L.A. Focus On The Word August 2018

VOLUME >> PAGE

XXIV

•

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

ISSUE

8•

AuGUST

L.A. FOCUS

@LAFOCUSNEWS

20

Church News : Western Baptist Convention To Host Annual Conference PAGE

13

Hollywood Buzz: Zendaya Lands In Sweet Spot PAGE

19

SEE PAGE

10

Through The Storm The Rape of Recy Taylor >>

Game Changers: LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner

2018

“What they did to her…they didn’t need to live,” recalled Alma Daniels, the sister of Recy Taylor, the woman to whom Oprah Winfrey dedicated part of her rousing Golden Globes acceptance speech after receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement at the 2018 Golden Globes Awards.

Taylor had died just ten days before—just shy of her 98th birthday—but as the #metoo and #timesup movements took center stage, so too had Recy Taylor...

SEE PAGE

17

<<

contents

L.A. Focus Publications

AUGUST 2018

Left: Compton Willowbrook Library grand opening celebration with Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas; Center: Curren Price, Herb Wesson and representatives from the Los Angeles Fire Depertment at the 23rd Anual Central Avenue Jazz Festival; Right: Senator Holly J. Mitchell helped mentor 89 black teen leaders at the African-American Leaders of Tomorrow training program held at California State University, Dominquez Hills.

4

Commentary

13

Our Rules of the Game

From The Editor On Recy Taylor,Barack Obama & the Black Press

6 7 9

One On One

Upfront Innovative “Micro-Home” Technology Could Help Solve The Homeless Epidemic; L.A. County Offers To Step In To Prevent Compton From Becoming The Next Flint

Head to Head

Hacking Into The Russian Election Security Conspiracy

Headlines From Africa Money Matters LeBron Mogul

James: L.A. Welcomes Its Newest Business

Biz News Briefs Pat McGrath Is Top Earner In Beauty Industry;$100 Million Fund To Invest in Black Women Entrepreneurs; Oprah Gets Into The Restaurant Business

10 Eye On Gospel 12 Feature Story

How Hollywood Stymies Black Media On & Off The Red Carpet

City of Refuge’s Praise Power Fuels New CD; James Fortune Remarries;

staff

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

Hollywood Buzz Say It Ain’t So; LeBron James Is Making Moves On & Off The Court In L.A.; Lifetime Signs Deals With Robin Roberts, Bishop T.D. Jakes

Lisa Collins Keith DeLawder, Gerald Bell Britney Westbrook Ian Foxx, Rickey Brown Kisha Smith, Leatha Davis Jazmin Young

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.

Spike Lee

14 Red Carpet Style 16

Calendar/Around LA The 2018 26th annual ESPY Awards, held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles

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

Shalonda Crawford The Experience Christian Ministries

West Angeles Church Of God In Christ “Bragging Rights”

Jason Fullilove- Pyramid Agnolotti with Aussie Grass fed Beef Cheeks

Lenny Kravitz on Race, God & Spreading Love Through Music

Through The Storm

17 Game Changers 19 20 Church News 22 Pastor Profile “The Rape of Recy Taylor”

Austin Beutner

Western Baptist Convention To Host Annual Conference;The AME Church Partners With Black Banks To Create Black Wealth

Rafael Irving- Church of Divine Fellowship Community Baptist Church

L.A. Focus remembers Ron Dellums, whose career in politics spanned 40-plus years.

The antiwar activist served as the Mayor of Oakland from 2007 to 2011 and was one of the nation’s best known black Congressmen serving 13 terms in the House of Representatives for California’s 9th district. He died on July 30 at age 82.

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: UpScale Media

#LAFOCUS

@Lafocusnews

@L.A.Focus

Group

Commentary

Walter Williams Guest Columnist

Our Rules of The Game

J

ustice Anthony Kennedy's retirement, leading to President Donald Trump's nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, has thrown progressives, the Democratic Party and the news media into an out-and-out tizzy. The online magazine Slate declared, "Anthony Kennedy Just Destroyed His Legacy as a Gay Rights Hero." The New York Times' editorial board said about a second Trump court appointment, "It is a dark moment in the history of the court and the nation, and it's about to get a lot darker."

It's indeed a "dark moment" for those who've for decades used the courts to accomplish what would have been impossible through federal and state legislatures — such as same-sex marriage, abortion and preferences with regard to race and sex. With this Supreme Court pick — and possibly another during his term — President Trump can return us to the Framers' vision of the judiciary — a vision that's held in contempt by many liberals and conservatives.

The U.S. Constitution represents our "rules of the game." Supreme Court justices should be seen as umpires or referees, whose job is to enforce neutral rules. I'll give a somewhat trivial example of neutral rules from my youth; let's call it Mom's Rule.

On occasion, my sister and I would have lunch in my mother's absence. She'd ask either me or my younger sister to divide a last piece of cake or pie. More often than not, an argument would ensue about the fairness of the cut. Those arguments ended when Mom came up with a rule: Whoever cuts the cake lets the other take the first piece. As if by magic or divine intervention, fairness emerged, and arguments ended.

No matter who did the cutting, there was an even division.

That's the kind of rule we need for our society — the kind whereby you'd be OK even if your worst enemy were in charge. By creating and enforcing neutral rules, we minimize conflict. Consider one area of ruthless competition where that's demonstrated — sports. The 52nd Super Bowl featured the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots. A lot was at stake. Each player on the winning team would earn $112,000; losers would get half that. Plus, each winner would get a Super Bowl

ring that might cost as much as $40,000.

Despite a bitterly fought contest and all that was at stake, the game ended peaceably, and winners and losers were civil to one another. How is it that players with conflicting interests can play a game, agree with the outcome and walk away as good sports? It's a miracle of sorts.

That "miracle" is that it is far easier to reach agreement about the game's rules than the game's outcome. The rules are known and durable. The referee's only job is evenhanded enforcement of those rules.

Suppose football's rules were "living" and the referee and other officials played a role in determining them.

The officials could adjust the applications of the rules.

Suppose the officials were more interested in the pursuit of what they saw as football justice than they were in the unbiased enforcement of neutral rules. In the case of Super Bowl LII, officials might have considered it unfair that the Eagles had never won a Super Bowl and the Patriots had won five. If officials could determine game rules, team owners, instead of trying to raise team productivity, would spend resources lobbying or bribing officials. The returns from raising team productivity would be reduced. Also, I doubt that the games would end amicably. The players probably wouldn't walk off the field peaceably, shaking hands and sharing hugs, as they do now.

We should demand that Supreme Court justices act as referees and enforce the U.S. Constitution. If they don't and play favorites with different groups of Americans, as we've seen, the potential for conflict among the American people is enhanced. Who is appointed to the high court becomes the all-consuming issue. The question is not whether a justice would uphold and defend the Constitution but whether he would rig the game to benefit one American or another.

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

From the Editor On Recy Taylor, Barack Obama & the Black Press

S

L.A. Focus/ August 2018

he was an unlikely hero—a sharecropper with little education living in a rural Alabama town with a nine-month old baby. Her biggest joy was worshipping God. Truth is, if it had been up to Recy Taylor, you would have never known her name and no one would have wanted to go through the circumstances by which we learned it.

Gang raped by six white men in the 1940’s, Taylor case not only became a cause celeb in the black community in the 40s, but a little-known milestone in the civil rights movement. In fact, it was by one simple act that her name came to light—that she stood up and spoke her truth.

While justice was not served and her story would subsequently slip quietly into the annals of civil rights history, the case did mark a breakthrough. Before Taylor, there had been no legal recourse. Hers was one of the first such cases that pushed for legal access to the courts.

Last month on Starz marked the debut of “The Rape of Recy Taylor” Nancy Buirski’s highly acclaimed and moving documentary on the case and boy is it worth seeing. The one hour and thirty-one-minute film offers a historical account detailing how perceptions of black women were shaped and the century long battle to overcome them. The documentary is, in fact, as much the story about a legacy of sexual terror against and the dehumanization of black women, and a young Rosa Parks (who was called in to investigate the case by the NNACP) as it is about Taylor.

It was based on Danielle McGuire’s At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape, and Resistance—A New History of the Civil Rights Movement From Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power. Her 12 years of research revealed that in the decade preceding the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a series of assaults against black women helped to forge a network of organized protests—the infrastructure of which would become critical in launching a successful bus boycott.

In subsequent interviews McGuire has emphasized the importance of Taylor’s story, stating: “This isn't just black women's history, this is all of our history, this is American history. And our own silence about these continuing crimes and this crime of silence that we perpetuate by not talking about it, by not telling these stories I think makes us complicit. And I don't think we can move forward as a nation until we're honest about our history and honest about the kinds of things that happened.”

I want to point out that Taylor’s was a story only the Black press would publish, underscoring the need for black media outlets who told our stories and spoke our truths not just back then, but just as surely now in the era of fake news. A time

4

where—as former President Barack Obama pointed out last month while in South Africa—“The free press is under attack. Censorship and state control of media is on the rise. Social media – once seen as a mechanism to promote knowledge and understanding and solidarity – has proved to be just as effective promoting hatred and paranoia and propaganda and conspiracy theories.

“Unfortunately, too much of politics today seems to reject the very concept of objective truth,” Obama continued. “People just make stuff up... We see it in the blurring of lines between news and entertainment. We see the utter loss of shame among political leaders where they’re caught in a lie and they just double down and lie some more.

“We see it in the promotion of anti-intellectualism and the rejection of science from leaders who find critical thinking and data somehow politically inconvenient.

And, as with the denial of rights, the denial of facts runs counter to democracy, it could be its undoing, which is why we must zealously protect independent media; and we have to guard against the tendency for social media to become purely a platform for spectacle, outrage, or disinformation; and we have to insist that our schools teach critical thinking to our young people, not just blind obedience.”

That is why the black press is as viable today as it was for Recy Taylor which brings me to our feature story on page 10.

If Hollywood is a microcosm of the mainstream world, then it is little wonder that black press is all too often treated like second class citizens both on and off the red carpet. Our feature story delves into the treatment of black media by the industry and even black celebrities—be it consciously or subconsciously.

“The strategic cafeteria table-esque segregation of Black press on red carpets is one of many micro-aggressions we face as Black journalists,” wrote journalist Keyaira Kelly in her op-ed titled, “How Black Hollywood is Failing the Black Press”.

And while being placed at the tail-end of a carpet is more indicative of the predominately White media system and its value assessment of Black press, these oversights are even more hurtful when they come from your own people. The fact is, too many of our Black celebrities are simply not supporting us.”

It all boils down to the understanding that we rise and fall together and the sooner we truly embrace that, the more collective success we will enjoy as a people.

Keep the faith.

UpFront Assm. Sydney Kamlager-Dove Proposes Bill To Fast-Track Inglewood’s L.A. Clippers Project KEITH DELAWDER Staff Writer

News Briefs

Family of Nia Wilson Sue BART Over Fatal Stabbing; #SayHer Name Goes Viral

T

A

ssemblywoman Sydney Kamlager- Dove (54th district) has introduced Assembly Bill 987 which would fast track the development of the proposed L.A. Clippers arena and facilities in Inglewood. The bill would require a judge to halt the project only under narrow circumstances—such as if construction or operation presents an imminent threat to public safety, or if it would adversely affect artifacts or unknown ecological materials discovered at the location.

The bill allows the project to bypass the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA-- the state’s primary law governing large developmental projects-and puts a time limit on any legal challenges by requiring cases to wrap up within nine months. (CQEA allows for opponents of the development projects to delay them for years through costly litigation that challenges environmental reviews-- something AB 987 is designed to avoid).

The city of Inglewood also fast-tracked the Los Angeles Stadium and entertainment district that will be home to the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, although they did so through a citizen-run initiative rather than a legislative amendment. Similar bills allowing CEQA exemptions have been passed for the recent development of stadiums for the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors in their respective cities.

A

L.A. Focus/ August 2018

and fund the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works to begin “creating stability in Sativa’s immediate administrative functions” and “facilitating a long-term alternative service provider for this service territory.”

Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said, “For too long, government – at all levels – has allowed Sativa to operate without sufficient oversight. The County is willing to step up to facilitate the changes that are necessary to promote the public health and wellbeing of Sativa customers. In this time of unprecedented surpluses in its budget, we hope the State will be our partner by providing the financial resources needed to facilitate our efforts.”

“The County is prepared to step in to take control of this long-mismanaged water district,” said Supervisor Hahn, a voting member of LAFCO. “The leadership of Sativa has proven itself to be incapable and untrustworthy and as LAFCO moves forward to dissolve this district, I am hopeful that the County can provide

Black women are dying in childbirth in the United States at numbers so much higher than other groups and countries that even the United Nations has started to pay attention.

According to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty: “The United States has the highest infant mortality ratio among wealthy countries, and Black women are three to four times more likely to die than white women.”

Federal data shows that Black women account for 57 percent of maternal deaths compared to 6 percent for white women; Black women account for 22 percent of live births compared to 30 percent of white women.The discrepancy is even higher in places like New York City, where local government statistics indicate Black maternal deaths compared to white maternal deaths are 12 to 1.

The Ulmer Institute Partners With Compton Unified School District The Ulmer Institute (TUI) has announced that it is partnering with the Compton Unified School District to train youth, who will eventually be trained as “Mental Shield” providers to respond to trauma within their communities.

TUI’s founder, Dr. Kenneth C. Ulmer, has focused much of his work on the healing of his community and the bringing together of diverse leaders of Los Angeles to address social challenges and traumas that afflict members of his congregation. Ulmer’s vision for TUI is to become the world’s leader in addressing urban psychological trauma through Education, Prevention, and Training, while also providing research in the field of urban psychological trauma treatment and trauma-focused support and treatment for victims of physical and sexual assault crime-related trauma, gunshot violence, and other traumatic events.

“Violence and trauma have torn apart our communities, our nation and our world,” said Ulmer. “Now is the time to stand together, in unity, towards the goal of addressing the challenge of trauma once and for all.”

Michelle Obama Teams Up With Tom Hanks And Others To Launch Voter Registration Effort

continued to page 18

LA County Offers To Step In To Prevent Compton From Becoming Next Flint

day before local regulators are to vote on initiating the dissolution of Sativa Water District, Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Janice Hahn proposed that Los Angeles County be appointed to take over managing Sativa and transitioning its customers over to a high-quality water service provider.

The move comes just months after thousands of Sativa customers in unincorporated Willowbrook and Compton reported brown water running through their taps. Unable to provide proper maintenance of its 70-year-old pipes, Sativa has been the subject of many such complaints over the years, as well as allegations of mismanagement and nepotism.

As the Local Agency Formation Commission for the County of Los Angeles prepares to vote on a resolution to dissolve Sativa, the Supervisors also urged the California State Water Resources Board to empower

6

Proponents of the Bill cite job the growth and economic development. The project will bring an estimated 10,000 construction jobs and over 1,000 permanent hires, as well as substantial tax revenues for local services.

Within the exclusive negotiating agreement for the project, the City of Inglewood expressed a “local hire” component which aims to fill approximately 30% of the construction jobs and 35% of the arena operations jobs with Inglewood residents and residents of nearby cities.

Those in favor also cite the difficult times that followed the NBA’s exit from Inglewood in 2000 and the renewed interest in the city— with the potential to reclaim its role as “City of Champions”.

“What is exciting is that Inglewood is finally getting its dues, where people are interested in coming to Inglewood and investing in Inglewood,” said Rep. Kamlager- Dove. “[The bill] just doesn’t prevent (the developer) from asking to begin construction while the challenge is underway. It is merely about streamlining some of the timeline aspects,” she said. “It’s certainly not about circumventing mitigation, or not participating in a fully comprehensive (environmental impact report) process. It will still allow for participation from residents.”

Opponents of the bill assert that it is an continued to page 18

he family of Nia Wilson is suing Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), claiming that they should have done more to prevent stabbing suspect John Cowell from coming into the Oakland’s MacArthur station and attacking Nia and her sister Letifah.

Cowell had been seen trolling the BART station days before the attack and had recently been stopped for fare evasion.

Cowell, who is being held in Santa Rita Jail, has a long criminal history and was recently released from prison on parole after serving two years for robbery. According to a statement released by his family, Cowell has a history of mental illness and had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

After being released from Atascadero State Mental Facility, he had been living on the street.

Although the motive for this heinous murder is unclear, an investigation is underway to determine if the attacks should be considered hate crimes.

Since her attack, the #SayHerName has circulated to raise awareness about black women who are victims of violence, and outrage has poured in from activists and celebrities alike, demanding justice.

High profile names such as Anne Hathaway, Viola Davis, Janelle Monae, Yara Shahidi, Rose McGowan, Regina King, and others have spoken up regarding the historical prevalence of violence against black women in our country.

United Nations Reports On Maternal Health Crisis That Is Killing Black Women

some needed supervision and stability.”

When Sativa customers first expressed alarm about the brown water running through their taps in April, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas filed an urgency motion to conduct an investigation, take immediate steps to prevent any serious risks to public health, and determine whether appropriate management and governance of the water district is in place to address Sativa’s infrastructure issues. At his direction, the County distributed approximately 20,000 gallons of bottled water to residents of Willowbrook and Compton.

In June, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas called on the California State Water Resources Control Board to appoint an interim administrator to exercise “vigorous oversight” of Sativa. Shortly after, he filed a motion to support SB1577 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson, which called for requiring the state to appoint an overseer for Sativa.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama is teaming up with Tom Hanks and Hamilton star and Lin-Manuel Miranda to launch a voter registration initiative ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. The non-partisan, not-for-profit organization When We All Vote, will be holding events, rallies and training sessions for volunteers ahead of the November election to get more voters registered.

The organization will avoid solely ramping up Democratic support, but rather will act as a nonpartisan organization to register those of all parties and beliefs.

"Voting is the only way to ensure that our values and priorities are represented in the halls of power," Michelle Obama said in a statement "And it's not enough to just vote for president every four years. We all have to vote in every single election: for mayor, governor, school board, state legislature and Congress."

Other celebrities involved in When We All Vote are NBA Star Chris Paul, and musicians Janelle Monae, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw.

HeadToHead Hacking Into The Russion Election Security Conspiracy

F

or the first time during his ing Russian efforts to target the Donald Trump presidency, Donald Trump elections. If directed, U.S. Cyber Clearly Doesn't chaired an election security Command, using NSA intelliCare About meeting recently in which seniorgence, can carry out offensive Election level national security experts operations to disrupt such activiSecurity discussed ways to protect ty.

America’s electoral process from foreign Already, at least three congressional interference. candidates have been targeted by Russian The Washington Post reports, howev- military hackers. None of the attempts er, that the meeting lasted less than an was successful, according to an executive hour and no new directives on how to with Microsoft, who counter or deter threats against election discussed the operameddling were discussed. Officials only tion at a security condiscussed actions taken so far to repel ference last week. One attacks against the US election system. of the targets was Sen. House Democrats criticized Trump for not Claire McCaskill (DMo.), who faces a Trump continues to be tough reelection bid. highly criticized for his Also: The DHS meeting with Russian has carried out “very Terrell Jermaine President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, constructive” work with Starr state and local election where he appeared to dismiss US officials, said David Becker, a former intelligence agencies’ assessments that Justice Department official who now heads the Kremlin coordinated efforts to the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation & Research. “They’re doing meddle in the 2016 Presidential everything they can to give state and local Election. election officials the tools to combat that threat.” taking on the issue sooner.

But, he said, that’s not enough.

“This meeting should have happened “It’s difficult for them to see our presmonths ago and the President deserves no ident standing next to the man who special credit for doing what he is charged ordered that attack [against U.S. democrato do . . . by his oath of office,” said Reps. cy] and not hold the Russians accountBennie Thompson (Miss.), Robert A. Brady able,” he said. “Yes, they need to detect (Pa.), Elijah E. Cummings (Md.) and and prevent attacks and mitigate any negJerrold Nadler (N.Y.), the ranking ative impacts, but it’s also important to Democrats on, respectively, the Homeland deter attacks in the first place. That’s Security, House Administration, Oversight where we’re missing leadership from the and Government Reform, and Judiciary White House.” committees.

Suzanne Spaulding, a former senior Trump continues to be highly criti- Homeland Security official, said, “It’s great cized for his meeting with Russian that they’re having an NSC meeting today, President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, but it’s like the pop-up summits with Putin where he appeared to dismiss US intelli- and [North Korean leader] Kim Jong Un, gence agencies’ assessments that the without all the prep work being done to Kremlin coordinated efforts to meddle in prepare options and tee up issues for more the 2016 Presidential Election. senior consideration.”

According to The Post: In the absence Basically, US intelligence agencies of direct guidance from the White House, have agreed that the Kremlin interfered individual federal agencies have mar- with the 2016 Election and Trump still shaled efforts to detect and counter the isn’t doing enough to ensure that the US is threat. The head of the National Security prepared to repel repeated attempts.

Agency created a Russia “small group” Sad. composed of NSA and military cyber-spe- Terrell Jermaine Starr is a senior reporter cialists tasked with detecting and counter- at The Root.

“

Headlines From Africa Benin: Benin is uniting with Nigeria to set up a joint committee to combat the problem of smuggling with particular regards to rice, which is said to be discouraging farmers and heightening the concern for food security.

Cameroon: Thousands are forced to flee as violent rebellion in the North and South west regions seems to be escalating into civil war as the nation gears up presidential elections in October that could extend the 35-year rule of President Biya, 85.

Congo: Former Congolese warlord and vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba—acquitted in May for war crimes at The Hague—is touting his experience and leadership qualities as the DR Congo opens registration for election bids with current President Joseph Kabila being forced out by term limits.

Ivory Coast: President Alassane Ouattara said he would not seek re-election in 2020 as he launched a new umbrella party that he said would help ensure continuity.

P

resident Donald Trump, in Some cable news hosts Trump Skeptical Helsinki, expressed skeptiwondered why Trump's Cabinet About 'Official cism about the intelligence members failed to resign in Government community's finding that Russia protest over Trump's alleged Findings'? Who interfered with the 2016 presidenlack of respect for the intelliIsn't? tial election. Within 24 hours, the gence community. Do they mean President walked back his skepticism and the way President Bill Clinton's Cabinet said he trusts the intel community and reacted after he called them into the Oval believes their finding that Russia inter- Office, told them he did not have an affair fered with the 2016 election. with Monica Lewinsky and sent cabinet But the Helsinki members like Secretary of State Madeleine hysteria continued.

Albright out to assert, "We believe the alleSome Trump gations against the President are untrue"? critics pro- Yet, when the semen-stained blue dress cable nounced him "treaso- later proved that Clinton lied to and used nous." How dare the them, no one resigned!

President waffle on As for Trump's skepticism about govthe intelligence com- ernment findings, a 2013 Washington munity's definitive Post/ABC News poll found that most conclusion that Russia Americans reject the lone-gunman concluLaurence meddled? It's "treaso- sion of the Warren Commission, which Elder nous" to be guarded investigated the assassination of President about official government conclusions? John F. Kennedy. Even Robert Kennedy We're going to need more prisons to house reportedly told friends that he doubted the all the offenders. commission's conclusion.

After all, this is the same crowd that What about racial conspiracy theories believed President George W. Bush "lied believed by otherwise intelligent people? us into the Iraq war," despite Bush's Missouri's Claire McCaskill, while runreliance on the unanimous opinion of our ning for the U.S. Senate, said, "(President) intelligence agencies. A recent Huffington George (W.) Bush let people die on rooftops Post/YouGov survey found that 56 percent in New Orleans because they were poor of Democrats still believe "Bush did ... lie and because they were black." Nation of about weapons of mass destruction in Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan publicly order to get the U.S. into the Iraq War." To accused President Bush of intentionally believe this, Democrats must therefore blowing up levees in New Orleans. reject the conclusion of the bipartisan Filmmaker Spike Lee also helped to peddle Robb-Silberman commission report, which that ridiculous narrative. The Washington uncovered deeply flawed intelligence but Post's columnist Eugene Robinson said no intention to deceive. there were "reasonable, sober people who About Helsinki, CNN's Anderson really believe that (levees were intentionCooper called Trump's remarks "one of the ally blown up)." most disgraceful moments by an American The so-called "Black Lives Matter" President on the world stage." Really? And movement is based upon the lie that the where does Cooper rank the performance police routinely engage in racial profiling of President Barack Obama, who invoked against blacks, despite numerous governthe lie of Ferguson while addressing the ment studies disproving the "racial profilUnited Nations? Before the investigation ing" narrative vigorously promoted by was concluded, Obama said: "I know the social justice activists, left-wing cable world also took notice of the small channels and politicians who want blacks American city of Ferguson, Missouri — angry so that they vote Democrat. where a young man was killed. ... So yes, Despite a House Select Committee's perwe have our own racial and ethnic ten- suasive finding that a lone gunman, James sions." The investigation ultimately con- Earl Ray, assassinated Martin Luther cluded that the officer used justifiable King Jr., some King family members disforce and the suspect did not have his agreed. King's youngest son, Dexter, hands up and did not say, "Don't shoot." continued to page 18

A look at current news from the continent of Africa first round. The count has begun.

Namibia: New figures show a 50% reduction in Namibia’s HIV incidence rate making the nation the first in Africa to reach the UNAIDS goal of having 73% of people affected by HIV to suppress their viral loads.

Somalia: The death of a 10-year old girl prompted government officials to pursue the its first ever prosecution for female genital mutilation. According to news reports, the girl suffered complications two days after her mother took her to “a local cutter.”

South Africa: Statistics South Africa has released its mid-year population estimates report for 2018, with an estimated 57.7 million people living in the country as of 1 July 2018. While births and deaths are considered the main drivers of population change, migration continues to be a significant player – not just demographically, but politically, economically and socially.

Djibouti: Last month, Djibouti opened the first phase of the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone, a $3.5 billion project to focus on trade and logistics, export processing, business and financial support services, as well as manufacturing and duty-free merchandise retail in the hopes that it will not only boost Djibouti’s position as a trade and logistics hub, but will also create employment for its youth.

South Sudan: United Nations officials outlined a campaign of brutal killings and rapes carried out by government forces and their allies this spring. In the offensive, which targeted opposition-controlled villages in the north of the country in April and May, government troops and allied militias gunned down fleeing civilians, strung up villagers from trees and gang-raped women and girls — some of them fatally. At least 132 women and girls were abducted.

Eritrea: According to the latest findings from the 2018 Global Slavery Index, Africa has the highest rate of modernday enslavement in the world due to armed conflict, forced marriages and state-sponsored forced labor, with Eritrea ranked at the top of the list.

Swaziland: A leading constitutional lawyer and human rights activisthas taken Swaziland’s King Mswati III to court for changing the country’s name and undermining the Constitution. According to papers filed by an organisation known as the Institute for Democracy and Leadership (Ideal), Maseko has approached the high court of the kingdom, challenging the name change.

Malawi: As climate change brings longer droughts, Malawi is turning to solar irrigation to pull up underground water and water storage dams that can also be used to farm fish. The changes—put in place by Malawi's government—aim to help 5,800 households become more resilient to climate pressures.

Mali: Despite the deployment of 30,000 security personnel throughout the country, violence marred the presidential elections. President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita's first term was marked by growing insecurity and he faced 23 opponents in the

Uganda: A Ugandan court on Thursday validated constitutional changes that removed the 75-year presidential age limit, a ruling that would potentially allow President Yoweri Museveni to extend his three-decade rule.

Zambia: Zambia plans to introduce stricter regulations for social media usage. The new regulations are aimed fighting cyber crime and reduce online pornography.

MarketPlace Bob Blake & Associates a full service insurance and financial services firm 444 W. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 1404 Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-7723 Fax: (562) 436-5282

L.A. Focus/ August 2018

Coming This Fall

8

For more information, call: (310) 677-6011

MoneyMatters

On the Money

LeBron James: L.A. Welcomes Its Newest Business Mogul

W

ith the recent 4-year $154 million signing of LeBron James, Lakers fans everywhere are rejoicing in the promise that their beloved franchise will once again rise to power after a rough and tumble 5 year stretch as one of the NBA’s worst teams.

On the court, James’ resume proceeds him-- in his 15 years in the league he is a 3 time NBA champion, 3 time Finals MVP, 4 time League MVP, 14 time AllStar, and 12 time All-NBA First Team selection, just to name a few of his accolades.

But off the court, LeBron has slowly worked his way to being known as one of the sports and entertainment worlds brightest and most capable business minds.

Along with just Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan, LeBron has since gone on to become one of the world’s only billion dollar athletes, and has established himself as a premiere celebrity brand with the likes of Oprah, Ellen, Drake and Beyoncé. James has been so successful in his business dealings that he has been the subject of several graduate studies from the Harvard Business School--the focus of at least one was LeBron’s unprecedented move in 2005 to fire his agent and establish his own management and sports marketing company LRMR, with three of his childhood friends-one of which, Maverick Carter, he named CEO. In 2011 LRMR joined a strategic partnership with Fenway Sports Management (FSM) who became the sole global marketers of LeBron’s rights. From this deal James became a minority owner of the English Premier League soccer team, Liverpool FC, who is also owned by FSM. James’ 2% stake in Liverpool FC, which at the time was worth a little over $6.5 million is now estimated to be worth about $32 million.

Aside from playing basketball in one of the world’s largest markets, for one of sports most iconic franchises, under his childhood idol Magic Johnson, and in a city where he already owns two multi-million dollar properties, it is no secret that LeBron’s move to Los Angeles was business motivated-- as James has had his hands in the entertainment industry for several years now. In 2013, James again partnered with Maverick Carter to start Company.

Productions SpringHill SpringHill allowed James and Carter to create compelling TV and films with complete control over the end product.

SpringHill’s first venture into the entertainment industry was a STARZ channel drama-comedy called Survivor’s Remorse which was partly based on James’ experiences as a young basketball phenom at the start of his pro career, and lasted four sea-

sons before ending in 2017. The company also produced Disney XD’s inspirational reality series Becoming, CNBC entrepreneur reality- show Cleveland Hustles, game shows The Wall and Do or Dare (as James has a love of game shows), and several feature documentaries including HBO’s Promise School, Student Athlete, and The Carter Effect. SpringHill also launched the online content platform Uninterrupted which specializes in telling athlete point-of-view content through documentaries and podcasts.

"Connecting with my fans and telling meaningful stories has always been my passion. In everything I've done, from Nike commercials, to Uninterrupted and Survivor's Remorse, it's always about connecting with people of all ages and providing unique content they can all enjoy," said James.

In 2015 James and SpringHill were able to sign a deal with Warner Bros. Entertainment worth over 16 million dollars, which enabled the small production company to expand its reach into the market.

“I've always loved movies,” James said on the merger, “which makes Warner Bros. the ultimate partner to help us continue to push the envelope. I can't wait to see what we come up with."

On top of all his other lines of income, it is estimated that James makes about $55 million a year in off the court endorsements. His sponsors include Nike, CocaCola (Sprite), Kia Motors, Beats By Dre, Intel, and the fast-casual pizza chain startup Blaze Pizza-- a decision which showed LeBron's acumen for business potential.

In 2015 LeBron again shocked the business world, leaving over $15 million on the table in his decision not to renew his endorsement deal with McDonalds, instead opting to become “brand ambassador” of little known pizza chain, Blaze Pizza, which he had been investing in since 2012. The pizza chain which had only 50 restaurants in 2014, emphasizes ‘Chipotle- inspired’ customization, so customers can build their own pizzas that are ready in about three minutes.

Blaze Pizza is now worth more than $100 million dollars and has a goal to reach 1,000 stores and go public as soon as 2022.

While economists have estimated that LeBron’s return to Cleveland in 2014 was worth a net positive of almost $500 million to the city of Cleveland-- which is something our local business are definitely looking forward to in the upcoming season-there is one thing the people of Los Angeles want more than anything else: a 17th NBA Championship. LeBron is surely looking to provide both.

The Sneaker Phenomenon According to a video posted by GQ magazine in 2015, an estimated 1,200 people die over sneakers every year. Strategically released in limited quantities, they are highly sought after, as sneaker reselling has become a billion dollar industry.

Fact is people are shelling out thousands of dollars for some of the top brands as sported by sports stars and hip hop moguls and big money can be made on reselling the most popular and trendy sneakers as the more valuable sneakers are hard to get your hands on. Pharrell’s popular Hu NMD Trail shoe released only at an event in Pharrell’s hometown, Virginia Beach.

Some brands are so hot that auction houses have taken notice and in what was one of the first auctions of its type a pair of Nike Mags sold for a whopping $52,500. Some have accused brands like Nike, which owns the Jordan brand, of encouraging “frenzied behavior” over their shoes.

Listed below are some of today’s most expensive sneakers according to the sneaker resell site, StockX

TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE SNEAKER RESELL BRANDS

1

N*E*R*D x Adidas Pharrell Hu NMD Trail “ Homecoming” Retail price: $240 Resale price: $2,10

2 3 4 5

Y-3 Runner 4D Retail price: $535 Resale price: $1,870 Off-White x Air Jordan 1 Retail price: $190 Resale price: $1,752

Versace Chain Reaction “ Spotted” Retail price: $1,350 Resale price: $1,517 Nike Kyrie 3 “ Ray Gun” Retail price: $120 Resale price: $1,469

6 7

Mr Porter x Balenciaga Triple S Retail price: $895 Resale price: $1,405 Versace Chain Reaction “ Red” Retail price: $995 Resale price: $1,375

8 9 10

Balenciaga Triple S “ White” Retail price: $795 Resale price: $1,358 Air Jordan III “ Seoul” Retail price: $200 Resale price: $1,309 Adidas Futurecraft 4D Retail price: $300 Resale price: $1,226

Biz News Briefs Pat McGrath Is Top Earner In Beauty Industry

Moving past realitystar turned cosmetic empress, Kylie Jenner, legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath has officially become the top earner in the beauty industry, with total earnings being valued at $1 billion.

McGrath, who was one of fashion’s most successful, in-demand, and most inventive makeup artists, launched her own makeup line— Pat McGrath Labs— in 2016. They are expected to reach $60 million in retail sales this

year.

“It has always been my dream to create an iconic beauty brand that goes beyond the usual limitations, that lives outside the parameters of what is expected,” said McGrath via press release. McGrath, who is fondly known as “Mother” in the fashion industry, was the mastermind behind Armani’s beauty line. Her “Mothership” eyeshad-

ow palettes fly off the shelves at Sephora.

$100 Million Fund To Invest in Black Women Entrepreneurs Last month, entrepreneur and Sundial Brands cofounder Richelieu Dennis (who purchased Essence back in January of 2018) officially launched the New Voices Fund, a $100 million fund that will invest in businesses owned or managed by women of color.

“Over the past six months, we have already either invested in or committed to, over $30 million in black women entrepreneurs,” Dennis told the audience at the press conference during the Essence Festival.

The Fund was first announced late last year as part of the partnership agreement between Unilever and Sundial Brands (makers of beauty and personal care brands SheaMoisture, Nubian Heritage, Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture and Nyakio). The fund aims to fix the funding gap felt most severely by women of color founders with its primary focus on consumer, technology and media/entertainment.

Oprah Gets Into The Restaurant Business

The world’s most powerful black woman business mogul

is adding to her portfolio, and for the first time in the restaurant business, joining the established chain True Food Kitchen out of Houston, TX. It was after eating at True Food Kitchen that Winfrey sought out the CEO about a possible collaboration.

“I love bringing people together over a good meal,” Winfrey said. “When I first dined at True Food Kitchen, I was so impressed with the team’s passion for healthy eating and, of course, the delicious food, that I knew I wanted to be part of the company’s future.”

Although the amount of Oprah’s investment was not released, she will also be joining the company with a seat on their board.

“When Ms. Winfrey and I first sat down to discuss her potential investment, I was impressed by her genuine passion for the intention behind True Food,” True Food Kitchen CEO Christine Barone said. “My hope is that her passion and investment will continue to develop our growing brand to allow even more guests to experience a better way of eating.

The concept for the restaurant was created in 2008 by Dr. Andrew Weil and Phoenix restaurateur Sam Fox, and was built around Weil’s anti-inflammatory food pyramid.

It has grown to 23 locations in 10 states.

KEITH DELAWDER Staff Writer Comedian and actor Lil Rel Howery (“Get Out”, “Uncle Drew”) made waves at this year's MTV Movie Awards when he spoke out against the unfair treatment the black media press receives on the red carpet. Going against the normal protocol, Howery turned his attention to the black press before giving interviews to the mainstream media.

“I want to start with the people who are actually supporting me, have supported me and will actually put the content out there,” said Howery.

“Then, I’ll talk to everyone else, but that’s who I’m going to start with first.”

The move was a statement against the typical placement of black media at the end of the red carpet, a position that causes them to have limited access to talent they’re trying to interview.

“If you go a red carpet, or any movie premiere, and look down the line you see the black and Hispanic media are at the very end,” explained Manager of Communications at OWN Network, James Ward III at panel held during the African-American Film Marketplace and S.E. Manly Short Film Showcase, entitled “Marginalized: Black Media and Marketing in Hollywood”.

The panel was called to address this serious and persistent issue within the entertainment industry: the systematic marginalization of ethnic media outlets. Although there been some huge successes for black films, actors, and directors in recent years-- proving that the market for black led entertainment is strong a far reaching-- media insiders are going public with what they know as the harsh reality of the entertainment industry; black media outlets are still treated as second class.

“I hate to bring the word up, but it just won’t disappear,” says famed radio broadcaster and publisher of the online magazine EURweb.com, Lee Bailey, who equated the treatment as being forced to ride on the back of the bus. “It’s institutionalized racism. As a people, we are underestimated and marginalized in every facet of life.”

“It really is institutionalized racism that’s happening in the industry,” Ward agreed. “The same way we see it in the educational system, where certain schools don’t get the resources they need, in Hollywood it’s a

L.A. Focus/August 2018

F

10

precedent that’s already been set for decades, so you see it everywhere.”

Jasmine Simpkins, senior producer/reporter for HipHollywood.com and TV One correspondent, described a similarly demeaning experience on the red carpet of the SAG Awards.

“We covered the SAG Awards, and sadly, we as the African American press are the last to get invited and any maybe we get three slots on this red carpet, at the end of the carpet. The three or four of us are at this one small square of the carpet and we never really get to talk to anybody.

“Everyone of color is there and they look fabulous, but ask them if they talked to any black press while they were there at the award show…”

This position at the end of the pecking order leads to black media outlets getting group interviews instead of one-on-ones, and too often, getting ignored completely.

“By the time they get to us, the talent has done fifteen interviews and have been talking for 45 minutes straight, and they are tired of talking,” said Simpkins. “Or, if they get there late, they’ll get pulled by their publicist because the show will be starting, so we won’t get to speak with them at all.”

“A lot of times they show up so late that they don’t have the time to talk to everyone. I love Chadwick Boseman, but I’ve been there when he’s shown up so late..ompared to a guy like Harrison Ford who will be there early and talk to every single outlet down that carpet.”

Industry veteran and host/producer of American Urban Radio, Tanya Hart shared her all too familiar experience of getting blatantly denied by the white publicist of a black actress at the 2016 Emmy Awards-- which, thanks to Twitter, went viral.

“I saw the actress and her publicist coming, both of whom I’ve known for years. What happens on red carpets is they look at your news outlets and ask, do you want to talk to so-and-so. Well at least that’s what they do for the white folks. For the black folks, a lot of times they don’t even ask, so we have to ask them because we’re aggressive out there.

“I say to the publicist, ‘I want to talk to this particular

Many artists, once they made it, go out and hire the white publicist and the white manager-- who don’t really care, they will always ignore us. Because of this trend, it means fewer dollars for black media. When a PR person decides that the black press is not going to be able to talk to Denzel or Halle, it means that the white people are getting the dollars for advertising because they have the access, and they get all the clicks on the websites. This leaves whatever little piece of advertising dollars that are left to split up between all the black media outlets.”

L-R: Tanya Hart interviews Jordan Peele at the 2016 Sag Awards; Jasmine Simpkins poses with Tom Cruise at the world premiere of “ Mission Impossible: Fallout; Will Ferrell, Alison Brie, Edwina Findley-Dickerson and Kevin Hart at the premiere of “ Get Hard” in 2015. actress,’ and she gives me a half-hearted okay. Then I see the actress and her publicist walk right around us and on to some other folks. The story ended up going viral, and the publicist eventually issued us a huge apology, but I don’t think the actress knew that she was not being sent our way.

“A similar example is when I talked to Sterling K. Brown backstage at an awards show and it was brought up that we’d been trying to talk to him and couldn’t get to him. His response was that he had no idea! That he had never even thought about it! We need to do a better job of making the black talent aware of our situation.”

There are some good examples of talent taking it upon themselves to build relationships with the press. Tom Cruise is one.

“Before any red carpet premiere or junket event, Tom Cruise requests from the studio a full list of every journalist who is confirmed. He memorizes your name, he shakes your hand, he looks you in the eye like you were longtime friends, and gives a thoughtful interview to every single outlet down line on the carpet,” says James Ward. “So that’s why I say, once you are aware, it is your responsibility as talent to know what’s going on.

Especially as black talent you can ask for press list ahead of time and make sure that you take care of your base.”

“That’s a wonderful thought,” Actress Edwina Findley- Dickerson (“The Wire”, “If Loving You Is Wrong”) interjects, “but when you’re getting ready for a premiere there’s so much you are doing, that you have to let your people handle certain things. Like asking for a press list, that’s not realistic-- it’s a lot of work.”

This scenario gets to the heart of the issue, the complicated relationship between the talent, their publicist, the studios they work for, and the media outlets.

“Many artists, once they made it, go out and hire the white publicist and the white manager-- who don’t really care, they will always ignore us,” says Tanya Hart.

“Because of this trend, it means fewer dollars for black media. When a PR person decides that the black press is not going to be able to talk to Denzel or Halle, it means that the white people are getting the dollars for advertising because they have the access, and they get all the clicks on the websites. This leaves whatever little piece of advertising dollars that are left to split up between all the black media outlets.”

While many black outlets like Hart’s syndicated radio show, Hollywood Live, Bailey’s Eurweb and Hip Hollywood generate millions of views per month, the more access to talent, the more traffic, clicks, and retweets which fuel adverting revenues in this social media age.

“When we don’t get the access to the big stars, we don’t get as many clicks,” Bailey reports.

“I just don’t think that studios and publicists see the value in African American media,” says Simpkins. “They feel that black people are going to support, and watch their shows regardless. They want our dollars but don’t want to spend the time to cultivate relationships, get to know us and understand the value we bring, or the narrative in the in the editorial we put out.”

But it’s not complete disregard, L.A. Focus Publisher, Lisa Collins explained, it's more like a one-way street.

“They don’t totally disregard us when they are breaking new artists, or they have new films, or it’s an unknown black talent-- they come first to the black press and they utilize our services. But when artists get to a

certain level, there’s a shift and that’s a problem.”

To that end, entertainment journalists have pointed to the need for greater sensitivity on the part of black celebrities and executives.

At a winter meeting of black newspaper publishers, the NAACP was called out for hiring a white PR agency to handle press at the Annual Image Awards—an agency that has been accused of giving preference to white outlets.

“While being placed at the tail-end of a carpet is more indicative of the predominately White media system and its value assessment of Black press, these oversights are even more hurtful when they come from your own people.

The fact is, too many of our Black celebrities are simply not supporting us,” journalist Keyaira Kelly wrote in an op-ed.

“Just a simple scan of some of your favorite Black celebs Twitter and IG feeds and you would discover links to and retweets of interviews they did with White outlet after White outlet, while Black-owned, Black-run press is often omitted from the conversation.” c All too often what celebrities are being told by their publicists is not aligned with reality, leading them to prioritizing larger media outlets over those that truly represent their fan base.

“As talent, we’ll go to black outlets, but then we’ll be told in our ear, if you want to have a bigger career you have to go to these outlets,” says Karamo Brown, who stars as the culture expert on the Netflix series, Queer Eye. “So you start saying to yourself, ‘I have to go to ET, I have to go to E!’ But what we realize is, our careers really don’t get any bigger just because we go to them.”

Edwina Findley- Dickerson offered a different perspective as talent on the red carpet.

“I wasn’t aware of what was actually happening. But now as I’m hearing these stories, I recognize them, and they’ve all happened to me-- as far as being led away from the black press and not making it to the end of the line.

“The presumption is that African American publications are more niche and smaller in terms of reach. It’s the publicist’s job to put out the word as far and wide as they can, so they’re going to favor larger publications. So you see this hierarchy as far as how the carpet is run. But I’ve always had people telling me, ‘Don’t forsake your base!’”

“Let’s just be clear,” qualifies James Ward. “Just because they interview you doesn’t mean they’re going to run your coverage. As a publicist who is smart, you should know the core audience of your talent who is black, is the black media. That’s why they say, ‘the same people you see on your way up, you’ll see on your way down.’ The same people who started you at the beginning of your career will continue to support you-- and that’s what these white publicists don’t understand.”

The irony in the whole situation is that oftentimes it’s the black audience that carries the attendance at the movies for the same studios who seem to be uninterested in marketing to them.

“The reason these studios are doing so well with all of these movies is because black people are going to see them!” says Tanya Hart. “That’s where the money is coming from, supporting all the marketing and

ad dollars. It’s our dollars that are going in and we’re not getting anything out of it!”

And the numbers don’t lie. According to data from the “2017 Hollywood Diversity Report” conducted by the Bunche Center for African-American Studies at UCLA, “Minorities accounted for the majority of the ticket sales for five of the top-10 films in 2015.”

“When they discount the black media, they’re really discounting the black audience,” said Collins.

Pastor K.W. Tulloss of The Weller Street Missionary Baptist Church, who is also president of the L.A. Chapter of Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network and the chief organizer of the very successful #OscarsSoWhite campaign that took off the year before “Moonlight” look home best picture, expressed an assertive approach in standing up for the positioning of black media outlets.

“It’s going to take courage and persistence to let people know that we’re tired of being at the back and we’re tired of receiving less than everyone else. The reality is, once we do that and band together, then we will start seeing change within the industry.”

But James Ward, who has worked both for PR agencies who are hired by studios to promote black artists and projects, and now is within a TV network, sees the systemic problem leading all the way to the top-- at the Network Executive level.

“It would seem like there a black renaissance going on with all these black actors and directors in the spotlight, but what no one is talking about is the lack of representation and diversity inclusion at the network and studio level, and that’s why we’re having a lot of the problems.

“One of the solutions I see, is there needs to be a pipeline for black people positioned behind the scenes as a decision makers, that way we can get in the room when they’re making decisions and having conversations. For instance, at Marvel, there’s one little-known man named Nate Moore, who is the only black Development Executive at Marvel and he is the sole reason that we’re seeing this swell of diversity as far as black representation at Marvel, and products such as Black Panther, Agents of Shield, and Luke Cage are a result. So the more of us there are at the studios and networks on the inside, the more change we’ll see.”

Lil Rel’ Howery

Eye On Gospel City of Refuge’s Praise Power Fuels New CD As one of the largest urban churches in the L.A. area, City of Refuge knows the power of praise. It has fueled the 10,000-plus mega church’s growth and in 2007 skyrocketed their famed Sanctuary Choir to the top of Billboard’s gospel church with their debut CD, Welcome To The City.

“Whether you sing it, whether you preach it, whether you live it, the gospel must be spread,” says pastor, Bishop Noel Jones, on the opening track of the dynamic group’s sophomore live recording, Run to the Altar, which is now available in stores and on all major digital service providers.

The first song appropriately enough titled, “Praise is Power,” features the solo lead of Jason McGee who led the choir’s breakthrough Billboard Top Ten smash, “Not About Us.” Another L.A. favorite, Prez Blackmon, is featured on the album as is gospel recording artist Tammi Haddon, who leads on the album’s title track and husband Gerald Haddon (on the track “Flow”).

Haddon produced the album, described as a soul-stirring follow up to the choir’s 2007 smash.

“This one captures a different essence of the evolution of where we were then to where we are now,” says choir director Jason McGee. “It’s a different sound. A different feel. You hope that it inspires people and gives a little more hope, especially with what the world is going through now.”

Just as importantly to Haddon and McGee was addressing the void in today’s choir scene.

“What Gerald and I wanted to do was to create choir music that

sounds like choir music we used to love. Even on the song, Holy Ghost, that I lead—the inspiration for that was early 90s choir music— Hezekiah Walker and John P. Kee. “Most churches are moving away from choirs and praise and worship has taken center stage, but for those like me who enjoy choir music, this is like going back to a time when choirs were very much in demand and very exciting to listen to.”

James Fortune Remarries Congratulations to gospel recording artist James Fortune who recently remarried. The Grammy nominated artist announced the news online with the words “Mr.& Mrs. Fortune” and a tender love note to his new wife that read: Who would have thought that when I received a call that you had been nearly killed by a drunk driver that my visit to see you would turn into this. Your near death experience would be the start of my new life.

You helped me dream again, trust again, and most importantly you showed me that I was worth being loved again. You are strong, selfless, patient, hardworking, intelligent, and the best mom a child could ever dream of. I have enjoyed your love, dedication and compassion privately but with a heart that is overflowing I had to share the one who has truly helped me progress in life & love. I don't know how long I am going to live but I know that every single second will be worth a lifetime because it will be spent with you. @misskellz_ Fortune Forever I Love You!” The 39-year old singer, whose latest CD, Dear Future Me, is riding high on the gospel charts, also appears to have welcomed a new baby boy with wife, Kelly.

Re-Igniting A Legacy (Long Awaited Tommies Reunion CD Set For Release) They enjoyed a solid decade of suc-

Re d Carpet Style

CIARA in a beautiful yellow asymmetrical long gown

LAILA ALI in a lovely slim black dress

cess that included five Billboard No. 1 albums and numerous awards and accolades, but with the sudden death of Rev. Milton Brunson, left gospel’s famed “Tommies” (Milton Brunson’s Thompson Community Singers) in limbo.

That is until now. Darius Brooks, the former music director of the late Rev. Milton Brunson’s Grammy® Award winning Thompson Community Singers recently signed a deal with Tyscot Records to release, The Tommies Reunion (Tyscot), on October 26th.

“In the early years of my career I was a Tommies fan,” says Tyscot CEO, Bryant Scott. “Our church choir literPeoples ally sang a Tommies song every Sunday. ItDottie is exciting that Tyscot has been able to sign one of the premiere choirs from the `choir era.’”

The 14-track set of powerful original songs reunites the key personalities from the most successful era (19821997) for this choir’s choir when they reigned as the No. 1 choir in the world with massive radio and Sunday morning service hits such as “Safe in His Arms,” “There Is No Way,” “I’m Available to You,” “It’s Gonna Rain,” “For the Good of Them” and “If I Be Lifted,” among many others.

Briefly: Bebe and Cece Winans are set to receive the Gospel Music Icon Award at the 2018 Black Music Honors on August 16th in Nashville, Tennessee. The annual two-hour television special—produced by Central City Productions— honors artists and musicians who have influenced and made significant contributions to American music.

"The vision of the Black Music Honors is to recognize the trailblazers in African American music who have paved the way for the artists of today. Many of these artists have never received their much-deserved recognition," said Don Jackson, founder and CEO of Central City Productions.

TV and radio personality Rickey Smiley and Grammy® Award-winner and actress LeToya Luckett return as co-hosts of the show, which is set to air on broadcast syndication on Sept. 8-30, 2018. Also being honored is R&B icon Bobby Brown.

The 2018 26th annual ESPY Awards, held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles

DRAYA MICHELE looking stunning in her long purple silk gown

SAGE STEELE is sizzling in her beige outfit with diamond accessories

TROY MULLINS rocking a pretty sheer floral dress

INSIDE HO L LY W OOD with Neily Dickerson Movies come and go so quickly that if you don’t pay attention, you’ll miss some good ones. I’m going to list some films you may have missed along with those that you might want to add to your upcoming must-see list.

I’ll begin with my in case you missed it list and the no-brainer, Black Panther. Believe it or not, there are some people who haven’t seen it, and now it is available on DVD and Bluray, you have NO excuse. Some unexpected films I liked that you should give a chance like Game Night, a fun experience with a lot of twists and turns. Tully - a humorous, yet intense look into how a woman juggles life’s day-to-day stuff without the necessary support sitting right beside her. If you decide to stay in, Netflix has a great series called Flint Town. The series offers a view into another side of what’s

happening in the troubled city of Michigan. In Ocean’s 8, the ladies control the heist and it’s a Blinged out time.

Some stand-out sequels Equalizer 2 and Sicario: Day Of The Solado. Denzel Washington in EQ2 and Benicio Del Toro in Sicario both give performances that are award worthy. I absolutely loved A Quiet Place and Superfly. A Quiet Place is an overwhelming film that deals with the

closeness of a family in an unusual way, and Superfly is great. I applaud this production team for maintaining the authenticity of this classic while making it current. Of the two movies starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, I preferred Rampage over Skyscraper, you be the judge.

And if you want to have a good moment with the kids, Uncle Drew is a delight, my favorite, Adam Sandler, is back with, Hotel Transylvania 3.

Finally, my must see: Black KKlansman, a movie that deals with a Black man’s involvement in the Klan, directed by Spike Lee, and produced by Jordan Peele. The Hate U Give takes a look into the social struggles we continue to face in our community. A film that will remind us we have a responsibility to take care of, remain mindful of, love on and support each other.

DUE IN THEATErS THIS mONTH

HOLLYWOOD BUZZ

Christopher Robin August 3

BlacKkKlansman August 10

Say It Ain’t So: Kenya

Moore Exits Atlanta Housewives? As production gets underway for Bravo’s next season of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”, Kenya Moore has reportedly been absent from the set and rumors are that she was exiting the storied reality franchise. Producers reportedly weren’t willing to offer more money and Moore wasn’t willing to offer up more drama—namely more of the interaction between she and her husband on the home front. On July 24, she posted that there was no movement in the negotiations, but added “a girl has options just in case.” Replying to a fan who said she would not watch the show if the report was true, Moore countered, “The fans deserve to see my happy ending... unfortunately, it's not up to me.

Maybe I should have committed some crimes.” Just last month Sheree Whitfield officially confirmed that she would not be returning to the show after being given a low ball offer to continue on the show.

In other Atlanta Housewives news, Cynthia Bailey recently opened up a new wine bar and has a new bag line.

LeBron James Is Making Moves On & Off The Court In L.A. The Lebron James L.A. takeover appears to be switching into high gear as the all pro basketball star who recently signed a four-year,

Support the Girls August 24

$153.3 million contract with the Lakers, is making just as many moves off the court. He’s teaming with Netflix and Octavia Spencer for an eight-episode limited series on the life of Madam C.J. Walker. James is set as executive producer in the series that will star Spencer as Sarah Breedlove (a.k.a. C.J. Walker) based on the book On Her Own Ground penned by her great granddaughter, A’Lelia Bundles. The show will speak to how the black hair care pioneer— orphaned at seven, married at 14 and widowed at 20— overcame adversity to become America’s first selfmade, female millionaire at the turn of the 20th century. James is also teaming with HBO Sports on the college sports docu Student Athlete (set to debut October 2), but has The Shop, a barbershopset talk show featuring unfiltered conversation and debate with some of the biggest names in sport and entertainment, also on HBO. That show is set to bow August 28.

Lifetime Signs Deals With Robin Roberts, Bishop T.D. Jakes Veteran GMA anchor Robin Roberts is pacting with Lifetime for a series of telepics and documentaries. The production deal under the banner, Robin Roberts Presents, will explore stories that inspire and educate audiences.

Kin August 31

First up is a project on gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. The second is the true story of Alexis Manigo, who at age 18, discovers she had been abducted as a baby from a Florida hospital.

Lifetime also announced that it was in development with T.D. Jakes on Victoria Christopher Murray’s Seven Deadly Sins anthology. Three movies – Lust, Envy, and Greed – are set to debut next year. The movies are executive produced by T.D. Jakes.

Sweet Spot For Zandaya: Talking about landing in a sweet spot.

Zendaya is set to star in HBO’s upcoming drama, Euphoria, about high school students navigating drugs, sex, tragedy, love and friendship as they come of age. The drama also stars Storm Reid (“Wrinkle In Time”), Eric Dane and Alexa Demie with Drake in the exec producer seat…Also coming to HBO this fall is Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland. The 28-year-old was arrested in Texas after a traffic violation. Three days later, she was found in her jail cell, dead, and hanging from a noose…Michael Ealy joins Kofi Siriboe, Uzo Aduba, Naturi Naughton and Tristan Mack Wilds in the forthcoming romantic drama Really Love, about a struggling artist looking to make it in the art world before a whirlwind romance with a young law student forces him to choose between his career and love…Finally, Girls Trip filmmaker Malcolm Lee is in negotiations with Will Smith’s company, Overbrook Entertainment, to direct a remake of the 1974 Bill Cosby-Sidney Poitier smash hit, Uptown Saturday Night.

Q&A

Spike Lee

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York Big Break: Do The Right Thing (1989) Current Project: BlacKkKlansman Since his directorial debut in 1985 with She’s Gotta Have It, Spike Lee has built a reputation as one of the most iconic filmmakers of the modern era. His films are known to be ‘conscious’ works of art, shedding light on the issues of the times such as race relations, colorism, the role of the media in contemporary life, urban poverty and violence, and other political issues. He has won numerous accolades for his work, including two Academy Award nominations, an Academy Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and two Emmy Awards.

How do you feel about the conscious movement among the youth today?

“There’s one refrain that’s been that’s been in all my films, and that is ‘wake up’. Laurence Fishburne was saying ‘wake up’ in School Daze that came out in ’88.

Samuel L. Jackson was saying ‘wake up’ in Do The Right Thing. Everybody is saying ‘get woke’ now, but I’ve been saying ‘wake up’ since ’88.”

Has the rise of “Trumpism” and the showings of white nationalism since the election surprised you?

“All this stuff that’s happening does not surprise me. And the reason why it doesn’t is because racism is the very fabric, the DNA, of these United States of America. Why should it surprise me? Forget about the Bill of Rights— the Bill of Rights came later and they didn’t apply to everybody — the foundation of this country is genocide of native people and slavery.

Everything is built from that and the quicker we come to accept it and stop trying to go with these fake narratives children have been fed, the better. George Washington chopped down a cherry tree? ‘I can’t tell a lie’? Nah. George Washington had slaves. Thomas Jefferson owned slaves and was a suspect pedophile. So let’s stop with the fake narratives and tell the true story of this country, then we’ll be in a better place.”

Gentrification is addressed in your recent Netflix show She’s Gotta Have It, how do you feel about the mass gentrification in your neighborhood of Brooklyn?

“Here's the thing about gentrification, I think that there are too many gentrifiers who move in and don't come with humbleness. For example, there's a sign in Fort Greene Park, ‘New Fort Greene.’ What the ‘f’ is ‘New Fort Greene’!? Just because you move in does not make it new. I call this ‘Christopher Columbus Syndrome’. Something ain't discovered if people been there already. And so, a lot of these gentrifiers, when they move in, they don't respect the culture or the people who were there already. That's where I got beef.

Now, you come here with love — that's cool. But with this other stuff — I got beef with that.”

You’re outspoken about the lack of diversity in the film industry, how has that played out over the years?

When I first started, there were no black people in the room. People in power should read the Census Bureau report about how in the coming years, white Americans will be a minority. They should look at the increasingly diverse market they're trying to reach. There's no way in the world why I should go into any meeting anywhere and not see somebody who looks like me. Let me tell you a story, this is true. When I started as a filmmaker, I would come out to these meetings in L.A. and they would bring black people up from the mailroom and stick them in the room! I knew and they knew that once I left, they were going back to the mailroom! Those were the stunts they were pulling! It's pitiful. When I have a meeting with these companies, why am I the only person of color in the room?”

Calendar of events

Ongoing Orange County Fair (Through August 12) Offers farm exhibits, a petting zoo, pig races, carnival rides, a rodeo, a sports arena, wine tasting, fried food, and big-name music concerts 11AM – Midnight • $7 - $80 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 www.ocfair.com Exhibition: “How Sweet The Sound: Gospel Music In Los Angeles (Through August 26) Also “Nicole Miller: Athens, California” 3-channel video installation weaving together interviews and accounts from a diverse range of students from one of the region’s most dangerous neighborhoods (Through September 9) Tues-Sat: 10AM 6PM; Sun: 11AM – 6PM Free (Parking = $12) California African American Museum 600 State Drive Info: (310) 676-7300 caamuseum.org BFit Yoga Class On the Macy’s Bridge Free •10AM -11:00AM Saturdays Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 3650 West Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd

Info: (323) 290-6636 Baldwinhillscrenshawplaza.com Exhibition: The Museum of African American Art Presents: Phases Of Divine Inspiration By Rob S. Wilson (Through September 30) 3rd Floor of Macy’s at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 4005 Crenshaw Blvd Info: (323) 294-7071 www.maaala.org

Wednesday, August 1 TaajMo: The Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ Band, Melissa Etheridge, Deva Mahal 8PM • $12 - $134 Hollywood Bowl 2301 No. Highland Avenue Contact: (323) 850-2000 hollywoodbowl.com

Thursday, August 2

microsofttheater.com Charlie Wilson With Orchestra (Through Saturday Aug 4th) 8PM • $14 - $144 Hollywood Bowl 2301 No. Highland Avenue Contact: (323) 850-2000 hollywoodbowl.com

Sunday, August 5 Taste of Inglewood Street Fair and Music Festival with Special Guest Whodini, Eric Bellinger and Casey Veggies 11AM-7PM • Free Inglewood High School 231 S Grevillea Ave Inglewood CA, 90301 YG Presents: Stay Dangerous 8PM • $28 - $83 Microsoft Theater 777 Chick Hearn Court Contact: (213) 763-6020

On Stage: Waitress (Through August 26) Check for Showtimes • $49 - $175 Hollywood Pantages Theatre 6233 Hollywood Blvd Contact: (323) 468-1770 hollywoodpantages.com

Monday, August 6 Western Baptist State Convention Southern Saint Paul Baptist Church 7PM • Free 4678 West Adams Blvd Los Angeles

Wednesday, August 8 In Concert: KRS-ONE 8PM • $5 - $10 The Novo 800 W Olympic Blvd Info: (213) 765-7000 thenovodtla.com

Friday, August 10 31st Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival Line up includes Jonathan Butler, Maysa, Kim Waters, Marcus Miller, Poncho

Friday August 3 In Concert: Shania Twain 8PM • $35 - $270 Staples Center 1111 S. Figueroa Contact: (213) 742-7340 staplescenter.com

EvENT SpOTLIGHT Tuesday, August 21 Ain't Too Proud The Life and Times of The Temptations Aug 21 – Sep 30 Ahmanson Theatre Center Theatre Group 135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 www.centertheatregroup.org

L.A. Focus/August 2018

Megan Markle at the Sentebale Polo Cup 2018

14

at ole Tuck wife Nic d ” n r e a p d a r le “Skysc DJ Kha arpet of the red c creening s

Torrei Ha rt a the Beauty nd Heaven Hart at con Festiv al LA 201 8

the d Derek Fisher at Gloria Govan an ts or Sp ai dars-Sin 33rd Annual Ce Spectacular Gala

Karrueche Tran at the Beautycon Festival LA 2018

Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete’s Family of four Ryan, Roman, Robinson, and Rodney Jr along with Holly’s mom Dolores Robinson

Niecy Nash as she receives her Hollywood Star

Sanchez, Stanley Clarke, Randy Crawford and more.

(Through Sunday August 13th) Tickets: $60-$180 Friday: 6PM Sat & Sun: Noon-12PM. Rainbow Lagoon Park E Shoreline Drive Long Beach (562) 424-0013 longbeachjazzfestival.com In Concert: Ben Vereen (Through August 11) 8:30PM • $35+ Catalina Bar & Grill Rsvp: (323) 466-2210 catalinajazzclub.com Harold & Carole Pump Foundation 18th Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament & Dinner Honoring Rod Carew, Reggie Jackson, Bill Walton, Marc Kerner The Beverly Hilton Hotel Pricing: (310) 445-2588 Haroldpumpfoundation.co m

Gospel Artists, Dynamic Speakers & Much More!

Venice Beach Boardwalk Corner of Pacific & Windward Street 11:00AM - 6:00PM Info: (213) 359-3185 disciplesonthemove.com 2018 Marina Movie Nights: Swing Dance + Grease Arrive Early to pick up a few dance moves at the interactive arts events centered on movement & music. All ages & skill levels welcome!

Jam Session at 6PM Movie at 8PM • Free Burton Chace Park 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey Info: (424) 562-7900 marinadelrey.lacounty.gov

Tuesday, August 14 Business Series: Planning for Success: Business Plan Writing Workshop 12:00PM – 2PM • Free L.A. Law Library 301 West 1st Street Contact: (213) 785.2516 (Call (800) 399-4529 to be pre-screened. Appointment

only) lalawlibrary.org Workshop: Help With Clearing Criminal Records 5:30PM – 8PM •Free L.A. Law Library 301 West 1st Street Contact: (213) 785.2516 (Call (800) 399-4529 to be pre-screened. Appointment only) lalawlibrary.org

Wednesday, August 15 Gregory Porter: Nat King Cole & Me, Savion Glover 8PM • $12 - $139 Hollywood Bowl 2301 No. Highland Avenue Contact: (323) 850-2000 hollywoodbowl.com

Friday August 17 The Comedy Get Down World Tour: Cedric The Entertainer, Eddie Griffin, D.L Hughley & George Lopez 8PM • $49.50 - $135 Microsoft Theater 777 Chick Hearn Court Los Angeles, 90015 www.microsofttheater.com

ing Rhythm-al-ism 8PM • $19:50 The Novo 800 W Olympic Blvd Info: (213) 765-7000 thenovodtla.com In Concert: Make It Last Forever with Keith Sweat, Bell Biv Devoe, Tony Toni Tone, En Vogue, Color Me Badd 7:30PM • $55 - $235 The Greek Theater 2700 North Vermont Ave www.lagreektheatre.com The 2018 Platform Workshop for Christian Artist/Songwriters/Author s/Speakers Featuring: Babbie Mason, Deborah Smith Pegues and Brenda Holloway 9:00AM -5:00PM • $89-$99 Faithful Central Bible Church 333 West Florence Avenue Inglewood, CA 90301 www.carolrossburnett.com

Wednesday, August 22

Contact: (323) 850-2000 hollywoodbowl.com

Friday, August 24 In Concert: J Cole KOD Tour (Through, August 25) 7:30PM • $49.50 - $149.50 Staples Center 1111 S. Figueroa Contact: (213) 742-7340 staplescenter.com The 2018 Dream Girl Luncheon Entrepreneurs Experience August 24th 6:30PM – 9:30PM Annual Dream Girl Luncheon & Red Carpet August 25th 10AM-Until Inspirational Experience August 26th 11AM - 3PM $50 – $1500 The Castaway 1250 E. Harvard Rd Burbank, CA 91501 dreamgirlluncheon.com

Saturday, August 25 12th Anniversary Leimert Park Village Book Fair Interactive activities, panel discussions, film screenings, readings, meet & greets, spoken word, and

around los angeles Saturday, August 11

21th Annual Venice Beach Gospel Crusade Rally Various Citywide Choirs,

Saturday, August 18

In Concert: DJ Quik play-

Tuesday, August 28 In Concert: Sam Smith (Through, August 29) 8PM • $35 - $125 Staples Center 1111 S. Figueroa Contact: (213) 742-7340 staplescenter.com

Friday, August 31 In Concert: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic 8PM • $24.50 - $39.50 The Novo 800 W Olympic Blvd Info: (213) 765-7000 thenovodtla.com In Concert: Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. (Through Sep 2nd) 8:30PM • $35+ Catalina Bar & Grill Rsvp: (323) 466-2210 catalinajazzclub.com

iah John attend Angela Lewis and Isa n 2 Snowfall the premiere of Seaso

Chris Ludacris Bridges and Larenz Tate at the premiere of Equalizer 2

Deray Davis at the pre miere of Season 2 Snowfall

L.A. Focus/ August 2018

LL Cool J attend Simone Smith and lizer 2 the premiere of Equa

Queen Latifah and Common 8PM • $18 - $109 Hollywood Bowl 2301 No. Highland Avenue

live music 10AM – 5PM • Free Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza leimertparkbookfair.com

15

16

L.A. Focus/ August 2018

Through the Storm

W

LISA COLLINS Staff Writer

“The Rape of Recy Taylor”

hat they did to her…they didn’t need to live,” recalled Alma Daniels, the sister of Recy Taylor, the woman to whom Oprah Winfrey dedicated part of her rousing Golden Globes acceptance speech after receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement at the 2018 Golden Globes Awards.

Taylor had died just ten days before—just shy of her 98th birthday—but as the #metoo and #timesup movements took center stage, so too had Recy Taylor through the memory of Winfrey.

“There's someone else,” said Winfrey, “Recy Taylor, a name I know and I think you should know, too. In 1944, Recy Taylor was a young wife and mother walking home from a church service she'd attended in Abbeville, Alabama, when she was abducted by six armed white men, raped, and left blindfolded by the side of the road.

They threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone, but her story was reported to the NAACP where a young worker by the name of Rosa Parks became the lead investigator on her case and together they sought justice. But justice wasn't an option in the era of Jim Crow.

The men who tried to destroy her were never persecuted.

“She lived as we all have lived, too many years in a culture broken by brutally powerful men. For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dare speak the truth to the power of those men. But their time is up.

“And I just hope -- I just hope Recy Taylor died knowing that her truth, like the truth of so many other women who were tormented in those years, and even now tormented, goes marching on.”

Recy Taylor’s was the story of so many black women in the Jim Crow South and beyond. A story Nancy Buirski (who directed the film, Loving) felt compelled to tell, and with the backing of Oprah Winfrey, “The Rape of Recy Taylor”, made its debut at the New York Film Festival last fall and premiered last month on Starz.

Taylor had left her husband to baby sit their ninemonth old daughter as she set out for a prayer service at Rock Hill Holiness Church. Later that evening seven white men would circle the Abbeville, Alabama church waiting for church services to be over looking to abduct a black woman. They’d initially set their sights on two teen sisters of a black couple who were successful in chasing them off. They abducted her as she walked from church with a woman and her son, both of whom immediately reported what happened.

When four to five hours later, they were done brutalizing Taylor, she would never ever be able to conceive again and just one day after being gang-raped, her house was firebombed in retribution for her reporting the rape.

There would be little recourse.

Although she identified most of the young men that attacked her, none were ever indicted for the crime and were it not for the efforts of the NAACP and their young lead investigator, Rosa Parks, little would have been made of the incident.

The documentary is, in fact, as much the story about a young Rosa Parks and a legacy of sexual terror against and dehumanization of black women as it is about Recy Taylor.

“

“Taylor’s story isn’t just about her.

It’s about thousands of women just

like her whose stories we may never know,

who were victimized and brutalized without recognition or recompense for their injuries.”

The young men at first claimed she was a prostitute.

One of the defenders of the men would later propose a payment of $600 to Recy’s husband.

The indecent proposal would be the subject of black press reports across the nation, with headlines in those like the Chicago Defender reading: “$600 To Rape Wife?

Ala. Whites Make Offer to Recy Taylor Mate”.

“N****er”, ain’t $600 enough for raping your wife,” the man reportedly defending the men told Taylor’s husband.

The white press largely ignored the crimes and despite organized protests in the black community— including a massive rally in Harlem, and the galvanization of the national black press—which led to two grand juries—none of Taylor’s attackers was ever indicted.

“I thought surely they would have found them guilty, but I should have known better,” said Daniels.

“It was one of the biggest cover ups” said 81year old Robert Corbett, who is Recy’s brother and was featured prominently in the documentary.

“The reason why so many people got away with it, because they felt like the black woman’s body didn’t belong to her,” Corbett added.

“White men have had access to black women forcibly,” said James Johnson II, an educator and the nephew of Recy Taylor. “If they wanted one, they would get them. It was something that their fathers…grandfathers taught them. The attitudes of the treatment of black women was the same as it was on the plantation. They did not regard black people as humans.

Intimidation was used to keep black men under control and then have access to black women.”

In fact, the sexual abuse of black women by white men was commonplace and went unpunished as documented in Danielle McGuire’s At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape, and Resistance—A New History of the Civil Rights Movement From Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power.

It was McGuire’s book—published in 2010— that brought back to light the story of Recy Taylor.

“Black women testified about sexual violence way before white women did,” McGuire said.

The rape of black women was often a coun-

terpart to the lynching of black men. Some were encouraged to get a black woman for their first sex act so that they could practice. According to the book, Trouble in Mind: Black Southerners in the Age of Jim Crow, Cole Blease, the governor of South Carolina from 1910-14, made prolific use of his pardoning powers, issuing 1,700 during his tenure. Blease pardoned both black and white men who had been convicted of attacking black women and girls. In one official pardoning statement, Blease stated, “I am of the opinion, as I have always been, and have very serious doubt as to whether the crime of rape can be committed upon a negro.”

Recalls journalist Esther Cooper Jackson in the film, “It was dangerous for all blacks, but particularly for women. Women were often attacked like Recy Taylor, raped or sometimes disappeared. One would have to be careful about what time of day that they walked. Young girls were very much aware of this, even going to and from school particularly in rural areas, they had to make sure to not be in a car alone. Recy Taylor was a strong woman who spoke up and therefore influenced many other women.”

While justice was not served and her story would subsequently slip quietly into the archives of civil rights history, the case did mark a breakthrough. Before Taylor, there had been no legal recourse. Recy’s case was one of the first that pushed for legal access to the courts. And though it just took five minutes of deliberation for an all-white, all-male jury to dismiss the first case at trial, the public protests would lead to two subsequent grand juries.

The resurfacing of Taylor’s story at the height of the #metoo movement has also raised questions about the foundational role of black women in the feminist movement.

In an interview with the New York Times last year, Gabrielle Union spoke of how the sexual assault of black women has not received the same treatment.

“I think the floodgates have opened for white women,” Union said. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence whose pain has been taken seriously.. whose pain we have shown historically and continued to show.. whose pain is tolerable and whose pain is intolerable.. and whose pain needs to be addressed now.”

“The absence of black women from the spotlight of #MeToo has historical roots that predate Taylor’s rape,” wrote Soraya McDonald for “The Undefeated.” “Taylor’s story isn’t just about her. It’s about thousands of women just like her whose stories we may never know, who were victimized and brutalized without recognition or recompense for their injuries.”

In 2011, six years before her death, Taylor — who remained steadfast to her faith in God and love for church—would receive an official state apology from the Alabama legislature for its “failure to prosecute her attackers.”

www.lafocusnewspaper.com

L.A. Focus/ August 2018

Inglewood continued from page 6 abuse of the legislative process and it allows the by-pass of critical environmental protections defending the neighborhoods from harmful impacts such as the significant increase in traffic and potential pollution.

The city of Inglewood and developer Murphy Bowl’s LLC have already been sued by the Madison Square Garden Co.— owners of the Forum in Inglewood—over claims that they were deceived into giving up the land across the street from the Forum on Prairie Ave. and Century Blvd. where the area will now be built, as well as violating the non-compete clause that the city agreed to in their purchase of the Forum in 2012. If AB 987 passes this litigation will have to be settled fairly quickly and will not delay the timeline of the project.

Long-time Inglewood activist, Diane Sambrano worries about the huge impact the area will have on its residents.

“This is one disregard after another and insult to the residents of the community,” Sambrano said “Why is this project a sacred cow? Because it’s

18

a billionaire.”

Kamalager- Dove’s Bill is more conscientious than similar bills of its kind by setting aside series of measures that shall be implemented “if feasible and necessary,” including creating a transportation management plan and using renewable energy.

The project also must receive a LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, gold certificate within one year of the first NBA season, and meet the standards of a general plan expected to be created by January 2019.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer’s has said he plans to honor the team’s lease to play at Staples Center through the 2024 season. Ballmer envisions a state-of-the-art arena in Inglewood with 18,000 to 20,000 seats adjacent to a practice facility, team offices and parking.

Nia Wilson continued from page 6 “At what point will it stop? I’m getting tired of the heartbreak. Tired of needing to organize rallies’ to convince people that our lives matter. To the killer, I will NOT say your name. To Nia… we will shout yours from the rooftops!!!,” wrote Viola Davis on Twitter.

“She is not a hashtag,” wrote Anne Hathaway in an Instagram post. “She was a black woman and she was murdered in cold blood by a white man. White peopleincluding me, including you- must take into the marrow of our privileged bones the truth that ALL black people fear for their lives DAILY in America and have done so for GENERATIONS. White people DO NOT have equivalence for this fear of violence. Given those givens, we must ask our (white)selves- how “decent” are we really?

Not in our intent, but in our actions? In our lack of action?”

Elder continued from page 7 accepted Ray's claim of innocence, visited him in prison and even shook his hand!

Dexter King said to Ray: ''Well, as awkward as this may seem, I want you to know that I believe you and my family believes you, and we are going to do everything in our power to try and make sure that justice will prevail. And while it's at the 11th hour, I've always been a spiritual person and I believe in Providence.''

As to rejecting the conclusions of government reports, during the O.J. Simpson double homicide case, the LAPD was led

by Willie Williams, the department's first black police chief. Because of the constant and serious allegations of evidence planting, Chief Williams ordered an investigation. The probe found no evidence of any evidence planting or other intentional acts by cops, criminalists or investigators to compromise the case. Nevertheless, the polls continued to show that most blacks, at the time, believed O.J. Simpson was "innocent." The "free O.J. crowd" could not have cared less about Williams' report.

So add Trump to the list of Americans who are skeptical about some government findings, less so about others. But as for people who still claim "Bush lied, people died" and who still consider O.J. Simpson an innocent man "framed by the racist LAPD" — pray for them, and keep them away from sharp objects.

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.

Game Changers: Austin Beutner It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) needs help. Since 2003, enrollment has fallen by over 100,000, as students flock to public charter or private schools seeking more resources and smaller class sizes. On top of that, the district faces a looming financial crisis as rising pension and healthcare costs are expected to outpace state funding in the next two years-- even as LAUSD currently sits on a $548 million budget surplus.

In May of this year, the LAUSD Board of Education sent a strong signal as to the necessity of bold and innovative leadership by electing businessman, public servant and philanthropist, Austin Beutner- who has never worked directly in education-- as superintendent of the second largest school district in the nation with over 60,000 employees and 640,000 students.

Beutner, who has worn many different hats in his long and successful professional career-- founding a New York investment banking advisory firm (Evercore Partners), as CEO and publisher of two major newspapers (Los Angeles Times and San Diego Union), and overseeing twelve city agencies as First Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles-- understands that no position he’s held thus far has been as impactful to the lives of average citizens.

“There's nothing more important for all of us in our community than public education. It's the common ground we all share,” says Beutner, the son of a schoolteacher and the product of public education himself. “If we can give every child in this community an even better opportunity than all of us had, then we're doing what we're supposed to do.”

Beutner wants to take a “back-to-thebasics” approach, reestablishing the fundamentals of how the district operates.

“Where we lost our way is we’ve forgotten what the promise of public education

Where we lost our way is we’ve forgotten what the promise of public education means and we've grown accustomed to a system and a set of education practices which hasn't adapted, and no longer are all about the kids.

“

means and we've grown accustomed to a system and a set of education practices which hasn't adapted, and no longer are all about the kids,” says Beutner. “When I went to school it was all about the students in school. It was all about making sure there were great teachers and great learning happened in the classroom.

Everything was intended to support that.

“That's pretty sharply at odds with the L.A. Unified of today, which has become a top-down, defaced bureaucracy,” the New York native continues. “It may serve the interest of adults and some of its stakeholders, but it doesn't best serve the interests of students. And so one of the most important things we're doing this year is we'll be in the community often, talking about it and listening, in order to rebuild or unify our district from the school up.”

The best interests of students has long been a priority for Beutner who founded Vision To Learn in 2012 to provide free eyeglasses and eye exams to children in low income communities and in the six years since, has helped 140,000 kids.

With all of his ambitions, Beutner understood well before he started the job what severe challenges faced him. So much so that some close to him questioned why he would want the job to begin with.

“There were some who thought I wasn't

thinking clearly,” said the 58-year old selfmade billionaire who nearly died after sustaining a broken neck in a biking accident some years ago. “It's a daunting job, but it's an honor. There's no more important role that one could play than to be part of educating a child and to help nurture them to develop and reach their full potential. So it's an honor to assume the role.

“It's daunting in that we face a great challenge, both in helping each child realize their opportunity and at the same time we have this existential threat on the budget side. So for those who might have not paid close attention, right now we're spending far more each year than we take in revenue. And that can't continue because in about three years we'll be broke.

“We're going to have to realign resources. Part of tricking the bureaucracy is to both put more resources in schools and also to save some money. And we have to have an open conversation with our community and the community throughout the State of California to increase funding for schools.

Currently, the total funding per student is less than $16,000 per year ranking LAUSD in the bottom half across the nation, according to Beutner.

“For the fifth largest economy in the world, that's not sufficient. We need to both increase resources, and to use the resources that we have more efficiently.

With a combination of those things we ought to be able to balance the budget.”

With no easy answers to the very complicated questions facing LAUSD, Beutner believes his unique balance of innovative business acumen and patient understanding can serve the students of Los Angeles and right the ship at LAUSD. “What I bring is a set of life experiences and sense of entrepreneurism and understanding of how

KEITH DELAWDER Staff Writer hard it is to create something new or change something. Recently working in complex municipal organizations like the city of Los Angeles helped me understand how you go in and try to create change and try to convince folks who work there, most of whom work really hard, that we can do better.”

Beutner knows that true change does not come from broad sweeping top-down measures, which is why in assuming his new position he’s made it his first priority, to listen.

When asked what he would say to a room full of parents from the lowest performing schools in LAUSD, the answer for Beutner was simple.

“Before I'd say anything, I'd probably listen. “I’d want to make sure I understand the challenges they face and the issues their children face. Then I'd tell them, ‘We have to change. Each child deserves better and it's my job to make sure that happens.”

AHF’s Innovative “Micro-Home” Technology Could Help Solve The Homeless Epidemic

C

ommunity leaders, advocates and officials gathered with Healthy Housing Foundation (HHF) Powered

by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to celebrate the delivery and installation of a cutting-edge, affordable housing solution—a Kasita “micro-home”—in the parking lot of the Madison Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles earlier this month.

Kasita’s innovative, inexpensive, modular micro home—the first deployed anywhere in California—was set up as a demonstration project as another innovative homeless housing solution by HHF. A Kasita is a modern micro home designed to fit in the heart of the city or in your backyard.

It's modular, smart, and the future of housing. Harvard researcher Jeff Wilson invented these stackable homes that can be built in under three weeks, measure 352 square feet, and cost as low as $89,000 each.

“The housing crisis is at such a fever pitch that we need to utilize a range of unique housing options like Kasita offers if we are ever going to successfully address the issue. There are now 53,000 homeless individuals in Los Angeles and the latest estimates for HHH housing units is closing in on $500,000—for units that will not even be available until the end of 2019,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein.

“The advantages of Kasita are numerous. At the cost of just $89,000 per unit—

five homeless individuals could be housed for less than the cost of one HHH housing unit; the small spatial footprint, the fact that they can be stacked and grouped to house many more individuals in a community in a small area, as well as the speed they can be built at—an average of just 90 to 120 days per unit. We are excited to take delivery of our—and California’s— first Kasita and grateful that Jeff Wilson and his team at Kasita think both outside and inside the box.”

The use of the 352 square foot Kasita home is just one of the many housing solutions the Healthy Housing Foundation Powered by AHF is using to address the affordable housing crisis in Los Angeles.

Weinstein also advocates the adaptive reuse of existing structures for housing, with HHF purchasing and renovating three Single-Room-Occupancy (SROs) hotels with a combined total of 380 units of what is now affordable housing over a period of just six months.

Weinstein believes in addressing the affordable housing crisis with a multisolution approach including: complimenting the adaptive reuse of existing structures with the speedy design and construction of a residential campus in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, anticipated to break ground by the end of this year, championing the conversion of the now-defunct Parker Center to homeless housing, and the use of innovative and speedy micro homes, like Kasitas.

The launch of the ‘Healthy Housing

Foundation by AHF’ was part of a commu- dents until the end of 2019 at the earliestnity-based effort to address the exploding --AHF has been working to address the housing and homelessness crisis in Los housing needs of the chronically ill for Angeles. Earlier in 2018, HHF opened the more than 30 years. doors to a 27-room temporary housing facility rechristened the Sunrise on Sunset (SOS, the former Sunset 8 Motel), the renovated 220-room Madison Hotel on Skid Row (purchased in Oct. 2017), and the historic 150-room King Edward Hotel in the Los Angeles community.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which began as the AIDS Hospice Foundation, has a long history of providing and advocating for secure and affordable housing for the chronically ill. From its start providing AIDS hospice in the 1980s as a place for people to die with dignity to its recent creation of the Healthy Housing Foundation, which in six months has housed nearly 400 previously homeless individuals—more than any housed by the L.A. Citysponsored 2016 Ballot Top: Homeless encampment on L.A. streets. Bottom: AHF Vice Measure HHH, which will President Samantha Granberry poses in one of the Kasitas. not house its first resi-

ChurchNews Western Baptist Convention To Host Annual Conference

O

ver 200 churches from around the state are set to meet in Los Angeles (August 6 through August 10) for the Annual Session of the Western Baptist State Convention, one of the state’s oldest church conventions.

“Western has done a marvelous work and we want the people to know what the convention is doing,” said President J. Benjamin Hardwick, senior pastor of Praises of Zion Baptist Church. “For instance, Western has 91 young people in college. We’ve given them between $4,000 and $10,000 and this convention fed 10,000 people last Thanksgiving.

We’ll do the same this year. Our churches are doing a tremendous work with the homeless and the needy, but you don’t hear much about these things.

“A lot of people will come to a convention and they really don’t get the true meaning of it, but we believe in our call and our cause. We show the money we’re taking in, how it was spent, who we are helping and what we’re going to do for the future.”

One of the convention’s thrust while in the midst of a gentrification crisis that has blacks being priced out of Los Angeles, is home ownership.

“I’ve been in this area over sixty years and I caution our people not to sell their property,” says Hardwick, who says he was re-elected president over a decade ago because of his vision to keep churches at the forefront of social activism.

“We have one of the largest social agencies in the city, sponsored by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and we’re doing a tremendous job with all segments that need it, particularly our young people.”

“I’m honored to host the oldest black convention in the state of California,” said Host Pastor Xavier Thompson of Southern St. Paul Church. “It’s a time where we can demonstrate the power of unity and what churches can do together that can’t be done independent of each other.”

L.A. Focus/ August 2018

The AME Church Partners With Black Banks To Create Black Wealth Under the direction of Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, president of the Council of AME Bishops, the AME church has announced a partnership with black banks nationwide with the goals of both increasing and fostering black wealth.

“We are now pleased to announce a partnership with the presidents of the 19 black banks in the United States, with the goal of increasing black wealth,” said Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, during a press conference held during the 2018 Council of Bishops and General Board Meeting.

“This initiative will strengthen black banks across the United States and increase their capacity to lend to small businesses, to secure mortgages, to provide personal lines of credit, and to offer other forms of credit to AME churches and our members. This, of course, includes enabling members and their families to become homeowners.”

Among their targeted goals are to increase black homeownership to over 50% nationwide; to increase deposits and loans with black banks; and to grow the number of black-owned businesses from 2.6 million to 4 million (and raise average total gross receipts from $72,500 to $150,000).

The partnership grew out of an initiative forged by the 231-year old denomination and the Washington D.C.-based Black Wealth 2020, which is providing an economic blueprint for black America.

“We hear about black folks have a trillion dollars in spending power,” said Ron Busby, president/CEO of the U. S. Black Chamber, Inc. and co-founder of Black Wealth 2020. “But that’s usually white folk talking about our dollars and how can they get their share of it. We came together to say how can we deal with the black wealth, the gap of it and really to move our agenda forward inside our own community.”

20

Continued to page 24

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

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 Sunday L.I.F.E Group: 8:30am Sunday Worship Service: 9:30am Wednesday Intercessory Prayer: 6:30pm Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00pm E-Mail: gtbcla@gmail.com

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

Grace United Methodist Church 4112 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 294-6653 • F: (323) 294-8753 • graceumc1@earthlink.net Rev. Dr. Cedrick Bridgeforth, Pastor • www.graceumcla.com Early Morning Worship: 7:45am Sunday School (all ages) : 9:45am Morning Worship: 10:45am Tues. Mobile Prayer: 6:15am Wed. Bible Study: Noon Follow us on Facebook Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church 5300 S. Denker Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 759-4996 Rev. DeNon Porter Early Worship: 8am Sunday School: 9:30am Mid-Morning Worship: 11am Radio-KALI 900AM: Sun. 11-Noon, 7-8pm KTYM 1460AM Sundays: 5:30pm Bible Study (Tues, Wed & Thurs): 7pm

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

Holman United Methodist Church 3320 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 703-5868 • www.holmanumc.com Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., Senior Pastor

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

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.

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

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

Sunday School: 9:30am(Youth) & 9:45(Adult) Sunday Worship: 8am and 11am Morning Worship: 11:00am Bible Study (Thurs.): Noon Sun. Radio: KJLH 102.3FM: 11:00am Gather, Grow,Go and Live The Gospel of Jesus Christ!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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) 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

CHURCHES CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES AND REVIVALS OR OPPORTUNITIES

Greater Morning Star Baptist Church Now accepting Resumes for a Pastor.

QUALIFICATIONS: *Spirtually committed in leading, teaching & preaching according to God's Word *Experience & knowledge of the Baptist doctrine *Ability to oversee all administrative functions of the church *Must have a license and ordained No Relocation Package offered Submit Resume & Letters of Recommendation to Greater Morning Star Baptist Church c/o Pulpit Committee 1223 Wilshire Blvd, #572 Santa Monica, CA 90403 DEADLINE: August 30, 2018 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

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 2009 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 293-6448 • F: (323) 293-6605 Dr. Sylvester Washington Sunday School: 8:00am Morning Worship: 10:00am Tues. Bible Study: 11:00am Wed. Evangelism Class: 6:30pm First Sun. Holy Communion Service: 4:00pm www.pleasanthillbaptistchurch.org Praises of Zion Baptist Church (“Praise City”) 8222 So. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90003 (323) 750-1033 • F: (323) 750-6458 Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick, Sr. Pastor Early Morning Worship: 6:45am Educational Hour: 9:15am Mid-Morning Worship: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 7:00pm Sunday Morning Broadcast: 5:30am Live Streaming Sundays: 12:00pm http://www.pozlive.com 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: 8:30am L.I.F.E. Groups: 9:45am Morning Worship Service: 11:15am Baptism & Communion (First Sunday): 4:00pm Pastoral Bible Study (PBS)Wednesdays:7:00pm North Campus: Worship Service: 8:00am 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 Walking In The Spirit Miistries Double Tree (Sonoma Grill) 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk CA 90650 (213) 248-6343 P.O Box 1597 Norwalk CA,90651 Tim & Leshia Brooks Morning Worship: 11:00am Services Held Every 2nd & 4th Sunday and Free Breakfast Is Served Bible Study: 8:30am (Every 5th Friday)

L.A. Focus/ August 2018

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

Are YOU Ready For Other Options? Ready To Relocate Out of California?

Give Loretta R. Theus A Call A Realtor Who Can Help 1845 Precinct Line Road #206 Hurst, TX 76054 (469) 744-6836 (Cell) (817) 577-9004 (Fax) lorettatheus54@gmail.com

21

Victory Baptist Church 4802 South McKinley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90056 (323) 231-2424• Pastor Dr. W. Edward Jenkins

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

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

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

Sunday School: 8:00am Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00am Tues. Bible Study: 6:45pm www.wellerstreetlive.com

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

“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

In Carson

Divine Fellowship Community Baptist Church In Compton 1110 N. Dwight Avenue,Compton, CA 90222 P:(800) 715-1240 • F: (800) 878-6882 Rev. Raphael Irving, Pastor Sunday Worship: 8:00am Summer Food Service Program (June 11th - August 10, 2018, Youth ages 1-18 ) Monday-Friday: 9:00am-11:00am (Breakfast) 12:00pm -2:00pm (Lunch) Email:raphaelirving@gmail.com pastor@divinefellowship-inc.com

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: Rafael Irving Church: Church of Divine Fellowship Community Baptist Church Years at Church: 3 Hometown: Los Angeles Family: Three children, aged 11-21 When did you realize that the ministry was your calling?

I've been in church all my life. I started taking leadership roles when I was around 20. I was sitting in a meeting at church and the pastor was choosing the next youth day chairman and something just told me, "I can do that."

So I told him I want to be the youth day chairman, but he said he had already decided who it's going to be. Instead I became her program chair before becoming youth chairman, which led to my becoming the department chair and going to the National Youth Convention to represent the church.

After that my career in the church I took off, as Sunday School director, Advisor and then I was ordained a deacon at the age of 22. About 10 years later I started feeling the itch and God put me in a position where He allowed some things to happen in my life. In 2003, I started preaching as associate pastor. and at one point the pastor was out of church for about six months and I ran the church in his absence. I was listening for answers for the things that were happening and that's when He made it clear He wants me to preach.

L.A. Focus/ August 2018

Preaching is one thing, but you founded the Church of Divine Fellowship Community Baptist Church from scratch—was that always the plan?

Absolutely not. When you connect with God things just start being revealed a little bit easier and you understand it’s all from Him. Everything has been a leap of faith. I didn't have a building. I didn’t have the money. I didn't know who was going to follow me. But I went and filed the papers of incorporation. A good friend of mine allowed me to use his building for bible study and we started bible study once a week.

Then some funds came through and we moved into a building and we started Sunday morning worship with 30 people that we've been doing ever since. We’ve seen modest growth in the last few years, but we’re still doing a lot of good work with our small numbers. I tell my members that I was taught by one of the elder preachers in the city that you start where you are, use what you have and do your best, and I think that’s what we’ve

22

been doing.

What initiatives has your church taken to impact the community?

Right now we’re feeding youths breakfast and lunch for ten weeks this summer. We’ve fed over 2,000 meals so far and expect to feed 2,000 more between now and August 10th. We are hosting our second annual Youth Day and Block Party at Gonzales Park in Compton where a lot of kids come out and enjoy the festivities. In September, we’re having our third annual financial literacy summit being where we bring CitiBank, USC, Rebuild LA and other corporate partners to teach people how to set budgets for themselves, how to get ready for home ownership and things of that nature.

Every Thanksgiving we partner with my fraternity Omega Psi Phi to do a turkey give-away where we give out five to ten thousand turkeys. We also partner with meals on wheels to help feed around 500 senior citizens around the city.

That’s just to name a few! One of the main reasons I left my previous church to start Divine Fellowship was my frustration with having so many resources and having a leadership that didn’t want to go out of their comfort zones. So now I’m doing everything I’ve wanted to do and a whole lot more.

What are some of the goals you see for your church in the future?

One of my first goals is to have sustainable growth and get back to providing some of the services I’m used to as far as Sunday school and different ministries throughout the week and on Sunday. However, we can’t accomplish that without having our own building that we have exclusive rights to. Now as it stands, I have to check and see if it’s okay and if the building is available. [Having] our own building would take us to a whole new level.

For example, I just love this program I want to work on with other pastors where they’re offering mobile showers to homeless people. I want to do it the days they’re not doing it so people can take showers more frequently. I also want to expand the summer meals program we’re doing now to one that’s year round where we’re offering dinner meals for kids in the neighborhood that don’t have a place to eat.

I don’t want to be that church where you come by in my building needing a place to stay because you're homeless and I give you a voucher to spend two nights somewhere

then you're homeless again. What I want to do is to give you a card to call this person and they get you into the program where you can be off the street and learn to support yourself.

Mental health is another big thing. I see so much anger in our community and in these young people, and I don’t know what they’re mad about. If people just talk some things out and get it off their chests, we’d have a much different environment in our communities. And so I’m working with another nonprofit to build a mental health place for our community where people can feel safe and welcome to talk out their problems, without feeling stigmatized as “mentally ill”-- which is a lot different than mental health. Everyone needs mental health, there’s nothing wrong with that.

What is a recurring theme in your sermons?

I preach a lot about hope and dedication in faith. Those are my big themes. It's said without faith, it's impossible to please God. So everything we talk about is how to overcome what you see and believe what you don’t see, because while you see each problem. What we don’t often see is the vision God gives to each and every one of us.

We're just so caught up in gang violence, what number 45 isdoing in the White House, what’s going on with the police across the country. They're doing some crazy thing in the mayor's office. There's so much going on that we get sidetracked and distracted from the vision God gave us.

The Bible says, ‘The just live by faith’.

Our problem in life is our faith is just so low. If we were of stronger faith we could move mountains.

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

Shalonda Crawford

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 (Wednesday): 7:00pm Afternoon Bible Study (Thursday): 1:00pm

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

The Experience Christian Ministries First Lady and co-founder of The Experience Christian Ministries-Shalonda Crawford--along with her husband Pastor Anthony “Shep” Crawford, shared a vision of starting a ministry for the “prodigal son”.

“We decided to form a church with the vision that God gave Shep which was a church that was specifically for people who did not go to church, or for people who had been going but were tired of going to church, so we try to cater more to them,” she says.

“I actually relate more to the person in our church that wasn’t actively going to church,” Crawford admits. “As first lady I think that I minister through experience. I’ve had a lot of experiences in life, both positive and negative, and I use my life experiences to navigate me in my ministry.”

Crawford is a mental health advocate who makes AIDS screenings and seminars a priority at her church.

In fact, her church holds the record for testing the largest number of residents and parishioners in participating in the annual First Ladies Health Initiative, of which she is a co-chair.

The Grand Rapids,Michigan native and mother of six, is also a talented vocalist.

“Ultimately I just want to be right in the eyes of the ultimate judge. I want to do things in a Christ-like way and be a great Christian,” says Crawford. “I work daily to accomplish that mission.”

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 of: West Angeles Church Of God In Christ

Y

“Bragging Rights”

L.A. Focus/ August 2018

ou know you ought to tell somebody thank you when they do something for you. I’m celebrating 12 years clean from cocaine. If you'd have seen me locked up in the jail cell, you’d understand my praise.

I was just fooling around with drugs when I was about 15,16 years old and it had gotten so bad that I was in the newspaper all the time. Growing up as a preacher's kid hooked on dope didn't work out real good. People would bring newspaper clippings with my name highlighted to my daddy as if he didn't know I was arrested. They'd tell my mom and dad, "Give up on that boy before he ruins your ministry", but thank God my dad understood that ministry starts at home.

I'd be gone for two to three weeks hallucinating—so high [from] sleep deprivation. Church people would tell my parents, ‘Don't let that boy in your house,’ but I'd make my way home and mama would say, "Come on in here baby."

I was telling mama, ‘Please stop praying for me,’ but thank God, mama had some wisdom.

So I used to get high and would watch Christian television. All my buddies would get so sick because they were trying to get their high on and I'd be sitting there watching Bishop Jakes or Marvin Winans. I've never dreamed I'd be preaching in here one day. Sitting in a crack house watching TV and here I am [years later] preaching.

I'm going to tell you God is going to do whatever He wants to do. Let me tell you a good definition of sovereignty. God is God and you ain't.

I want to go over to the first book of Kings Chapter 20:11—‘And the king of Israel answered and said, ‘Tell him, ‘Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.’

I want to speak from the subject, "Bragging rights."

It's amazing to me how people think they know you.

They have looked at all of the circumstances: what you're driving right now, where you're living right now, and what your status is, and they think that just because you're there now, that you will always be there. But they fail to calculate God working behind the scenes and setting you up for real breakthrough in your life.

I can see why most people would have never dreamed I would be at West Angeles preaching or singing on this platform. They had every reason to believe that. But what they didn't understand that God was setting me up to come here and encourage somebody that's going through a difficult season in their life. To let you know that just because it's like this right now, doesn't mean it's always going to be this way.

Some of you all know what I'm talking about. You had some critics and people say you'd never make it to where you are right now, but God made a way out of no way. The reason why I tell my testimony so much is because I've realized that ministry emerges from the journey, not the destination.

Some look at what's happening right now in your life and think that's what's going to always happen. I like to look at these people as trendy people. People who hang out with you because they have an agenda.

Be careful about too many 'Yes' people around you. I like to call them spiritual hitchhikers. They're not going to pray like you pray; fast like you fast; tithe like you tithe.

They're not going to be committed like you're committed and they're not going to be faithful to the house of God like you are, but they'll sure ride on your coattail. Riding on what you've worked for.

You've got to live your life with purpose and sometimes you've got to let those people know, ‘I'm not mad at you, I don't think I'm better than you. ‘I love you but you've got to go.’"

You're going to be doing you own thing and then all of a sudden favor is going to hit you. Blessings are going to hit you. Deliverance is going to hit your house.

You find in this text that Jesus makes a major s t a t e m e n t because He has to reprogram [people’s] perception of Him. They

24

Milestones: Wayne Chaney Expands Into L.A. Pastor Wayne Chaney is gearing up for expansion with the launch of a second campus in downtown Los Angeles. For now, services will be held once monthly services on Wednesday nights at 7pm under the banner of “Summer Night Worship in Word”.

“It was amazing”, said Senior Pastor Wayne Chaney (formerly of the Preachers of L.A. TV show) of his first service held June 27. “We had about 350-400 people for the first service and it was just a great night.”

Chaney said the church decided to establish a second campus to accommodate the growing number of people who were commuting from the area to Long Beach for weekly Sunday services..

“We wanted to do something closer for them and their family and friends who say they love our unique church experience, but it is too far for them to come.

“There are so many unique ministries in Los Angeles and we all help to make up the kingdom expression and we wanted to play our small part by adding our unique contribution to that spiritual tapestry.

Services are held at 1319 West 11th Street near L.A. Live.

Omarosa To Release Jaw-Dropping Account of Time In White House According to a White House spokesman, former Trump administration aide Omarosa ManigaultNewman has had no contact since leaving the White House in a cloud of controversy last December. But her former boss, President Donald Trump, may have wished he’d never had any contact with her at all if the tell-all book she is set to release later this month lives up to its hype.

Titled “Unhinged: An Insider’s Account of the Trump White House”, the book is characterized by Gallery Books as follows: "A stunning tell-all

and takedown from a strong, intelligent woman who took every name and number, UNHINGED is a mustread for any concerned citizen."

"Omarosa is finally ready to share her side of the story in this explosive, jaw-dropping account," read a Gallery Books press release.

Omarosa—who kept a daily journal — first teased the tell all book on Good Morning America, telling Michael Strahan, “When I have a chance to tell my story, Michael, I have quite a story to tell.

“As s a senior staff and assistant to the president, I have seen things that made me feel uncomfortable, that have upset me, that have affected me deeply and emotionally. That has affected my community and my people. It is a profound story that I know the world will want to hear.”

Their relationship spanned fifteen years—four television shows and a presidential campaign, but according to the press release, “that relationship has come to a decisive and definitive end”. The book—for which she reportedly received just under seven figures— is due August 15.

Sunday School: 9:00am Sunday Worship: 10:00am Tuesday Bible Study: 7:00pm Mid-day Worship Thursday: Noon www.bethelemchurchpasadena.org

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

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

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:11:30am12:30pm

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

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

Pasadena

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

question His status and His quality of being a king because He rode in on a donkey [Palm Sunday]. Most people who did exploits rode on stallions, beautiful horses.

You know those people that show up in your life and they want to show you their credentials. They want to tell you everything they've qualified themselves to do but Jesus said, "You know what? I'm going to do it a little different."

I've learned in this season of my life it's time to ride out solo. Look at someone and say, "Ride it out."

You got to be strong to ride. You've got to be able to resuscitate your own life. You've got to be able to let the devil know, "Don't come in my house no more. Don't traffic in and out of my marriage any more. Get out of my finances. I'm serving eviction notices. You've got to go." You've got to have some inter-dependence about you.

Now, let me add something, "It's hard to understand encouragement unless you understand discouragement." Sister if you ain't ever been there, you don't really understand what real

encouragement is. But let me give you a definition of discouragement. Discouragement means that you have lost the ability to control fear in your life.

Sometimes you've got to grab a hold of yourselves and pull yourselves up by the bootstraps. Look in the mirror and talk to yourself. See when you understand your calling and your mandate and your purpose in life, you don't let people tell you what you can and cannot do.

I believe that Christ was making a statement when He rode in on an unclean donkey. It was His way of letting everybody know that He could do a whole lot with just a little bit. I love it because Christ did not forget his humble beginnings.

Be careful that you don't suffer from amnesia when you get cleaned up. Just because you've got your armor on it, don't give you a right to brag.

Quit letting the devil beat your brains out. Get up and fight back. Get up out of depression. Get up out of disappointment. When you translate that word boast it literally means bragging rights.

It's time to rise up, stand up and grab hold of your victory. This is your season to get your joy

Church news continued from page 20 “For those of you who are students of history, you would not be surprised that the Church of Richard Allen would be leading an effort to close the wealth gap across the United States of America,” said Black Wealth 2020 co-founder Michael Grant, referencing the nation’s first independent black denominations and Allen, its founder.

“Now, as a people, we are turning our efforts toward our own enrichment.”

InGoodTaste

ie Grass lotti with Auss Pyramid Agno ks fed Beef Chee

Jason Fullilove

an. e culinary Je restaurant a passion for th e opened the H a n so Ja n Chef elrose Blvd with arts has take year ago on M ity In C e r m ve ho ul s hi n in C Fullilove from pop up versio u d glamour of summer. Men an is itz th gl e ed th ch un la s Ohio to d ie pp an e hushpu e rhythms ghlights includ hi d New York, th w an no h d fis d an y, frie aribbean ith truffled hone spices of the C pital of the w ra with violet ca ok d od ie fo fr h d es an fr , its gr to the of e ifornia. As on greens. universe: Cal stars, mustard y ar are two more lin cu In the works L.A’s rising va no Hilltop in to including mmitted s, on ti ca lo Fullilove is co g in which will be ge cuisine us e & Kitchen, fe of C tive, cutting-ed lthe ai av w Park, across ingredients opening in Vie the freshest e. m so le ho W Simply able. an e street from iv Je ns ra te ba ex ar e B ar e, ntim His credentials ia, In the mea days a ton’s Cafeter is open seven lif C ity C g r in ve ud ul cl C in e th lveda d pu an , Se 4114 alibu Pier at Campanile, M e week th more d r an Fo up . ro E G tina vard, Suite le ou B prestigious Pa .

St 8(424) 29 8316 Carlton in rmation, call fo in five-star Ritz d om. an s nd arbarajeanla.c Virgin Isla or visit www.b Thomas, U.S. le “e ed im la lf-proc now to his se ra eatery”, Barba od fo ul so d vate

A

rctions: Ingredients & Inst For Pasta: 7 cups 00 flour ur 1 cup semolina flo lks yo g eg 12 2 whole eggs salt 1 tablespoon sea ore water (maybe m ed er filt p cu 1/4 ture) depending on tex

Yuzu to taste and add to 25% season ed ais br e th d re Sh . ste kosho paste to ta t Le d. ui liq ck in with meat and mix ba ts. ee sh sta pa fill into mixture cool. Then

For Pea Puree: sh Peas 5 lbs Shelled Engli ratter (room tempe Bu d lte sa un 1 Lbs to cubes) ture and diced in m ea Cr ½ cup heavy s ve lea t in 1 cup m to taste Salt and pepper and ll ro en th ur ho lty water, shock 1 sa r fo in rest Blanch peas int m Let Pasta dough e re sta Pu pa il. ur ness on yo cream to a bo ick g th in ” Br “1 ill. a ch to er t ou the er in blend . u are rolling out and peas togeth m ea cr machine. While yo iol tter on cube at it with more sem owly add room bu Sl pasta dough dust th wi h butter is incorto a sheet Brus a time. Once all na. Once rolled s re ua Sq ch pea puree t out 3 in porated pass egg wash & Cu g in Br t. ea m ed h strainer th brais through fine mes with cutter. Fill wi id. m ra py ely. a iat ed rm m fo and chill im points together to For Filling: ks 10 lbs Beef Chee 5 lbs Oxtails 1 bottle red wine our choice) 1 gallon Stock (y red wine and Braise meat in hours at meat stock for 12 Remove 200 degrees. g liqin meat from brais uid liq g in as uid. Strain br wn do ck sto ce and redu

SavingGrace

ALLISON KUGEL Guest Writer

Lenny Kravitz Lenny Kravitz On Race, God & Spreading Love Through Music

T

wenty-nine years after releasing his debut album, Lenny Kravitz is still letting love rule, but with an eye towards societal strife that continues to go unchecked. The multi-Grammy award winning musician brings forth a conscious body of work with Raise Vibration, his eleventh studio album, out September 7th. The first single off the Raise Vibration album, It’s Enough, is a battle cry against corporate greed, political corruption and racism. Kravitz switches gears with his follow up single, Low, exploring the perils of his near-mythical sensuality with intonations alluding to his past intimate relationships. For Lenny Kravitz, the art of the story is paramount, while pop music trends are immaterial. He tells stories through his writing, vocals, and the multitude of instruments he has mastered over the years.

Lenny Kravitz, the man, is a veritable roadmap of his past experiences. From making his way in an industry that doesn’t always value individuality, to making his way in a world that begged to define and categorize him by race and ethnicity in his formative years, he wears his memories on his sleeve and they inform much of his artistic expression. He delved into matters of spirituality, racial identity, family and the rituals that aide him in creating his eclectic sound.

You’ve said you were born to make music. Can you share your earliest memory where you became aware that music was going to be your life?

For me the pivotal moment was going to see The Jackson 5, live at Madison Square Garden, when I was six years old. I was in the first grade. I had already been intently listening to their record. But I went to the show, and the next morning that was it! I was completely sold. I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

What was it about the Jackson 5 that resonated with you?

Number one was the music. The music was incredible.

The music that was made by these kids was not elementary, it wasn’t bubble gum as they used to say back then about young artists. This was very sophisticated, high-level music with the best musicians, the best producers, and [Michael] was one of the best singers who ever lived and who ever will live. The level of interpretation and feeling and vocal range… it was a perfect storm for me, the way everything came together. On top of the music, the presentation and the showmanship were top level and soulful, and these were people that I could identify with. They looked like me. I had the same hair… there were so many things that came together in my mind.

Where do you feel most creative/musical?

It could be anywhere, but it’s in the studioe. My studio is in the Bahamas. It’s my favorite place to work; it’s my workshop. When I’m in the studio and I’ve got all my equipment and all my instruments, and everything is set up, that’s the magical place for me. It’s where I’m comfortable and where I can flow. When I’m inspired and in that flow, I can move. I jump around from instrument to instrument, and it’s wonderful.

L.A. Focus/August 2018

How would your daughter Zoe describe you, both as a man and as an artist?

Oh wow! We’re very, very close. I think she would say

26

that I have respect and integrity, and love in my heart. I think as a musician, she respects what I do. She’s grown up around it. She grew up seeing it her whole life. This is hard because If I say, “She thinks I’m amazing,” then it sounds like I’m complimenting myself. She respects the craft, what it takes and what I put into it, which is everything.

Your upcoming album is called Raise Vibration and the first single, It’s Enough, is a call-to-action anthem about political corruption and social and racial injustice. Was writing It’s Enough a form of therapy for you, and a way of turning hopelessness into empowerment?

I react to the world. I actually recorded the song twice. I was trying to find the direction for the record. The way the song started, the first version of It’s Enough was a full-on guitar, bass, drum, punk rock song. It had an angry tone to it, because that felt like the proper reaction. And then I

thought about it and ended up changing it and finding this groove, which is the polar opposite of what it started out as. I found that by being calm and by being centered and by being quiet, it was more effective. It brought out a whole new feeling in the song, and I think it enables the listener to hear the lyrics even better.

I’m stating the facts, but in the end, I always take an optimistic and positive tone that, “People, we can do this!” We can do it. It’s just a matter of waking up.

On September 7th, the day the new album, Raise Vibration, is released, what are those days like for you?

When I’m finished with an album, I’m at that place where I let go and I’m excited that I’m finished. It’s always exciting getting a new project out. I hope the people who enjoy my music will get something beautiful from it and will relate to it. As far as the rest, in terms of how well it does, sales and all of that, that’s all great, but the main thing for me is that I expressed myself authentically to who I am, who I was at that moment in time, and that it represents me well. That to me is everything.

That’s a success.

What does Raise Vibration, mean to you? How do you raise your vibration? Do you meditate? Pray?

It means exactly that; waking up. I meditate, I pray, I try to be still… and listen. It means having the desire to learn, to improve, and to face my faults and learn from them. I’m always looking to go higher. And taking as much ego out of myself as possible.

How do you define God? I believe that God is my creator, our creator. Whether we realize it or not, I believe we are all created by the same God. I believe we are all one creation, we are all connected, and I believe that God is the ultimate source of love and all we are looking for.

Do you consider yourself an activist?

That’s a difficult one. I use my music to express myself, and if it inspires others then that’s a beautiful thing. I don’t know that I’m initially doing it for any other reason than to express myself.

But I do see myself going more in that direction where you could call it that.

I always say that when I enter a room, or wherever I may be, that I never walk alone because I can feel the presence of God beside me. When you enter a space, who walks beside you?

God is with me at all times which I am always aware of.

And the energy of my mother, of my grandmother, of my grandfather. My daughter (actress, Zoe Kravitz), who is here with me on this earth, is always with me. My mother’s (the late actress, Roxie Roker) been gone for twenty plus years, and I can still feel her every day. I can still sense her presence because the energy she left is so powerful. That’s an awesome thing.

Photo Credits: Mathieu Bitton, Mark Seliger Allison Kugel is a syndicated entertainment and author of the book, Journaling Fame: A memoir of a life unhinged and on the record. Follow her on Instagram @theallisonkugel and visit AllisonKugel.com.