Bulletin120617

WEDNESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2017

AN AMERICAN PRINT MEDIA PUBLICATION

Report: Historically Black Colleges and Universities generate $14.8B in economic impact

By Stacy M. Brown Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) generate $14.8 billion in economic impact annually, which is equivalent to a ranking in the top 200 on the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest corporations, according to a stunning new report by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

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HE report, conducted by the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business Selig Center for Economic Growth, revealed that the 1,634-student Alabama school generates $67 million for its local region.

• In total, the nation’s HBCUs generate $14.8 billion in economic impact annually; that’s equivalent to a ranking in the top 200 on the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest corporations. This estimate includes direct spending by HBCUs on faculty, employees, academic programs and operations, and by students attending the institutions, as well as the follow-on effects of that spending. • Public HBCUs account for $9.6 billion of that total economic impact, while private HBCUs account for $5.2 billion.

The economic impact of Historically n HBCU, see page 6

Ferguson leaders wonder if monitor worth cost

By Jim Salter Ferguson, Missouri, has paid nearly a half-million dollars to the monitor team overseeing its police and court reforms, but city leaders question what they’ve gotten for their money, especially after the departure What are residents of the original lead monitor. getting out of Washington attorney [monitoring]?

Clark Kent Ervin resigned Mayor James Knowles III in September after serving a little over a year as lead monitor overseeing the consent agreement between the U.S. Department of Justice and Ferguson, the St. n Ferguson, see page 2

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ACLU leader: Legalizing marijuana a ‘racial justice issue’

By Bob Jordan The head of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey says legalizing recreational marijuana would help fix “a racial justice issue and a civil rights crisis” because the war on drugs is disproportionately targeting black New Jerseyans.

“In New Jersey you are three times more likely to be arrested and convicted for marijuana possession if you’re black than if you’re white,” said Amol Sinha, the new state ACLU executive director. “Add that to the context of our racial disparity rates in the prison system in New Jersey. It feels like a compelling need to address this drug enforcement issue that is exacerbating not n Marijuana, see page 6

Why ending AIDS in Africa matters to Black Americans

Payday lenders continue attack on consumer protections Payday lenders want to charge triple-digit interest on your loans-Congress wants to help them.

By Charlene Crowell “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” is a well-known adage. In recent weeks, it seems that phrase could also be an apt description of the unrelenting efforts of predatory payday lenders to sell their wares.

Across the country, 15 states as well as in the District of Columbia, with varying geographies, economies and demographics have enacted strong rate cap limits. In each locale, these actions were taken to curb the harmful consequences of payday lenders’ 300 percent or higher interest rate loans.

When voters or legislatures approve rate caps, these lenders

seek loopholes to evade state requirements.

Changing products from payday to car

title-loans is one way. Others pose as “loan brokers” or “mortgage lenders” to avoid

regulation of payday lending.

Even at the federal level and on the heels of a still-new rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), payday lenders and their supporters are now pressing for legislation to continue and expand triple-digit lending on small-dollar loans.

The same deception that hides the real cost of predatory, consumer loans is reflected in the title of pending legislation in both the House of Representatives and in the Senate. The Protecting Consumers’ Access to Credit Act of 2017 (H.R. 3299 and S. 1624) would allow payday lenders, high-cost online lenders, and n Payday, see page 2

By Dr. Djibril Diallo World AIDS Day is here and a recently launched initiative aimed at ending HIV/ AIDS, as a public health crisis in Africa, could be a catalyst to trigger discussions about HIV in the African American and African diaspora communities in the United States.

In recent months, several African heads of state have made public their commitment to support the goal of ending AIDS by 2030. In September, six African heads of state joined UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé at the “HIV Fast Track” side event organized during the 72nd United Nations General n AIDS, see page 2

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THE BULLETIN, WEDNESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2017

NEWS Payday continued from page 1

Ferguson continued from page 1

Louis suburb where Michael Brown was fatally shot by a police officer in 2014.

Boston attorney Natashia Tidwell, who has been with the Ferguson monitor team since its start, now leads it.

Concerns over the cost of monitoring were detailed in exclusive interviews with The Associated Press.

The money spent on monitoring is costly in Ferguson, paid for entirely with city funds. The community of 20,000 is much smaller, with far less money, than most cities subject to Justice Department consent agreements. Money is so tight that Ferguson voters twice in 2016 approved tax increases to keep the budget balanced.

Mayor James Knowles III said Ervin failed to follow through on some projects, including opening an office in Ferguson and surveying residents. City Attorney Apollo Carey said his departure slowed a court audit and other reforms.

“It begs the question: What are residents getting out of (monitoring)?”

Knowles said. “They’re supposed to be getting transparency. They’re supposed to be getting regular updates and engagement from the monitor. They haven’t gotten any of it.”

City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said “there were a lot of concerns on both sides,” which led to Ervin stepping down.

“The thought was it was best to depart,” Seewood said.

Ervin did not respond to phone and email messages seeking comment.

Ferguson fell under Justice Department scrutiny after Brown was killed by Ferguson officer Darren Wilson during an Aug. 9, 2014, confrontation on a neighborhood street. A St. Louis County grand jury and the Justice Department declined to charge Wilson, who resigned in November 2014.

But the shooting of the black, unarmed 18-year-old by the white officer drew attention to allegations about mistreatment of African-Americans by Ferguson’s police and court system. A Justice Department investigation led to a civil rights lawsuit that was settled in 2016 with the consent agreement.

The agreement calls for reforms such as hiring more black officers, requiring diversity training for police, and court reforms that include easing financial burdens for minor offenses such as traffic violations. The process is expected to take up to three years with oversight by a team of independent monitors.

Nine teams applied to perform the monitor duties. In July 2016, the Justice

AIDS continued from page 1

Assembly that was held in New York City and presided over by President Yoweri of Uganda. Earlier in July, during the African Union (AU) Summit, AU Chair, President Alpha Conde of Guinea convened the “AIDS Watch Africa Heads of State and Government Meeting” where the leaders endorsed the “Catch-Up Plan for West and Central Africa” and declared their commitment to providing the needed policy and resource changes to help achieve the target goals.

The Catch-Up Plan is an 18-month initiative that has been developed to accelerate the AIDS response and prevent a resurgence of the HIV epidemic in the 25-country region. Its focus is on testing, knowing one’s HIV status, treatment, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission; the initiative was crafted to complement existing health plans that the countries have been using to address HIV and AIDS. Today, thanks to advancements in medicine and increased access to antiretroviral medications for many people in Africa and around the world, being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence. In so many cases, with treatment the disease can be managed like a chronic illness and kept under long-term control with medication.

However, at a time when the global response to HIV is accelerating, millions of people in Western and Central Africa are being left behind. There is a considerable gap when it comes to people knowing their HIV status, and for those who test positive to receive the necessary treatment.

Department and Ferguson leaders chose the team led by Ervin, a former inspector general for the State Department and Homeland Security.

The agreement called for paying the eight-member monitor team up to $350,000 a year, with the total amount to be capped out at $1.25 million over five years. Ferguson paid $350,000 for the first 12-month period, and has paid another $145,000 since July of this year, its records show.

Of the initial $350,000, $291,192 was paid to Ervin’s law firm, Squire Patton Boggs, according to Ferguson records.

It isn’t clear if Ervin received all of that money or if some was shared with other monitors or assistants, Seewood said.

The agreement called for Ervin to be paid $685 per hour and work up to 30 hours a month on the monitoring, which would amount to $246,600 over a full year.

Since July of this year, an additional $108,000 has been paid out to a data collection firm, along with $21,000 to Tidwell and $15,000 split between two other monitor team members, Knowles said.

At a community meeting last December, Ervin pledged to conduct a survey of residents and to open an office in Ferguson. The survey never happened, and no office ever opened.

Knowles said the survey “should have been done in the first year and it wasn’t done. You can’t have a baseline survey of the community to see how it feels about progress if you don’t know what the baseline is.”

The proposal to open an office, Seewood said, was aimed at adding transparency to the reform process.

“I offered to give him an office at City Hall,” Seewood said of Ervin. “For some reason he was never able to make that commitment that he should be here.”

Carey, the city attorney, said during a town hall meeting last week that Ervin’s resignation has slowed reform efforts. He cited a court audit performed in August that remains incomplete.

Justice Department attorney Jude Volek said at the meeting that progress is being made despite Ervin’s resignation, aided by the fact that Tidwell has been involved in the process since day one.

“You can see her commitment,” Volek said.

Tidwell, who is a former police officer and federal prosecutor, declined comment through a spokeswoman.

Seewood also has high hopes for the team’s new leadership.

“She’s awesome,” he said of Tidwell.

“I’m very optimistic.”

The same can be said for the populations most vulnerable to the disease in the United States, as well.

Many of the issues that continue to fuel the HIV/AIDS crisis on the continent are also the root cause for the high infection rates found in African American and Hispanic populations in the U.S. including some of the same barriers keep people from seeking to know their HIV status, having access to treatment and properly following up on treatment namely poverty, fear, stigma and discrimination.

On both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, the HIV/AIDS mirror reflects the same faces: the young, the poor, women, highrisk populations, as well as children.

In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Ga., reported that “African Americans continue to experience the greatest burden of HIV compared to other races and ethnicities.” In 2015, data released earlier this year, the CDC noted that African Americans who represent around 12 percent of the U.S. population, but account for 40 percent of all people living with HIV/AIDS and nearly 45 percent “of all persons with newly diagnosed infection.” Latinos, who represent around 17 percent of the U.S. population, account for nearly 21 percent of people living with HIV and an estimated 24 percent of all persons with newly diagnosed infection.

The Catch-Up Plan for West and Central Africa initiative can serve as the entry point for talking about HIV/AIDs and related health issues in Africa globally and in particular, as it concerns African American and African Diaspora communities in the US.

Right now, both New York significant, especially for other predatory lenders to and Pennsylvania have rate borrowers of color, as research partner with banks to make caps that prevent triple-digit shows that payday lenders loans that surpass existing rate lending. It is therefore disproportionately target state interest rate limits. This curious why bill co-sponsors communities of color and trap legislative scheme would would strip their own state consumers in unsustainable legalize payday lenders to law protections. In other home cycles of borrowing and charge triple-digit interest states of these legislators, reborrowing high-cost loans,” rates, despite state laws payday loan interest rates said Vanita Gupta, the president banning them. are some of the highest in and CEO of The Leadership Some term this financial the country. For example, in Conference on Civil and switch as innovation for Wisconsin the average payday Human Rights. “Under these “fintech,” a recently coined interest rate is 574 percent; in arrangements, banks effectively term that smacks of the 21st Michigan, the average interest ‘rent’ their federal charter Century’s tech focus, but in is 369 percent. This bill would powers to non-banks lenders, everyday terms, these actions expand this type of predatory in exchange for a fee associated are a renewed effort for an lending in their states, rather with each loan.”

Hilary O. Shelton, the old scheme known as “rent-a- than reining it in.

On November 15, the House director of the NAACP’s bank.”

If the bill is enacted, states bill passed out of its assigned Washington bureau and the that have annually saved an committee with a split among senior vice president for policy and advocacy, said estimated $2.2 billion each that the swarm of payday year by banning triple-digit lenders in our communities interest would have to face the return of past debt trap is blocking access to responsible credit and lending. Additionally, and At the federal level … payday lending options; companies in 34 states where a $2,000, that are offering those 2-year installment loan lenders and their supporters options, can’t compete with interest higher than are now pressing for 36 percent is illegal today, with the deep pockets and legislation to continue and would enable predatory expand triple-digit lending on market penetration of the payday lenders, Shelton lenders to charged small-dollar loans. added. unlimited rates on these “Responsible banking longer-term loans.

One more item to note: CBC members serving on policy would be acting to end these measures are advancing the House Financial Services. these high-cost loans, not While Representatives Maxine make them more common,” with bipartisan support.

Virginia’s Senator Mark Waters (California), Al Green said Shelton.

The concerns of civil Warner, the lead sponsor (Texas), and Keith Ellison of that chamber’s version (Minnesota) opposed the rights leaders are also shared has Senators Gary Peters bill, Lacy Clay and Emanuel by a nationwide coalition (Michigan), Pat Toomey Cleaver (both of Missouri), of 152 national and state (Pennsylvania) and Steve joined Meeks and Moore in its organizations who together advised all of Congress of Daines (Montana) as his co- support.

It is noteworthy that in their collective opposition. sponsors. On the House side, Rep. Patrick McHenry from Missouri, the average payday Coalition members include conferences and North Carolina, has the help loan interest rate is 443 church affiliates, consumer groups, of two Congressional Black percent.

For civil rights advocates, housing, labor, legal advocates Caucus (CBC) members, New York’s Congressman the committee vote was and others. Approximately 20 state attorneys general are also Greg Meeks and Wisconsin’s disturbing.

“The potential costs and on record opposing the bill’s Congresswoman Gwen damage to consumers is provision.

Moore.

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THE BULLETIN, WEDNESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2017

NEWS

Charter schools put growing numbers in racial isolation

By Ivan Moreno, Larry Flynn and Michael Melia Charter schools are among the nation’s most segregated, an Associated Press analysis finds— an outcome at odds, critics say, with their goal of offering a better alternative to failing traditional public schools.

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AT I O NA L e n r o l l­m e n t data shows that charters are vastly overrepresented among schools where minorities study in the most extreme racial isolation. As of school year 2014-2015, more than 1,000 of the nation’s 6,747 charter schools had minority enrollment of at least 99 percent, and the number has been rising steadily.

The problem: Those levels of segregation correspond with low achievement levels at schools of all kinds.

In the AP analysis of student achievement in the 42 states that have enacted charter school laws, along with the District of Columbia, the performance of students in charter schools varies widely.

But schools that enroll 99 percent minorities—both charters and traditional public schools—on average have fewer students reaching state standards for proficiency in reading and math.

“Desegregation works.

Nothing else does,” said Daniel Shulman, a Minnesota civil rights attorney. “There is no amount of money you can put into a segregated school that is going to make it equal.”

Shulman singled out charter schools for blame in a lawsuit that accuses the state of Minnesota of allowing racially segregated schools to proliferate, along with achievement gaps for minority students. Minorityowned charters have been allowed wrongly to recruit only minorities, he said, as others wrongly have focused on attracting whites.

Even some charter school officials acknowledge this is a concern. Nearly all the students at Milwaukee’s BruceGuadalupe Community School are Hispanic, and most speak little or no English when they begin elementary school.

The school set out to serve Latinos, but it also decided against adding a high school in hopes that its students will go on to schools with more diversity.

“The beauty of our school is we’re 97 percent Latino,” said Pascual Rodriguez, the school’s principal. “The drawback is we’re 97 percent Latino ... Well, what happens when they go off into the real world where you may be part of an institution that’s not 97 percent Latino?”

The charter school movement born a quarter of a century ago has thrived in large urban areas, where advocates say they often aim to serve students—by and large, minorities—who have been let down by their district schools.

And on average, children in hyper-segregated charters do at least marginally better on tests than those in comparably segregated traditional schools.

For inner-city families with limited schooling options, the cultural homogeneity of some charters can boost their appeal as alternatives to traditional public schools that are sometimes seen as hostile environments.

They and other charter supporters insist that these

are good schools, and dismiss concerns about racial balance.

Araseli Perez, a child of Mexican immigrants, sent her three children to BruceGuadalupe because she attended Milwaukee Public Schools and she wanted something different for her children. The schools in her family’s neighborhood are more diverse racially, but she said race was not a factor in her decision to enroll her children at the charter school five miles away.

“We’re just happy with the results,” she said. Her youngest child, Eleazar, now in seventh grade, is on the soccer team and plays the trumpet at the school, which boasts test scores and graduation rates above city averages. Perez said her children frequently came home from Bruce-Guadalupe showing off an award they won.

Her daughter Monica Perez, 23, went on to a private school and then college before becoming a teacher’s assistant.

“I don’t think I felt the impact of going to an allLatino school until I went to high school,” Perez said.

“When you go to a Latino school everyone is Roman Catholic and everyone knows the same stuff.”

There is growing debate over just how much racial integration matters.

For decades after the Supreme Court ruled in 1954 that segregated schools were unconstitutional, integration was held up as a key measure of progress for minorities, but desegregation efforts have stalled and racial imbalances are worsening in American schools. Charter schools have been championed by the U.S. education secretary, Betsy DeVos, and as the sector continues to grow it will have to contend with the question of whether separate can be equal.

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools spokeswoman Vanessa Descalzi said today’s charters cannot be compared to schools from the Jim Crow era, when blacks were barred from certain schools.

“Modern schools of choice with high concentrations of students of color is a demonstration of parents choosing the best schools for their children, rooted in the belief that the school will meet their child’s educational needs, and often based on demonstrated student success,” Descalzi said. “This is not segregation.”

White teachers have traditionally outnumbered black and Hispanic teachers in Milwaukee schools, which have not been seen as places where Latino parents want to send their children, according to Enrique Figueroa, a professor at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and a longtime advocate for Latino students in the city. He said he sees no problem with the concentrations of Latino students in some charters.

“I think the more an individual knows about his or her identity or culture, the better that individual is at asserting himself in any

situation because you are strong about who you are,” he said.

Charter schools, which are funded publicly and run privately, enroll more than 2.7 million nationwide, a number that has tripled over the last decade. Meanwhile, as the number of non-charter schools holds steady in the U.S., charters account for nearly all the growth of schools where minorities face the most extreme racial isolation.

While 4 percent of traditional public schools are 99 percent minority, the figure is 17 percent for charters. In cities, where most charters are located, 25 percent of charters are over 99 percent nonwhite, compared to 10 percent for traditional schools.

S c h o o l integration gains achieved over the second half of the last century have been reversed in many places over the last 20 years, and a growing number of schools educate students who are poor and mostly black or Hispanic, according to federal data. The resegregation has been blamed on the effects of charters and school choice, the lapse of court-ordered desegregation plans in many cities, and housing and economic trends.

The Obama administration and some states created programs to promote racial and ethnic diversity in charters, but they have been applied unevenly, according to Erica Frankenberg, an education professor at Penn State.

School choice, she said, leads to stratification unless it is designed in a way to prevent it.

“Word spreads by networks that are segregated,” said Frankenberg, who has found that black, Latino and white students in Pennsylvania choose charters with higher racial

isolation when they have options that are more diverse.

The options to promote diversity depend entirely on what is available under state law, according to Sonia Park, director of the Diverse Charter Schools Coalition, a 2-year-old network of 100 schools that are deliberately cultivating integration. Only some places have weighted lotteries, transportation budgets for charter students or the ability to draw students from urban and suburban districts.

Decades of research have shown that schools with high percentages of minority students historically have fewer resources, less experienced teachers and lower levels of achievement.

Like many other American cities, Milwaukee has seen an exodus of white students since a busing program in the 1970s. Whites now account for only 14 percent of the 78,500 students in the public school system. City schools often have one predominant ethnic group, and many charters are at the far end of that spectrum.

Despite successes at schools like Bruce-Guadalupe, charters with the highest levels of racial isolation rank among the worst.

Nationwide, about half of students reach state proficiency standards in traditional public schools, and on average charters are only a few percentage points behind.

Among schools that are 99

percent minority, however, only about 20 percent reach proficiency levels at traditional public schools and about 30 percent do so at charters, according to the AP analysis.

At the Milwaukee Math and Science Academy, more than 98 percent of the 335 students are African-American and nearly all qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Less than 20 percent of students score at state proficiency levels for reading and less than 25 percent do so for math. The principal, Alper Akyurek, acknowledges that the school has significant room to improve test scores, but so too do the neighborhood schools his students would be attending otherwise.

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THE BULLETIN, WEDNESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2017

OPED

A litany of Thanksgiving

By Marian Wright Edelman On this Thanksgiving, I share again the beautiful prayer of great Black theologian Howard Thurman, A Litany of Thanksgiving, which my family reads together each year.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the values we embrace – especially this year as we feel so threatened by the negative forces of division and racial hatred. We must never give up our common vision of all that unites us.

I hope we can all share this simple and profound sense of gratitude and the hope that “love and tenderness and all the inner graces of Almighty affection will cover the life of the children of God as the waters cover the sea.”

Today, I make my Sacrament of Thanksgiving.

I begin with the simple things of my days: Fresh air to breathe, Cool water to drink, The taste of food, The protection of houses and clothes, The comforts of home.

For all these I make an act of Thanksgiving this day!

I bring to mind all the warmth of humankind that I have known: My mother’s arms, The strength of my father, The playmates of my childhood, The wonderful stories brought to me from the lives of many who talked of days gone by when fairies

and giants and all kinds of magic held sway; The tears I have shed, the tears I have seen; The excitement of laughter and the twinkle in the eye with its reminder that life is good.

For all these I make an act of Thanksgiving this day.

command.

For all this I make an act of Thanksgiving this day.

I finger one by one the messages of hope that awaited me at the crossroads: The smile of approval from those who held in their hands the reins of my security; The tightening of the grip in a single handshake when I feared the step before me in the darkness; The whisper in my heart when the temptation was fiercest and the claims of appetite were not to be denied; The crucial word said, the simple sentence from an open page when my decision hung in the balance.

For all these I make an act of Thanksgiving this day.

I linger over the meaning of my own life and the commitment to which I give the loyalty of my heart and mind: The little purposes in which I have shared with my loves, my desires, my gifts; The restlessness which bottoms all I do with its stark insistence that I have never done my best, I have never reached for the highest; The big hope that never quite deserts me, that I and my kind will study war no more, that love and tenderness and all the inner graces of Almighty affection will cover the life of the children of God as the waters cover the sea.

All these and more than mind can think and heart can feel, I make as my sacrament of Thanksgiving to Thee, Our Father, in humbleness of mind and simplicity of heart.

I pass before me the mainsprings of my heritage: The fruits of the labors of countless generations who lived before me, without whom my own life would have no meaning; The seers who saw visions and dreamed dreams; The prophets who sensed a truth greater than the mind could grasp and whose words could only find

Marian Wright Edelman is President of the Children’s Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

For more information go to www. childrensdefense.org.

fulfillment in the years which they would never see; The workers whose sweat has watered the trees, the leaves of which are for the healing of the nations; The pilgrims who set their sails

for lands beyond all horizons, whose courage made paths into new worlds and far-off places; The saviors whose blood was shed with a recklessness that only a dream could inspire and God could

Why we need more Black men in early childhood education

By Royston Maxwell Lyttle Principal, Eagle Academy Public Charter School/Grades 1-3 As educators, we have an obligation to give our students every opportunity to succeed.

Parents rely on us to ensure their children are armed with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive, once they leave our classrooms.

Over my more than 15 years in education, I have learned that to fulfill this responsibility, schools must give children the opportunity to learn from men of color. The profound impact Black male educators can have on the trajectory of a child’s life cannot be overstated and it’s time that we acknowledge it.

Promoting Diversity According to the U.S. Department of Education, less than two percent of our nation’s teachers are Black males. At a time when nonWhite students outnumber White students in U.S. public schools, the need for a diverse teaching force has never been greater. At Eagle Academy Public Charter School, diversity is something we not only celebrate, but aggressively pursue. We constantly look for ways to expose our students to different experiences, perspectives and methods for coping with challenges. And this starts with diverse educators.

It should come as no surprise that men and women bring different perspectives to the classroom, and the same is true for individuals of varying backgrounds and ethnicities. It is crucial that schools cultivate a diverse and stable environment to facilitate this development, especially in early education, where children develop the foundation for the rest of their lives. I have seen firsthand that when children learn and grow in a diverse community, they begin to challenge stereotypes that have, for far too long, prevented children from reaching their full potential.

Shattering Stereotypes Today, early childhood education is still widely viewed as a woman’s profession. With men representing

only 2.5 percent of preschool and kindergarten teachers and 21.5 percent of elementary and middle school teachers, the chances of having a male educator (let alone a Black male educator) before reaching high school are slim.

The environment children are exposed to in their first years of education has a profound impact on how they view the world. Therefore, there should be a sense of urgency among early educators to combat stereotypes. When children see a diverse teaching staff working together in the same profession, they not only learn the importance of equality, but are also encouraged to ignore gender and racial stereotypes associated with certain careers.

As a Black man working in early education, I have seen how these societal constructs negatively affect children and I have dedicated my life to breaking them down.

Offering a Role Model

Role models play a critical role in a child’s development.

Young boys who come from disadvantaged backgrounds may not have a strong father figure at home, and often come to school hoping to fill that void. As a leader of a 98 percent African American student body, I feel it is important for students to find someone they can see themselves in, look up to, and aspire to be.

Boys who grow up with only female teachers and role models don’t have this opportunity.

Children tend to mimic influential individuals in their lives. They benefit from strong, Black male teachers who lead by example.

This is something I learned from a student while working in Washington, D.C. He was a young boy whose behavioral issues were hindering his ability to learn. Without a father figure in his life, his mother was struggling to get through to him.

Upon sitting down with the boy in hopes of identifying the root of these problems, I was surprised to find he had just one request: to spend time together. After our first outing to the movies, his attitude and schoolwork improved dramatically. I didn’t have to employ any complicated learning tactic or psychological theory to help this child—I just had to be there and listen. Over the remainder of the year, I watched him grow into a successful and happy student. That experience left me determined to be someone my students can always rely on and look up to inside and outside of the classroom.

Investing in the future As we look to the future of early childhood education, I urge parents, teachers, lawmakers and communities to invest in ways to bring diversity to the classroom. I also challenge my fellow Black men

who are passionate about education to buck the norm, ignore the stigma, and put the children first.

As a Black male principal, I feel it is my duty to spread this message and be a catalyst for change in order to create a more diversified environment for our children to learn in. I have found there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a student succeed against all odds, due to the lessons you have taught them. I encourage more Black men to join me in this journey.

Royston Maxwell Lyttle is the principal for grades 1-3 of the Eagle Academy Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. He strongly believes that all students should be provided a high-quality education and that all students can reach their full academic potential regardless of their social or economic background. Learn more about Eagle Academy Public Charter School at https://www.

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THE BULLETIN, WEDNESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2017

OPED

It is time to get real about Black business

By Harry C. Alford It dawned upon me back in 1992, that there was no sincere movement or interest in developing Black owned businesses. Even though Booker T. Washington wrote books about it there was no sincere movement to push forward the thought and reality of “BLACK BUSINESS”. It was like the term was too rich for American society. That is silly. We used the Spanish pronunciation of Black, Negro, for decades, centuries in fact. It was that old stereo type that Black is bad and White is good. Angel’s Food cake versus Devil’s Food cake. It took the Black Power movement to settle the issue for most. But even today we have organizations with descriptions of “colored people”, “urban”, “minority” - which is a misnomer of the world’s racial makeup.

That is why Kay and I proudly announced the formation of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®. The name was never reserved, and we immediately applied for patent rights to it.

Since then groups like the National Minority Supplier Development Council and National Association of Minority Contractors considered us rivals or competition. How silly?

They represent corporate America and provide cover for them in terms of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (for example, no discrimination in business practices such as procurement). When they were started in the early 1980’s, Black owned businesses were doing no more than 2% of procurement activity with white owned government suppliers. Today, after decades of public relations, media activity, conferences, and trade shows, they are doing no more than that same 2%. They try to “run” from that with claims of the “Billion Dollar Round Table” and other jazzy

You might say that when we broke out with the National Black Chamber of Commerce and demanded Black business participation here and there it kind of “shook up” the status quo. First, they laughed at us but when we started winning victories for increased Black business participation from United Air Lines, City of Indianapolis, State of Indiana, U.S. West telecom, etc. they tried to fight us. When they could not knock us off our game they started coming up with ruses. The ruses did not work, and we have never changed our devotion for Black business development.

It is our hope and prayer that we can regain some of the improvements that were made during the Bush Administration and then set back under the onslaught of the Obama Administration with its lying numbers, reports and fake news distributed by fake organizations plus other tricks rather than sincere efforts. Overall, we are still at around 2%.

Next week, Dec. 5th, at the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC we will participate in a summit for Black business development within the new Administration implications of doing much more.

In the end, we are still at that same 2% if that.

Strangely, the only rhetoric about Black business development has come from the Republican Party. I guess that should not be strange as it was the Republican Party that was co-founded by one of the greatest Black advocates of all times, Frederick Douglas.

It was newly elected Black republicans that lobbied for the Homestead Land Grant program after the Civil War that allowed freed Blacks to apply for free land

grants (160 acres each). My great grandfather, Cicero Alford, (freed slave) participated in that program along with his son, my grandfather Thomas Alford. Yes, it was under the aura of Republicans that Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglas, Dr. Martin Luther King, Senior (Martin’s father) and others fought for economic parity in our great country. Slavery, itself, would not have ended without President Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president. The Ku Klux Klan, on the other hand, was populated with Democrats.

via federal agencies. It is a Call to Action. Starting now through the next three years, I predict historical improvement with the reality of increased Black business development. As God as my witness, we are going to work like never to bus down the doors of deception, misrepresentation, fronting and Jim Crow denial. Jobs, new business, fair trade, capital formation, etc. will become realities and we will at last soar above that 2% level. Get ready for the hard work and big fun.

2008 – 2016 were the worst years for Black economic development since the roll out of the Civil Rights programs such as Affirmative Action, Black Capitalism (Nixon), etc. It is time to snap out of it people!

Let us again demand excellence and not accept excuses, corruption, fear, etc. in its place. The “stars” are aligning and the next “Renaissance” is about to take form. ACCEPT NO IMITATIONS!!

Mr. Alford is the Co-Founder, President/CEO, of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®. Website: www.nationalbcc.org Email: halford@nationalbcc.org Follow @ Nationalbcc

6

THE BULLETIN, WEDNESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2017

NEWS HBCU continued from page 1

Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) on their local communities has never been stronger, especially at Miles College in Fairfield, Ala. A new report funded by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Fact sheets for the economic impact of individual HBCUs are available at https://www.uncf. org/programs/hbcu-impact.

“It’s the first time that we’ve

had a study conducted by such a professional institution to recognize the importance of HBCUs and particularly the impact on our community,” Miles College President Dr. George T. French, Jr., told the NNPA Newswire. “We’ve talked in general terms, but to quantify this is important so that our partners can understand the value of our institution. It’s a win-win for our region and for government partners who look to partner with us.”

The landmark study titled, “HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” makes clear that the benefits also flow to the local and regional economies connected to Miles College.

The study is a precursor to a larger report that UNCF plan to release on Tuesday, November 14, about the overall impact of all 105 of the nation’s HBCUs. “The presence of an HBCU means a boost to economic

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: HOLIDAY MOVIES

Courtesy photo

Dr. Djibril Diallo (Regional Director for Western and Central Africa, UNAIDS) activity, on and off—and even attending the institution, as well well beyond—campus. Stronger as the follow-on effects of that growth, stronger communities, spending. Every dollar spent more jobs and a more talented by Hampton University and workforce,” UNCF authors its students produces positive wrote in the report. The benefits economic benefits, generating flow to Miles College’s graduates, $1.34 in initial and subsequent who’ll enter the workforce spending for its local and regional with sharper skills and vastly economies. Communities and enhanced earning prospects, regions hoping to foster a more according to the report. robust and diversified economic For every $1 spent by Miles climate find HBCU-connected College and its students, $1.48 spending a critical component is generated in initial and of that effort.” subsequent spending for the According to the study, local and regional area, authors Hampton University generates of the report said.

2,249 jobs for its local and Miles College tuition for in- regional economies. Of this state and out-of-state students is total, 825 are on-campus jobs, $11,604 annually and the school and 1,424 are off-campus jobs. offers courses in accounting, For each job created on campus, communication, education, another 1.7 public- and privatehumanities, social and behavior sector jobs are created off sciences, natural sciences and campus because of Hampton mathematics.

University-related spending.

“Hampton University gene­ Looked at in a different way: rates $270 million in total Each $1 million initially spent econo­ mic impact for its local by Hampton University and its and re­ gio­ nal economies,” the students creates 11 jobs. study said. “This estimate Hampton University plays includes direct spending by a major role in the economic Hampton University on faculty, success of its graduates by employees, acade­mic programs enhancing their education, and ope­ra­tions- and by students training and leadership skills.

Marijuana continued from page 1

ACROSS 1. Big ____ at 7-Eleven 5. Plays for pay 8. Not counterfeit 12. Largest continent 13. Field worker 14. Eagle’s nest 15. Shade-loving plant 16. River in Bohemia 17. Choice or delicious dish 18. *Vince Vaughn’s title role, 2007 20. Research facil.

21. “Colorful” announcement 22. Humor magazine 23. Sherlock Holmes’ esteemed friend 26. Wedge-shaped 30. “Fat chance!”

31. Ancient liturgical hymn 34. Jet black 35. Like Bushmills’ whiskey 37. *”Jingle ____ the Way,” 1996 38. Speak like Pericles 39. Cleopatra’s necklace 40. They’re often bolt action 42. Tucker of “Modern Family” 43. Football play, pl 45. *Nicholas Cage’s “The ____ Man,” 2000 47. Egg cells 48. “The Metamorphosis” author 50. Nursery rhyme old woman’s home 52. *Kevin McCallister’s story, 1990 56. Opposite end of alpha 57. “It’s beginning to look ____ ____ like Christmas...”

58. Like desert climate 59. Apple leftovers 60. Container weight 61. *”Trappd in Paradise” with Jon Lovitz and ____ Carvey 62. Matured 63. “C’____ la vie!”

64. Big Bang’s original matter DOWN 1. Fishing pole 2. Olympic castaway?

3. Pre-euro money 4. Bamboo forest dwellers 5. *Like Express to the North Pole 6. Overthrow by argument 7. Miners’ bounty, pl.

8. *Clarice, e.g.

9. Spans of time 10. Not a word?

11. Type of Christmas lights 13. Helen in France 14. Type of deadly flu 19. Lamé or serge 22. “____’s the word” 23. *Like Bing Crosby’s Christmas 24. Packers’ quarterback 25. Like Hitler’s Reich 26. Reject 27. Olden day calculators 28. The whole amount 29. *Henry F. Potter in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” e.g.

32. Oration station 33. *Will Ferrell’s 2003 role 36. *Based on “A Christmas Carol,” 1988 38. Port city in Japan 40. Ribonucleic acid 41. Affected or pretentious 44. Part of eye containing iris, pl.

46. Unwellness 48. Trees producing caffeine-containing nuts 49. Like a duel in France, usually 50. Smoke plus fog 51. At this point 52. Antonym of love 53. Unwritten exam 54. Number of baseball fielders 55. Dutch cheese 56. Edible tuber LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

only disparities, but also costing an arm and a leg.”

With the election of Phil Murphy as governor earlier this month, legalizing pot was expected to a frontburner agenda item in Trenton.

Murphy’s campaign included calling for legalization, both to end the disproportionate jailing of blacks but to also claim $300 million a year in taxes from a regulated market.

However, several lawmakers, including Democrats, have expressed concerns of late. “I think the devil is in the details,” said Assemblyman Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, who will become speaker in the lower house in January.

Sinha, who began his job with the ACLU on Sept. 1, has been

meeting with various groups as part of what he called a statewide “listening tour.”

Besides drug law reform, Sinha told the Asbury Park Press that the the ACLU priorities he’s been talking about include advocating for immigrant rights, voter rights and pretrial justice reform.

An ACLU report published earlier this year determined black residents were three times more likely than whites to be arrested on marijuana charges - while noting there is no difference in the rate of marijuana use between the two groups.

The ACLU also says the racial disparity is likely far higher because state and federal reporting on crime statistics lump Hispanic suspects in with white ones.

A college degree opens the door to economic prosperity through greater employment and earnings potential. In fact, the 949 Hampton University graduates in 2014 can expect total earnings of $2.6 billion over their lifetimes—that’s 62 percent more than they could expect to earn without their college credentials. Or viewed on an individual basis, a Hampton University graduate working full time throughout his or her working life can expect to earn $1.1 million in additional income due to a college credential.i Howard University generates $1.5 billion in total economic impact for its local and regional economies.

This estimate includes direct spending by Howard University on faculty, employees, academic programs and operations—and by students attending the institution, as well as the follow-on effects of that spending. Every dollar spent by Howard University and its stu­ dents produces positive econo­ mic benefits, generating $1.58 in initial and subsequent spending for its local and regional econo­ mies. Communities and regions hoping to foster a more robust and diversified economic cli­ma­te find HBCU-connected spen­ding a critical component of that effort.

Howard University generates 9,591 jobs for its local and regio­ nal economies. Of this total, 3,301 are on-campus jobs, and 6,290 are off-campus jobs. For each job created on campus, another 1.9 public- and privatesec­ tor jobs are created off cam­ pus because of Howard Univer­sity-related spending.

Looked at in a different way: Each $1 million initially spent

by Howard University and its students creates 10 jobs.

“We’re spending more than 50 percent of drug enforcement costs on marijuana possession.

We want to make sure marijuana is legalized and that any bill that comes to the governorelect’s desk deals with the racial justice issues, just as it does with the regulation of the cannabis markets,” Sinha said.

Sinha also said automatic expungement of prior marijuana arrest records and “reinvestment” of marijuana tax revenue into cities for education, drug treatment and drug counseling should also be included in legislation.

“We don’t want a system where there’s a $30,000 fee to enter the market,” he said of producers and vendors.

Sinha, who grew up in New Jersey, is the first person of color to lead the organization.

Sinha is the son of immigrants from India. He interned at the national ACLU while a student at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, and later was the director of the Suffolk County Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union. There, he worked on a host of civil rights issues, which included discriminatory policing, policies that disproportionately affected minority communities and unconstitutional surveillance.

Most recently he led state advocacy campaigns to address wrongful convictions nationwide for the Innocence Project, which helps exonerate the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and pushes for reforms to the criminal justice system.

SODOKU SOLUTION

7

THE BULLETIN, WEDNESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2017

LEGAL NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE Trustee Sale No. 134460 Title No. 170301536 NOTE: THERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED. YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 11/26/2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 12/20/2017 at 11:00 AM, The Mortgage Law Firm, PLC, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recorded 02/19/2008, as Instrument No. 20080281554, in book xx, page xx, of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of Los Angeles County, State of California, executed by Dovie Burton, a Single Woman, Vincent D. Haley and Celia Tolliver, Husband and Wife, All as Joint Tenants, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK/ CASH EQUIVALENT or other form of payment authorized by 2924h(b), (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States), By the fountain located at 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766. All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State, described as: FULLY DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE DEED OF TRUST. APN 6167-008-011. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1747 N Spring Ave, Compton, CA 90221. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of said Deed of Trust, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is: $391,378.45. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse.

The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused a Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located. Dated: 11/20/2017 THE MORTGAGE LAW FIRM, PLC Adriana Durham/Authorized Signature 41689 ENTERPRISE CIRCLE NORTH, STE. 228, TEMECULA, CA 92590 (619) 465-8200. FOR TRUSTEE’S SALE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-730-2727. The Mortgage Law Firm, PLC. may be attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained may be used for that purpose. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property.

You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property.

You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (714) 730-2727 for information regarding the trustee’s sale or visit this Internet Web site -www.servicelinkASAP. com- for information regarding the sale of this property, using the file number assigned to this case: 134460.

Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. AFN4639067 11/29/2017, 12/06/2017, 12/13/2017 SchId:69198 AdId:23060 CustId:64 -------------------------------------NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE TS No. CA-17-779181-NJ Order No.: 8712445 NOTE: THERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED TO THE COPY PROVIDED TO THE MORTGAGOR OR TRUSTOR (Pursuant to Cal. Civ. Code 2923.3 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 5/19/2011.

UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING

AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier’s check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 to the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, will be held by duly appointed trustee.

The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the accrued principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s), advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale.

BENEFICIARY MAY BID LESS THAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE. Trustor (s): CHARLES ELMER POWELL, A WIDOWER AND JOHN W. POWELL, A MARRIED MAN AS HIS SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY, AS JOINT TENANTS Recorded: 5/27/2011 as Instrument No. 20110742904 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of LOS ANGELES County, California; Date of Sale: 1/9/2018 at 10:00 AM Place of Sale: Behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona CA 91766 Amount of accrued balance and other charges: $300,907.04 The purported property address is: 928 W LAUREL ST, COMPTON, CA 90220 Assessor’s Parcel No.: 6161-006-029 NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property.

You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property.

You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this Notice of Sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 916-939-0772 for information regarding the trustee’s sale or visit this Internet Web site http://www. qualityloan.com, using the file number assigned to this foreclosure by the trustee: CA-17-779181-NJ. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. The undersigned trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the property address or other common designation, if any, shown herein. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the mortgagor, the mortgagee, or the mortgagee’s attorney. If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holders right’s against the real property only. As required by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a credit report agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligations. Date: Quality Loan Service Corporation 411 Ivy Street San Diego, CA 92101 619-645-7711 For NON SALE information only Sale Line: 916-939-0772 Or Login to: http://www. qualityloan.com Reinstatement Line: (866) 645-7711 Ext 5318 Quality Loan Service Corp. TS No.: CA-17-779181NJ IDSPub #0134249 12/6/2017 12/13/2017 12/20/2017 SchId:69214 AdId:23066 CustId:608 -------------------------------------NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE TS No. CA-17-778532-BF Order No.: 8711671 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 12/26/2012. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier’s check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or

federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 to the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, will be held by duly appointed trustee. The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s), advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale. BENEFICIARY MAY ELECT TO BID LESS THAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE. Trustor(s): RAVEN WILSON A SINGLE WOMAN Recorded: 1/4/2013 as Instrument No. 20130016954 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of LOS ANGELES County, California; Date of Sale: 1/4/2018 at 9:00 AM Place of Sale: At the Doubletree Hotel Los AngelesNorwalk, 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk, CA 90650, in the Vineyard Ballroom Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $222,467.44 The purported property address is: 2215 EAST HATCHWAY STREET, COMPTON, CA 90222 Assessor’s Parcel No.: 6155-020-023 NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself.

Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 800280-2832 for information regarding the trustee’s sale or visit this Internet Web site http://www.qualityloan.com, using the file number assigned to this foreclosure by the Trustee: CA17-778532-BF. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the property address or other common designation, if any, shown herein. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale.

If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the Trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee. This shall be the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney. If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holders right’s against the real property only. Date: Quality Loan Service Corporation 411 Ivy Street San Diego, CA 92101 619-645-7711 For NON SALE information only Sale Line: 800-280-2832 Or Login to: http://www. qualityloan.com Reinstatement Line: (866) 645-7711 Ext 5318 Quality Loan Service Corp. TS No.: CA-17-778532BF IDSPub #0134328 11/29/2017 12/6/2017 12/13/2017 SchId:69250 AdId:23078 CustId:608 -------------------------------------Trustee Sale No. 16-003697 160129484-CAVOI APN 6126-012005 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 08/27/07.

UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 12/19/17 at 10:00 am, Aztec Foreclosure Corporation as the duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Connie Hayes, a widow, as Trustor(s), in favor of Virtualbank Seniors Lending Group, a division of Lydian Private Bank, as Beneficiary, Recorded on 09/04/07 in Instrument No. 20072051624 of official records in the Office of the county recorder of LOS ANGELES County, California, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States, by cash, a cashier’s check drawn by a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or

a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state), Behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA, all right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County, California described as: 543 E. 169TH ST,, CARSON, CA 90746. The property heretofore described is being sold “as is”. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein.

Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust, towit: $481,667.98 (Estimated).

Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase this figure prior to sale. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located and more than three months have elapsed since such recordation. DATE: November 21, 2017 AZTEC FORECLOSURE CORPORATION Elaine Malone Assistant Secretary / Assistant Vice President Aztec Foreclosure Corporation, 3636 N. Central Ave., Suite #400, Phoenix, AZ 85012 Phone: (877) 257-0717 or (602) 638-5700; fax: (602) 638-5748 www.aztectrustee.com NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself.

Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call or visit the Internet Web site, using the file number assigned to this case 16-003697. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. www. nationwideposting.com 916-939-0772 or Aztec Foreclosure Corporation (877) 257-0717 www.aztectrustee.com NPP0321224 To: THE WEEKENDER 11/29/2017, 12/06/2017, 12/13/2017 SchId:69262 AdId:23082 CustId:68 -------------------------------------NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE TS No. CA-14-617816-BF Order No.: 110513137-CABFI YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 8/25/2006. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier’s check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 to the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, will be held by duly appointed trustee.

The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s), advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale.

BENEFICIARY MAY ELECT TO BID LESS THAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE. Trustor(s): LORENZO CHAVEZ LOPEZ, A MARRIED MAN AS HIS SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY Recorded: 9/1/2006 as Instrument No. 06 1957312 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of LOS ANGELES County, California; Date of Sale: 1/2/2018 at 10:00 AM Place of Sale: Behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, located at 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona CA 91766 Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $275,411.81 The purported property address is: 835 WEST 131ST STREET, COMPTON, CA 90222 Assessor’s Parcel No.: 6146-005-032 NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this

property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself.

Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 916939-0772 for information regarding the trustee’s sale or visit this Internet Web site http://www.qualityloan.com, using the file number assigned to this foreclosure by the Trustee: CA14-617816-BF. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the property address or other common designation, if any, shown herein. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale.

If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the Trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee. This shall be the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney. If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holders right’s against the real property only. Date: Quality Loan Service Corporation 411 Ivy Street San Diego, CA 92101 619-645-7711 For NON SALE information only Sale Line: 916-939-0772 Or Login to: http://www. qualityloan.com Reinstatement Line: (866) 645-7711 Ext 5318 Quality Loan Service Corp. TS No.: CA-14-617816BF IDSPub #0134480 12/6/2017 12/13/2017 12/20/2017 SchId:69293 AdId:23092 CustId:608 -------------------------------------WILVER VARGAS vs. HILARIO MENCHACA: AN INDIVIDUAL Case No.: ADJ8892555 Special Notice of Lawsuit HILARIO MENCHACA; AN INDIVIDUAL; 1409 WILLOWBROOK AVE., COMPTON, CA 90220 NOTICE: You have been sued. The court may decide against you without you being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read information below.

AVISO: Used esta siendo demandado.

La corete puede expedir una decision en contra sya sin darle la oportunidad de defenderse a menos que usted actue pronto. Lea la siguiente informacion.

1) A lawsuit, the Application for Adjudication of Claim, has been filed with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board against you as the named defendant by the abovenamed applicant(s).

You may seek the advice of an attorney in any matter connected with this lawsuit and such attorney should be consulted promptly so that your response may be filed and entered in a timely fashion.

If you do not know an attorney, you may call an attorney reference service or a legal aid office. You may also request assistance / information from an Information and Assistance Officer of the Division of Workers’ Compensation.

(See telephone directory.)

2) An Answer to the Application must be filed and served within six days of the service of the Application pursuant to Appeals Board rules; therefore, your written response must be filed with the Appeals Board promptly; a letter or phone call will not protect your interests.

3) You will be served with a Notice(s) of Hearing and must appear at all hearings or conferences. After such hearing, even absent your appearance, a decision may be made and an award of compensation benefits may issue against you. The award could result in the garnishment of your wages, taking of your money or property, or other relief.

If the Appeals Board makes an award against you, your house or other dwelling or other property may be taken to satisfy that award in a nonjudicial sale, with no exemptions from execution.

A lien may also be imposed upon your property without further hearing and before the issuance of an award.

4) You must notify the Appeals Board of the proper address for the service of official notices and papers and notify the Appeals Board of any changes in that address. TAKE ACTION NOW TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS! Name and Address of Appeals Board: Worker’s Compensation Appeals

Board 320 West 4th St., 9th Fl. Los Angeles, CA 90013 Applicant Attorney: LAW OFFICES OF TELLERIA, TELLERIA & LEVY 828 W. Las Tunas Drive San Gabriel, CA 91776 SchId:69305 AdId:23096 CustId:676

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TSG No.: 8713370 TS No.: CA1700281373 FHA/VA/PMI No.: 0484648597 APN: 6164-016-021 Property Address: 1401 S MAYO AVE COMPTON, CA 90221-4905 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 08/20/2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 01/11/2018 at 10:00 A.M., First American Title Insurance Company, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recorded 08/30/2007, as Instrument No. 20072028926, in book , page , , of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of LOS ANGELES County, State of California.

Executed by: BETTY JACKSON, AN UNMARRIED WOMAN, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK/CASH EQUIVALENT or other form of payment authorized by 2924h(b), (Payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States) Behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona CA 91766 All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State described as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED DEED OF TRUST APN# 6164-016-021 The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1401 S MAYO AVE, COMPTON, CA 90221-4905 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein.

Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, under the terms of said Deed of Trust, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is $341,690.76. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust has deposited all documents evidencing the obligations secured by the Deed of Trust and has declared all sums secured thereby immediately due and payable, and has caused a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be executed.

The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the County where the real property is located. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property.

You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property.

You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (916)939-0772 or visit this Internet Web http://search.nationwideposting. com/propertySearchTerms.aspx, using the file number assigned to this case CA1700281373 Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid.

The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney.

Date: First American Title Insurance Company 4795 Regent Blvd, Mail Code 1011-F Irving, TX 75063 First American Title Insurance Company MAY BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE FOR TRUSTEES SALE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL (916)9390772NPP0321592 To: COMPTON BULLETIN 12/06/2017, 12/13/2017, 12/20/2017 SchId:69319 AdId:23100 CustId:68

8

THE BULLETIN, WEDNESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

Colleges, high schools use ‘Hamilton’ to enhance teaching

By Rob Maaddi More than 2,000 students got into the hottest show in Chicago for free—“Hamilton: An American Musical “—as part of their acceptance to Northwestern University.

Photo by Pete Brooks

Johnny Cash in 1997.

Johnny Cash boyhood home considered for historic nomination The boyhood home of country music icon Johnny Cash is being considered as a nominee for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program’s review board is to meet Wednesday to consider 14 state properties for nomination to the list of the nation’s historic places, including the Cash home that was built in 1934 in Dyess in northeastern Arkansas, about 30 miles northwest of Memphis, Tennessee.

The house and 40 acres were provided to the Cash family as part of a federal government economic recovery program during the Great Depression.

Preservation Program spokesman Mark Christ told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that a final decision on whether the property is included on the list will be made by the National Park Service.

“They go through a rigorous internal determination of eligibility before going to the (Arkansas) board, so if a nomination makes it through both of those processes, it’s definitely a property that should be listed,” he said in an email to the newspaper.

The home, which is under the control of Arkansas State University, would not have qualified for nomination without the completion in 2014 of a restoration project that brought it back to its 1934 appearance, said Ruth Hawkins, director of ASU’s Heritage Sites.

The home was sold by the Cash family in 1954, and subsequent owners installed paneling, wallpaper and modern tile flooring, which had to be torn out, Hawkins said. She added that most of the original material was still there.

“The house retains much of its original 1930s vernacular/ Colonial Revival design,” the nomination form says.

“The property retains the feeling of a farmhouse from the 1930s-era Dyess Colony.”

Cash was born in 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas, according to the official website devoted to the musician. His family later moved to Dyess.

Johnny Cash is the only musician who is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Gospel Hall of Fame.

And when there’s a Hip-Hop Hall of Fame, he’ll get inducted into the Influences category on the first ballot.

I

T’S one of the ways colleges and high schools are using the hugely popular musical to teach students about history, art, drama, culture, and even politics. There’s even a high school program coordinated through the show that has allowed nearly 49,000 students in four cities to see the show for free or reduced admission.

“It’s one thing to learn about these kind of events in a classroom but to go and see this in a production it’s different, and it’s just amazing,” said Northwestern freshman Alex Richards after seeing the smash hit musical.

First-year Northwestern students went to two matinees at CIBC

Theatre in October on 48 buses as part of the One Book One Northwestern program, which includes a series of discussions, speakers and other events around the theme of a book. This year it was Danielle Allen’s “Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality.”

Nancy Cunniff, director for One Book One Northwestern, says the program gives students a common discussion point when they get to

“ ”

It’s one thing to learn about these kind of events in a classroom but to go and see this in a production it’s different, and it’s just amazing.

Alex Richards campus as well as a different perspective on a subject.

“Our approach has been to find different access points,” Cunniff said. “So maybe history is not your thing but you like musicals and then you go and see this musical and then maybe history isn’t so bad.”

The university also started a class last year called “Hamilton’s America,” a lecture course crosslisted in history and Latino studies. Last year they taught 135 students and this year they plan to raise the cap to 180, expecting interest to increase after the One Book program, said Geraldo Cadava, an associate professor who helps lead the class.

M i l w a u k e e ’s Marquette University is offering an

Photo by Charles Sykes/file

Lin-Manuel Miranda appears at the curtain call following the opening night performance of “Hamilton” at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, in New York in 2015.

Erykah Badu offers ‘soul therapy’

By Sandy Cohen There’s no question that Erykah Badu is the soul hostess. On Sunday, she hosted the Soul Train Awards on BET. But earlier last week, she was the soulful host who invited a small group of reporters to a West Hollywood hotel suite for an introductory lesson on chakras.

Badu transformed a room at Le Parc Suite Hotel into an intimate spiritual classroom Monday night for what she described as a “soul therapy” session. Illuminated by candlelight, Badu told her dozen guests about the Eastern concept of chakras—whirling energy centers that stretch from the base of the spine to the crown of the head—and how they respond to music, color and personal development.

Promotional events for awards shows are not usually like this.

The show itself was never even mentioned.

Instead, the singer-songwriter engaged the group in a discussion about creativity, opened up about her heroes and revealed that she uses chakra-stimulating sounds in her music. “Baduizm,” her groundbreaking and Grammywinning 1997 debut, is built around the vibrations of tuning forks and

singing bowls, she said. She layered theremin sounds under later recordings.

“I never share any of these kinds of things, that I use tuning forks and singing bowls,” Badu said. “I didn’t know how necessary that was to tell people. And it’s kind of weird to tell people something like that. But we’re entering this age of information where people are more open to this kind of thing... so it’s a good time to share something like this.”

With bells on her ankles, a pile of medallions and crystals around her

neck and a stack of colored markers in her hand, Badu explained the seven chakras by diagramming them on a piece of poster board.

Each chakra corresponds with a color of the rainbow, she said, drawing a red circle for the “root chakra” and continuing with spirals in orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and purple (her favorite color, she noted). Each chakra is also associated with a musical note or vibration, a set of bodily organs and a basic human characteristic, such as creativity, desire or self-discipline, she said.

Badu said she travels with a set of tuning forks, which she pulled from a backpack shaped like an African mask. She clacked one of the forks against a crystal hanging from her neck and held it by each guest’s ear so they could experience its vibration— in the key of F, for the heart chakra.

When the chakra lesson was done, Badu told the group she always considered herself a writer first. She composed her first song at age 7 after her grandmother bought her a piano, and started writing raps and other poetry before becoming a singer.

Asked what song she wishes she had written, Badu said Joni Mitchell’s “Blue.”

“Joni Mitchell is one of my heroes,” she said, adding that they’ve yet to meet. “She’s very responsible for a lot of my honesty and bravery in music.”

Before saying goodnight, Badu offered a last bit of chakra knowledge, explaining how they can be used to interpret body language. Hands on hips, for example, could indicate sexual attraction, since the chakra that governs that energy is based in the lower abdomen.

Such insights help generate compassion for others, she said, and provide a great deal of amusement.

honors, pass-fail course this semester for freshman called “Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton,” after the musical’s creator. And it’s overfilled by almost double at 14 people.

Assistant English Professor Gerry Canavan uses the soundtrack, videos and lyrics as well as the Ron Chernow biography of Alexander Hamilton, which Miranda used as inspiration for the play.

“To me it’s a really interesting way to teach the skills of criticism and interpretation and careful reading because you are looking at something that you haven’t necessarily been trained how to read in the same way you’ve been trained to read great literature,” Canavan said.

Ithaca College, Duke University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison are among the other schools that have credit or noncredit courses or touch on the show in other music or history classes.

Educators are also targeting high school students. There’s a program coordinated through the show and donors that uses donations to allow mostly 10th and 11th graders to see “Hamilton” for free or reduced admission. Some students also write dramatic scenes, poems or songs drawing on the founding era time period to present on stage before a performance.

Since 2015, nearly 49,000 students have gone in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. It has started to expand to San Diego, Tempe, Ariz., Seattle, Denver, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, Houston and Washington D.C. and the idea is to send at least 100,000 students to the show by next summer.

“Our goal is to ensure that students have a shot to see ‘Hamilton’ and use its words, music and staging to further their understanding and enjoyment of American History, music and drama,” “Hamilton” producer Jeffrey Seller said about the program in a press release.

Trump supporters confuse LeVar Burton with LaVar Ball online President Donald Trump is feuding with LaVar Ball and LeVar Burton is taking the hit on Twitter.

Burton is an actor best known for playing Lt. La Forge in “Star Trek” on TV and film and for championing kids’ education through the “Reading Rainbow” series. Ball is the father of Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball and UCLA basketball player LiAngelo Ball, one of three student players recently arrested in China for shoplifting.

Trump tweeted that Ball was an “ungrateful fool” for not being more appreciative of presidential intervention in LiAngelo Ball’s case.

Some of the president’s followers in turn attacked Burton on Twitter, with one calling him a “has been actor with a thief for a son.”

Burton and Ball haven’t let the controversy interrupt their holiday plans—both tweeted Thanksgiving wishes to their followers last Thursday.