L.A. Focus On The Word May 2018 by LA Focus Newspaper

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L.A. FOCUS

2018

@LAFOCUSNEWS

UPFRONT: “Black Votes Are Going To Make The Difference” PAGE

ONE ON ONE Yara Shahidi PAGE

SEE PAGE

MONEY MATTER$ Black Realtors Seek To Put 500 Black Renters Into Homes By The End of 2018 December 2017 study, real estate journal Curbed >> InL.A.a staggering reported that only 21% of blacks in Los Angeles own their

home, which is half the national average of 41.6%. This means that 80% of black people in Los Angeles pay rent...who demand action on

CHURCH NEWS: Six Pioneering L.A. Faith Leaders Honored

police violence.

SEE PAGE

contents

MAY 2018

L.A. Focus Publications

Left: Actress/Activist Yari Shahidi, (m) BBBSLA CEO & President Olivia Diaz-Lapham, (r) Mr. Afshin Shahidi attend the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles annual Accessories For Success Scholarship Luncheon, Center: Academy Award nominated director Ava DuVernay, powerhouse entertainment lawyer Nina Shaw,(r)Yvonne Orji (HBO's "Insecure" attended the Independent School Alliance for Minority Affairs which raised over $600k to support racial diversity in schools across Los Angeles Right: Keisha Nix Executive Director of LA Lakers Youth Foundation and Phil Washington Metro CEO receive awards from the 14th Annual Legacy Ladies Torch Awards at the Ritz Carlton Hotel

Commentary

Educational Fraud Continues

From The Editor Setting Ourselves Up For Success

Upfront

Black Votes Are Going To Make The Difference; City of Refuge addresses Domestice Violence After Fatal Stabbing

Head to Head

Racism & The Trump Factor

Headlines From Africa Money Matters

NAREB Seeks To Put 500 Black Renters Into Homes By The End of The Year

Biz News Briefs Ice Cube’s Big3 League Hits A Snag

10 12

Feature Story

LA’s Own Holly Mitchell Is The Most Powerful Black Woman In Sacramento As Chair of The State Senate’s $190 Billion-Strong Budget Committee

Eye On Gospel

Big Year for Tamela Mann;Seasons of Miracles For William McDowell

Hollywood Buzz Red Table Talk;Time For A Girls Trip;BET Beefs Up It’s Programming for 2018-19

One On One Yara Shahidi

14 Calendar/Around LA 16 Red Carpet Style Through The Storm 17 Game Changers 19 Special Report 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards

Escaping The Dark Side

Jan Perry

Over 50% of Blacks in L.A. County Consider Leaving State Due to Unaffordability

Church News

20 Pastor Profile 22

The Church of God In Christ Honors Six of L.A.’s Pioneering Church Leaders

Bishop Craig Johnson - Cathedral of Praise

staff

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

Lisa Collins Keith DeLawder, Gerald Bell Kisha Smith Ian Foxx, Rickey Brown Leatha Davis Andi Morin

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.

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

Dr. Vernessia Hall God Inspired Worship Center

“It’s Not What It Looks Like” Family of Faith Christian Center

Robbie Montogomery- Sweetie Pies

Vanessa Bell-Calloway

You’ll be seeing a lot more of Attorney/CNN Legal analyst Areva Martin as she has been tapped to appear this fall as a regular on Vivica A. Fox’s new hourlong CBS talker, “Face The Truth”. This month, Martin will celebrate her 10th Annual “A Pink Pump Affair” at the Beverly Hills Hotel on May 20. Honorees include Fox and Yara Shahidi.

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

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

advisory board

Napoleon Brandford Pastor Beverly Crawford Lem Daniels Bob Blake

23 From The Pulpit 24 In Good Taste 25 26 Saving Grace First Lady Files

Cover Design: Clayhouse Visu al Branding Designs

#LAFOCUS

@Lafocusnews

@L.A.Focus

Correction: Last month, the church was incorrectly listed in our Pastor Profile. Bishop M.L. Hall is the senior pastor of the God Inspired Worship Center

Commentary

Walter E. Williams Guest Columnist

Educational Fraud Continues

ast month, the 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress, aka The Nation's Report Card, was released. It's not a pretty story. Only 37 percent of 12th-graders tested proficient or better in reading, and only 25 percent did so in math. Among black students, only 17 percent tested proficient or better in reading, and just 7 percent reached at least a proficient level in math. The atrocious NAEP performance is only a fraction of the bad news. Nationally, our high school graduation rate is over 80 percent. That means high school diplomas, which attest that these students can read and compute at a 12th-grade level, are conferred when 63 percent are not proficient in reading and 75 percent are not proficient in math. For blacks, the news is worse. Roughly 75 percent of black students received high school diplomas attesting that they could read and compute at the 12th-grade level. However, 83 percent could not read at that level, and 93 percent could not do math at that level. It's grossly dishonest for the education establishment and politicians to boast about unprecedented graduation rates when the high school diplomas, for the most part, do not represent academic achievement. At best, they certify attendance. Fraudulent high school diplomas aren't the worst part of the fraud. Some of the greatest fraud occurs at the higher education levels — colleges and universities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70 percent of white high school graduates in 2016 enrolled in college, and 58 percent of black high school graduates enrolled in college. Here are my questions to you: If only 37 percent of white high school graduates test as college-ready, how come colleges are admitting 70 percent of them? And if roughly 17 percent of black high school graduates test as college-ready, how come colleges are admitting 58 percent of them? It's inconceivable that college administrators are unaware that they are admitting students who are ill-prepared and cannot perform at the college level. Colleges cope with ill-prepared students in several ways. They provide remedial courses. One study suggests that more than two-thirds of community college students take at least one remedial course, as do 40 percent of four-year college students. College professors

From the Editor

dumb down their courses so that ill-prepared students can get passing grades. Colleges also set up majors with little analytical demands so as to accommodate students with analytical deficits. Such majors often include the term "studies," such as ethnic studies, cultural studies, gender studies and American studies. The major for the most ill-prepared students, sadly enough, is education. When students' SAT scores are ranked by intended major, education majors place 26th on a list of 38.(https://tinyurl.com/pjmga9y) The bottom line is that colleges are admitting youngsters who have not mastered what used to be considered a ninth-grade level of proficiency in reading, writing and arithmetic. Very often, when they graduate from college, they still can't master even a 12th-grade level of academic proficiency. The problem is worse in college sports. During a recent University of North Carolina scandal, a learning specialist hired to help athletes found that during the period from 2004 to 2012, 60 percent of the 183 members of the football and basketball teams read between fourth- and eighthgrade levels. About 10 percent read below a third-grade level. Keep in mind that all of these athletes both graduated from high school and were admitted to college. How necessary is college anyway? One estimate is that 1 in 3 college graduates have a job historically performed by those with a high school diploma. According to Richard Vedder, distinguished emeritus professor of economics at Ohio University and the director of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, in 2012 there were 115,000 janitors, 16,000 parking lot attendants, 83,000 bartenders and about 35,000 taxi drivers with a bachelor's degree. I'm not sure about what can be done about education. But the first step toward any solution is for the American people to be aware of academic fraud at every level of education. Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. To find out more about Walter E. Williams and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

LISA COLLINS Publisher

Setting Ourselves Up For Success

that—a seasonally fluctuating income and tax returns prepared so as to write everything off as expenses—I thought there was no way she would be successful. But she was just as determined about getting me a house as I was determined that she wasn’t going to be successful. To my surprise, less than six months later I was moving into a home in Ladera Heights—a home that has tripled in value over the last 20 years. A home I never thought I would have qualified for and had I waited, would never have been able to afford. Many of you out there may have been in a similar situation, be it self-employed like me, or with a credit challenge, but there are a plethora of programs that can help. So for every one of you who don’t have a Janet Singleton, there’s a Lori Gay at Neighborhood Housing Services or I urge you to contact NAREB, who we’ve profiled in our Money Matters on page 9 and who will be hosting a very important home buying workshop on June 2 (See their ad on our inside front cover for more information.). Home ownership is a line in the sand in the battle many black residents are waging to stay in the city. Just as importantly, it builds wealth, most notably generational wealth,—something that is sorely lacking in our communities. Most of us are wearing or driving our wealth. Let’s start paying attention to where our money goes, setting aside some for emergencies and setting ourselves up for success. In closing, a lifelong devotion to her mother and a disdain for the ill treatment of many elders by their offspring is what prompted Anna Jarvis, a West Virginia schoolteacher to mount a letter writing campaign in support of a national day in tribute to mothers. She began the campaign in 1905, after the death of her mother on May 9. It took three years before her appeals to ministers, businessmen and politicians paid off, with many of the churches she'd petitioned holding observances on May 10. In 1910, West Virginia became the first state to proclaim a day of observance to mothers and in 1914, it became a national holiday with President Woodrow Wilson proclaiming the second Sunday in May as its official date. But enough of the why. The when is now—this month—as we celebrate mothers and the women who have acted as so in our lives. A very special thanks to my mom, whose sacrifices and love paved the way and to all the Moms out there. Keep the faith.

L.A. Focus/ May 2018

e haven’t set ourselves up for success,” Jennifer Hopson, Associate State Director for multicultural outreach, AARP California told a capacity crowd at a recent town hall on the financial state of Black Angelenos. Fellow speaker —and Neighborhood Housing Services CEO— Lori Gay went on to point out that blacks in Los Angeles had 1% of the net wealth of white families. “So what does that look like in dollars?” she continued. “$355,000 is the average white net wealth for families. For Black folks, it’s $3500 (1%) That’s in 2018.” Hardly enough to qualify for buying a home or pass anything on to your kids. In fact, according to an AARP study, three in ten blacks in L.A. County say that they would not even be able to pay an emergency expense of $1000 or more, and 14% say that they would not be able to pay an emergency expense of $100 or more. Easy to see why gentrification has become such a big issue in our communities. Without ownership, we are not true stakeholders and can so easily be priced out. To that end, blacks are being urged to hold on to their properties at all cost, and a number of programs are helping to put them in a position to buy. Although, buying in L.A. proper—with Zillow putting the median home value of a house in Los Angeles at $674,140—is challenging without an annual income of somewhere in the neighborhood of $150,000. But, say professionals, the key is buying something. Just consider Inglewood—dubbed as “the next big thing” in a recent L.A. Times article— and how it is so drastically changing with property values soaring, thanks to the new Rams/Chargers stadium coupled with a new Metro rail line and the surrounding construction it has inspired fueling what appears to be the very reshaping of the city. In their push for more affordable housing to stave off gentrification, activists are now pushing to get rent control on the ballot. In fact, efforts to put a statewide initiative on the November 2018 ballot seeking to repeal the 1995 Costa-Hawkins Act, a state law limiting rent control to apartments, duplexes and triplexes that are at least 23 years old has shifted into high gear. Its passage would impose rent control on houses, condos and newer apartment buildings. In 1999, I was living in an apartment in Marina Del Rey, walking distance from just about everything I needed, paying a reasonable rent, biking on the beach at least twice a week and had no complaints about my swanky living quarters that came complete with a concierge. I thought I was doing well until one of my besties—Coldwell Banker realtor Janet Singleton—announced to me that she was going to get me a house. Having been selfemployed for most of my adult life and dealing with the challenges that went with

UpFront

News Briefs

“Black Votes Are Going To Make The Difference”

KISHA SMITH Staff

hen I say woke, helps power our alliances,” you say vote”, he said, noting that poor peochanted former ple and people of color share Sebastian Assemblyman many of the same concerns. Ridley-Thomas to a standing “Registering tens of room only group of well thousands of voters will be a wishers and volunteers last massive undertaking. It is a month as he officially kicked labor-intensive, grassroots off the African American project that requires neighVoter Registration, borhood-by-neighborhood, Education and Participation street-by-street, door-to-door Project’s (AAVREP) 2018 engagement.” voter registration drive with “I’m at the stage in my the opening of new offices on life where actions speak loudLa Brea boulevard. er than words. We’re going to Founded 16 years ago by make sure that we deliver on Supervisor Mark Ridley- L-R: Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, Gabrianna Crawford, Pastor Beverly “Bam the margins of our possibility Crawford and Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas at AAVREP kickoff. Thomas, AAVREP — now rather than be trapped by the under the leadership of challenges of some despairing Sebastian Ridley-Thomas — has set a is in large part due to high rates of par- numbers. Black voters are going to detergoal of registering 50,000 black voters. ticipation by African American women in mine who the next governor of California “Democracy is at stake and Black people local, state and national elections. In will be.” will save California and the nation if both 2008 and 20012, black women made Since its founding in 2002, the African they register and, just like Black women history, voting in national elections at a American Voter Registration, Education, in Alabama, Virginia, New Jersey and higher rate than any other demographic and Participation (AAVREP)’s mission elsewhere, if they vote. AAVREP is all in in the country.” has been to increase African American to turnout the #WokeVote in 2018,” said “We often hear talk of party appeals to and urban voter registration, education, Sebastian Ridley-Thomas. “the base,” said Ridley-Thomas, “But and civic participation, and has trained “Our lives matter…our votes count. The Black women are not just the base of the more than 2,500 community-based team registration effort is called “Woke Vote”, Democratic Party — they are the back- members in voter registration and mobibecause we’re not going to get ready, bone of our Democracy.” lization while registering upwards of we’re going to stay ready. So to me, woke For AAVREP, mobilizing the African 200,000 voters. Additionally, the group is simply just a translation of that for American vote means empowering has conducted extensive focus groups 2018. Black votes are going to make the Californians to insist that government and polling of African American voters in difference.” officials address top priorities: maternal state and local elections and strategically Ridley-Thomas, who resigned his 54th and infant mortality, access to health deployed volunteers to hundreds of District State Assembly seat due to care, substandard schools and lack of precincts and polling places to help eduhealth concerns, has resolved his health educational opportunity in black neigh- cate, persuade and turn out African concerns and ready to make good on his borhoods, housing, and of course, civil American voters in local and state elecpromise of returning to “the work of polit- rights with respect to the policing. tions. ical empowerment, millennial civic “We know what AAVREP can do,” Although the focus of the drive is on engagement, and inspiring the next gen- African American voter registration, the said Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas. “In eration of leaders. project has always registered voters of the last election cycle alone, 38,000 new Although the African American popu- other ethnicities and will continue to do voters were registered in Los Angeles lation in California is only about 2.2 mil- so, said Sebastian Ridley-Thomas. County. Since the start of the 21st lion people, election data shows that “We aren’t going it alone. Rather, the Century, this effort has been California’s African-American voters have an out- strength of the African American vote most productive in registering new votsized impact on election outcomes. This ers.”

City of Refuge Addresses Domestic Violence After Fatal Stabbing

L.A. Focus/ May 2018

fatal stabbing at City of Refuge last month has brought the issue of domestic violence front and center for the Gardena-based mega church, pastored by Bishop Noel Jones. The incident happened April 18th when a man showed up as his ex-girlfriend-- 50year old, Patricia Fox-- was going to a Wednesday evening Bible Study. Detectives say he stabbed her multiple times in the parking lot in front of witnesses, including her granddaughter who ran inside to call for help. On the following Sunday, a visibly shaken Bishop Noel Jones prayed for the family and addressed the congregation on the tragedy and the subject of domestic abuse. “If you’re silent, no one can help,” Jones stated. “I had no clue. “This woman was too young and too wonderful to have been snatched out of here over some craziness before her time. Ladies, you deserve to live.” Fox was a mother of three and grandmother who was known in the community for her many volunteer efforts including the building a school playground, feeding the homeless, and several children’s causes. Jones pointed out his staff, “worked diligently to keep her alive” until

Fox could be transported to the hospital where she was pronounced dead six hours later. “Security works hard to make sure that everybody who comes through these doors are safe. They go through every drill you can imagine,” Jones paused before adding, “You’ve got to pray about the folk you’re with.” “We don’t see and know everything,” said church Elder Joe Paul. “In that truth, what we recognize is that there are so many people who come and smile. They put a face on for church but they’re suffering silently…We miss the whole point of being here. That this is the City of Refuge. When you get into this space-as we just experienced the Lord moving in this house and bringing spirit and liberty and comfort to whatever the unique needs are-- that does not mean that the problem is over. Some things we can serve in the context of ministry and some things have to be served in the context of other, more professional support. “Do not suffer in silence,” Paul continued, “We’re making a stance to make sure that the incident that happened last week to the fullest extent of our ability never happens again.” With that, Paul announced that the church was joining forces with the 38-

year old non-profit domestic violence prevention and intervention organization, The Jenesse Center, Inc. Donna Dearden of the The Jennese Center urged parishioners, “You do not have to suffer. You do not have to stay. Know that the help is there. You can leave today. You don’t even have to go back home. Please,” she pleaded. “Don’t stay. We’re here for you. Let's not lose another life.” Crisis intervention teams, domestic violence professionals and grief counselors were available after each Sunday service, and the church announced it would be offering ongoing support as well as training their staff on how to spot signs and clues. Said Bishop Jones, “My pain is that someone had to die for us to realize…[the gravity of the situation]. “I told my friends, I see all you guys in front of the cameras on CNN in Portland and Ferguson and everywhere else, and they call me to go but I said I’m not going. Where I need to go is around the corner. The police ain’t killing us like we’re killing ourselves. “Raise your kids properly. We’ve got to start teaching our boys how to respect women.”

Camille Cosby Stands By Her Man “Once again, an innocent person has been found guilty based on an unthinking, unquestioning, unconstitutional frenzy propagated by the media and allowed to play out in a supposed court of law,” are the words of Camille Cosby, who defended her husband in a threepage written statement that was released in the wake of last week’s jury verdict. “This is mob justice, not real justice,” she wrote of her 80-year old husband’s conviction on three counts of aggravated indecent assault. “The overall media, with their frenzied, relentless demonization of him and unquestioning acceptance of accusers’ allegations without any attendant proof, have superseded the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, which guarantee due process and equal protection, and thereby eliminated the possibility of a fair trial and unbiased jury.” The 74-year old wife of the now disgraced comedian went on to call for a criminal investigation of the D.A. and “his co-horts”. “This is a homogeneous group of exploitive and corrupt people, whose primary purpose is to advance themselves professionally and economically at the expense of Mr. Cosby's life,” she argues. “If they can do this to Mr. Cosby, they can do so to anyone.” She also went on to question the witnesses. “Since when are all accusers truthful? History disproves that...for example, Emmett Till's accuser immediately comes to mind.” She concluded by stating that the truth would prevail. In the meantime, legal experts say there is a possibility that Cosby will never be incarcerated what with the possibility that he will be allowed to remain out on bail as his attorney’s appeal the case and that could take months—even years.

Businessman Austin Beutner Named LAUSD Superintendent In a 5-2 decision the LAUSD school board selected Los Angeles businessman Austin Beutner to lead the nation’s second largest school district. The decision is marked with controversy as Beutner—a former investment banker and L.A.Times publisher who served as the first deputy mayor of Los Angeles— has no background leading a school. The choice to select Beutner over Interim Superintendent Vivian Ekchian, who, like her predecessor Michelle King, has spent her career in the district as an educator and administrator, indicates the board intends to send the district in a new direction. It also reflects the urgent need to improve schools while staving off weakening finances that could put LA Unified under state control within two years. "Years of trying to solve seemingly intractable problems require some new, out-of-the-box thinking," said board Vice President Nick Melvoin, who took office in July. "I'm confident Mr. Beutner, along with the board, can bring some innovative thinking to this. We have to disenthrall ourselves from the idea that the status quo is good enough for kids." The United Teachers Los Angeles called Beutner’s selection as, “one of the shortest, least transparent, and least inclusive superintendent selection processes ever” and that it was an insult to educators that Beutner has been chosen “through such a conflicted process.”

HeadToHead

Racism & The Trump Factor

ormer Vice President Joe paign, complained about what Joe Biden, Dems Biden recently told she called the "school-to-prison and the Race MSNBC's Rev. Al pipeline." Clinton said: "We've Card: They Don't Sharpton that the GOP wants seen a significant increase in Leave Home voter identification laws for one police involvement in school disWithout It reason. Racist Republicans so cipline, especially in schools despise blacks and are so determined to with majority-black students. We're seeing oppress them, that they seek to prevent all an overreliance on suspensions and expulblacks from voting. sions. I'm sure many of us remember that Biden said: "It's what these guys are horrifying video of the girl in South all about, man. These Republicans don't Carolina being thrown want working-class people voting. They out of her desk and don't want black folks voting." What dragged across her Republicans "are all about," according to classroom by a school Biden, is the push in some states for voter police officer. A classID laws, which Democrats call "voter sup- room should be a safe pression." Then-Attorney General Eric place for our children. Holder characterized the call for voter ID We shouldn't even laws as an example of "pernicious" racism. have to say that, I If it is "pernicious" racism, apparently don't think. So today Larry Elder a lot of people failed to get the memo. I'm announcing my Blacks want voter ID laws, too. A 2016 plan to end the school-to-prison pipeline." Gallup Poll found: "Though many of the So the cops lie in wait to arrest innocent arguments for early voting and against young blacks? Not one word about personvoter ID laws frequently cite minorities' al responsibility? voting access, nonwhites' views of the two Actor Denzel Washington, whose last policies don't differ markedly from those of movie was about a criminal defense whites. Seventy-seven percent of non- lawyer, commented on a criminal justice whites favor both policies, while whites system that many call institutionally favor each at 81 percent." This has not racist, resulting in an unfair mass incarstopped the Democrats from turning the ceration of blacks. But Washington wasn't legitimate concern about the integrity of buying it. He said: "It starts in the home. voting into a full-on attack against blacks. You know, if the father is not in the home, Biden, of course, is a skilled veteran the boy will find a father in the streets. I at playing the race card. Recall how then- saw it in my generation and in every genVice President Biden, in 2012, somehow eration before me, and in every one since. turned then-GOP presidential candidate ... If the streets raise you, then the judge Mitt Romney's opposition to the 2010 becomes your mother, and, you know, Dodd-Frank financial reform bill into a prison becomes your home." As a result, racial issue. "(Romney) is going to let the Washington said, "So, you know, I can't big banks once again write their own rules, blame the system." In other words, the unchain Wall Street," Biden said at a cam- breakdown or, more precisely, the nonforpaign event in Danville, Virginia. "He is mation of the nuclear black family is a far, going to put y'all back in chains." far bigger problem than the allegedly Without the 90-plus percent black racist criminal justice system. vote, the Democratic Party, at the national But as long as the Democratic Party level, is in deep trouble. This explains why continues to market itself as the party of they race-bait. Constantly. social justice in an ever-racist America, the Take then-senate candidate Claire party thinks it can capture the black vote. McCaskill, D-Mo., who, after Hurricane Who cares whether it's counterproductive Katrina, said, "(President) George (W.) for Dems to tell young blacks that hard Bush let people die on rooftops in New work doesn't pay off? It's the votes that Orleans because they were poor and matter. Former Washington Post invesbecause they were black." tigative journalist Ron Kessler wrote in his Hillary Clinton, during the 2016 cam- book, "Inside The White House," that continued to page 17

Headlines From Africa Botswana: Botswana's new president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, used his inauguration speech to vow to tackle youth unemployment. Masisi took over after former Ian Khama stepped down having completed the maximum 10 years in office. As vice president, Masisi took over automatically, and expected to win a five-year term in October 2019 when elections take place. Burundi: Opposition leader Jeremie Minani, says Pierre Nkurunziza being named "Eternal Supreme Guide" by his political party months ahead of a national referendum that could allow him to rule until 2034, is part of a plan to eliminate any challenge.

henever I am asked why color. Racism has nothing to do Once More for I believe everyone who with hate. But white people have the People in the supports Donald Trump the ability to overlook racism for Back: Anyone is a racist, I explain it by using the a variety of reasons. They can Who Supports legal doctrine of “the hand of one work for a company knowing Donald Trump Is is the hand of all” and the story of that their employers would a Racist Ryan Holle. never hire a black person. They When he was 20, Ryan Holle was hung ignore racist remarks by friends or relaover and lying on his couch when his room- tives simply because they don’t want to mate, William Allen Jr., asked if he could disturb the relationship. borrow Holle’s Chevy Worse, they vote for a man who embraMetro. When Holle ces, regurgitates and spreads hate. They said yes, Allen used can reason that they voted for Trump bethe car to drop three cause of his business acumen, their dislike friends off at a mari- for Hillary Clinton, or white working-class juana dealer’s house to something, disaffected middle-America steal a safe. During yada yada yada ... But they are still aware the burglary, one of of the undisputed existence of Trump’s bigthe other men—not otry. For this reason, there is only one way Holle, not Allen, but to describe a Trump supporter: A racist. Michael Harriot another man — bludgTo actively support Donald Trump is an eoned an 18-year-old girl to death. act of racism, whether such act is commitBecause of Florida’s laws, Holle was ted by Kanye West, Omarosa Manigault charged as an accomplice only because he Newman or David Duke. When Trump allowed his roommate to use his car to tweets to Kanye, he is wielding Kanye’s drop off the murderer at the scene of the blackness as a weapon against black peocrime. In many states, if your metaphori- ple. Trump knows this. His supporters cal “hand” is involved in any crime, you are know it. Even his son, whose IQ is lower as responsible as anyone else involved. than Kellyanne Conway’s, knows this. Holle was convicted of first-degree murder The problem with white supremacy has and was ordered to serve a life sentence never been the white people who hate without the possibility of parole. minorities. I don’t believe that all white Donald Trump is a racist. people are racist. I don’t even know if most Everyone knows this. His hate for peo- white people hate, dislike or think less of ple of color has been well-known for 45 black people years, since he was sued by the federal But most white people are the reason government for housing discriminationin racism exists. Most white people wouldn’t 1973. Twenty-nine years ago he solidified slap the shit out of another white person if his racism by buying full-page ads asking they used the word “nigger.” Most white for the death penalty for the Central Park people wouldn’t ask their boss why the Five. On the day he announced his presi- black person never got a promotion. Most dency, he called Mexicans “rapists.” His white people aren’t marching against first act as president was to try to ban police brutality. Most white people aren’t Muslims from entering the country. The asking why their children’s Advanced list is too long to itemize even the high- Placement courses have so few black stulights, but it’s safe to say that Trump’s dents. Most white people won’t stop shopracism is a well-established fact. ping at businesses that call the police on For most black people, racism is an black people. irredeemable, inexcusable sin from which If most white people fought against there is no bouncing back. You can give to racism every day, it would cease to exist. the needy, solve world hunger and figure But it’s not just white people. It’s black out how to make Kool-Aid that tastes like people, too. It’s people like Stephen A. fried chicken, but if you do some racist Smith, who spoke to USA Today about shit, you are forever crossed off the list. Jemele Hill in January and said this: For white people, it is different. Do I believe the president should be Most white people do not hate people of continued to page 24

A look at current news from the continent of Africa leave the country. The survey list nine major challenges facing the youth including employment, financial difficulties, drugs or alcohol abuse and the lack of access to a good education. Liberia: Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Friday received $5 million for leading Liberia's recovery following many years of civil war. "It is my hope that women and girls across Africa will be inspired to break through barriers and push back on the frontiers of life's possibilities," said Sirleaf in her acceptance speech for receiving the 2017 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership at a leadership ceremony.

Cameroon: Activists are calling for an end to breast ironing, or breast flattening, a cultural practice in Cameroon to disguise the signs of development as some men believe that girls as young as nine whose breasts are developing are ripe for sex. While resulting in a reduced pregnancy rate, it has also led to deformities and other health issues.

Madagascar: Thousands protested in the Malagasy capital of Antananarivo over new election laws and the deaths of demonstrators just days before who’d rallied to oppose new laws they believed would prevent opposition candidates from running. The activists also objected to new provisions regarding campaign financing and media access.

Chad: Chad became the first country to be removed from Trump’s travel ban last month after the president signed a proclamation stating that Chad— a key U.S. counterterrorism partner— had improved its identity-management and information sharing practices.

Rwanda: Rwandan schools are expected to start using smart classrooms by the end of this year as a result of a partnership agreement signed three years ago between the Rwanda and Microsoft to digitize the country's education sector.

Ethiopia: Researchers have embarked on a quest to create the perfect chicken for African farmers. Scientists from the Nairobi-based International Livestock Research Institute and local partners will crossbreed different types of Ethiopian chickens and reate a chicken carrying the genes of all the planet’s breeds that lives longer and is less susceptible to diseases. Feeding children an egg a day could prevent stunting which hinders cognitive growth. Kenya: Next Generation Kenya, a survey conducted by the British Council, has found that one in four youths wants to

Sierra Leone: Police were called to intervene as members of the All People’s Congress party were removed from the opening session of the new parliament for disruptive behavior. South Africa: The South African Federation of Trade Unions is protesting the government’s proposed minimum wage legislation. The current minimum wage proposal calls for a $1.60 an hour . President Cyril Ramaphosa has argued that the current proposal will help reduce wage inequality. Zimbabwe: Zimbabwean teachers will go on strike to demand an increase in salaries and allowances when schools reopen next month for the new term, as public sector labor unrest spreads to the education sector. Doctors and nurses have also staged strikes increasing pressure on President Emmerson Mnangagwa ahead of elections set for July, the first since Robert Mugabe was forced to resign in a de facto army coup last year.

L.A. Focus/ May 2018

Eritrea: Thousands are fleeing the country every month to escape national service. While some are assigned to civil service jobs, many are placed in military units to work on development projects in agriculture and infrastructure. None have a choice about their assignments, the locations, the length of their service or their pay which is below subsistence. The United Nations Commission of Inquiry has called Eritrea’s national service a form of “enslavement.”

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MoneyMatters NAREB Seeks To Put 500 Black Renters Into Homes By The End of the Year n a staggering December 2017 study, real estate journal Curbed L.A. reported that only 21% of blacks in Los Angeles own their home, which is half the national average of 41.6%. This means that 80% of black people in Los Angeles pay rent. On June 2nd, the The National Association of of Real Estate Brokers Inc. (NAREB), is looking to do what many believe can’t be done by reaching out to the 24% of AfricanAmericans identified by the Housing Affordability Index as able to buy a home, in order to raise the number of black homeowners. NAREB is an equal opportunity and civil rights advocacy organization for African-American real estate professionals, consumers, and communities in America that works to enhance the economic improvement of its members and the community which it serves. According to Bishop Craig Worsham who is the NAREB Faith-Based Director, it is NAREB’s goal to achieve 2 million more black homeowners nationwide. To accomplish this task, NAREB is partnering with local churches to help use their resources to create more affordable housing for people of the community. “When we talk about 2 million homeowners, there's not enough affordability in the country to accommodate 2 million African-Americans,” Admits Worsham. “So the next leg of this is a partnership with black churches that own undeveloped real estate. We are targeting underutilized church parking lots or buildings to turn them into stater homes or townhomes, and moving the church parking underground. “The conversation is how we can connect churches to provide them either construction lines of credit or a community development grants that will allow them to receive the resources to construct a single family homes at an affordable cost on church owned property-- so they can put African- American families into homes. And then the church reaps the benefits financially from the sale of the house or they can use those proceeds to go buy another land and do it all over again. “So now it’s just a matter of giving pastors access to resources that will make this happen,” says Worsham. “Because we need affordable inventory: starter homes, efficiency homes, townhomes; you name it, we need it.” The other half of NAREB’s plan to create more black homeowners is educating the public on the basics of how to buy property. To do this NAREB hosts “Community Wealth Building Days” which are grass-

roots informational workshops in local communities. NAREB is hosting a Wealth Community Building Day locally on June 2nd from 11:30 to 4:30 pm at the Greater Zion Church in Compton, which is free to the to the public and will include a free lunch, Childcare, and free credit reports for the first 100 attendees. 2nd June the “At Community Day there will be classes on the ABCs of homeownership, a class on the impact of student loan debt, classes on real estate investment, classes on credit repair, and more. We will have several bank lenders onsite, classes on appraisals, and homeowner’s insurance,” tells Worsham. “Everything as it relates to homeownership process those resources will be onsite for free. There will be also a strategy session that day for all pastors who want to be involved in this movement and be involved in the movement of creating affordable inventory.” “The June 2nd event will be a critical for tool for helping African-American renters turn into homeowners and pursue the American dream here in Los Angeles” says Nick Gouché, President of the L.A. County chapter of NAREB. “Our goal is simple: In 2018 we want to put 500 African-American renters into homes. By doing so, in one year, looking at the appreciation of homes in LA County, we are going to create nearly $20 million of new wealth in the black community. This is wealth that our future homeowners are going to be able to use to send their kids off to college, make their first down payment for their own property, and it also helps them for the future of their retirement, so we are extremely ambitious and excited for what’s to come.” Above everything else, it is the work of God that calls Bishop Worsham and others to dedicate their efforts to this cause. “I'm honored and proud to be a part of it because in my opinion homeownership, black wealth, reinvesting in the community is a ministry,” he says. “And the reason I am involved is because I believe this is the gateway to prosperity. It is God's will for us to have dominion over the land, and so we must do whatever we have to do to educate our people to own the land, as God has promised us. I am 100% on the ground and ready to help people get to that place.”

Biz News Briefs Ice Cube’s Big3 League Hits A Snag

The suit accuses them with interference with contractual relationships, libel and defamation, stating that one of the investors referred to the AfricanAmerican players as “Rich Nigg*s”. The ad is signed by Ice Cube, Jeff Kwatinetz, Clyde “The Glide” Drexler and the players and coaches of the BIG3, including Allen Iverson, Julius Irving, Gary Payton and Charles Oakley. The funding shortfall has reportedly made it more difficult for the league—whose second season begins on June 22 in Houston— to operate to its fullest potential. “We’re bringing some of the baddest names to ever play the game and giving them a platform to not only showcase their skills, but to entertain their fans in a high-energy, physical and competitive environment.” The lawsuit also targeted Sport Trinity, one of the largest investors in Big3, and it has now filed a motion for the removal to federal court in Los Angeles of the civil action, charging that they were deceived Sport Trinity from the start about the league's finances, leadership and corporate governance. Also suing Big3 is former commissioner Roger Mason, who was fired and replaced by Ice Cube.

L.A. Focus/ May 2018

When you meet today with Putin’s new friend, Emir of Qatar, please tell him not to threaten the Big3 and American athletes!,” read a full page ad in the New York Times placed by Ice Cube and directed to President Donald Trump last month. The message to Trump follows a $1.2 billion dollar lawsuit filed by Ice Cube’s and Big3 cofounder Jeff Kwatinetz‘ earlier this month maintaining that Qatari investors withheld funds in an attempt to muscle them out of the league. The Qatari nationals— who claimed to have ties to the royal family for $1.2 billion—paid little more than half of the money they agreed to invest in the BIG3 basketball league launched by the rap star/actor last year.

LISA COLLINS Editor In Chief

L.A. Focus/May 2018

s chair of the California Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review—which directs how California’s $190 billion budget will be spent, Senator Holly J. Mitchell sits at the height of power in Sacramento’s Capitol chambers, wielding the kind of clout that comes with the role in a state that is widely recognized as having the sixth-largest economy in the world. But it is the story of how she got there that is decidedly more telling of who she really is. Ironically, it was anger and not intention that led her to one of the most powerful seats in the California Senate. And Mitchell— who represents the nearly one million Angelenos of California’s Senate District 30, which spans Century City to Skid Row (and includes Culver City, Ladera Heights, Inglewood, View Park-Baldwin Hills, Windsor Hills, Westmont and the Crenshaw, downtown and Florence neighborhoods of Los Angeles), can remember the exact moment that forever altered the course of her life. “I got mad,” says Mitchell, who at the time was serving as the CEO of Crystal Stairs, a child and family advocacy group whose programs and services—including childcare subsidies, healthcare outreach and parent support—work to enhance the quality of life for thousands of children and families in Los Angeles. “It was 2007-2008 and California was poised to cut out $1 billion out of the subsidized child care program,” Mitchell recalls. “Crystal Stairs provides childcare payments to low income working mothers, so we know directly how that’s going to impact people right here. Cuts to the program were going to exacerbate situations of parents who were already struggling to find a place for their children while they work, because child care is unaffordable. So we decided that we had to show them who would be impacted by the budget cuts they were proposing, and give parents a chance to tell their stories in the budget hearings so lawmakers could understand. I needed them to see the faces of those families they would be impacting. “So,” Mitchell continues, “we rented buses and car seats and took working parents and their babies from Crystal Stairs for a full day and night trip to Sacramento so they could speak at the Budget Subcommittee.” However, upon her arrival at the state Capitol, Mitchell was faced with yet another dilemma—the

lack of representation from anyone from L.A. County on the committee, and now she’s even angrier. States Mitchell, “L.A. County has one-third of the state’s kids, and here I am with two bus-loads and I don’t have anyone from L.A. County to speak to! So I go into [then] Assembly Speaker Karen Bass’ office, and I’m just working myself up into a frenzy telling her my story, to the point where I am banging the desk. I’m standing there looking at her and then it hits me and I told her, ‘And with term limits you’ll leave.’ “It literally hit me like a wave,” she recounts the pivotal moment, “and I said, ‘I’ll be damned, I have to run.’” Upon returning from her trip to Sacramento, Mitchell pulled together a group of friends, families and colleagues to help her think through whether a run for public office made sense for her life and her family given that a job in government would pay half as much as the job she had with no pension. Not surprisingly, they advised her against it. “I was the mother of a then eight-year-old,” Mitchell adds. “What would the quality of his life be? How would I manage going back and forth to Sacramento? How will I afford his college? My salary would be cut in half and be capped. So no matter how many bills I (have) signed, no matter if I'm the most powerful woman in the Senate, my salary is the same as someone who can't get a single bill though process. There's no pay for performance no matter my great work. And my pension was all that I had; how would I, as a middle-aged woman, ever get that back?” All of them were valid points, but Mitchell was determined not only that things had to change but that, even more importantly, she could be that change agent. “I looked at them and said, ‘You know, this system is designed to keep people like me out for all these reasons. How dare they?’” It was that very indignation that fueled a successful bid to the State Assembly in 2010 representing the then 47th (now54th) District. Then in 2013, she garnered 80% of the vote for a landslide victory in a special election to the Senate replacing Curren Price upon his election to the L.A. City Council. Truth is, the third-generation native Angeleno has been advocating for others and herself since she was in the first grade and was sent to the principal’s office for coming to school with pants on. While her mom — a pro-

So I go into [then] Assembly Speaker Karen Bass’ office, and I’m just working myself up into a frenzy telling her my story, to the point where I am banging the desk. I’m standing there looking at her and then it hits me and I told her, ‘And with term limits you’ll leave.’ It literally hit me like a waveand I said, ‘I’ll be damned, I have to run.’”.

2018-19 Governor’ s Budget: Total State Funds: $190 Billion

bation officer (ironically enough appointed by Governor Brown in 1980 as superintendent of the women’s state prison in Chino)—told the principal that she’d dressed her daughter in pants because it was cold out and advised that she would continue to do so, Mitchell decided she would take her own action in protest. “I’d seen something on the news about women burning their bras, and I convinced four, five of my schoolmates to remove our undershirts in protest,” said Mitchell, who grew up at Holman United Methodist Church under the leadership of Rev. James Lawson. While there were little consequences in elementary school, these days Mitchell knows all too well the sacrifices of public service and has adopted a “Go-big-or-gohome” stance. “She’s well-respected. She’s tenacious and hard working and the bottom line is she get things done,” said Kerman Maddox, owner of Dakota Communications, one of L.A.’s top marketing and public affairs consulting firms. “I didn't run to think, ‘Okay, What will my next office be?’ I legislate everyday like I have nothing to lose,” Mitchell states. With that has come a willingness to tell the stories of the people she represents in spaces where others— including her fellow legislators— may be uncomfortable by them. As budget chair, she convenes hearings to examine the external issues that will impact the state's fiscal health and well-being in every area of spending as competing interests lobby for a piece of the action and advocates come—as she had once done—to state their cases. Because she was once on the other side, she devotes as much time as she can to sitting and listening to them. “As Chair, I tend to opine less because my job, as I perceive it, is to manage the whole process.” Part advocate and part steward, she not only has the governor’s ear, but the governor’s respect and says the feeling is mutual, though, of course, there are differences. They disagree most on what is a primal goal for Mitchell—the state’s ability to have an impact on reducing poverty. “While,” says Mitchell, “he believes emotionally that it's an issue to address and he will revert back to his Jesuit experience about poverty. What he has said is, "Holly, you know it's a big problem. We can't end poverty.’ “My response back to him was, ‘Well, you have been a forward-thinking leader on climate change. You are clear about California drawing a line in the sand and what that means to the world…And I'm not talking about us making the impact on world poverty. I'm talking about California poverty - the 500,000 children who live in deep poverty in this state, Sir.’ “He's willing to invest in trains and water tunnels and conversations around climate change, but with people he doesn't go far enough from my perspective.” Where they do see eye-to-eye is the role California must take in criminal justice reforms. “I appreciate him, as a leader and as a man, to have acknowledged that he was wrong when he was Governor Brown 1.0, and began the expansion of sentence enhancement,” she points out. “No one knew that would leave California having the highest incarcerated population and he is so committed [to changing that]. We'll be having conversations and he'll turn to me and say, ‘How are we doing?’ That means, how many criminal justice bills are you going to get to my desk?” Mitchell, in fact, has two more—one of them on the hot button issue of bail reform.

“I'm co-author of the last remaining bail-reform bill in Sacramento,” she proudly states. “The principal author is Senator Bob Hertzberg and I'm a co-author along with other members, and the bail industry has come out redhot mad.” The goal, according to Mitchell, is to eliminate cash bail and to instead instill a risk assessment tool that determines whether someone is a flight risk and would then be jailed until their court date. “I believe the Governor wants to get it done,” she said. “It's just what will ultimately be in the bill. It's an interesting kind of debate— a debate that comes up often around some members pitting working-class folks against people living in poverty. There are some legislators in the Assembly who have this interesting concept about how eliminating cash bail could harm middle working-class folk.” Bail reform is one of many “predatory” mandates she has tried to do away with. “Since our second year, Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and I —in partnership with the Governor — have had a package of bills we call #EquityandJustice, all juvenile and criminal justice reforms. “It was Ricardo's idea. He said, ‘Let's you and I come together, brown man and black woman, to represent faces we see locked up every day.’” It was that collaboration that led to Senate Bill 190, which eliminated juvenile detention fees. “Juveniles can't bail out,” Mitchell explains. “The arresting authority would decide whether to take [your kid] to juvenile hall or instead hand you a court date, and county probation departments were given the authority to charge parents for the time your children are locked up. So parents had to pay for their juvenile detention time and in some instances were racking up thousands and thousands of dollars in debt.” She pauses for a moment before adding, “We've criminalized poverty.” Effective January 1, 2018, the passage of SB190 changed all that. Similarly, as budget Chair, Mitchell can and does leverage her power to bring to light programs she feels are worthy of the state’s attention. “This is my second budget and this year I’ve talked to the brand new L.A County Public Health Department director about black infant mortality. California still has a disproportionally higher black infant mortality rate and she’s running some model programs here in L.A County that I’m interested in perhaps taking statewide.” Mitchell also takes pride in her work with California’s Legislative Black Caucus. A former president of the group (now chaired by Assemblyman Chris Holden), she feels very strongly that when they stand together they are unstoppable. “We try to pick a budget priority issue that we can come together on and tell the governor, “This is our priority as a caucus.” For the 10 of us to agree on one is difficult, but we’ve been successful with that this year on our one budget ask— a bill and budget

Jessica Cruz and Guy Qvistgaard of the National Alliance on Mental Illness present Mitchell with “Legislator of the Year” award.

strategy around the Local Control Funding Formula. Why? Because black children are the lowest performing across the state and we want to tweak the Local Control Funding Formula, granting additional resources for the lowest performing population.” On Fridays, one can find Mitchell in her district office in Los Angeles where the tough conversations center around homelessness, affordable housing and gentrification. “There are so many structural barriers that we have to address to empower people,” Mitchell reports of the increasingly uphill battles that make for long hours and heated debate. But in the end she takes great pride in the fact that under her legislative watch are more than 60 bills that have positively impacted the lives of countless people she will never know. “A natural leader who gives it to you straight—no chaser, Holly will be known for being on the right side of history on many issues and is definitely someone to watch,” observed Regina Wilson, who chairs the California Black Media. While she will term out of the state senate in 2022, her name has come up as a possible contender to replace L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas when he terms out in 2020. She is not saying what she will do. Neither is she ruling anything out, at least for now. Instead she is concentrating her efforts on her Senate re-election bid, the primary for which is scheduled for June 5.

Eye On Gospel Big Year for Tamela Mann Tamela Mann is gearing up for an action -packed 2018. She co-stars in the new original TV One holiday movie, Merry Wish-mas, with her husband, actor/comedian David Mann. The couple’s new memoir, Us Against the World: Our Secrets to Love, Marriage and Family, is available this fall. In the book, David and Tamela share personal stories and childhood memories, the surprising details behind how they met, married and started a family, what catapulted their careers and the growing pains of building a family business with their adult children. The duo is also in the studio recording a new album of love songs and in production on a major market fall tour. Tillymann Music Group PlatinumSelling Top Gospel Artist Tamela Mann received 2018 Billboard Music Award nominations for “Top G o s p e l Artist” and “Top Gospel Song” for “Change Me” from her 2017 top selling album, O N E WAY. In 2 0 1 7 , Tamela broke the record for the most No. 1’s in the history

of Billboard's Gospel Airplay chart when "Change Me" became her sixth leader, then sat atop the chart for 14 weeks. In addition to Tamela’s 2017 Billboard Music Award win and three career Billboard Music Award nominations, she has won a Grammy® Award, BET Award, two NAACP Image Awards, numerous Stellar Awards and Dove Awards, and received three Soul Train Award nominations. In March, Tamela was honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Stellar Gospel Music Awards. In related news, Anthony Brown & group therAPy have been nominated for three Billboard Music Awards in the categories of Top Gospel Artist; Top Gospel Single for their radio smash, “Trust in You”; and Top Gospel Album for their best-selling third project, A Long Way From Sunday. It’s déjà vu for the group who earned its first trio of Billboard Music Awards in 2016. That year, they were nominated for their sophomore album, Everyday Jesus and their power anthem, “Worth,” which spent 26 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart. The 2018 Billboard Music Awards will broadcast live from Las Vegas on May 20. Season of Miracles For William McDowell Since May 2016, William McDowell has personally witnessed more than 150 miracles of physical healing at the Orlando-based Deeper Fellowship Church he pastors and has recorded his findings in a new book, “It’s Happening: A Generation Is Crying Out and Heaven Is Responding.” “We’ve begun to grow quite a collection at our altar of unusable crutches, wheelchairs, and other medical devices because people are being healed,” said McDowell, a gifted teacher, multiple Stellar Award winner, Grammy-nominated worship leader and pastor of Deeper Fellowship Church in Orlando, Florida. “The only thing we can say about what’s happening among us specifically is that God made a sovereign deci-

sion to show us favor.” The book—borne out of McDowell’s prayer to see a move from God— documents the recent healing, supernatural breakthroughs and salvations at McDowell’s church, and what God has revealed to him about pouring out his spirit in revival. “We wept over our city—and asked God for revival. God heard our cries, and He is responding,” McDowell said. “I will not stop until I see revival across the nation and around the world. I am going to weep for it, cry out for it, pray for it, fast for it, wait for it, and live in antic ipation of it.” Out this month: Award-winning recording artist Jason Nelson delivers fifth solo album, The Answer. Scheduled for release on May 18, the CD follows his chart-topping album, Jesus Revealed. Highlights include the lead single “Forever” (co-written by his wife, Tonya Nelson), “Faith For That” (featuring twin brother Jonathan Nelson), a remake of Andraé Crouch’s classic “Jesus Is The Answer,” and Bill Gaither’s “He Touched Me.” Nelson produced and wrote the album with hit producer Aaron Lindsey, brother Jonathan, Eric Dawkins, and more. The CD was recorded live at The Tabernacle at Greater Bethlehem Temple in Baltimore, MD, which Nelson pastors, as well as several tracks recorded in-studio. Briefly: Grammy Award-winning gospel recording artist Kirk Franklin and wife Tammy will be among the starstudded list of couples—including Emmy Award-winning actor Sterling K. Brown and wife Ryan Michelle Bathe, Tina Knowles-Lawson and husband Richard Lawson and Emmy Award-winning actress Niecy Nash and her husband — featured in the second season premiere of its hit docu-series “Black Love” on Saturday, May 12. The series which highlights love stories from the Black community debuted last fall with 1.2 million total viewers, becoming OWN’s most-watched unscripted series debut in network history.

INSIDE HO L LY W OOD with Neily Dickerson Life Of The Party

In "Life Of The Party”, everyone’s f a v o r i t e M e l i s s a McCarthy plays Deanna, whose life spirals out of control and this broken spirit is left to pull herself up by her bootstraps for a complete overhaul. Here’s what happens: after 23 years of marriage, Deanna and her husband played by Mark Walsh of “Veep” & “Ghostbuster” drop their daughter off for her senior year of college, and while driving off campus he tells her he wants a divorce. He not only wants a divorce, but is leaving for

her longtime enemy played by, Julie Bowen (of “Modern Family”) and takes everything. Left to fend for herself Deanna decides to reboot her life and goes back to college where she is suddenly surrounded by her daughter and a batch of new friends. With the help of her BFF (Best Friend Forever), Christine—played by Minnie Riperton’s baby girl and “Bridesmaids” star Maya Rudolph— Deanna is given the support needed to progress step by step through the divorce. While completing her degree this Generation X student has the opportunity to share knowledge while gaining understanding from her millennial cohorts of what’s cool and not so cool. They appreciate each other so much, the young guns make Deanna an honorary member of their sorority

Theta Mu Gamma. Although an honorary member she cannot bypass all of the ceremonial experiences that come with Greek Life and she feels it like never before. Deanna is not only the life of the party on campus, but she catches the attention of a young man and let’s just say he appreciates the maturity of his fellow classmate more than expected. A stand-out moment in the movie is the celebration of 90’s music and Melissa McCarthy displaying her dance moves. With each movie she let’s us experience her moves more and more and I’m here for it, go Lissa! Mother’s grab your daughters, daughters you and your friends get together and go see "Life Of The Party." It’s a fun time for everyone. I even think some of the gentlemen will enjoy this one as well.

DUE IN THEATERS THIS MONTH

HOLLYWOOD BUZZ

BREAKING IN MAY 11

LIFE OF THE PARTY MAY 11

Red Table Talk With the launch—just before Mother’s Day—of “Red Table Talk”, Jada Pinkett-Smith will make Facebook a family affair as she will be joined by her 17year old daughter, Willow Smith and her Mom, Adrienne for a multigenerational series of “groundbreaking, candid and intimate” conversations on life, love, motherhood and the power of family. The 10episode series exploring their thoughts on today’s most compelling issues will also feature other celebrity guests and friends as users will be invited to post their comments or share their own personal stories relative to a weekly topic. Said Pinkett-Smith, “Red Table Talk is about raw truth, love and deep p a s sion. M y

SHOW DOGS MAY 18

mother is old school, Willow is new school, and I find myself right in the middle." “As a 17-year-old, it’s important for me to be able to talk openly about what’s going on in my life...there have been too many times I have felt alone,” said Willow Smith. “I feel like the only real valuable thing in life is sharing what we've gone through.” Time For A Girls Trip Ladies making their plans for a girls trip to New Orleans for this year’s Essence Fest will have an extra treat as award-winning actor/DJ/lyricist Idris Elba will be spinning his new single, “A-Run, A-Row” featuring DJ S.K.T. Unfortunately, with his recent engagement to finance Sabrina Dhowre, he is off the market. It will be a busy summer for Elba who has signed on for four more episodes of “Luther”. The 45-year old actor is also set to star in a Netflix series about “a struggling DJ and eternal bachelor” who’s chance for success comes as he becomes a manny to his famous best friend’s problem-child daughter. BET Beefs Up Its Programming for 2018-19 BET is beefing up its slate of original programing for 2018-19. Among its new shows is a reboot of the 1992 film, Boomerang, which starred Halle Berry, Eddie Murphy and Robin Givens; a docu-series following the personal and professional drama of iconic 90’s girl groups En Vogue, Salt-N-Pepa, Spinderella and SWV as they embark on a national tour; and from Tracey Edmonds comes “Games People Play” a sultry new thriller based on the Angela Burt Murray

SOLO MAY 25

book. Also on tap is American Soul, a drama based loosely on the life of Soul Train’s Don Cornelius. His son, Tony, serves as an executive producer. BET’s upcoming slate will also feature a docu-series from Dwayne Johnson that shares the compelling stores of heroes, leaders, advocates and change agents in African American communities across America as they uncover injustices and fight to bring healing and change. New reality shows from the network will include “The Grand Hustle”, a show in which T.I. is seeking out the nation’s next big hustler. The show will culminate with T.I. choosing one person to be named King or Queen of the Hustle – landing a sixfigure job working at one of T.I.’s companies. Coming Out In a recent edition of Rolling Stone Magazine, Janelle Monae finally addressed the swirling questions surrounding her sexuality, describing herself as “pansexual,” (the sexual, romantic or emotional attraction towards people regardless of their sex or gender identity). The announcement comes with the release of a her latest album, Dirty Computer. “There’s a lot of bulls**t going on in this world and it took me some time to articulate, and as angry as I have been at the way we have been portrayed in the media, spoken to by the leader of the free world, and that regime, I chose love”…Finally, Peabo Bryson is enjoying a resurgence at urban adult contemporary radio with the release of a brand new single, “Love Like Yours and Mine“. The track is the lead single from the Grammy award-winning recording artist forthcoming CD, scheduled for release this summer.

Q&A

Yari Shahidi Hometown: Minneapolis, MN Big Break: Imagine That (Starring Eddie Murphy) Current Projects: Grown-ish; Black-ish So impressed was Oprah with this actress that she told her: “Your future is so bright it burns my eyes.” In fact, it’s safe to say that actress Yara Shahidi is used to being in the spotlight. At just 6 weeks old she started her career with a modeling gig in a print advertisement for life insurance. By the time she was seven, she was already landing auditions to star in feature films and in small TV roles on Entourage, Cold Case and Wizards of Waverly Place. She even appeared as the young Olivia Pope in ABC’s Scandal. The limelight may come natural to the 18-year-old whose father, Afshin, is a cinematographer who once served as pop star Prince's photographer; her mother, Keri, is an actress and model. The success of Black-ish has created a successful spinoff called Grown-ish. What’s the experience been like to star in a show? What's exciting about 'Grown-ish' is it's very specifically focused on the Generation Z experience. I feel like college campuses are highly politicized right now. And to be in that kind of environment, especially when Zoey has grown up in her perfect socioeconomic, liberal bubble ... those are kind of going to be shattered and she has to figure out who she is in the larger context of the world around her. Your own life will mirror the character Zoey’s as you start Harvard University. How do you feel about that? I have made a commitment to a show and I have also made a commitment to a school that is very much to my liking. I’m trying to figure it out because I want to make sure I get as much of the actual college experience of being on campus and not flying back and forth. So we’re working it out so that the best of both worlds can exist. [Zoey] definitely opened my eyes to the many things that happen in college that I was oblivious to. At the same time, it’s almost like Zoey has lived that life so Yara doesn’t have to. So I feel like there’s going to be many an experiment that people will go through where I’ll be like, my character’s already done it so I don’t need to. What are your long term plans…after college? I know I want to end up in D.C., but not in politics. Politics-adjacent. But I’m trying to figure it out. I think the reason I chose that major is because there are a lot of people I look up to in the nonprofit world, and even in the economic world of venture capitalism and all sorts of stuff, who happened to be social studies majors at Harvard. As the daughter of an African-American mother and Iranian father, how has race shaped you? It gave me this rich heritage that I am grateful for, but there needs to be an understanding that you cannot then put me in certain boxes, or tell me what I can and cannot do — or what my peers can and cannot do — based on these pieces of identity. What’s next for 2018? I’m launching a new initiative titled 18X18 which will be a platform to encourage my peers to vote for the very first time in our upcoming midterm elections. I’m definitely excited about it. Definitely continuing to produce and direct, more Grown-ish, and taking a bit more time out to rest.

Calendar of events

Ongoing

Saturday, May 5

Exhibition: “How Sweet The Sound: Gospel Music In Los Angeles (Through August 26) Also “Nicole Miller: Athens, CA” 3-channel video installation weaving together student accounts from one of the region’s most dangerous neighborhoods (Through September 9, 2018) Tues-Sat: 10am – 6pm; Sun: 11am – 6pm Free (Parking = $12) CA African American Museum 600 State Drive Information: (310) 676-7300 caamuseum.org

Ladies & Gents Hat and Fashion Extravaganza & Luncheon $20 donation •12PM-4PM Leap of Faith CBC 3502 W. Imperial Hwy Contact: (310) 695-9925

In Concert: TECH N9NE 7:00PM • $37 - $99 The Belasco Theater 1050 S. Hill St. Contact: (213) 746-5670 www.thebelasco.com

Tuesday, May 8

Friday, May 11

Lecture: A Good Night’s Sleep Importance of sleep & how to get a good night’s sleep Free • 3:30PM – 5:00PM 10475 Wilshire Blvd Contact: (800) 516-5323 Connect.uclahealth.org/calendar

45th Annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Dinner Honoring CNN’s Van Jones Emcee Pat Harvey 6pm • Hollywood & Highland Center Contact: (323) 299-9660 www.laul.org

BFit Yoga Class Free •10 11:00am Saturdays Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 3650 West Martin L. King Jr. Bl Information: (323) 290-6636 Baldwinhillscrenshawplaza.com

Wednesday, May 2 COGIC 2018 Men Perfecting Men Conference (Through Friday, May 4) Hosted by Presiding Bishop Charles Blake Workshops, lectures and dynamic speakers $125 - $125 West Angeles Church of God In Christ 3045 Crenshaw Blvd www.cogic.org

Thursday, May 10 Artwork LA Annual Evening of Art Honoring Curren Price Fundraiser to combat L.A. epidemic high school dropout crisis with a long-term, sequential arts program 7PM – 10PM • $300 Taglyan Cultural Complex 1201 Vine Street Contact: (323) 465-1404 www.artworxla.org Evolution of View Park: Making Sense of Gentrification Conversation exploring the evolution of the neighborhood Free • 2:00PM-4:00PM CA African American Museum 600 State Drive • Exposition Park RSVP preferred (213) 744-2024 www.caamuseum.org

L.A. Focus/May 2018

Actress Danai Gurira walked the purple carpet in a Zuhair Murad designed red sequins dress at the LA premier of Avengers:Infinity War

on the ll smiles me a is n e yti Teig 45th Da Chrissy et at the sadena, Ca. p r a C d Re Pa wards in Emmy A

a star Morgan receives Comedian Tracy e. m Walk of Fa on the Hollywood

In Concert: Zapp, Lisa Lisa & the Original Mary Jane Girls 8:00PM • $35-65 The Novo 800 W. Olympic Bl Info: (213)

765-7000 www.thenovodtla.com On Stage: “Letters From Zora” (Starring Vanessa Bell Calloway) 8PM • $45 WACO Theater Center 5144 Lankershim Blvd North Hollywood, 91601 Contact: (818) 400-1151 wacotheatercenter.com

Saturday, May 12 Love Your Story Workshop with Kim Coles Business intensive 10:00AM – 2:00PM • $97 Marriott Redondo Beach 3635 Fashion Way Torrance www.thebossnetwork.org

Sunday, May 13 The 90’s Block Party with Guy With Special guests Teddy Riley,

EVENT SPOTLIGHT May 20, 2018 Festival of Praise/ Texture of a Man Starring Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Take 6, James Fortune and Pastor Charles Jenkins Long Beach Performing Arts Center 300 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach Tickets & Showtimes Contact: (562) 424-0013

Steve and M moment to arjorie Harvey tak ea p at the 45th ose on the Red Ca rpet Daytime E in Pasaden mmy Awards a, Ca

Lori Harvey stepdaughter of Steve Harvey attends the 45th Daytime Emmy Awards in Pasadena, Ca.

Tyra Banks on the red carpet at the 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Pasadena, CA

Lisa Collins Publisher of L.A. Focus Newspaper, First Lady Judy Sauls of HolmanUnited Methodist Church, and Kiki Shepard attend the 11th Annual Plus Awards Brunch & Auction at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Jagged Edge, 112, Ginuwine and Next 7:30PM • $49 -130+ 3900 W. Manchester Blvd Contact: (310) 330-7300 www.fabulousforum.com Workshop: “Mother’s Day Gardens” Learn how to plant and maintain flowers or herbs 1:00PM – 3:00PM • Free CAAM: 600 State Drive Exposition Park RSVP: (213) 744-2024 www.caamuseum.org

Saturday, May 19

Tuesdsay, May 15

35th Annual California Strawberry Festival (Through May 20) Cooking demonstrations, entertainment, attractions, arts & crafts Adults $12 Children $5 • 10am–6:30pm 3250 S. Rose Ave Oxnard www.strawberry-fest.org

The Personalized Treatment of Breast Cancer Risk factors, prevention and recent advances Free • 7:00PM – 9:00PM UCLA Medical Center 757 Westwood Blvd Tamkin Auditorium Contact: (310) 794-6644

Friday, May 18 In Concert: Katt Williams $49.50 - $95 • 8PM 777 Chick Hearn Court Info: (877) 234-8435 www.microsofttheater.com

Mother’s Day Brunch @ Aquarium of the Pacific Celebrate your Mom and visit over 11,000 animals 9:00AM –1:00PM • $69 ( Children 3-11= $29) Aquarium Of The Pacific 100 Aquarium Way • Long Beach www.aquariumofpacific.org

Soulful Sounds Concert featuring the Stylistics and The Emotions 8:00PM • $55 - $75 Carson Community Center 801 E. Carson Street Info: (310) 200-9153

In Concert: The Intruders 9:00PM • $25 - $100 The Rose 254 East Green Street Pasadena Info: (888) 645-5006 wheremusicmeetsthesoul.c

Your Divorce Options: What You Need To Know $10 • 4:00PM – 5:30PM L.A. Law Library 301 West 1st Street Contact: (213) 785.2516 lalawlibrary.org/classes

Annual Pink Pump Affair Honoring Vivica A. Fox Mistress of Ceremony: CBS Anchor Pat Harvey Auctioneer: Kym Whitley 12:30pm – 2:30pm • $250 – 1,000 Beverly Hills Hotel 9641 Sunset Blvd Contact: (323) 291-7100 http://snnla.org In Concert: Average White Band (Through Sunday, May 20) Check show times and ticket prices The Catalina Jazz Club 6725 West Sunset Blvd. Contact: (323) 466-2210 Info: catalinajazzclub.com

Panel Discussion: Mental Healthcare for African Americans From warning signs to help and providers Free • 11:00AM – 12:30PM Los Angeles Urban League 4401 Crenshaw Blvd

Sunday, May 20 Festival Of Praise Tour Featuring Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Pastor Charles Jenkins, James Fortune & Take 6 5:00PM • $44 - $67 300 East Ocean Blvd LB, CA Box Office: (562) 436-3661 festivalofpraisetour.com In Concert: Ja Rule & Ashanti 9:00PM • $65 - $100 The Saban Theatre 8440 Wilshire Blvd Info: (888) 645-5006 wheremusicmeetsthesoul.c om

7PM • $29.50 - $120 The Greek Theater 2700 North Vermont Contact: (844) 524-7335 www.lagreektheatre.com

Sunday, May 27 Workshop: “Sunprint Landscapes” Mixed-media workshop combining the sun with light sensitive paper to produce magical sunprints layered with embellishments 1:00PM – 3:00PM • Free CAAM 600 State Drive • Exposition Park RSVP(213) 744-2024 www.caamuseum.org

Tuesday, May 29

Saturday, May 26

On Stage: The Color Purple Starring Deborah Cox & Judson Mills (Through June 17) Check for tickets/show times Hollywood Pantages 6233 Hollywood Blvd Contact: (323) 468-1770 hollywoodpantages.com

In Concert: War (With George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic)

Exhibit: John Lee Hooker: King of The Boogie

around los angeles Angela Bassett attends the CinemaCon 2018 in Las Vegas, NV at the Cesars Palace

ed Breakthrough Gabrielle Union receiv award for her execuProducer of the Year ry Jane” at the Ma tive role in “Being s Vegas, NV La in 18 CinemaCon 20

Wednesday, May 30 Workshop: How To Represent Yourself in a Family Law Trial $10• 3:30PM – 5:30PM L.A. Law Library 301 West 1st Street Call: (213) 785.2516 lalawlibrary.org/classes Friday, June 1 Newport Beach Jazz Fest Featuring Kenny Lattimore, The Commodores, Jonathan Butler, Will Downing and more (Through June 3) Hyatt Regency Newport Beach 1107 Jamboree Rd For showtimes and tickets, call: (949) 360-7800 festivals.hyattconcerts.com

Tiffany Haddish receiv ed Female Star of Tomorrow award at the CinemaCon 2018 in Las Vegas, NV

L.A. Focus/ May 2018

received Sheryl Underwood ent Talk nm tai ter En g din Outstan the 45th at lk Ta e Show award for Th in d ar Aw my Daytime Em Pasadena, Ca

Commemorating the Grammy-winning blues artist’s 100th birthday (Through June 18) $10.95 – 12.95 M-F 10:30am - 6:30pm; Weekends:10am - 6:30pm The Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd Contact: (213) 765-6800 grammymuseum.org

Re d Carpet Style

DEBORAH COX is diva worthy in a fitted sheer silk floor length gown

EVE is fierce in this red Christian Siriano bell sleeve dress

The ladies were all in attendance at the 45th annual Daytime Emmy Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Ca on Sunday, April 29,2018

TAMERA MOWRY is stunning in a white split gown by Jovani

LONI LOVE is sparkling in a shortsleeved floor length gown

JAYLEN BARRON is fabulous in a Steven Khalil deep V- neck dress

Through the Storm

Escaping The Dark Side

oday, she serves as a chaplain at the Bible Enrichment Fellowship International Church and is one of the church’s most faithful servants. To look at her one would never guess the dark and troubled past from which Cathy Lewis escaped, including two decades of prostitution and a stint working for the Korean mafia. “I did every criminal act there is,” says Lewis as she reflects on where she’s been. “I was a prostitute. I was a drug dealer. I used to sell hot stuff, —anything. At one point I had thirteen separate prostitution cases open on me. “I just wanted money, stuff and things.” Cathy began in prostitution at the age of sixteen-when her parents abandoned her following their divorce- and her life started spiraling downhill. She ended up living with her brother, his girlfriend and her sister-both of whom were prostitutes themselves. “I was used to a certain type of lifestyle, but suddenly I didn’t have any money of my own,” Lewis recalls. “I was working in fast food at the time with men chasing me around. I had this cheap boyfriend I was having sex with who would buy me fake jewelry, but it wasn’t adding up in my head. Then I would see them turn a trick and sleep with a guy and get fifty dollars, and I was like, ‘Oh my God! I need to do what they’re doing’. “So I begged them, and they showed me how to do it and what to do, and since I was already having sex I figured, ‘Why not get paid for it?’ It’s evil and and demonic but that’s how I thought and that’s how it began. Looking back I see how crazy and immature I was, and how I was truly hurting.” Cathy’s life took an even more chaotic turn when she met the man who would become her pimp. “We started out as business partners, selling drugs and the like. But he had this dream of becoming a pimp. And I said, ‘Ok, I can make your dreams come true. I can go back to hooking, but you better take care of me.’ “I wanted to get married and of course he lied and said it was going to be just me, but that never happened. I was him for eight years in a tumultuous, dramatic relationship-- constantly getting beaten.” Ironically enough, Cathy was also raising two kids-- her daughter and her niece—both of whom she placed in St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School so they would have a moral upbringing. It was there that Lewis says she was first led Larry Elder continued from page 7

President Lyndon Johnson, in touting the Civil Rights Act of 1964, said, "I'll have those (N-words) voting Democratic for the next 200 years." President Donald Trump, through his secretary of education, urges parental choice in schools. Polls show that inner-city parents want the option to remove their kid from underperforming public schools, where many of those who graduate cannot read or do math at grade level. Many graduate without the skills employers want. Many of those pursuing higher education must take remedial courses to compete at the college level. Yet to Biden and the Democrats, Trump, who wants to do something about the quality of education in inner cities, is "racist." And "racist" Trump wants to eliminate the competition for jobs held by illegal aliens. Research by Harvard economist George Borjas shows that illegals, especially unskilled illegals, compete for innercity jobs and place downward pressure on wages. The Americans losing out are the very black and brown workers the Democratic Party claims they care so deeply about. But that doesn't stop the Democrats from employing their tried-and-true technique. The race card. Don't leave home without it. Larry Elder is a best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. To find out more about Larry Elder, or become an "Elderado," visit www.LarryElder.com. Follow Larry on Twitter @larryelder.

to the Lord by a sister at the school who’d taken an interest in her. “I was a school mom, but everyone knew I was a prostitute and she said, ‘I want you to come volunteer.’ When I turned her offer down, she asked me why I chose to come here and I said, ‘Because I want my daughter and niece to go to heaven.’ “She asked me why I thought I was going to hell, and I told her for all the things I had done. And she told me, ‘All you have to do is believe with your heart and confess with your mouth and repeat after me, that Jesus is Lord—and you are saved.’ That was the first of many seeds planted. “God used her to help me see the light in a very dark time,” Lewis says. “Looking back, I laugh because God was always there for me my whole life. Even as I walked the streets with the pimps, a pastor would stop and try to talk to me about the Lord.” Lewis found even more inspiration in Christian television, which prompted her to start visiting different churches. “I was just hungry,” she notes. “I wanted to transform, but I didn't know how to transition from a criminal life—with no education— to living for God. I used to say, ‘God, maybe one day you'll do this for me.’ I had hope. “Listening to so much Word from different people, I know I needed to be filled and be powerful, and go into the spirit and knock demons down and fight. But everybody was telling me that was not possible and I’d say, ‘No. I believe.’” But those beliefs would not be manifested until nearly a decade later when after being arrested in a set up with six kilograms of cocaine and $79,000, she found herself in a Culver City jail cell serving a five year sentence without bail, that Cathy

“

“She asked me why I thought I was going to hell, and I told her for all

the things I had done. God used her to help me see the light in a very dark time. Looking

back I laugh because God was always there for me my whole life.”

found God and was able to turn a corner-- putting her past behind her. She began taking classes for drug and alcohol abuse, studying at LACC, and volunteered at the Mission Bible Church as an intern. She would work her way into becoming a licensed chaplain at Mission before joining Bible Enrichment Church where she could identify with its strong, female pastor, Apostle Beverly “Bam” Crawford. “I saw Dr. Crawford going through pain in her personal life because she stays transparent, and I thought, ‘Well, if God did that for her, she could do that for me.” The final piece to the puzzle that was her life was found in the unlikely union of her husband of nineteen years, Dwight, who shares a similar background as a former pimp who became ordained as a chaplain while still incarcerated. Today, the pair do God’s work for Bible Enrichment and keep a side hustle cooking and delivering tacos out of their home. “God put us together. Two ex-felons. I could have never picked him and no one ever imagined that it would last.” But not only has it lasted, but they have blossomed into a dynamic duo whose combined testimonies have touched the lives of the countless many they have witnessed to. Along with speaking engagements where she shares her testimony, Cathy’s main focus in effecting change is ministering women who are struggling the way she once was. “God put me here to minister women that are broken and hopeless and let them know that they can come out, and I have proof! I have helped get women off the street—women who dance at bars, prostitutes, drug addicts, women in abusive relationships—all who are walking today with God. “And now when I’m telling my girlfriends who know me out in the world about my past, I can’t help but laugh, and say, ‘I don’t even know who that person is.’”

Game Changers: Jan Perry “Growing up, I’d always ask, ‘Why are things the way they are and why can’t somebody do something about it?’,” says Jan Perry, General Manager of the City of Los Angeles’ Economic Workforce Development Department (EWDD). Perry’s quest to find the answers have fueled a career in public services that has included twelve years as L.A.’s ninth district council member, a stint as President Pro Tempore of the Los Angeles City Council and has resulted in the city of Los Angeles naming a community park (The Jan Perry Wetlands) after her. “My life has always taken the path of grappling with social issues and public pol-

icy issues and finding solutions, because that’s just the way I’ve been taught. If you believe in a power greater than yourself, you’d see how I’ve been lead in this direction.” In her four years leading of EWDD, Perry has used the resources of the department to fulfill this personal conviction and aid the city in economic development and progress. Perry has been running EWDD since the department’s inception in 2013-- when it was launched by Mayor Eric Garcetti as a modern, more efficient way for people to do business in the city, and to create more vibrant neighborhoods. EWDD now employees 175 people and provides a broad range of programs that offer assistance in the areas of business support, employment and youth development-- all aimed to improve the economy of Los Angeles while building a well-trained and job-ready workforce. Part of their multi-pronged approach to economic improvement is getting people to work by connecting those seeking jobs with the resources to obtain employment. “Our well-established workforce development programs have 16 offices that provide free services for people that need to find a job, get trained for a job, or any such services they need,” says Perry. “We also have 14 youth resource centers now that offer educational and career readiness services for disconnected youth ages 16 to 24 that are neither in school nor working.” So far EWDD’s WorkSource and YouthSource centers have been successful, but Perry admits, there’s

always work to be done. “There's always more people to put back to work-- it's been a steady progress and that's been great. For example, our Hire LA's Youths project, has grown steadily each year. We've placed over 15,000 young people in jobs just last year. “There is enough work to go around for everyone who is of service, and if people who have access to resources, power and influence could see it more that way we would quite likely see a lot more transformation in a much more rapid pace,” admits Perry. EWDD is also a vital resource to local businesses both big and small. “We’ve established our own business lending program,” says Perry. “And in combination with being recipients of federal Housing and Urban Development money provided for community development, we’ve created a small business loans program providing up to $50,000 for small businesses and $500,000 for large businesses. “We also have nine BusinessSource centers throughout the city where our contractors help small businesses get access to capital, learn to establish themselves, learn to grow and how to accelerate. It’s a full service, whatever a business needs they can come and get resources and guidance.” Among Perry’s proudest achievements is her expansion of two wetland parks in South Los Angeles-- where local residents can come and enjoy nature in their own neighborhood-- and the construction of much needed affordable housing units. “I've worked very very closely and in an energetic manner with a few nonprofit housing developers, and a few for-profits, to built 5,670 units of permanent, afford-

“

My main concern is to give people the quality of life that they deserve in a way that can be sustained and remain no matter who is in power. That bothers me a lot and I think about it almost every day.”I bee. able and supportive housing,” says Perry. “I'm proud of many of the things that we did, a lot of the family housing that we built with nonprofits in South LA, closer to schools and the parks and libraries and on transportation lines.” Looking to the future, Perry seeks to continue the momentum EWDD has built. “I'd like to see this department take the lead in a strategy that will bring about more housing people can afford at a much faster pace, to see a place where young people could actually afford to live here and to stay here. “My main concern is to give people the quality of life that they deserve in a way that can be sustained and remain no matter who is in power. That bothers me a lot and I think about it almost every day. “When you're in a position of responsibility where you have access to the resources and information that can benefit people, you realize that it's more than a job-- it's a moral obligation to make sure to do the best job possible to help people's lives transform.” For all of her accomplishments, Perry is hardly satisfied. “When you do this for a living you should never be satisfied. There's always more people to put back to work. You can never rest on your laurels.”

Special Report: AARP Study Over 50% of Blacks in L.A. County Consider Leaving State Due to Unaffordability Over half of the African Americans living in L.A. County say that they have considered leaving the state of California and living somewhere else due to the high cost of living. Three in ten blacks in L.A. county say that they would not be able to pay an emergency expense of $1000 or more, and 14% say that they would not be able to pay an emergency expense of $100 or more. In fact, among L.A. County African American residents age 36-70 in the workforce, four in ten say that they are just getting by or finding it difficult to get by financially. One in four work a side job to make extra money. When it came to retirement, the statistics were even more grim with three in ten respondents stating that retirement was a luxury they could not afford or that they did not have the confidence that they would be able to retire. Not surprisingly, housing expenses were the major obstacle to saving for retirement. Those were some of the key findings shared in a recent Town Hall hosted by AARP on the financial state of Black

Angelenos from a study entitled, “California Dreaming…or Struggling: Gen X and Boomer Financial Security”. The study, conducted statewide, included workforce adults 36-70 in California’s major metro areas. Speakers included affordable housing expert Lori Gay (CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services), urban planning scholar Andre Comandon, Valeisha Butterfield (Global Head of Women & Black Community Engagement for Google) and Jennifer Hobson (Associate State Director for multicultural outreach, AARP California). “We haven’t set ourselves up for success,” Hopson said. “These are real time statistics. It is essential for us to delve deeper into the conversation about economic equity and housing.” “In Los Angeles, we have 1% of the net wealth of white families,” Lori Gay pointed out. “So what does that look like in dollars? $355,000 is the average white net wealth for families. For Black folks, it’s $3500 (1%) That’s in 2018.” And underscoring that housing affordability was at a crisis level, Gay added, “The homeownership rate [for

blacks] reached its highest in 2004 with us being near 50%, but now we’re back below the levels we were at in 1968. Generational wealth matters. So don’t sell your house. If you own your home and you’re in a tough situation, call NHS.” Comandon pointed out that the high cost of renting was equally alarming. “Of those that rent, 66% are rent burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent and over 40% spend more than 50% of their income on rent.” AARP California State Director, Nancy McPherson, said the research reveals that housing affordability in Los Angeles has reached a crisis level. According to our research”, she said, “a broad base of support exists for legislation that addresses access to affordable housing and retirement savings. And approximately 78% of Black Angeleno survey respondents believe their elected officials should support legislation increasing access to affordable housing in California.”

Major Obstacle To Saving For Retirement ( Top Mentions %)

ChurchNews The Church of God In Christ Honors Six Pioneering L.A. Church Leaders

Agape Church of Los Angeles Worship Center Consolidated Plaza: 3725 Don Felipe Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90008 Corprate Office: 4602 Crenshaw Blvd, Suite 2A, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 295-5571 www.agapela.org Bishop Craig A. Worsham, Founder & Senior Pastor Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Worship: 11:00am Loving, Lifting & Liberating Humanity Through The Word Bethany Baptist Church of West LA 4115 W. Martin L. King Jr. Bl • LA 90008 (323) 296-7223 Dr. L.A. Kessee, Senior Pastor Sunday Worship: 8am •11:00am Sunday School: 9:45am Communion, First Sundays 6:00pm Prayer Service: 10:00am www.bethanywla.com

Top Row: Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Apostle Fred Price, Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray Bottom: Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Dr. Jerome Fisher, Dr. Melvin V. Wade

capacity crowd upwards of 1300 gathered at West Angeles COGIC’s north campus on May 3 as six of L.A.’s pioneering church leaders—Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer (Faithful Central Bible Church); Apostle Frederick K.C. Price (Crenshaw Christian Center) Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray (Pastor Emeritus, First A.M.E.); Bishop T. Larry Kirkland (AME 5th District); Pastor Jerome Fisher (Pastor Emeritus, Greater Zion Church Family), and Dr. Melvin V. Wade were honored for their pioneering efforts, achievements and contributions to the faith community and the county of Los Angeles. “I just did my job,” Apostle Fred Price remarked of the night that drew together in one place key leaders of multiple denominations. “I had no ambition for anything else other than to fulfill my assignment and I’m not finished yet.” Said Bishop Kirkland, “Anytime you’re honored you have to be grateful and honored… and I feel deserving. I worked hard—58 years.” Dr. Wade, who was “elated, honored and privileged” remarked, “I’ve done my best for 43 years and somebody saw it.” The highlight of those years, said Wade, “was just to be in Los Angeles and to be the leader of one of the strongest [Baptist] churches in the state following a legend like Dr. Earl A. Pleasant.” At 94 years old, Dr. Jerome Fisher said he was just grateful to have served the cities of Los Angeles and Compton, adding, “While I still love preaching, I thank God that he kept me here long enough to see another generation of young people come up and take over.” Bishop Ulmer, who was on double duty as the keynote speaker and honoree, said he was just thrilled to be in such “high cotton with all of these outstanding faith leaders, especially Bishop Charles Blake”. “It was a powerful event,” said member/networking coach Janice Smallwood-McKenzie. “Everyone was visibly moved and to see Bishop acknowledge the rich contributions the other great leaders across denominations just brought me to tears”. The event—coordinated under the leadership of chair Pastor Michael Golden Jr. (Greater Emmanuel Temple COGIC, Newport News, VA)— was part of the Church of God In Christ three-day Men Perfecting Men Conference. “Our assignment here in the greater Los Angeles area,” said Golden, “is to educate, empower and inspire. The men across the country are screaming for authentic ministry and the Church of God In Christ has decided that this is the season to pull together authentic ministry for Black men all across this nation. “In addition to the education component, we wanted to honor and celebrate the fathers who have helped pave the way for so many who are coming behind. We thought what better way coming to Los Angeles than to unify denominations and to celebrate these [religious] fathers.”

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

Grace Temple Baptist Church 7017 South Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 971-8192 Bishop Miquail M. Broadous Sr., Senior Pastor Sunday School: 9am Morning Worship: 10:00am Wednesday Worship: 6:45pm E-Mail: gtbcla@gmail.com

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

Grace United Methodist Church 4112 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 294-6653 • F: (323) 294-8753 • graceumc1@earthlink.net Rev. Pastor Paul A. Hill • www.graceumcla.com Early Morning Worship: 7:45am Sunday School: 9:45am Morning Worship: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 7:00pm Fri. Alcoholic Anonymous: 7:00pm Tues. Prayer Fellowship: 6:30pm Super Seniors (Thurs/Bi-Monthly): 10:30am Follow us on Facebook

Bryant Temple AME Church 2525 W. Vernon Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 293-6201 • F: (323) 293-0082 Pastor Dwaine Jackson

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

Sunday School: 8:15am Morning Worship: 9:15 am Bible Study (Tues): Noon Pastor’s Bible Study( Tues): 6:00pm

Christ The Good Shepherd Episcopal Church 3303 W. Vernon Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 295-4139 • F: (323) 295-4681 Rev. Joseph Oloimooja Sunday School: 10:00am Early Worship: 8:00am Morning Worship: 10:00am Mon. Centering Prayer/Meditation: 6:30pm Mon. Overeaters Anonymous: 7:00pm Wed. Bible Study & Eucharist: 7:00pm Wed. Alcoholic Anonymous: 7:00pm E: cgshepherd4041@sbcglobal.net 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 Apostle Frederick K.C. Price, Founder Sunday Service: 9:45am Bible Study (Tue): 11:00am & 7:00pm Tue. Night Children’s Ministry: 7:00pm Tue. Night Bible Study (Teens): 7:00pm Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (Wed): 7:00pm

First AME Church (FAME) 2270 South Harvard Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 735-1251 • F: (323) 735-3353 • www.famechurch.org Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, Senior Pastor/CEO Sunday School: 10:00am Worship: 8:00am, 10:00am, Noon Teen Church (2nd Sundays):Noon,Allen House Wed. Prayer Service: Noon Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm Radio: 10:30am on KJLH-102.3FM First AME is the oldest Black Church in the City

Early Worship: 8am Sunday School: 9:30am Mid-Morning Worship: 11am Radio-KALI 900AM: Sun. 11-Noon, 7-8pm KTYM 1460AM Sundays: 5:30pm Bible Study (Tues, Wed & Thurs): 7pm Holman United Methodist Church 3320 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 731-7285 • F: (323) 731-2609 • www.holmanumc.com Rev. Kelvin Sauls Sunday School: 9:30am(Youth) & 9:45(Adult) Sunday Worship: 8am and 11am Morning Worship: 11:00am Bible Study (Thurs.): Noon Sun. Radio: KJLH 102.3FM: 11:00am Praise and Worship: 2nd Wednesdays 6:30pm8:00pm Jazz for the Soul: 4th Wed’s 6:30pm-8:00pm Gather, Grow, Go and Live The Gospel Jesus Christ

Liberty Baptist Church 1500 West 51st Place, Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 295-3866 • F: (323) 295-0366 • E: LBCwim@aol.com Rev. Terry Lovell Brown Sr. Sunday Church School: 9:00am Morning Worship: 10:30am & 12:30pm Wed. Bible Study: noon & 6:30pm Prayer Meeting: 6:00pm Follow us on Twitter @dacrossculture www.thecrossculture.org Mt. Moriah Baptist Church of LA, Inc. 4269 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323) 846-1950 Rev. Melvin V. Wade, Sr. Sunday School: 8:15am Morning Worship: 9:45am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Mid-Week Worship (Wed): 7:00pm Bible Study (Wed.): 8:00pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 S. Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 231-1040 • stmarkmbcofla.org Rev. Dr. Lovely Haynes Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Mon-Wed: Prayer Bible Study: 6:00 - 6:55 pm Mon. Night Bible Study: 7:00pm Tue Choir Rehersal Wednesday Prayer: Noon Wed. Exposition of Sunday School Lesson: 7pm Wed. Prayer Meeting: 7:00pm Thurs. Evangelism: 7:00pm (enrollment required)

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

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

St. Matthew Tabernacle of Praise “The S.T.O.P.” 1740 West 59th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90047 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 56608, Los Angeles, CA 90056 (323) 291-1115 • F: (323) 293-0471 Rev. C.Barry Greene, Pastor Sunday Worship Service: 8:00am PrayerLine: (Tuesday & Wednesday): 6:00am WordLine (Tuesday): 7:00pm ( (712) 775-7031 Access Code: 814352108) E: thechurchstop@yahoo.com pastorcbgreene@aol.com

C H U R C H ES C ELEB R ATIN G A N N IVER SA R IES A N D R EVIVA LS O R O PPO R TU N ITIES

PEOPLE’S INDEPENDENT CHURCH OF CHRIST

Leap Of Faith CBC

“The First Community Church of Los Angeles” (Non-Denomination) Founded 1915

Pastor Artis Glass

Seeking a Pastor Now accepting Resumes Qualifications: Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Theology from 4-year accredited Seminary or University Licensed and Ordained Minister of the Gospel

presents their

ANNUAL REVIVAL-THREE MEN OF GOD “Return Unto The Lord Thy God;For Thou Hast Fallen By Thine Iniquity”—Hosea 14

Guest Speakers:

Pastor Harold Mitchell Greater Emmanuel MBC 3727 W. 111th Pl, Inglewood Wed., May 9, 2018 @7pm

Pastor K.B. Williams Evening Star MBC 211 W. 59th St, Los Angeles Thur, May 10, 2018 @7pm

Pastor Stanley Richards Beacon Light BC 10306 Avalon Blvd, LA Friday, May 11, 2018@7pm 3502 W. Imperial Hwy

Submit Cover Letters and Resumes to: People’ s Independent Church of Christ c/o Deacon Samuel Cooper 5856 West Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90043

“Revival is for God’s people when they need to be forgiven and restored to life, spiritual health, and vitality.”

Deadline: June 30, 2018

Email: leap_of_faithcbc@netzero.com • lofcbc@gmail.com

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

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

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

3502 W.Imperial Hwy, Inglewood, CA 90303 • (310) 695-9925 www.lofchurch.org

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

Praises of Zion Baptist Church (“Praise City”) 8222 So. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90003 (323) 750-1033 • F: (323) 750-5458 • www.pozlive.com Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick, Sr. Pastor Early Morning Worship: 6:45am Educational Hour: 9:15am Mid-Morning Worship: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 7:00pm Sunday Morning Broadcast: 5:30am Live Streaming Sundays: 12:00pm Price Chapel AME Church 4000 W. Slauson Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 296-2406 • pricechapel@sbcglobal.net Rev. Benjamin Hollins Sunday Worship Service: 10:00am Sunday School: 8:30am Power Lunch Bible Study (Wed): 11:00am Praise & Worship Bible Study (Wed): 6:30pm

Southern Saint Paul Church 4678 West Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 731-2703 • smbc@smbcla.org Rev. Xavier L. Thompson, Senior Pastor/Teacher Corporate Prayer: 7:45am Morning Worship Service: 9:00am Baptism & Communion (First Sunday): 4:00pm Christian Education Night(Wednesdays):7:00pm North Campus: L.I.F.E. Groups: 11:00am Worship Service:12:30pm 11137 Herrick Av • Pacoima 91331 (818) 899-8031 st.paul@smbcla.org •“Loving People Making Disciples” Trinity Baptist Church 2040 West Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 735-0044 • F: (323) 735-0219 Rev. Alvin Tunstill, Jr Sunday Worship: 7:30 & 10:30am Sunday Church School: 9:00am Radio Broadcast KJLH FM: 9:00am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: Noon-7:00pm www.trinitybaptistchurchofla.org UpLift Christian Fellowship 4745 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90056 (310) 927-3476 • www.upliftla.org Pastor Anthony Thompson Sunday Worship: 10:00am Bible Study Wednesday: 7:00pm

L.A. Focus/ May 2018

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

Come One, come all — All are welcome

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

Weller Street Baptist Church 129 S. Gless St, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 261-0949 • F: (323)264-6601 • www.wellerstreetlive.com Pastor K.W. Tulloss Sunday School: 8:00am Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00am Tues. Bible Study: 6:45pm www.wellerstreetlive.com “We have not walked this way before” Joshua 3:1-6

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

www.westa.tv

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

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

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

In Carson

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

Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church 1249 East Carson Street • Carson, CA 90745 (424) 287-2809 Pastor Quentin T. Oden Sunday School: 9:00am Sunday Worship Service: 10:00am Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Facebook live Sundays at: Triedstonembcla 11:15am “Where the father leads, we will follow...” www.triedstonembcla.org

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

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

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

Pastor Profile: Bishop Craig Johnson Church: Cathedral of Praise How Many Years At Church: 23 Home Town: Riverside, CA Family: Wife Demetria, 3 children When did you receive your call to ministry? Well, I have been in ministry now for 41 years and I was 14 when I received the call. It was November of 1976 and I was attending a Thanksgiving retreat for Western Baptist State Convention in Ventura. I began to sense the presence of God in some ways that I quite honestly haven’t experienced since, but while the Pastor was preaching, I had a vision. I looked up and it was me up there instead of him. I clearly heard the Lord say, ‘You have to be preaching.’ It’s amazing because I still have the program from that evening, and I literally wrote on it, “You have to be preaching.” When I went home—at the moment I walked in the front door—my mother said, ‘What happened on Thursday night at seven o’clock?’ I began to tell her about what had occurred, and her reply was, “Oh is that all? I knew when I was pregnant with you that you were going to be a preacher.” I said, “What?” And she said, “I promise you when I was pregnant with you Craig, I heard the Lord say ‘fear not for this is the work of the Lord’ so I have always known you were going to be a preacher. So you must have been really involved with the church at a young age? You could say that. The event I described happened in November, and on January 8th of the following year, I was licensed to preach. My mother was a preacher’s kid and I grew up in Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, which my great grandfather started, so I have memories of being in church as early as five. Going to church wasn’t an option in my mother’s house; church is what we do as a family. I never felt like I was made to go though, I’ve always really enjoyed church. The Pastor I came up with, J. Wesley Witmill did non-traditional things that were out-ofthe-box and made church fun, like throwing dances. For the ‘70s that was unheard of.

People in my neighborhood would call me “church boy”, but whenever I ride back through the neighborhood for those that are still alive, people will literally stop and flag me down and say, “We wish we had made some of the decisions you made.” What was your perception of Pastors growing up and how has it changed over time? I’ve always perceived pastors as people who are there to help families and individuals have a better, more productive life. I grew up under pastors who approached ministry from a holistic view. It wasn’t just about going to church and being, as I sometimes refer to as “deep and super spiritual”, it is about holistically improving your life-- financially, educationally, health-wise, everything and that is why I am a pastor. For instance, our health ministry is the biggest ministry at our church. We do everything from “The Biggest Loser”, to samba classes, to walks and runs. Along with all the regular spiritual things that our ministry does, we also do things that are just fun, like a Valentine’s dance and a summer beach party. It’s really important to me because that’s how I grew up. I want the people whom I lead to not only be spiritually well, but financially well and healthy. I believe the scripture is very clear when Jesus says, “I came that you might have life and live it more abundantly.” So with yout non-traditional approach, do yu think denominations are still as relevant as they once were? Absolutely not, denominationalism is a dying breed. Nowadays you see churches that are part of denomina-

tions, but don’t put that name on their billboard or their buildings. I would suggest that before I leave this earth in my lifetime, I would see denominationalism totally die and I think that’s a good thing. There aren’t denominations in the bible. Even when I was growing up, the only argument I was ever in, in relation to religion, was when people wanted to say I’m a Baptist. My response was, ‘I can’t say I’m a Baptist because that isn’t in the bible.’ But you are a part of the Global United Fellowship. Explain what that is and how it deffers from a denomination? Global United Fellowship has churches from every background-- there are non-denominational churches, Baptist churches, COGIC churches-- it’s just Christians coming together to fellowship and affect culture with Kingdom principles. So Global United Fellowship is a true fellowship, it isn't a denomination. They don’t dictate what we preach. They have no statement of faith like most denominations would have, where you must believe this and that to be pastor. The only thing that is written in the Global United Fellowship is that you must believe Jesus is the Son of God. That’s it. If I were to come to your church Sunday after Sunday, what would I hear you speak of the most in terms of thematically? Without a doubt the thing I preach about the most is two subjects—one is love. I have people say to me all the time, “You preach so many messages about love,” and I will say, ‘God is love. How can I talk about God and not talk about love?’ The bible is emphatically clear that everything leads back to love. I think it is so important that, as believers, we love one another—it is the greatest testimony. To say that we love God and [yet] we hate our brother who we see everyday, the bible says you are a liar. And then as someone said, I am the pastor of hope. I am always talking about hope, because I believe that the bible is emphatically clear, “If God is for you, who will be against you?” Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite scriptures, “He has plans for us, and those plans are to give us a future and a hope.” I believe in this day and age, people need hope because there is so much going on that challenge us in the area of hope. And so love and hope are definitely the two subjects I preach about the most.

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

In Gardena

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

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

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

In Hawthorne

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

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

In Inglewood Bible Enrichment Fellowship International 400 E. Kelso, Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-4700 • www.bamcm.org Dr. Beverly “BAM” Crawford Morning Worship: 9:30am Tues. Bible Study: 7:30pm Wed. Mid-Week Prayer: 5am, Noon & 7:00pm Wednesday Pathway: 7:00pm Thurs Bible Study: 10:00am Sat Marriage & Family Prayer: 7:30am Blessed Family Covenant Church 325 North Hillcrest Blvd, Inglewood, CA, 90301 (310)-674-0303 • F: (310)-674-0303 • blessedfamilycovenant.org Rev. Wendy Howlett Sunday School: 8:30am Morning Worship: 9:30am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: 7:00pm

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

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

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

First Lady Files

Dr. Vernessia Hall

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

Jacob’s Ladder Community Fellowship, inc. 1152 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90302 (866) 330-1702 • F: (310) 674-0760 Watchman/Shepherd Dr. Robert T. Douglas Sr. Sunday Fresh Start & Prayer 9:00am Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Services: 11:45am Evening Service: 7:00pm Wed. Lock & Load Prayer: 7:00pm Wed. Bible Study: 7:30pm 3rd Friday Youth Night: 7:30pm www.jacobladderschurch.com Leap of Faith Community Baptist Church 3502 W. Imperial Hwy, Inglewood, CA 90303 (310) 695-9925 Rev. Artis Glass Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Bible Study: Wednesdays Noon and 6PM

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

True Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 7901 South Van Ness Ave. Inglewood, CA 90305 (323) 750-7304 Rev. James A. Perkins Sunday School: 9:30am Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 10:45am Bible Adventure Hour (Tues): 6pm Bible Study (Tues): 7pm Bible Study (Thurs): Noon Christ Our Redeemer AME Church In Irvine 45 Tesla, Irvine, CA 92618 (949) 955-0014 • F:(949) 955-0021 • www.corchurch.org Pastor Mark E. Whitlock, II Sunday Worship: 8:00am, 10:30am New Generation Praise Service: 10:30am Sun. Bible Univ.: 9:30am Tues. Interactive Bible Study: 7:00pm Wed. Pastor's Bible Study: Noon, 7:00pm Thurs. Bible Study: 7:00pm Fri. Singles Bible Study (1st Fri): 7:00pm St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church 1720 N. Walnut Avenue, La Puente, CA 91744 (626) 918-3225 • F: (626) 918-3265 Pastor Tony Dockery

In La Puente

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

In Long Beach

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

God Inspired Worship Center Dr. Vernessia Hall loves serving people and as first lady of the God Inspired Worship Center (alongside her husband of 25 years, Bishop M.L. Hall) she makes it a point to hug and thank members personally every Sunday. But what she likes most is the difference they’re making in the lives of those they serve. “Sometimes you feel you’re doing all this work and wonder if the people are listening, so when I see someone make a change in their lives, it’s gratifying,” Hall states. “My husband and I often talk about how when we first started our ministry 90% of the people were on welfare and we kept encouraging them to go back to school, to get a trade and buy property. So when I look at certain individuals that came and were broken and on drugs and now are homeowners and have degrees, that’s rewarding.” Though the native Angeleno grew up in church, being a first lady is not something she wanted.“For some, being a first lady is prestigious, but there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes—the sacrifices and giving of your time and your resources to make sure ministry goes forward. Officially, she serves the Chief of Staff, at the 500member strong church and her responsibilities include the day-to-day operations and program planning, including an annual event providing food, clothing and toys to over 2500 families every year in December. “My husband said we have a one-two punch, I preach and you sing. We would not have made it this far if we were not a team.” Christ Second Baptist Church 1471 Martin Luther King, Jr., Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-3421 • Fax: (562) 599-6175 • www.csbclb.org Rev. Welton Pleasant II, Senior Pastor Sunday School: 8:30am Sunday Worship Service: 9:40am Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm Wed Youth & Young Adult Ministry: 7:00pm

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

Grant AME Church of Long Beach 1129 Alamitos Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 • (562) 437-1567 grantamelb@aol.com • www.grantamelb.org Rev. Michael W. Eagle, Sr. Sun. Worship Experience: 10:45am 3rd Sun. Healing & Annointing: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 6pm Mothers of Murdered Youth & Children Were all receive a little attention, affection and love. New Philadelphia A.M.E. Church 6380 S. Orange Avenue, Long Beach, Ca 90805 (562)422-9300•F: (562) 422-9400 Pastor Darryl E. Walker, Senior Pastor Worship: 9:00am —1st & 5th Sunday Sunday School/New Member Classes: 8:00am 2nd thru 4th Sunday Worship:7:30 am &10:00am•Sunday School New Member Classes: 9:00am Sunday worship services streamed live on the web Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday Eve 7:00pm Mid-Week Bible Study: Thursday 12:00 noon www.nuphilly.org

From the Pulpit: Family of Faith Christian Center “Its Not What It Lookes Like”

I Kings 17:17-22 (ASV)

L.A. Focus/ May 2018

nd it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. 18 And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? [a]thou art come unto me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son! 19 And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into the chamber, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. 20 And he cried unto Jehovah, and said, O Jehovah my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? 21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto Jehovah, and said, O Jehovah my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again. 22 And Jehovah hearkened unto the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. Discernment allows you to recognize that sometimes no matter what a situation feel or look like, it is not over until God has spoken. The challenge is to pray for discernment to recognize God is at work. In I Kings 17:17-24, we are informed the widow of Zarephath son has fallen sick. This mother might not have been alarmed if this was a simple headache, sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, cough, or minor aches and pains; Ok that’s the Nyquil commercial, but his sickness was synonymous with the recent flu that killed three dozen children. The text states “that there was no breath left in him.” Matthew Henry states “neither faith nor obedience exempts one from afflictions and death.” The Ruach (Spirit of God) had dissipated from him. Genesis 2:7 reads “And God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” It is the breath of God that makes one a living being. I do not want to make light of this mother’s situation, but sufficient to say that whenever the breath of God is not in you, you can be living physically and will be dead spiritually. There was no breath left in him. The mother said unto Elijah, “Have thou come unto me to bring my sin to remembrance? By slaying my son!” The mindset of the culture she lived within suggested that whenever one encountered difficulty it was the result of misdeeds. Job’s friends accused him of such, but we must be careful not to always demonize people struggles. That is the lesson Jesus reminded His disciples of concerning the blind man. Sometimes what you experience is not punishment, but advancement in disguise. Elijah replies “Give me thy son.” And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into the chamber, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. He has her to let go of her care and concern that she has been holding on to, and transfer it into the care and bosom of the Lord. Somebody reading this needs to let go of what you been holding on to and Give it to God! Elijah lays the boy out before God and declares, Lord I don’t know why you are doing what you are doing, but I know You can do all things. Elijah stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto Jehovah. What was Elijah doing? He was facing the uncertainty with the certainty of his faith. Prior this time there had never been a recollection of a resurrection in the Bible, Elijah had never seen one, never heard of one, but believed this could be the first. No one in your family has ever owned a business, no one in your family has beat sickness, no one in your family has ever b e e n d e b t -

(Pastor Sherman Gordon

Milestones: Gil Fears Honored; Ever Increasing Marks Milestone At a time when the L.A. gospel community needed a voice—having suffered the loss of L.A. gospel legend Edna Tatum— Rev. Gil Fears became that voice. In the nearly five years since, he has kept the music playing at “Edna Tatum’s Gospel Classics” which he hosts every Sunday morning from 6am to 8am, on KPFK 90.7 FM to the delight of fans who have viewed the show as a mainstay for seasoned churchgoers and gospel professionals. For the service he has given and the legacy he has continued, Fears was honored at Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church (Rev. DeNon A. Porter, host pastor). The salute, “We Appreciate and Celebrate – Rev. Gilbert “Gil” included the Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church Choirs, the Los Angeles Chapter – GMWA, Kenneth Glover, Henry Jackson and Lady Rose Neal, and was punctuated by highlights of “Rev. Gil’s” 25 years of service . An ordained minister with over 30 years in gospel broadcasting,

Ever Increasing Faith TV Celebrates 40 Years

Gil Fears

Fears—who serves as an associate minister at Greater Ebenezer— had been occasionally filling in for Edna Tatum since 2001. “To those of us who know Reverend Gil, we would find it most difficult to imagine where our Los Angeles religious and non-religious community would be without him,” said longtime friend Quaford Coleman of the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. “Reverend Gil’s record speaks for itself. He is truly in a class all of his own. His motto for the show “Where Your Sundays Begin”.

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

Pasadena

Sunday School: 9:00am Sunday Worship: 10:00am Tuesday Bible Study: 7:00pm Mid-day Worship Thursday: Noon www.bethelemchurchpasadena.org Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church 980 Rio Grande Street, Pasadena, CA 91104 *Mailing Address: 1416 N. Mentor Ave. Pasadena, 91104 (626) 794-4875 • F: (626) 794-7815 Pastor W. Harrison Trotter Sunday School: 8:30am Sunday Worship: 10:00am Bible Study Wednesday: 7:00pm Intercessory Prayer (Fourth Wed.): 7:00pm Christians Uniting To Make A Difference -Eph. 4:13

Second Baptist Church 925 S. Shamrock Avenue • P.O. Box 479, Monrovia, CA 91017 •(626) 358-2136 • F: (626) 303-2477

In Monrovia

Bishop W.M. Larue Dillard, Phd. Sunday Worship: 7:45am, 10:45am, 4:45pm Ministry Worship to Children/Youth Sunday: 9:45am - 10:45am Prayer/Academy of Biblical Studies (Wed): 10:45am - 6:45pm www.second-baptistchurch.com

free, but God wants you to believe you can be the first. Elijah stretched out on faith and prayed, “O Jehovah my God, I pray thee, let this son’s soul come into him again.” In Hebrew to pray is not to just ask or beg, but it is the alignment of your actions and attitude in accordance to God’s holiness. II Corinthians 13:5 (NIV) “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test?” If this is going to be the year of bigger and greater, this has to be the year you exercise More prayer. You and I must pray that God would use us to usher in the unseen, never before experienced, newness, the Ruach of God, the Breath of life! We must pray until heaven is in the room. We must pray until things turn around. We must pray as if we have already won. We must pray knowing that prayer change things. Interesting, Jewish law dictated that if a priest touched anything dead he was determined to be unclean, yet when Elijah prayed and touched this dead child, he was foreshadowing Jesus breaking the curse of death and uncleanliness. Your prayer life can break the curse of the enemy.

Apostle Frederick K.C. Price and wife, Dr. Betty Price, founders of Crenshaw Christian Center, celebrated the 40th Anniversary of his Ever Increasing Faith Television program in the world renowned Faith Dome last month. Ffestivities included special live and video presentations and testimonies. “We were reflecting back to the humble beginnings of Ever Increasing Faith TV,” said Vice President Michael Evans. “In April of 1978, Fred Price aired the first television program, on Metro Media KTTV, Ch 11, here in Los Angeles. To date, the Ever Increasing Faith Television broadcast is one of the longest, continuously running Christian programs on the air. It has aired on as many an 120 stations all over the world. Currently, the television broadcast is backed up by appearances on Facebook and YouTube Live and streamed live.

First AME Church Santa Monica In Santa Monica 1823 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404 • (310) 450-0331 F: (310) 450-4680 Rev. Reuben W. Ford, Pastor Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Bible Study/Prayer Meditation: Thursday 6pm “The Church In The Heart Of The Community with The Community at Heart” Email:famecsm@verizon.net Facebook: First AME Church Santa Monica 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 Intercessory Prayer Thursday: 11:30pm - 12:30pm

Michael Harriott continued from page 7

wasting his time commenting about stuff like that? No. Do I believe the president has been a bit juvenile in his behavior? Yes he has. Having said that, it’s one thing to attack what he does, it’s an entirely different matter to attack him. When you attack him, then we are stepping out of our lane. We are a sports network. We have an obligation to wake up every day with the mindset that we not only speak for ourselves but we speak on behalf of the brand. It is not a brand that we own. It is a brand that employs us. It has entrusted us to represent it just as much as we care about representing ourselves. So with that in mind, we have to be cognizant of all those things. Smith is saying that he won’t publicly fight against Donald Trump because he works for ESPN. Smith is saying that he is willing to stay silent for money. Smith is a racist. Silence in the face of racism is racism. To fully understand the concept of “the hand of one is the hand of all,” we need not look any further than our Chance the Rapper who, after noticing that Trump praised him, tweeted: “Unfortunately my attempt to support Kanye is being used to discredit my brothers and sisters in the movement and I can’t sit by and let that happen either,” Chance wrote. “I’d never support anyone who has made a career out of hatred, racism and discrimination.” Chance understands that lending his voice to someone who might use it to help a person who intends harm makes him complicit. Anyone willing to help the Trump administration, even in the most innocuous way, deserves a life sentence. I don’t think Kanye West hates black people.But if he’s cool with Trump, he’s aligning himself with someone who doesn’t [care] about black people. That’s racist. Michael Harriott is a critically acclaimed poet, journalist, author and a contributor to the root. @michaelharriot

In Good Taste Robbie Montgomery

he has two successful restaurants in St. Louis, Missouri and is currently working on a third, the operations of which are all being documented on her hour-long series—"Welcome to Sweetie Pie's" — that debuted on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) in October of 2011 and premieres its fifth and final season on the network this month. The series will celebrate its 100th episode finale on Saturday, June 9 at 9 p.m. “For nearly seven years, our viewers have fallen in love and followed an incredible journey with Miss Robbie, Tim and the whole family,” said Erik Logan, president, OWN. “It comes with immense gratitude and appreciation as we send off the series for its final season and make OWN history celebrating 100 memorable episodes.” Robbie Montgomery is “Sweetie Pie”, the straight talking, no nonsense founder of the landmark soul food restaurant at the heart of the series.

Ingredients:

A former Ikette and backup singer for the duo soul sensation ‘The Ike & Tina Turner Review’, Montgomery spent much of her time cooking when not on stage performing while on tour with the group particularly as finding a welcoming restaurant could be difficult for AfricanAmericans during the '60s.Then when a collapsed lung abruptly ended her singing career, she took her mother’s ageold soul food recipes and opened the restaurant known as Sweetie Pie’s. The series—airing on Saturdays—follows the loving and still very musical Montgomery family as they struggle with the demands of expanding their familyowned business and creating a legacy to pass on to future generations, one soulful dish at a time. This season, Miss Robbie, now 77, will be pondering what kind of legacy she will leave behind, and who will be chosen to take over the Montgomery soul food empire.

Miss Robbie’s Un-fried Catfish

4 9 ounce catfish fillets 1/3 cup yellow cornmeal 3/4 teaspoon of seasoning salt 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/3 cup skim milk cooking spray

Instructions: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray. In a shallow dish, stir together the cornmeal, garlic, onion powder and pepper. Dip the catfish fillets in skim milk, then place them into the cornmeal mixture and coat; place on the greased baking sheet. Coat the tops of the fillets with cooking spray until wet. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven on the bottom rack, or until fish is easily flaked with a fork.

SavingGrace

KEITH DELAWDER Staff Writer

Vanessa Bell Calloway

L.A. Focus/May 2018

he presently stars on Bounce TV’s “Saints & Sinners”, but you’re more likely to know multi-talented actress, dancer, and veteran stage performer, Vanessa Bell Calloway from one of over 130 onscreen credits that have punctuated her 31-plus year career in Hollywood and included such blockbuster hits as “Coming to America”, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and “Lakeview Terrace”, as well as appearances in popular T.V. shows such as “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Shameless”, and “NCIS”. She is an eight time NAACP Image Award nominee who has seen the limelight of Broadway as a member of the original cast of “Dreamgirls”, but everything she’s earned in her career she’s had to scrap for. It’s a sentiment that she shares with the subject of her current project, the one woman play, “Letters From Zora: In Her Own Words”, where she stars as the legendary literary icon Zora Neale Hurston-- based on the actual canonized letters written by Hurston. “I definitely see similarities,” says Calloway of the relationship between her and Hurston. “The feistiness, the fortitude, the self-assuredness; she wants what she wants. She was one hell of a woman!” Born in 1891, Zora Neale Hurston was a novelist, playwright, poet, and anthropologist, is known for her contributions to African-American literature during the Harlem Renaissance by her portrayals of the racial struggles in the American South. She is remembered as a woman who was ahead of her times by her refusal to play the typical role expected of women. “She was a renaissance woman before it was popular,” says Calloway of Hearston. She was a straight shooter with no chaser who does not mince her words-she’s always telling you exactly what she’s thinking.” Calloway found inspiration in Hurston’s candid nature and the strength Hurston expressed in the vulnerability of her works. “My favorite thing she wrote was a poem called “Contentment” that I do in the piece,” tells Calloway. “The poem takes me everytime I read it because it’s so raw and emotional. It’s like she’s peeling away all the layers of that time in her life. She was just out there-naked-- like, this is what it is, this is my regrets and this is where I stand.” The inspiration for the play came over six years ago when, “Letters From Zora”, playwrite Gabrielle Denise Pina visited the California African-American Museum in Exposition Park where she wandered upon an exhibit of some of the Letters of Zora Neale Hurston. The moving prose affected her so much that a seed was born within her to encapsulate the works and illuminate Hurston’s life, her extraordinary career and her contributions to the American literary canon. But in order for her idea to become a reality, Pina needed a strong leading lady that could do justice to to such an audacious character. “Vanessa Bell Calloway is a very talented and gifted performer, and I wanted to give her an opportunity to really showcase her capabilities as an actress,” says Pina. Having met through their sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Pina approached Calloway with a proposal to star in the one-night-only play she the was producing through a grant from the Vision and Voices program at USC. “She said, ‘I have this play I wrote and I had you in mind when I wrote it, could you read it and tell me

what you think,” recalls Calloway. “I read it and it was so beautiful! I said, ‘Oh my God this is incredible! I’ll do it, but you don’t understand how much work this is going to take for me to do for a one night performance. So I’ll do it but with the understanding that we have to move this forward. We have to keep this going because this piece is beautiful!” Pina kept her part of the bargain, and following their acclaimed Vision and Voices performance, the play was brought to the Pasadena Theater for sold out runs in each of the following two years, leading to Calloway winning an NAACP Theater Award for Best Female Lead. “We’ve sold out everywhere we’ve gone,” says Calloway who is poised to bring “Letters From Zora” back this month for another two week run at the WACO Theater Center in Los Angeles. “We thought we’d bring it back because a lot of people missed it and we had limited runs each time. We’re currently looking for investors to take us to New York.” Calloway finds some of her greatest joys in her portrayal of the historic author from the redeeming educational quality that the play offers. “I really like it when the young people come because they have no idea who she is unless they had a teacher that covered her in school,” says Calloway. “Many people I find when they leave are touched, they’re moved, they’re crying because the story gets so compelling. It’s beautifully written and a great story to tell. They’ll come up to me and say, ‘well I knew a little about her but I didn’t know that.’ Even people who read a lot about her and still found out something they didn’t know. Or they if knew nothing about her they were like, ‘oh my God why didn’t I know all this.’ So no one leaves without getting something.” So far, the reactions to her performance have vindicated all the effort she has put in. “Like anything that is worthwhile doing, it took a lot of work,” admits Calloway. “But it was organic. We’re always perfecting it the best we can.” Along with her passion for her craft, and the extraordinary stories of a strong, intelligent, brave black woman such as Zora Neale Hurston, Vanessa Bell Calloway sites her greatest inspiration in her career from her role as a mother of two grown and accomplished young women. “Being a mother has affected me as an actress because I have such a broader scope of what things mean to me, what I wish to accomplish, and what I’m proud of,” says Calloway. “When you start from the place of being a mother, everything you do is basically for them. It makes your thought process deeper, and it made my acting deeper. I have so much more depth as a person because I’ve had to dig deep. When you feel that kind of love and joy and determination to make something happen for someone else, it takes you in another direction. It’s changed everything. “If I never see an academy award, oh well. I can live without the accolades, I can live without a lot of things, but I the thought of living without my babies would kill me. Watching my children grow into two beautiful women is the thing I appreciate most of what God has given me.” And her faith in God and spiritual foundation is something that she learned watching her own mother as a young person. “My Mother always had her faith in God because

“

“When you start from the place of being a mother, everything you do

is basically for them. It makes your thought process deeper, and it made my acting

deeper. I have so much more depth as a person because I’ve had to dig deep. When you feel that kind of love and joy and determination to make something happen for someone else, it takes you in another direction.” that’s the only thing that got her through,” Calloway recalls. “Now I see what my mother was trying to do for us by taking us to church.” She admits there were years after she left her mother’s home that church wasn’t a priority for her. But as she got older she realized there was value in believing in God and most importantly, she says, “God helps me to keep my sanity in this world.” “Letters From Zora: In Her Own Words” is playing at the WACO Theater Center May 11th- 20th.