Noon Prayer: 12 Noon Wed. Exposition of Sunday School Lesson: 7:00pm

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

Trinity Baptist Church 2040 West Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 735-0044 • F: (323) 735-0219 Rev. Alvin Tunstill, Jr Sunday Worship: 7:30 & 10:30am Sunday Church School: 9:00am Radio Broadcast KJLH FM: 9:00am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: Noon-7:00pm www.trinitybaptistchurchofla.org Weller Street Baptist Church 129 S. Gless St, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 261-0949 • F: (323)264-6601 • www.wellerstreetlive.com Pastor K.W. Tulloss Sunday School: 8:00am Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00am Tues. Bible Study: 6:45pm www.wellerstreetlive.com “We have not walked this way before” Joshua 3:1-6

West Angeles Church of God In Christ 3045 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 733-8300 Bishop Charles E. Blake Sunday School: 8:00am & 10:30am Early Worship: 8:00am Morning Worship: 11:00am Evening Worship (North Campus): 7:00pm Wed. Mid-Week Worship: 7:00pm Sun. Radio Broadcast KJLH 102.3FM: 10am www.westa.tv Peace Apostolic Church 21224 Figueroa Street, Carson, CA 90745 (310) 212-5673 Suff. Bishop Howard A. Swancy

In Carson

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

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

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 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

Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Worship: 11:45am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Wed. Noon Day Bible Class: 12:30pm Wed. Bible Class: 7:30pm Citizens of Zion Missionary Baptist Church In Compton 12930 No. Lime Ave., Compton, CA 90221 (310) 638-0536 • F: (323) 636-2080 • www.citizensofzion.org Rev. Bobby Newman, Jr., Senior Pastor; Rev. B.T. Newman, Pastor (Pastor Emeritus) Sunday School: 9:00am Morning Service: 10:45am Wed. Mid-Week Bible Study: 7:00pm

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

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

In Hawthorne

Holy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church In Compton 1016 E. Rosecrans Avenue, Compton, CA 90220 (310) 537-3149 • F: (310) 537-3149 Rev. Dr. George L. Thomas Sunday School: 9:45am & 10:15am Early Morning Worship: 7:30am Mid-Morning Worship: 11:15am New Members’ Class: 9:45am Holy-Communion (1st Sunday): 7:30 & 11:15am Mid-Week Prayer & Bible Study (Wed)- 7:00pm Broadcast (KALI 900AM - Sunday): 2:00pm3:00pm

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

Love and Unity Christian Fellowship 1840 S. Wilmington Ave, (P.O. Box 5449), Compton 90224 (310) 604-5900, www.loveandunity.org • info@loveandunity.org

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

Apostle Ronald C. Hill, Sr. Founder and Pastor Live Stream Sunday Worship:10am & 6:30pm Live Stream Bible Studies:Wed.7:30pm&Sat 9am Live Stream Prayer w Apostle: Fri: 9am Food For Your Soul TV Ministry Impact Televison Network: Mon-Fri @6:30amPST KJLH 102.3 Sundays 9:00pm

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

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

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

Pastor Profile: Michael Ealey Church: Prevailing In Christ Ministries How Long at Church: 14 Years Hometown: Los Angeles Family: Wife Andrea, five children

Micheal Ealey was on track to have a career in professional baseball, but while at Grambling University he received the call to ministry and would go on to establish Prevailing in Christ Ministries, a thriving Carson-based congregation while also serving as president of the Carson Ministry Alliance.

L.A. Focus/November 2020

You were a budding young baseball player on scholarship at Grambling University whose team had just won the state championship when you received the call to ministry–what was that transition like?

Ealey: I’d lost my appetite for playing. You knew something was happening because that dedication I’d had to sports and baseball,– it was everything. Then all of a sudden I didn’t even go to practice but maybe one or two days a week. I’d do my homework and read my Bible and the coach never demanded anything more. As long as we were winning, he didn't bother. Eventually, he knew I wasn't coming back. He knew there was something going on in my life. Everybody that played ball with me could see the change. They knew that something had come to just take away that appetite for playing ball and instead wanting to do nothing but serve God. Did you graduate?

Ealey: No, I left like after my first year. My dad was sick and that was my reason for leaving Grambling. I ended up coming back here and getting my degree from Long Beach Bible Institute. My dad passed away in the midst of all that. I then got a chance to go study at Oxford with Bishop Kenneth Ulmer and took extended courses at the Bible seminary in Fullerton.

What was that journey to ministry like for you?

It’s more confirmed as you go along. When you're young, you're going to run away from it. Then you recognize that God didn’t call you because you were perfect. He was calling you because you humbled yourself, surrendered and you made yourself available.

G r e a t e r Starlight was my first church that I was called to. And then I was called to Christ Second Baptist Church in Long Beach.

How did you come to be in Carson?

Ealey: I came to Carson because we’ve got members from Long Beach and L.A. and it happened to be the most central place between the two. We ended up landing a really good spot there and that's where we've been for the last 14 years now.

So you established Prevailing In Christ Ministries?

26

Ealey: Yeah, it's a funny, long story I'm sort of blue-collar and hands-on, getting out there with people and church was becoming too formal for me. I was at Christ Second at the time and resigned because I really wanted to be a part of a purpose-driven ministry that was more contemporary within the Baptist tradition. We're interdenominational, meaning that we fellowship with all those who call upon the name of the Lord. Even though I got that foundation and the doctrinal thing, I didn't want that to be the reason people chose to come to the church because of the denominational thing. We wanted them to receive Christ because that was the emphasis. And sometimes, people put more emphasis on denomination or the name of our church and not on the message of our church and the message of Jesus Christ is the only one that can save and we wanted to keep it that simple. We wanted to try ministry that was not so traditional and was instead more relevant to the needs in the community. When you do that, you open yourself up for a recovery program, a mental health ministry or working with at-risk kids in the community. We wanted to have impact and make a difference. Sometimes when you are operating in those traditions you’re more bogged down with the politics and the bureaucracy.

You started your church 14 years ago –are you pleased with its growth?

Ealey: We started out with about 500 people, and today we’re at 350- 400 people.

How has the pandemic impacted your church?

Ealey: I really thought we were going to take a much harder hit from the pandemic, but it's been doing well. It's not as good as when we held services, but it's more than enough to sustain us. We were able to renegotiate our lease and a few other things to make sure that we were able to do what we do until we could go back in fulltime. It was challenging at first, but I think God was challenging us to do ministry differently.

So when you come before the congregation every week, what is the biggest thing you hope to get them to understand?

Ealey: To keep them connected and encouraged because everybody is going through so much right now. To preach something hopeful so that they don't give up–that they realize how blessed they are in spite of their circumstances and we have been successful in doing that. We go on the prayer line every morning at 6:00 AM. We have anoth-

er Bible study and prayer at 12 noon, and then another Bible study and prayer at 7:00 PM. That's been going on since the quarantine. From day one, there's hasn't been less than 35 to 40 people every day on each call.

Was there ever a point in your life where you felt like losing hope?

Ealey: Unconsciously we get tired and you start just kind of going through the motions. Then you snap out of it and realize, I'm just going to be about enduring. Every day you’ve got to say, this is what I do and do it with purpose…with intention. It took this COVID-19 to strip away all the superficiality.

What's the biggest lesson you've learned in life and how does it serve you?

Ealey: Simplicity. not letting your life be overcomplicated. When you're living your values, that's success. I believe when you get that understanding then the difference between your value in what you have will never be more important than who you are.

How did you start the Carson Clergy Connection?

Ealey: When I came to in Carson in 2007, there was no central place where a pastor or a minister would go to network and fellowship. The pastor who was running the Carson Ministry Alliance was getting up in age and wanted me to take up the mantle and see what I could do to unify the churches–to demonstrate that we are one body in Christ, even though we are many fractions in different places. So I started out on that project and it kept growing until we ended up with at least 40-50 churches involved.

Tell me a little bit more about how the group works together.

Ealey: Right now, we’re meeting with the Carson Sheriff station about getting body cams. All the churches came together and signed a letter and worked with city council. We wanted to develop a rapport with the sheriff and be proactive before something happened. The goal is to be more active in the vision of whatever Carson is doing–to affect policy…to effect the way grants are distributed and what contribution of resources we have as churches that could be impactful to the city.

We don't realize that we have to be a part of that change. We just can't hope for it to happen. And so getting the church to speak up, to come out of those walls was the thing that COVID brought along real nicely. To get us to see that we needed each other. What I don't offer from my church, someContinued to page 28

From the Pulpit of: Hill City L.A. “Just Do It”

II

Kings 5 tells the story of Naaman, a commander of the army of the King of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master regarded, highly and because the Lord had given him many victories, but there was an issue– Naaman had leprosy. So while he was a great man, he had a sickness he was dealing with. Now, bands of the raiders of Aram had gone out and taken captive a young girl from Israel. She came from anointed people and she served Naaman's wife.

In II Kings 5:3, the captive girl says to her mistress. "If only my master would see a prophet who was in Sumaria, he could cure him of his leprosy."

So Naaman went with his horses and chariots to the prophet's house. But the prophet Elisha didn't go out to touch the man. Instead, he sent a messenger to give instructions. The messenger told Naaman, "Go and you wash seven times in the Jordan. Your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed from your leprosy."

Naaman–who’d had all these ideas of how God would heal him, went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.

"Are not Abana and Pharpar, these rivers of Damascus, better than all the rivers of Israel,” Naaman said. as he walked off in a rage. “Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?"

So he turned and went off in a rage.

But Naaman's servants said, wait a minute, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you have not done it? How much more then when he tells you to just simply go wash yourself in the Jordan? So in verse 14, Naaman’s heart was changed. So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, just as he was instructed and as the man of God had told him, his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

See, when God gives you instructions, you better make a move. James 1:22 says, "Do not merely listen to the Word of God and so deceive yourselves, but do what the word of God tells you to do."

"You’ve got to make a faith move. Don't ask any questions. Nike already told you all, ‘just do it’.

What if I said that you were just one move away from the breakthrough you've been believing God for?

I don't mean to come off insensitive to anyone's current situation and don't know the details of your situation, but the Holy Ghost knows everything about you. That means God is in the details. Hear me, this is not a time to complain to God. This is a season for you to trust Him. I know it's easier said than done, especially when your situation is tough; you're hurting in your body or your heart is broken, but complaining will not make God move faster for you.

As a matter of fact, the crying and complaining only makes matters worse.

You must understand that every time Jesus healed somebody, he spoke these words afterward– "It was your faith that made you whole."

It wasn't you crying. It wasn't your complaining. It wasn't your tantrums. It wasn't all the random stuff you're going through. It was your faith. If you want God to get inside of your situation right now, you’ve got to show some faith.

Genius is an understatement for God. He is in a class all by himself and knows how to make all things work together for your good. He can produce power out of your pain. He knows how to use pressure to propel you to the promise. To take your weakness and make you the winner. God knows how to take your struggle and cause you to be successful.

That's why I have so much respect for this man called Naaman because here was a man with leprosy. He has pain all through his body. Leprosy is a severe skin disease that causes the muscles to collapse and the bone to shrink. So this man had begun to become deformed. He had boils all over his body. Blisters oozing out–all

True Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 7901 South Van Ness Ave. Inglewood, CA 90305 (323) 750-7304 Rev. James A. Perkins Sunday School: 9:30am Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 10:45am Bible Adventure Hour (Tues): 6pm Bible Study (Tues): 7pm Bible Study (Thurs): Noon

Antioch Church of Long Beach 350 Pine Ave. ,Long Beach, CA 90801 (562) 591-8778 •www.antiochlb.com Senior Pastor Wayne Chaney, Jr.

In Long Beach

Online Services Stream live: Sunday 10:00 am at antiochlb.com Give: text antiochib to 77977 Social Media: facebook.com/antiochlb instagram.com/antiochlb youtube.com/antiochlongbeach

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

kinds of infections, yet through it all he managed to become the most highly respected man in the army while dealing with the worst test anybody could deal with.

Those with leprosy were considered to be unclean. They could not be around other people. People were afraid – they didn't want to come in contact with lepers. But I thank God for Naaman's mentality. He said, I will not announce my weakness because if I tell my weakness to the wrong person, they will use it against me.

Sometimes you can't tell everybody what you're going through– those trials and tests you're dealing with because everybody is not working in your favor.

Naaman said, I will not be defined by my sadness. I want people to know me as a strong man.

There's a lot of people who want to be defined by their weakness, "Woe is me. I'm going through and I need help." But I thank God for people that will press in and give God praise, even through the pain they're dealing with. Is there anybody in here that's like Naaman?

Naaman has public success, but a private struggle.

There are a lot of folk dealing with a lot of stuff in the church, but they cover up real well so folk can't see that there's something there that they got to deal with.

The one sitting next to you all dressed up, looking good, made up, they got some stuff in their minds that if they told you, you would look at them cross-eyed.

I've got my struggles, but I refuse to let it control my praise. To let it stop me from being where God called me to be. The Lord wants the complete you. He wants you to be successful publicly and privately. You don't have to put on a show. You can be you and be complete.

Naaman had somebody in his house who knew a real prophet. That's a word!

You need somebody in your house that's really connected to God– somebody in your house who can call on Jesus when you ain't got the strength to call on him.

Somebody that will intercede.

Today, I intercede for you. I impart strength to you and command every demonic spirit of plague and disease to get up out of your house.

Back to our scripture, Naaman heard the word of the young lady who was annointed in his house. He said, take me to the prophet. But while he was yet on his way, the prophet could see in the spirit.

What this prophet discerned was that the man that was coming was a man of honor–a man at the top of his rank who was dealing with some pride. An arrogant man.

So the prophet Elisha said, go and give him instructions. Ain't no need to come down and lay hands on him. And when Naaman got the instructions, that spirit of pride rolled up in him. He was expecting a man to come and prophesy over him, lay hands on him and turn him around."

B u t God wasn't doing it that way this time. d n A Naaman’s heart changed by the words of a wise servant.

See, for some of you all God is saying that he's about to do something unortholike Just doxed.

Naaman, you're strong in the public, but behind closed doors you are sick. Don’t let your arrogance and your power and your position make you miss God. Get back over here Pastor and obey the Word of Deitrick the Lord. This time just Haddon do it.

Christian’s Community Center of Los Angeles 3960 E. Gilman Street, Long Beach, CA 90815 (562) 597-3252 Senior Pastor Thom Washington Live Stream Sunday Service: 11:00am Wednesday Night Prayer: 6:00pm Sunday Bible Class: 9:30am Sunday Afternoon Services: 4:00pm (2nd & 4th Sunday) Wednesday Prayer: 6:00pm Bible Study Wednesday 7pm

Grant AME Church of Long Beach 1129 Alamitos Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 • (562) 437-1567 grantamelb@aol.com • www.grantamelb.org Rev. Dr. Michael W. Eagle, Sr.

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

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

Sun. Worship Experience: 10:45am 3rd Sun. Healing & Anointing: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 6pm Mothers of Murdered Youth & Children Where all receive a little attention, affection and love.

Bishop Sherman A. Gordon, E.D. Min

Dr. Arnetha E. Inge, Pastor

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

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

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

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

In Lynwood

Pastor Nissan Stewart Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00am Wednesday Prayer: 6:30pm Mid-Week Refuel/Bible Study: 7:00pm (Wednesday) Follow us: @GETFamilyNow The Greater Emmanuel Temple App Available in App Store

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

In Norwalk

Morning Worship: 11:00am Services Held Every 2nd & 4th Sunday and Free Breakfast Is Served Bible Study: 8:30am (Every 5th Friday)

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

Protestors continued from page 6 within the movement, hoping to discourage them by slapping activists with criminal charges and hefty court fines.

Carter is a gang member and was a close friend to Anthony McClain — a 32-year-old Black man shot and killed August 15 by a Pasadena police officer as he ran away from a traffic stop. Carter said he was with a group of protesters who had gathered in Pasadena to demand the city police department officials release body camera footage showing what led up to the shooting.

He alleges police officers violated his constitutional rights.

“I literally just wanted to speak to the Pasadena Police Department about the bodycam footage and how things got out of control, but instead I got roughed up and thrown in jail and was charged with terrorist threats,” Carter said.

“The police,” continued Carter. “Think because we’re gang members that we don’t care about people getting shot and killed by them. They don’t like to see us standing up for our rights.”

Meanwhile, at the protest was George Floyd, a 25-yearold Los Angeles resident who said we live in a system designed to “break and destroy” marginalized communities.

“We are here today to free Tia,” Floyd shouted through a megaphone. “This movement must continue. It cannot be destroyed. It has become our lifestyle.”

L.A. Focus/November 2020

Remdesifir continued from page 6 testing costs can add up pretty quickly.

At the briefing, the scholar said President Donald Trump’s fourday sojourn at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital after he tested positive for COVID cost the nation $320,000.

Federally Qualified Health Centers — FQHCs — do offer health care to low-income people, regardless of immigration status, but Hayes-Bautista said this was an imperfect solution to the crisis of access to health care, as such facilities are chronically underfunded and often overwhelmed by large numbers of patients.

A conservative Supreme Court could well do away with the Affordable Care Act, which offers subsidized health coverage to 22 million people. If it is repealed, 55 million people in the U.S. would lack any form of health coverage. “In the midst of a pandemic, this is a recipe for absolute disaster,” said Hayes-Bautista.

Denise Octavia-Smith, Executive Director of the National Association of Community Health Workers (CHW), said that health workers are providing services such as contact tracing, testing and education in under-served communities, but largely without financial help from federal or state resources.

CHWs are overwhelmingly women of color and the most underpaid among frontline health care workers. Many of them live in homes without basic facilities, Smith said. In the first wave of the pandemic, many were furloughed, even though they were badly needed in their communities, because of a lack of funding.

“It is my hope that some of the tens of millions or even billions of dollars coming through the federal government will be invested in community health workers’ centers and lead organizations so that we can come through and out of this pandemic with enhanced capacity, not reduced capacity,” stated Octavia Smith.

When a vaccine becomes available, Octavia Smith said CHWs, who are trusted messengers within a community, can help to dispel myths and fears about getting vaccinated, ensuring that more people of color and low-income people are inoculated against COVID. Operation Unity continued from page 6 Interdependence.” Those cities were Long Beach, Compton, Inglewood, South/East LA and downtown.

Specifically, during meetings with community leaders, clergy petitioned elected officials to not only

28

For more information, call

310.677-6011

reform the relationship between law enforcement and the local communities of color but also asked each city to promise to establish an Oversight Commission that will have the power to subpoena, investigate and sanction.

“We’re really not coming to sing another song, right?”

Fisher added.

“Operation Unity is important in reestablishing the narrative that the movement for social justice was always birthed from the church, specifically the black church, the black clergy. And so, this moment is reclaiming that narrative because a lot of people think that the church is dead when it comes to social justice, but we’re still yet alive.”

Before one of the meetings Fisher re-emphasized the need for an event like Operation Unity.

“With them dropping the third-degree murder charge today,” he started, referencing the announcement that a judge had dropped third degree murder charges against Derek Chauvin, the police officer recorded kneeling on George Floyd’s neck before his death. “And with us seeing what happened in Kentucky where walls seem to get more justice than a human life, we got a long way to go.

And this group of clergy members, along with politicians, plan to have the conversation on how it is that we’re going to come together permanently and really bring legislation to pass that will hold everybody accountable.

Compton Mayor Aja Brown was passionate in her plea for change.

“Black people survived an atrocity we will never understand. Our culture was decimated. We don’t have a place to go home to. Our language was destroyed. Our humanity was robbed, but we are still here. Every Black person standing is a remnant of the most high God. We not only survived but we are thriving, to have all of this happen to us, there's no other being living that has gone through what we have gone through. And it is time and not just for reparations but atonement,” she said.

“All the names that we have to continue to say, we stand with you, we're fighting for you, we’re here with you and know that there are some sisters on the front lines, clergywomen, preaching women, leaders in the city, we are here and we are here for you,” added Rev. Najuma Smith-Pollard, Founding Pastor of the Word of Encouragement Community Church. “And we’re so glad to be with our brothers today in this way, demanding justice, equity and liberty for the residents of Los Angeles and all the surrounding cities and counties.”

Other officials in attendance included Compton City Council Members, Senator Holly Mitchell, Council President Herb Wesson, Consul General of Israel Hillel Newman, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán, Supervisor Janice Hahn, Supervisor Hilda Solis and Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

Elder continued from page 8 population) against whites: 514. Homicides committed by non-Hispanic whites (60% of population) against Blacks: 234.?

In 2018, there were over 600,000 interracial violent victimizations (excluding homicide) between Blacks and whites, with 90% committed by Blacks against whites, and 10% by whites against Blacks.

In 2018, Blacks, at 13% of the population, committed 24% of "hate crimes." Whites, at 60% of the population, committed 54% of hate crimes. ?

A 1997 Time/CNN poll asked Black teens if racism was a big, small or no problem in their own lives, and 89% said small or no problem. More Black teens than white teens called "failure to take advantage of available opportunities" a bigger problem than racism.?

State Senator Holly Mitchell is flanked by Warryn and Erica Campbell at a recent service Ice Cube is starting to get it. Hopefully all this information helps. Racism has never been a less important factor in success. For votes, Democratic politicians say otherwise to keep Blacks angry. Mr. Cube, bring others to the light.

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk show host. To find out more about Larry Elder, visit www.LarryElder.com.

Stacy Brown continued from page 8 to their plan after talking to us about the CWBA.” Still, the hip-hop legend received a firestorm of backlash.

California Democratic Congresswoman Barbara Lee fails to understand Cube’s decision.

“I’m sickened. There’s no consistency in this based on Ice Cube’s history,” Lee voiced in a phone interview with Black Press USA. “When you look at what Donald Trump has or hasn’t done, for example, ending qualified immunity, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, each of which the Senate hasn’t voted on.

“The fact that Donald Trump has not done or supported any of the priority issues shows he won’t [honor his deal with Ice Cube]. Donald Trump is not supportive of ending systemic racism, he doesn’t believe systemic racism exists, and he won’t condemn white supremacists.”

Lee dared Ice Cube to look at Trump’s comprehensive history, including his handling of COVID, eliminating diversity training in the federal government, and executive orders that have halted equal opportunity while supporting white supremacists.

“He dismantled offices of civil rights and those set up to promote equity and racial justice,” Lee stated.

“It’s very confusing as to how any African American can support Trump, and that Ice Cube can think that this man would do something for us.”

In an email to Black Press USA, the Biden campaign noted that Trump has been President for nearly four years and does not have a record of standing on when it comes to the Black community.

“But we are supposed to believe he now all of a sudden has a plan three weeks before the election? COVID-19 is disproportionately killing the Black community, and his failure to have any plan to get the virus under control has made it worse,” declared Kamau Marshall, the Biden campaign’s director of strategic communications.

Others wondered why just weeks before the election, Trump is finally releasing a Black agenda, particularly when he’s failed throughout his presidency to show regard for African Americans and others oppressed by his JimCrow Era-like policies.

While there were supporters of Cube, many others said he’d gone to the dark side.

“Every side is the Darkside for us here in America,” Cube tweeted in response. “They’re all the same until something changes for us. They all lie and all cheat, but we can’t afford not to negotiate with whoever is in power, or our condition will never change. Our justice is bipartisan.”

Pastor continued from page 26 body else would have and we had to see ourselves as a unity of togetherness so that we can have a greater force.

That there is the love of Christ. There's something to counter that the world's perspective that the church does work. It is relevant and it's alive.

The medicine to heal what's going on right now in terms of all the hatred and unrest is love, forgiveness and some healing. That takes the kind of power man can't muster it up. They need some divine help.

InGoodTaste

t chicken, swee uthern fried so of on te rn ri bo vo fa n was (a Lonell Anderso potato pie dy s little wonit’ eal), his mud so ’N e O bl ta lle n ui aq Sh a kitche w/ a om te m al iced . Fact is, his ater (an herb w der he can cook ey d rk an tu k d or an ner), “I can’t w lemon sweete insisted of it. ilch en ev el ll her e cook”, she’d te e wings. naturally for th Lonell was th , m ho w of , Cooking comes dren ho w – ve ti na City Atlantic baby. pe Church of ings, by the bl ga si A r th de ol bo s s hi So, like s attend only was his was making hi s Angeles. Not Lo age of seven he his nar le rt cook, but d eggs and mom an expe s own bacon an pe n. ri st he n tc ki he e tc ound th rned his ki ea er th fa ing his way ar f. of ry. perience paid ok in the milita The early ex terer as a co emphasis ca s al hi on si its es ed of Anderson cr Today, the pr at th e reason s th nt ie of -list of cl on to part who has an A l, on nutriti years ea ’N od O go n te lle Shaqui he’s logged hy w include e Le gh . Thou , he tt, Sheryl the business in Angela Basse ve s vi Ta West, that it is his lo readily insists Ralph, Kanye at d th f an el s, its ne ” Jo ve l p Noe oking and “lo co of Smiley, Bisho so al Calloway–is him apart.

Vanessa Bell ith catering sets n ow her, I cook w s hi of “Like my mot the owner . el on Li hts by t love.” company, Delig s nothing bu ion on d specialtie te ore informat es m qu r re Fo t Mos ur elights so “D d mpany, sweet an Anderson’s co include his , bs 2770. ri 5t 59 or ) sh alls, el”, call (323 on Li y B chicken meatb r, cobble peach three-layer

n Meatballs d Sour Chicke n a t e e Sw l’s e Lion

cheese 2 tsp. Parmesan 2 cups of sugar Ingredients: sauce n ke ic 1/2 cup barbecue 2lbs ground ch e ic mbs 2 cups lemon ju Boxed breadcru e ic sugar 1 cup orange ju 1/2 cup brown juice er pp pe k 1 cup pineapple Pinch of blac lt sa r sauce g te seasonin 3 tsp. Worches 2 tbsp. Lawry’s ic rl ga ced di ed granulat 1 whole onion2 tbsp. Lawry’s d ce di 1 bell peppersalt n e chunks ee pl gr d ap Dole pine ed red an n at ca dr 1 hy ’s ry w La for color 1 tbsp. ketchup bell pepper sauce 1/2 cup teriyaki

Directions:

vegetables, Add hydrated l. w Meatballs: bo e rg la ll into halfd place in together and ro ix Season meat an M r. ga su n and brow breadcrumbs, . lls ba ounce se, barbecue Sauce: Parmesan chee e, uc e sa ki ya ri Mix te getables in larg chunks and ve e pl ap ne e, ic pi ju e, sauc , lemon r, 2 cups water bowl. Add suga d an e, ic ju e pl neap orange juice, pi p. uce and ketchu Worchester sa an till thick. ep Cook in sauc ls in Place meatbal cook on d an an ep sauc proxilow heat for ap . ur ho e mately on

SavingGrace

A

L.A. Focus/November 2020

n entertainer with a lasting career like Mary J. Blige must have the ingredients to success.

“I stay grateful, I stay thankful, and I work really, really hard. I’m always trying to figure out new ways to be better, spiritually and personally. It’s not just about all of the accolades I have coming. I couldn’t have them if I wasn’t spiritually aligned and if I wasn’t strong in my mind,” Blige explained. “It’s really about staying healthy in spirit and believing the best in myself and everyone else. Good things come with prayer and meditation. Blessings come, jobs come, by the grace of God.” The grace of God has catapulted Blige’s career to great heights. Blige has released 13 studio albums, won nine Grammy awards and sold 50 million albums in the United States and 80 million records worldwide.

But her talent doesn’t stop with music. The 49-yearold received three Golden Globe nominations, one for a supporting role in the 2017 historical drama, “Mudbound.” She was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Song for the film, making her the first person to be nominated for both acting and songwriting in the same year.

“I caught the acting bug when I was seven. My music teacher put me and this guy in a school play, and word went around the school about how great we did,” Blige recalled. “I took that with me. It was in my heart but I was scared to dream big or let people see that I was optimistic.

When I got into the music business, it came back.”

Even with praise and awe coming from all areas of the entertainment industry, she says the key to success is simple.

“My formula to success is being healthy from the inside out. Learning how to love myself, honestly.”

Learning to love herself didn’t come easily.

Born in the Bronx and raised primarily by a single mother, Blige had an admittedly difficult upbringing. She was sexually abused as a child; it was singing that got her through her lowest and most difficult moments.

Her love for music is also what changed her life. In 1989, Blige became the first woman, and the youngest artist, that Uptown Records had ever signed at only 18 years old. She released her now-platinum album, “What’s the 411?” in 1992 and from then on, Blige continued to stun the world with her empowering lyrics, heartfelt storytelling and honesty.

“I don’t believe that we go through things to

30

Mary J. Blige I don’t believe that we go through things to keep them a secret and then one day die of a heart attack because we have secrets festering inside of us. I think that we go through stuff to speak about it so we can help someone else heal. That’s the gift God gave me as an artist, to be able to be transparent and say: ‘You know what? It happened to me, too.’ I don’t have any of the answers. That’s why I keep having to do so much work.” keep them a secret and then one day die of a heart attack because we have secrets festering inside of us. I think that we go through stuff to speak about it so we can help someone else heal,” Blige said. “That’s the gift God gave me as an artist, to be able to be transparent and say: ‘You know what? It happened to me, too.’ I don’t have any of the answers. That’s why I keep having to do so much work.”

Doing the work is something that Blige continues to do despite the incredible hardships she has faced, but this is how she knows that sharing her pain through art is her purpose.

“I went through it myself. It’s a whole other level for me. The higher the lever, the bigger the Devil. The more you try to work on pulling yourself away from the comfort zone, the negative stuff, you get attacked.

Especially when you try to do better, you get attacked.”

Blige went through a very messy and public divorce from her husband of 13 years, Martin “Kendu” Isaacs, who also happened to be her manager. Rumors of infidelity and private, finance information was splashed all over the tabloids. The divorce was finalized in 2018.

“The breaking point was when I kept asking over and over and over again for respect and to be respected. And it just seemed like I was beating a dead horse and it seemed like I was talking to a wall,” Blige expressed. “I just wasn't

getting it back so if I can't get respect in the relationship, then I have to move on and save myself. That was the point where I was like, 'I'm done. I just can't do it anymore.’”

She has also been very open about substance abuse and described her 1994 album, “My Life” as “a dark, suicidal testimony.”

“We numb ourselves with drugs and alcohol and people and shopping and s***, to cover up what’s really going on inside,” she said. “You’re taking drugs so you can go out and feel courageous, or go out and feel beautiful or whatever. You’re doing it to cover up something.”

“My Life” went triple platinum and has not only helped people around the world cope with their difficulties, but Blige as well.

“I started listening to my own words, my own lyrics back. I was just crying listening to it like, wow, all those horrible, dark places I was in, going through all the hell that I was going through, these words are helping me to feel better and be okay in life,” Blige said, admitting that she’s been listening to her own music during the COVID19 lockdown. “I wrote the lyrics to ‘My Life’ when I didn't even want to live.”

Through self-love and spirituality, Blige has been able to completely turn her life around and keep herself hopeful even while the world goes through an undeniably bleak year.

“I sit quietly. I’ll turn everything off and I’ll breathe and start thanking God and be grateful for everything.

It’s a time when you get to reflect on your character, who you are, what rules you, what you’re grateful for,” Blige said. “I wake up in the morning happy to live my life, even though we’re in quarantine. I’m alive. Even though we’re in the middle of a pandemic, I’m alive. My mother’s alive.”

She’s also not slowing down in terms of taking on projects. Blige is currently starring in the hit series, “Power Book II: Ghost” on Starz and she recently released her very own wine label, Sun Goddess Wines.

Blige also created a production company, Blue Butterfly, for which she’s excited to begin producing content.

“Our goal is to produce content that is for the culture.

For us, by us. Create stories about great people. Heroes, women, that people don’t even know about. How there’s a Brady Bunch or Partridge Family, have something like that for us. Actually G-Unit and Mary J Blige … there’s something really big. I can’t talk about it too much but the team is amazing.”

Blige’s goal now is to continue giving her fans the authentic and groundbreaking art that they’ve come to know her for.

“I get in where I fit in and if I don’t fit in, I don’t want it because it’s a disaster for me. And my fans do know me, they’re going to notice it too. If I go against that gut feeling of, ‘don’t do that’ it’s a disaster. I don’t know how to do anything else but be Mary J. Blige.”