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April 22 - 28, 2021 VOL. 36, No. 16
Rodney King’s Lawyer Milton Grimes Speaks Out 30 years after the event that led us to George Floyd The Verdict, The Nation, and Us By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher, The San Diego Voice and Viewpoint
The conviction of Derek Chauvin on all three counts in the death of George Floyd represents a much needed breeze of change, but it is neither the storm or whirlwind needed to correct the malignant, cancerous attitude of law enforcement against not only Black men and women and people of color, but a society which says it’s alright to be judge, jury and executioner of those having contact with police in particular. The prosecution and its witnesses in the trial made it clear that the issue is not police training, nor is it about anything other than treating people with the respect and dignity the police would expect if they were in the shoes of those who have become their victims. We know that crime does exist, that there are people who must be apprehended and not all can be done without use of force; but those selected to wear a badge and gun must know the difference and must no longer be able to hide behind such legal myths as “qualified immunity” which has excused so much of what so many police officers should be held accountable for. The verdict is a good start, but let’s not think it solves our problems. In the midst of celebrating, let us keep our eyes on the national war before us which finds Republican legislators at the Congressional and State legislative levels mounting a relentless battle for “voter suppression.” They are attempting to do to people of color what Derek Chauvin did to George Floyd. Their knee is being placed on our neck of democracy and we cannot breathe without fighting back. Let’s identify not only those Republican legislators in each state pushing such legislation, but mount people to run against them. At the same time, let us withhold our dollars from those corporations who refuse to stand up and speak out with their dollars against those very elected officials they have funded for so long. There are still more trials to come. Let’s stay vigilant, for the struggle continues.
The late Rodney King and his lawyer Milton Grimes. It was the Rodney King beating that sparked the 1992 civil unrest. Grimes has following the events of George Floyd since he died. (Photo/Courtesy of Milton Grimes) By Kenneth Miller, Publisher
Milton Grimes, the man who served as the lead attorney for Rodney King 30 years ago has been paying close attention to the events that led to the death of George Floyd. Grimes was responsible for winning a $3.8 million civil claim on behalf of King, the Black motorist who became the most infamous victim of police brutality in the history of America. There was nothing new about what happened to King on March 3, 1991. Blacks in Southern California and throughout America had consistently suffered brutality and racism at the hands of police officers with regularity. What changed everything in 1991 when those four LAPD officers were having their way with an unarmed defenseless Black man was a white amateur filmmaker George Holliday who recorded the event on his then cutting-edge Sony Handycam 8-millimeter video camera. “I had been receiving complaints from Black clients all the time, but I never could verify or document any of it, but Rodney King changed all of that,” Grimes explained to Inglewood
Today in an exclusive interview. March 3, 1991 may not have ever been known if not for Holliday, it became the world’s first viral video, and he became an early example of citizen journalism documenting police brutality in the most graphic and disturbing terms. That was a time before police body cams, cell phones and social media crossed the thin blue line that has sacredly protected police from their worst behavior for decades. Holliday exposed it to the world. King’s beating sparked the 1992 civil unrest, an event which Grimes said he understood how young Black people felt at the time. Those four LAPD officers who beat Rodney King within inches of his life escaped punishment three years later with 12 Simi Valley jurors acquitted them in 1994. “That was a mule kick. I felt like I got hit by a Mack Truck,” explained Grimes of the verdict. He blamed the Los Angeles District Attorney which allowed for the case to be moved to Simi Valley. The death of George Floyd on May
25, 2020 brought Grimes full circle. A month after the nation and world witnessed the cold blooded murder of Floyd by then Minneapolis Derek Chauvin, Grimes was accompanied by his 14-year old daughter for a protest march in of all places Simi Valley. Mike Judge, a Simi Valley City Council member and 30-year police veteran posted on Facebook in advance of the march “Wanna stop the riots? Mobilize the septic tank trucks, put a pressure cannon on em... hose em down.... the end.” He apologized later, but for Grimes’s apprehension about Simi Valley was being verified. After all this was the same place that made him feel like he had been kicked by a mule. Although it was 29 years later, things could not have changed, right? “This was important because I wanted to see where the Simi Valley jury was from. I saw four or five white men declaring support for the police. Marchers were relegated to the side walk and then all of a sudden, I Continued on page 7
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April 22 - 28, 2021
California Elected Officials, Civic Leaders React to George Floyd Verdict Antonio Ray Harvey, Bo Tefu & Tanu Henry | California Black Media
“The hard truth,” Gov. Newsom said in an April 20 statement, “is that if George Floyd looked like me, he’d still be alive today.” Newsom made the remark after a Hennepin County jury found Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, 45, guilty in the murder of George Floyd. The jury convicted Chauvin on two counts of murder, homicide and one of manslaughter, for pinning his knee on the neck of Floyd for nine minutes and 29 seconds on May 25, 2020. The California governor joined other Golden State officials to speak out about the verdict and the enduring problems of police violence against unarmed citizens, particularly African American suspects. “No conviction can repair the harm done to George Floyd and his family, but today’s verdict provides some accountability as we work to root out the racial injustice that haunts our society,” the governor continued. “We must continue the work of fighting systemic racism and excessive use of force. It’s why I signed some of the nation’s most progressive police reform legislation into law. I will continue working with community leaders across the state to hear concerns and support peaceful expression.” Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena), chair of the California Legislative Black
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Caucus, took to Twitter to comment on the verdict. “I’m overwhelmed to tears over this verdict: Guilty. #GeorgeFloyd did not have to die that day. His family is still healing from this trauma. We must continue to fight for justice in this country, for all of us,” he tweeted. Earlier in the day, the California Legislative Black Caucus held a press conference to address police brutality and lethal force by peace officers in California and across the country. “There may be calls about a crisis. There may be calls about an emergency, but they are not calls intended to initiate death. They are not calls for lethal force. They are calls for issuing de-escalation and resolution.” said Sen. Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles). Kamlager, along with her colleagues – including Assemblymember Mike Gipson, who Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) appointed Chair of the Select Committee on Police Reform – for the briefing. They called on their peers to pass the C.R.I.S.I.S. Act, or Assembly Bill (AB) 2054, legislation that proposes that communities rely on social worker be relied on to intervene in some public safety incidents instead of police officers. The bill was first introduced last year, but it died in committee. California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber was also attended the CLBC press conference. “You know it’s really hard after 410 years in this country to continue to raise the same issues over and over again,” Dr. Weber said. “When I look and begin to analyze it I realize that all we’re asking is to have what everybody else has...to be treated fairly. To be treated as a human being. To be treated just.” President of the NAACP CaliforniaHawaii Conference, Rick L. Callender, said justice was served in the Chauvin case. “It was very clear that our very right to breath was on trial,” Callender told California Black Media. “For too long African Americans have been subjected to the knee of injustice choking us out in so many different ways. This verdict demonstrates that a badge is never a shield for accountability.” Speaking from San Diego, Shane Harris, founder and president of the People’s Association of Justice, a national civil rights alliance that started in California, said the Floyd verdict represents a starting point for reimagining policing in America through federal legislation. “The reality is that there is a Derek Chauvin in a police department near you and the question is whether our local, state and federal governments will step up to protect the next George Floyd from being killed in our country,” he said. Chauvin had multiple complaints against him during his career on the Continued on page 3
COVID-19 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPTIONS Due to the existing COVID-19 health emergency and the social distancing measures currently in effect, and pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20((https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3.17.20-N-29-20EO.pdf)), please note that members of the public will only be allowed to observe and address the Planning Commission Meeting of May 5, 2021 at 7:00 P.M. by telephone, video and other electronic means, as follows: Viewing and Listening to the Meeting without Making Public Comments: •On Spectrum Cable Local Channel 35 with audio and limited video. Please check with your cable provider for details. •Live on-line through Facebook Live, with audio and limited video, at https://www. facebook.com/cityofinglewood/ •The above access options provide the public with the opportunity to both observe and listen to the meeting. •However, members of the public who wish to orally address the Planning Commission must use the public access options noted below: Listening to Meeting and Oral Public Comments: The meeting’s telephone number and access code will be provided no later than 72 hours before the meeting on the meeting agenda published at https://www.cityofinglewood.org/ AgendaCenter/Planning-Commission-4 Please observe the following tips when phoning in: •When you call-in, the operator will provide further instructions on how you can make public comments via phone. •If you are calling from a cell phone, please call from an area with good reception. •If you are watching the meeting on Facebook or Channel 35 while also accessing the phone line, it is requested that you mute the sound of your video feed as it is offset by 3 seconds from the phone transmission. Additionally, when you are making public comments on the phone line you will be inaudible due to feedback. Written Public Comments: Members of the public can submit comments electronically for consideration by the Inglewood Planning Commission by sending them to the Case Planner indicated below. To ensure distribution to the Commissioners prior to consideration of the agenda, please submit comments prior to 12:00 P.M. the day of the meeting, and in the body of the email, please identify meeting date and subject matter. Comments received after 12:00 P.M. on day of meeting will be made part of the official public record of the meeting. Contact the Planning Division at 310-412-5230 with any questions. Accessibility: If you will require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact the Planning Division Office at (310) 412-5230, One Manchester Boulevard, 4th Floor, Inglewood, California 90301. All requests for accommodations must be received 48 hours prior to the day of the hearing. The Planning Commission of the City of Inglewood, California, will hold public hearings on May 5, 2021 at the hour of 7:00 p.m., to consider the following: 1.A public hearing to consider an application by Mark Walker, representing Comfort LA Inglewood, for Special Use Permit No. 2020-013(SP-2020-013) to allow the on-site consumption of beer, wine and distilled spirits in an existing takeout restaurant on an approximately 8,044 square-foot, C-2(General Commercial) zoned property at 902 North La Brea Avenue and legally described as the west ½ of the vacated alley and Lot 8 (exclusive of street) of Tract No. 7962 (AIN 4016003-025). A Notice of Exemption (EA-CE-2020-122) has been prepared stating that the proposed project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a copy of which is available for public review in the First Floor Lobby of City Hall and via email at mfewell@cityofinglewood.org. 2.A public hearing to consider an application by Kristen Roberts, representing Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, for Special Use Permit No. 2021-005(SP2021-005) to allow 1) new construction with a valuation that exceeds twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) and 2) outdoor dining within a new approximately 6,300 square-foot two-story fast food restaurant with a drive-through on an approximately 55,200 square-foot, C-2 (General Commercial/Medical Enterprise Overlay) zoned property at 401 South Prairie Avenue and legally described as Lots 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of Block 4 of Tract No. 446 (AIN-4021-036-027 and 049). A Notice of Exemption (EA-CE-2021-035) has been prepared stating that the proposed project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a copy of which is available for public review in the First Floor Lobby of City Hall and via email at asalazar1@cityofinglewood.org. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65009, if you challenge any of the public hearing items in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing. In the event that the Planning Commission meeting of May 5, 2021 is not held, or is concluded prior to a public hearing agenda item being considered, the public hearing will automatically be continued to the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. “Si no entiende esta noticia o si necesita mas informacion, favor de llamar a este numero (310) 412-5230.”
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April 22 - 28, 2021
AROUND THE CITY
EYE ON THE CITY GEORGE DOTSON
ALEX PADILLA
JAMES BUTTS
ELOY MORALES
RALPH FRANKLIN
City Council Meeting The council approved Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 16-157 with Willdan Engineering to extend the Term of the Agreement by up to 90 days. The council approved Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 16-016 (Agreement) with PSOMAS (Consultant) extending the term of the Agreement for five (5) additional months and increasing the compensation in an additional amount of $59,824 bringing the new total contract amount not to exceed $5,313,512), with funds derived from Measure R Funds. Finally, the council approved Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 16-01 with the consultant, PSOMAS, extending the term of the Agreement for five (5) additional months and increasing the compensation in an additional amount of $59,824 bringing the new total contract amount not to exceed $5,313,512, with funding derived from Measure R Funds.
By Francis Taylor, Senior Writer
The council approved an agreement with Griffin Structures, Inc. to provide construction management services for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to be paid from the General Fund. The council approved an agreement with LPA, Inc. to provide architectural services for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to be paid from the General Fund. The council received and filed the Inglewood Growing Artists Project (IGAP) 2020, which provides for the purchase and installation of the “Love, Inglewood” Collection: 13 original artworks on paper by Inglewood artists, in an amount no to exceed $20,000 and funds derived from the Public Art Fund. The council approved Amendment No. 4 to MOU P00F3128 with LACMTA to extend the lapsing date of the Century Boulevard Mobility Improvement Project to February 28, 2022.
Continued from page 2: California....
Minneapolis Police force, but the city and the department failed to act. We will not have an Attorney General like Keith Ellison in every state going forward to press for justice like he did which is why I call on the U.S. Senate to urgently bring the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 to the Senate floor now, pass the legislation and send it to the President’s desk to sign immediately.” After 12 hours of deliberations – as people across the country and around the globe waited in anticipation – for the jury returned with the verdict that held Chavin responsible for seconddegree unintentional murder, thirddegree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. The jury consisted of six Black or multiracial people along with six
White individuals. Chauvin’s attorney requested bail, but the presiding judge revoked their proposal and he was taken into custody. Under Minnesota laws, Chauvin could get a sentence of up to 40 years in prison. Califironia Congresswoman and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi
(D-CA-12) drew some criticism on social media for a statement she made regarding the verdict. Her critics chided the Speaker for thanking Floyd for his “sacrifice,” a man who they point out was unwittingly murdered by a police officer. Standing with members of the Congressional Black Caucus in front of the U.S. Capitol, Pelosi said, “Thank
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you George Floyd, for sacrificing your life for justice. For being there to call out to your mom, how heartbreaking was that, call out for you mom, ‘I can’t breathe.” “But because of you and because of thousands, millions of people around the world who came out for justice, your name will always be synonymous with justice,” the Speaker said.
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April 22 - 28, 2021
Area Communities S e r v i n g L a d e r a , H a w t h o r n e , W e s t c h e s t e r, L a w n d a l e , G a r d e n a , C a r s o n
A Message from County Administrator Dr. Erika Torres IT News Wire
Dear Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) Staff, Students, Families and Community: In our continued commitment to serving our community and providing current information, we have some
important updates in this week’s message. Inglewood High School Athletics We are excited to share that some of our athletic programs have resumed. Our focus from the start of the pandemic has always been ensuring
the health and safety of students, staff and families. As we continue to prioritize safety and wellness, we are so proud to highlight Inglewood High School (IHS) Sentinels Varsity football team as they dominated the field during the April 9th game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena against John Muir High School. The Sentinels lit up the scoreboard, defeating John Muir High School with a final score of 70 to 14. Please join us in congratulating the Sentinels and all our District sports teams as they proudly represent IUSD. Warren Lane Library Reveal with Jared Goff We are extremely excited to share the newly renovated Warren Lane Library, when we open our doors to welcome student back to campus for in-person instruction. Most recently, proceeds from JG16, Jared Goff’s official collection, went towards renovating the Warren Lane library, where students will now be able to access a state of the art facility and resources at the new JG16 Reading Zone. Our District believes in the importance of literacy, the fundamentals of reading and developing our students’ love of learning. Our vision and passion is to provide learning opportunities and to plant and flourish that love of reading.
We thank Jared Goff for also believing in our commitment to literacy and lifelong learning. We are so grateful for all of his efforts to support our Warren Lane students, staff, families and community! Please check out our new library here. National Administrative Professionals Day In honor of Administrative Professionals Day on April 19, 2021, our District would like to recognize the significant work of our secretaries, administrative assistants, and all
Administrative support professionals. Your willingness to create a welcoming environment, while graciously assisting students, staff, and families, is a significant component to the success of our dayto-day operations. We cannot thank you enough for all that you do for our District and school community. Happy Administrative Professional Day!
INGLEWOOD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT’S REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSALS FOR CEQA CONSULTING SERVICES The District is requesting submission of statement of qualifications and proposals (“RFQ/P) from firms to establish a pool of qualified and duly licensed CEQA consultants to perform some or all of the future projects identified by the District, and to support the District’s Measure GG and Measure I bond projects. As projects arise, the District will solicit proposals from the pool and select a Firm from the pool that best meet(s) the District’s needs to perform the projects, or any component thereof. The District is further seeking CEQA consulting services and related work for the District’s Morningside High School Site Upgrade Project. The District intends to select one of the Firms but reserves the right to select more than one Firm or none, that best meet(s) the District’s needs to perform services for the Morningside Project, or any component thereof. The RFQ/P is posted on the District’s website at: Public Notices – Board – Inglewood Unified School District (inglewoodusd.com) All Responses are due by 5:00 PM on May 5, 2021.
Sofi Stadium Teams With Award-Winning Chefs IT News Wire
Focused on representing the city’s prolific food culture, SoFi Stadium, home of the Chargers and Rams, partnered with James Beard awardwinning chefs, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo to reimagine the stadium culinary experience. The duo, Los Angeles cult favorite chefs and owners of some of the most iconic restaurants in the city – including animal, Son of a Gun, Jon & Vinny’s, Carmelized Productions and Cookbook Market – created a groundbreaking food program as transformative as the stadium itself. “Jon and Vinny are well-known for their thoughtful and flavorful food, and we are thrilled for them to extend their legacy to SoFi Stadium,” said Jason Gannon, managing director, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. “Los Angeles’ food culture is celebrated for its creativity, and our goal is to build a culinary experience for fans based on high-quality, fresh ingredients and inspired by the many cuisines you can find throughout the city.” SoFi Stadium’s culinary program is based on four core concepts. Each is grounded in local flavors and features
creative combinations. Starting April 22, 2021, SoFi Stadium will release a video each week announcing a concept and delving into its inspiration and ingredients. The videos will feature Jon and Vinny walking fans through the stadium’s innovative program. To watch the videos, go to SoFi Stadium’s YouTube channel, beginning April 22. Shaped from the diverse cuisines of the region, SoFi Stadium’s menus will feature high-quality ingredients paired with top-notch preparation, expertly scaled for a stadium of discerning
foodie fans. Building on their expert knowledge of the LA food scene, Jon and Vinny spent months of research and hundreds of hours in development at their test kitchen in Inglewood to create unique expressions of timeless stadium favorites, but with local flair. “The opening of SoFi Stadium is a monumental and historical moment for the city of Inglewood, City of Champions,” said Jon and Vinny. “We are super excited to be part of the LA Eats program at SoFi Stadium. The stadium, along with Legends, has made
it incredibly easy for us to transform how people think about stadium food.” SoFi Stadium’s state-of-the-art amenities and indoor-outdoor design will be incorporated into the presentation of its innovative food program to create a memorable experience. The stadium’s kitchens offer open-air spaces with breathtaking views of the city. Their expansive design features clear glass, with each kitchen placed in a location that always has sightlines to the field, videoboard or seating bowl. Fans will now be able to leave their seats for food and drink and not worry about missing the big play. The clear glass in SoFi Stadium’s kitchens allows food to be prepared in front of guest’s eyes. In a first for stadium design, SoFi Stadium features 100 percent live-fire kitchens. This allows for the stadium to produce food in each and every one of its kitchens. The culinary program was created in partnership with Legends, which will operate the stadium’s culinary program under the direction of Legends Executive Chef Robert Biebrich and Legends Vice President of Culinary Innovation Gretchen Beaumarchais.
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April 22 - 28, 2021
Justin Fields mystifying NFL draft stock
Off the chart numbers indicate he’s the best Black prospect ever
By Shannon Mia Belt, IT Itern
The plight of the Black quarterback has been documented from the moment Marlin Briscoe took on the starting position for the Denver Broncos in 1968. Despite having greats grace the top of the charts in the NFL and NCAA, teams still have a hard time putting all their eggs into young Black quarterbacks.
The latest story of this hails from Kennesaw, Georgia, and stretches to Ohio State University and on April 29 will be going to an undisclosed location. With the 2021 NFL Draft unfolding on April 22 in Cleveland, Ohio State’s Justin Fields finds himself in the top tier round one draft discussion. Standing at 6-foot3 and 228 pounds, Fields has utilized
his modern-day NFL quarterback size to rack up exceptional numbers for the Buckeyes. In the pandemic season of college football, Fields threw for 2,100 yards on 70.2% completion and only threw for six interceptions. With stats like this and two other seasons to show the consistency of this quarterback, Fields is not ticketed as the big prize of this upcoming draft.
CBS Sports and various writers from ESPN have Fields being the fourth quarterback picked in the draft coming behind Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, BYU’S Zach Wilson, and Alabama’s Mac Jones. The placement of Fields draft stock showcases a clear case of the Continued on page 8
Top cornerbacks projected to be on the board when the Rams pick
By Stu Jackson, Therams.com Staff Writer
Various experts, whether through mock drafts or other projections, have identified offensive line (both interior and tackles), linebacker, edge rusher, defensive line, and cornerback as positions of needs for the Rams heading into this year’s draft. As part of our coverage leading into it, theRams.com will be compiling lists of the top prospects available at each position, focusing primarily on the ones that will likely be on the board when Los Angeles is on the clock throughout the
NFL Draft. Having already covered interior offensive line, edge, linebacker and defensive line, we continue the series with a look at the best cornerback options, based on experts’ rankings. Florida State’s Asante Samuel Jr. (5foot-10, 180 pounds) Samuel led FSU in interceptions (3) and pass breakups (6) last year while starting eight games before opting out of the remainder of the season. A quick browse of recent mock drafts show him going in the second round, though a couple also project him potentially
going in the first. With Troy Hill departing in free agency, it’s reasonable to think the Rams could look to add another body to the cornerback rotation and shore up the depth there. Hill played inside (in the slot) and outside for the Rams last year; similarly, Samuel has experience playing outside with traits to play slot/ nickel cornerback. Samuel led FSU in interceptions (3) and pass breakups (6) last year while starting eight games before opting out of the remainder of the season. A quick browse of recent mock drafts show him going in the second round, though a couple also project him potentially going in the first. Washington’s Elijah Molden (5-9 1/2, 192) A First Team All-Pac-12 selection for the second consecutive year, Molden logged 26 total tackles, one interception and one pass breakup in four games in his 2020 senior season. According to NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein’s writeup, Molden has the skillset to play either safety or nickel cornerback. He’s been projected as a second-round pick in most mock drafts, though one has him going in the third. Syracuse’s Ifeatu Melifonwu (6-2 1/2, 205) Melifonwu popped up as a second-
round projection for the Rams in the latest mock draft roundup, so it’s only fitting to also include him here. An 11-game starter as a redshirt junior for the Orange in 2020, he tallied 55 total tackles (three for loss), plus one interception and nine pass breakups on his way to Third Team All-ACC recognition. According to Zierlein’s evaluation, Melifonwu is built like a safety but has the skillset to develop into a press-man cornerback on the outside. Central Florida’s Aaron Robinson (511 1/2, 186) Robinson is another cornerback prospect who has popped up as a possible second-round option for the Rams in mock drafts. The redshirt senior was a Second Team All-AAC selection in 2020 after leading the Knights with seven pass breakups and chipping in 41 total tackles while playing the slot. Standford’s Paulson Adebo (6-1, 198) Like Robinson and Melfonwu, we’ve seen Adebo’s name come up as a possible option for the Rams in Mock Drafts, but as a third-round option. Adebo opted out of the 2020 season, but in 2019, he collected 33 tackles, 10 pass breakups and four interceptions en route to First Team All-Pac-12 recognition.
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April 22 - 28, 2021
BUPPIE | BUSINESS
From NFL back-up to pioneer in coffee industry Justin Watson’s BLQK Coffee to share profit with communities By Kenneth Miller, Publisher
There are not too many if any NFL aficionados who will remember the name of reserve St Louis Rams running back Justin Watson who played with the team from 1999-2002. After all there was not much playing time to be had as back-up to 2011 Hall of Fame inductee Marshall Faulk. Watson, born in Bronx, New York, played three seasons with the Rams including their Super Bowl victory for the 2000 campaign. However, he received more fame as a player for what he said than what he did on the football field. During the 2001 Super Bowl against the New England Patriots and the Rams seemingly poised for victory, it was Watson who was caught on camera boasting “I told you, I like our chances.” Tom Brady eventually led the Patriots to 20-17 championship and a year later Watson was out of the league. Ironically it was during his years with the Rams he discovered coffee. “I kept falling asleep in team meetings and Marshall would tell me that I needed to drink so coffee to stay awake,” Watson explained to Inglewood Today. A groundbreaking National Coffee Association commissioned original research revealed the total economic impact of the coffee industry in the United States in 2015 was $225.2 billion. A wide swatch of those consumers are African Americans and people of color, but powerful conglomerates such as Starbucks and Folgers comprise the top brands.
Watson is aiming to carve his own niche into the pie chart with his new venture BLQK Coffee that will contribute proceeds from purchases to organizations that benefit marginalized children in underserved communities. “Coffee is the No. 2 commodity in the world and there are a lot of coffee brands out there, but not many people know what it takes to make a specialty coffee,” he said. “Every cup can be the agent of change for kids in our marginalized communities.” “BLQK Coffee is building legacies for our kings and queens. We use these acronyms so that our people can identify with us as a brand.”
BLQK is a direct consumer based subscription coffee brand with 25 percent of their profit earmarked for marginalized communities. Watson says the company uses select beans from Ethiopia and that are roasted each Tuesday to produce the freshest coffee. This business idea was first planted when fatigue prevented him from staying alert during film study. He described the taste as being bitter, but the routine started a morning ritual that propelled him into an industry of giants. “I realize what a difference roasted makes.”
Watson received an assist from NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnet in the evolution of BLQK. “We learned about a Black kid being kicked out of a Starbucks and discussed what could be done about it,” Watson recalled. And what is being done is revolutionary and game changing for an industry and also a culture. Not bad for a guy whose total career yardage in the NFL is just a fraction of what Faulk achieved.
Seagram’s Escapes Showcases Black Female Leaders By Kenneth Miller, Publisher
The Ongoing Series will Engage Noteworthy African-American Women Business Owners in Virtual Conversations with Rising AfricanAmerican Women Business Owners Chicago - Seagram’s Escapes recently hosted the first of many virtual conversations with prominent Black women, each a successful entrepreneur, as part of its femaledriven Empowerment Tour. The event, in partnership with Rolling Out, showcased and celebrated women who have blossomed in their respective fields as they each discussed their professional experiences and shared tips and tricks of how to navigate entrepreneurship as Black-women business owners. The inaugural panel, which took place March 26th was the perfect wrap-up for Women’s History Month.
Africa Miranda moderated, while Cynthia Bailey (Seagram’s Escapes brand ambassador and reality TV star), Khadeen Ellis, (actress and influencer), and Monique Rodriguez, (CEO of Mielle Organics) all participated in the panel. Each woman is a trailblazer in her respective industry in a groundbreaking way and they collectively discussed how they have flourished in their professional lives. “I’m not afraid to fail; I’m not afraid to fall on my face,” said Bailey, an entrepreneur and tour staple of reality TV fame, during the discussion. “I’ve lived most of my life uncomfortable. I’ve always had that ambition and that sense of ‘let me just see what happens because if you do nothing, nothing happens. If you do something, even if what you do doesn’t work it, it’s going to lead you to something that is going to work out.”
Bailey started working with Seagram’s Escapes in 2018 and launched her own signature flavor in 2019, Peach Bellini, which has become a top favorite with Seagram’s Escapes drinkers. Today, she is an ambassador for the brand and has been involved with the Empowerment Tour since its inception in 2019. Seagram’s sponsored this virtual panel to empower women and to create a stronger bond within the entrepreneurial community. Throughout the conversation, the panelists shared their individual insights, tips, and affirmations for success in navigating both career and life. “If you are deliberate about the way you want to achieve your goals, then you are ultimately setting yourself up for success,” Ellis said during the discussion. “People measure success
in different ways. For me, I measure success in happiness. It is the freedom to do things you want to do, not have to do.” she added. “When you think of building a business, there’s no straight path to success, it’s a rollercoaster,” added Rodriguez. “When the rollercoaster drops all of a sudden, you have to have that foundation to build upon as well as humility. My superpower is having that foundation of faith and humility.” This Empowerment Tour is a continuation of an initiative Seagram’s Escapes started the Fall of 2019 when Seagram’s Escapes began a seven-city, national empowerment tour hosted at colleges and universities. Similar to this year’s tour, the 2019 tour featured inspiring conversations by a panel of local women, including Bailey, Continued on page 8
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How to save water, money, and the Earth
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or area residents looking for ways to reduce their cost of living and increase their quality of life during these challenging times, sustainable home improvement projects can save water and money. One useful resource for budget-friendly and eco-friendlier ways to improve water use efficiency at home is your local water district and/or utility.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021089797 The Following Person Is Doing Business As: Law Offices Of Leann Jones 1012 N. LaBrea Avenue Inglewood, CA 90302
Registered Owner: Leann Radochonski, 1012 N. LaBrea Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90302 This business is conducted by a company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on April 15, 2021 I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) Leann Radochonski, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk on April 15, 2021 NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.) Original April 22, 29; May 6, 13, 2021 IT0042230120020161 Inglewood Today
Continued from page 1: Rodney King’s...
recognized that white people were waving in support of us. Then an older white man declared this police brutality has to stop,” added Grimes. Grimes and his daughter both became emotional during a march that consisted of one percent Black people. They would attend another two weeks later in North Hollywood. After jurors in a Minneapolis court room convicted former police Derek Chauvin of the murder of George Floyd on April 20 it galvanized a nation of advocates against police brutality and it also brought back candid memories of Los Angeles motorist Rodney King. The two events are eerily similar in many respects. Both Floyd and King were large Black men who measured 6’4 and 6’3, respectively. The two of them also had a history of drug addiction. They both became the symbol of police brutality and racial injustice. Collectively albeit separately, they are individuals whose fate at the hands of police inspired all of us to go beyond burning down the neighborhood and transforming our activism into legislative change. We are still quite far from getting there, but the beating of Rodney King and the killing of George Floyd is pressuring the scales of justice that has always been tilted towards injustice. “I’ve been following what’s been happening all across the nation. The Chauvin verdict is just a drop in the bucket, but because of George Floyd we are at a better place. Simi Valley gave me a sense of hope that perhaps we can end racism,” Grimes concluded.
PLACE YOUR DBAS, PROBATES, TRUSTEE NOTICES, LEGAL NOTICES, SUMMONS AND MORE IN
Harold C. Williams, MSCE, P.E., President of the West Basin Municipal Water District, which provides drinking water to cities and county areas in the coastal Los Angeles area, notes how water saving programs available to residents provide an opportunity to become environmental stewards. “By saving water, not only are you saving money, but you are protecting your community and the Earth,” he said. “Using less water takes practice, until conservation becomes a habit. Sometimes you just need a little help to keep going, which is where we come in.” Here are a few tips to help you kick off and keep up efforts to take better care of our earth’s water resources. First, become more familiar with your water providers. You probably know who sends you your water bill, but do you know where they get their water? There are municipal and regional water entities, like West Basin, that offer their own rebate programs and partner with other utilities to provide conservation resources for the community. Second, remember that businesses are community members too. Even though outdoor residential water use is a major area of focus, there are also programs to help reduce water usage in the commercial and industrial sector. Third, take action today! For example: visit the West Basin website; view a list of water-saving devices qualified for rebates; check if you are eligible for free devices or rebates by taking a survey; sign up for a class; or email a representative to ask a question. Getting started with one of these actions could lead to hundreds of dollars of savings on a high-efficiency washing machine, a free rain barrel valued at approximately $100, incentives to replace grass and invaluable educational opportunities.
The West Basin Municipal Water District West Basin is governed by an elected Board of Directors, who oversee the District and the programs that provide safe, reliable water. Harold C. Williams President
Gloria D. Gray
Desi Alvarez
Scott Houston
Donald L. Dear
Immediate Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Vice President
Which West Basin programs can save you money?
Residential Free Rain Barrels Reduce your water bill by reusing captured rain water to irrigate your landscape and/or garden with a free rain barrel delivered directly to your home. westbasin.org/rain-barrels
$
Money and Water-Saving Rebates Residents may qualify to receive a rebate to replace grass lawns with beautiful native landscapes. Also available, a $500 rebate for a high-efficiency clothes washer. westbasin.org/conservation Free Workshops Virtual workshops about grass removal, garden design, firescaping, recycled water tours and more are available at no cost. westbasin.org/water-lab
Commercial / Business Free Kitchen Appliances and Rebates Restaurants, hotels, schools and other commercial kitchens can save money by saving water with appliance rebates of up to $6,000. westbasin.org/c4k Water Bottle Filling Station Grants Grants of up to $2,000 are available for cities, schools and other public entities for the installation of filling stations that provide public access to drinking water. westbasin.org/fillingstations
SAVE MONEY AND SUBMIT ONLINE AT WWW.INGLEWOODTODAY.COM OR CALL: 1.888.676.1011
Partner Rebates Check with West Basin partners Metropolitan, California Water Service, Golden State Water Company and your city for additional rebates and resources. socalwatersmart.com
Learn more about West Basin’s conservation programs by visiting www.westbasin.org @WestBasin
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Continued from page 6: Seagram’s...
Continued from page 5: Justin Fields...
who shared unique perspective as an entrepreneur, model and entertainer. Due to COVID 19, unfortunately, the tour was cut short and ended in February 2020 after four stops. While past iterations of the Seagram’s Escapes Empowerment Tour provided attendees with a day of inspiration and empowerment, along with personable engagements with panelists and featured guests, the 2021 tour will bring the same level of excitement and impact. “The insight that the panelists provided at the inaugural Empowerment Tour was valuable, sharp and inspiring,” said Lisa Texido, Seagram’s Escapes brand manager. “We’re proud to bring events to life that champion and empower women, and it’s rewarding to sponsor a panel that provides solutions to our community as we all navigate through this unpredictable and challenging climate.” The upcoming panels discussion in the virtual tour will each feature four new inspiring women who have gone above and beyond in their lines of work, where they will discuss how they paved their own paths to success, and how they thrive in their respective industries. The schedule for the next discussions as follow:
extra steps that come for every Black quarterback attempting to get teams to not only acknowledge your skills but build trust-enough trust to put the weight of an entire franchise on their back. We can take a look at the stats and go play-by-play comparing Fields to the other top prospect quarterbacks but the ultimate difference in why one gets drafted before the other goes beyond the numbers. When you have commentators such as ESPN’S Dan Orlovsky questioning the young quarterback’s work ethic and on whether or not his desire to be a “great” quarterback was alive and well it is easy for teams to say maybe we’ll go with the other guy. The notion that Black athletes even more specifically quarterbacks are cocky and rely on their natural talents instead of having a hard worker, “humble” characteristic like how many experts would qualify white quarterbacks is outdated. Despite having quarterbacks like Russel Wilson who managed to slip out of this trope, the lingering notion can be seen in the mock drafts and could prove to be a key deterrent of the success of Black quarterbacks in both the NFL and NCAA. Fields won’t be the first and won’t be the last quarterback to get drafted later than they actually should have simply because of race and the lack of trust between NFL teams and Black quarterbacks. The stats, size, build and impact he had on Ohio State’s 2020 season considered it is no question that Fields will be picked up early in the first round by a team in need of a versatile quarterback. Whether it be the ninth pick for the Broncos, the seventh pick for the Detroit Lions, or even the third pick for the San Francisco 49ers Fields will make his way to the NFL even it means going later than he should in the draft.
Saturday, April 24, 7 p.m. EST - RIDE Conference: Business & Entrepreneurship Saturday, May 29, 7 p.m. EST - Design & Dialogue: Chefs and Mixologist Edition Saturday, June 26, 7 p.m. EST - Star Studio: Roast & Toast – Comedians Edition
Did you know you have safety and health protections from COVID-19 at work?
Workers in California have the RIGHT to:
• • •
Protection from safety and health hazards, including COVID-19 Report an unsafe workplace Refuse to work in an unsafe condition
To file a confidential complaint about an unsafe workplace, contact your nearest Cal/OSHA district office. It is illegal for your employer to reduce your hours, fire you or otherwise retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Learn more about your RIGHTS and how to contact Cal/OSHA at dir.ca.gov/covid.
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