August 6, 2020

C e l e b r a t i n g 2 6 Ye a r s o f Service in Inglewood, Airport area Communities

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EYE ON THE CITY Rams

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& Lakers

“The King has Lakers on doorsteps to No. 17” See Page 5

August 6-12, 2020 VOL. 35, No. 32

Parent Power!

Marian Coffield prevailed in keeping Warren Lane open

By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

More than a month ago Inglewood Today published a front-page article detailing the closure of Warren Lane/ Daniel Freeman Middle School.

We were very critical of the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) and its board members of which three are up for reelection in November.

What was missing from that article was the power and influence of the parents who were vehemently protesting the closing of the predominantly Black student school.

They held one of the protest on the City Hall lawn that was attended

by Mayor James T. Butts, but their gathering did not appear to attract any attention, especially that of the individuals responsible for closing the school.

Marian Coffield was one of the leading parents that steadfastly continued to advocate keeping Warren Lane open.

Coffield is a longtime Inglewood resident and her 8-year old son Kaj is a student at Warren Lane.

“Warren Lane was not my first choice, but it didn’t make sense to go far away,” she explained to Inglewood Today as the reason for sending her son to the school.

She was impressed with the curriculum at Warren Lane. The first year her son was exposed to arts, dancing, singing and sports, but in the second year all programs had evaporated except for music.

The following year the school faced closure.

“There were a lot of things that

happened very quickly,” she said. “(During board meetings) people were allowed to speak but their comments were not addressed.”

Matters escalated from bad to worse when the COVID-19 pandemic forced meetings to be held virtual while offices were closed.

“It was as if they were (IUSD and administrators) were running things as they saw fit,” Coffield added.

She argued there was a lack of Continued on page 7

Coronavirus Recession Inspires Unprecedented Commitment to LA County Arts Funding communities more equitable access to the rich and diverse arts opportunities that Los Angeles County has to offer,” Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said.

“This critical investment will boost the recovery of the region’s creative economy and help ensure that all of Los Angeles County’s residents share in the invaluable benefits of the arts.”

“The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have deeply affected arts organizations in many of the same ways as other commercial businesses,” said Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. “With this motion, we are finding ways to continue to provide support to our local arts nonprofits and making sure that the healing power of the arts continues to be available to

IT News Wire

As the coronavirus continued to curtail the regional economy, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas introduced a motion to provide an additional $3.6-million for arts organizations. On the heels of a historic antiracism motion, this motion addresses systemic inequities in the arts. Co-authored by Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and approved by the Board of Supervisors, the motion will expand the Organizational Grant Program through additional funding for arts organizations during one of the most challenging economic environments of the twenty-first century.

“The Organizational Grants Program has been a key part of the County’s efforts to provide underserved

Continued on page 7

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Page 2

August 6-12, 2020

Groups Aim to Shoot Down Rule That Would Let Lawmakers Vote When Absent

Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Lobbying firms, public interest advocates and some California constitutionalists are concerned about what would happen if the legislature approves a rule that would allow lawmakers to vote in their absence.

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They are also urging Californians to vote no on similar measure that might make it to the November ballot as a proposition.

“It has been widely reported that the Assembly is going to consider a ‘rule’ allowing ‘proxy voting’ on the Floor,” wrote Thomas W. Hiltachk, the attorney for the Institute of Governmental Advocates (IGA) in a letter to Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) and Diane Boyer-Vine, the legislative counsel at the State Capitol. The IGA is a nonpartisan organization that represents professional lobbyists and lobbying firms in Sacramento.

“The proposed rule is clearly unconstitutional and threatens the legality of any bill passed using proxy votes,” Hiltachk’s letter continued.

“The Legislature cannot now by rule, [do] that what can only be achieved by amending the Constitution.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how people in California live and transact business in almost every aspect of life – from personal activities like grocery shopping and dining out to social and civic duties like voting and serving on juries.

It is no different for the legislature.

“Given a spike in COVID-19 cases across the state, the Assembly is obliged to pursue safety with more stringent measures,” Speaker Rendon said in a statement explaining the rationale of allowing members to vote when they are not present for a vote. “As a result, we will implement very limited proxy voting for floor sessions to allow our most vulnerable members to participate without being physically present on the Assembly floor.”

When state lawmakers returned to Sacramento on July 27 from an extended, two-week recess, Assembly Majority Floor Leader Ian Calderon (D-Whitter) introduced House Resolution 100 (H.R. 100).

If the proposition makes it to the November ballot – and if voters approve it -- the measure would allow California legislators, from a distance and without physical contact, vote in a legislative proceeding -- or to vote by proxy in a legislative proceeding. The vote will have to be permitted by the Assembly or Senate in the event of a state of emergency declared by the governor or the President of the United States.

The measure was put into action after California Black Legislative Caucus (CBLC) member and Assemblywoman Autumn Burke (D-Inglewood) contracted COVID-19 in June.

Burke said in a Twitter post at the time that she had “mask to mask” exposure to COVID-19 on June 26 and was tested for coronavirus on the 4th of July. She was present on the Assembly floor on June 10, she said, when she voted in favor of allowing a measure to be placed on the ballot that could reverse Prop 209, a 24-year-old law that bans Affirmative Action in the state.

Burke, 46, who was elected to represent California’s 62nd Assembly District in 2014, went into quarantine with her six-year-old daughter.

“I was shocked, disappointed, and heartbroken,” Burke said after she learned she tested positive for coronavirus. “It’s been a tough journey.

For us, my daughter and I were symptom-free. So, (it was) much less for us about actually having it. But the heartbreaking feeling that you will feel is when you know that you have affected somebody, put their life in jeopardy, will destroy you.”

The main focus of H.R. 100 is to have the California State Assembly adopt a rule to allow proxy voting during the COVID‑19 state of emergency. Like Burke, the pandemic has affected other members of the legislature and staff.

But even with the risks, some

advocates say the process of making laws is too important to not follow standard procedures.

“We know there’s a crisis, but we have to hold people voting on legislation that will impact all of our lives accountable,” said Salena Pryor, founder of the Black Small Business Association. “One of the dangers of rewriting the voting rules is that you shake up the entire process and we have no guarantee that the public will have a chance to give our input and let our elected officials know how we feel about the legislation.”

HR 100 first was introduced into the California State legislature as Assembly Constitutional Amendment 25 (ACA 25) on May 21. The Assembly voted 60 to 13 to pass ACA 25 on June 10. The California State Senate did not vote on ACA 25 before the deadline on June 25 or the extended deadline of July 1, 2020.

Then, on June 26, the Assembly voted 47 to 16 to pass Senate Bill (SB) 300.

SB 300 allows for more time to place ACA 25 and two other constitutional amendments on the ballot for Nov. 3. On June 29, the Senate voted 29 to 8 to pass SB 300 and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed SB 300 into law the following day.

Hiltachk insists that proxy voting is unconstitutional, arguing that legislators have a duty to make the sacrifice to vote in person even if there is danger involved.

“Many Californians have been classified as ‘essential’ workers. They show up to work every day, many caring for the sick, disabled, aged, or infirmed.

Many work to keep our communities safe and others work to keep the engine of the State’s necessary economy running. In our view, Members of the Legislature are also ‘essential,’ and adequate safeguards can be put in place to protect all of us,” he wrote.

Page 3

August 6-12, 2020

EYE ON THE CITY GEORGE DOTSON

ALEX PADILLA

JAMES BUTTS

ELOY MORALES

RALPH FRANKLIN

AROUND THE CITY

Fiesta Martin Restaurant Great Food and Service Despite COVID 19 Restrictions

By Francis Taylor, Senior Correspondent

As restaurants throughout the City of Inglewood and indeed the region have suffered major losses and been unable to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic do to climbing costs and revenue loss, they have shut their doors with uncertain futures. As a result of the city-wide shut down issued March 15, 2020, a lot of mom and pop restaurants permanently closed, and many chains like McDonalds and Starbucks have decided to completely surrender hundreds of their operating restaurants altogether.

While restaurants are permanently closing every day, Fiesta Martin, located in the heart of Inglewood at 64th and Labrea, refused to be one of those

restaurants that let the blow-back from slow business, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, be a reason to close.

While the city has opened and closed again, Fiesta Martin has been offering great food and service the whole time.

The family-owned and operated business felt it was their responsibility to remain open so their employees could continue to feed their families and to keep satisfying loyal customers. Initially, cooks and Janitors turned into drivers so they could remain employed, as Fiesta Martin offered free local delivery citywide during the first stages of the shut down. However, they did have to lay a few people off. It was extremely important for them to show leadership

and to be a pillar of hope for people in the community by remaining open.

They have implemented more affordable specials to make sure the support of the community is reciprocated.

Fiesta Martin owners and staff have done a tremendous job so far, and the minute the City of Inglewood and the State of California said outdoor dining would be allowed, it was a no brainer for them as they had always planned to bring all of their employees back to work, which they now have been able to do. They have completely transformed their parking area into an outdoor, tented dining area that allows for social distancing and business couldn’t be better.

“As long as everyone knows their role and continues to play their strengths, Fiesta will continue to thrive and be open for the duration of the pandemic! The most challenging part is not adapting, but managing the pivots and being able to execute for the sake of employees and customers safety, while following guidelines,” said owner, Christian Martin. In addition to also owning the Fiesta Marin on Florence and La Brea and the Juice Bar next door, both of which have remained open during the entire pandemic, they are opening another location across the street from city hall, next door to Hilltop Café in December; no matter if the pandemic is over or not.

Inglewood Library Offers Curbside Service When to Wear a Face Mask

By Francis Taylor, Senior Writer

The Inglewood City Council did not meet this week so it was appropriate to provide some information about the Inglewood Public Library located adjacent to City Hall.

If you do not have an Inglewood Public Library Card, you may apply for the NEW Digital Library Card. You may use your Digital Library Card to access all of the Online Resources offered by the Inglewood Public Library. To get more information, visit link in bio to apply #library #inglewoodlibrary #reading #education #inglewood If you lost your job as a result of COVID-19 or otherwise looking for work and need help writing and formatting your resume, the Inglewood Public Library is offering resume writing assistance to members of the community on Tuesday’s from 2-3pm.

For more information, you may visit link in bio #resume #resumehelp #inglewood #inglewoodlibrary #resumebuilder.

The Inglewood Public Library is also continuing their efforts to

provide expanded access to our resources, by offering Curbside Service and Home Delivery Service for card holders. These services will provide safe access to physical materials through contactless curbside pickup.

Curbside Service Hours are from 10am-4pm. For more information, please visit link in bio #Inglewood #reading #library #inglewoodlibrary. In addition, FREE MOVIES are available to Inglewood Public Library card holders. Visit https://cityofinglewood.kanopy. com/ for more information .

Also, as a community service, the Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP) is hosting an Online Workshop Series entitled Hot Topic Tuesday. The workshops are an online discussion series of substance use/ abuse prevention-related topics and its relevance to current community issues.

The last Hot Topic was scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, and the topic was, “Educator’s Perspective on Virtual

See the chart above for more detailed information

Learning during COVID-19”. For more information on the next online workshop and topic contact Ms. Jessica Abaya at jabaya@aadapinc.org.

2t2Sponlsoredh. · If you are not sure when to use a mask the City of Inglewood has posted what you need to know to remain safe

and stay ‘above ground, as prepared by the Center for Disease Control.’

Wear a mask when you are in a public setting, especially when it is difficult stay 6 feet away from others not living in your household. Learn more at bit.ly/HowToWearCFC @cdcgov #readyinglewood #inglewood.

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August 6-12, 2020

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

Adding More Color to Corporate Boards: New Bill Demands More Diversity Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media

In response to calls for more diversity among corporate leaders in America, Assemblymembers Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) and Eloise Gomez Reyes (D-San Bernardino) have cosponsored AB 979. The legislation requires publicly held corporations headquartered in California to have at least one member on their board of directors from an under-represented community by the end of 2021.

The bill defines under-represented groups as “Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, Native Hawaiian, or Alaska Native.”

AB 979 also requires that Californiabased public corporations with more than four but fewer than nine directors to have at least two directors from under-represented communities, and corporations with nine or more directors to have at least three from under-represented communities, by the end of 2022. The bill would authorize the Secretary of State to impose fines

Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena)

for violations of these quotas.

“Corporations have money, power, and influence,” said Holden. “If we are going to address racial injustice and inequity in our society, it’s imperative that corporate boards reflect the diversity of our state. One great benefit of this action -- corporations with ethnically diverse boards have shown to outperform those that lack diversity.”

There is a precedent for this type of legislation. In 2018, the legislature passed SB 826, which required public corporations based in California to have at least one female director on its

Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens)

board by the end of 2019, with required increases similar to those outlined in AB 979.

According to Harvard’s “Missing Pieces Report: The 2018 Board Diversity Census of Women and Minorities on Fortune 500 Boards,” only 19.5% of board-of-director seats were held by people of color in 2018.

11.9% of them were Black.

“The lack of diversity on California’s boards and upper level corporate positions is a challenge we urged corporations to address on their own during our time in the Legislature.

Eloise Gomez Reyes (D-San Bernardino).

However, it is clear we can no longer wait for corporations to figure it out on their own,” said Garcia. “By ensuring diversity on their boards, we know the corporations are more likely to both create opportunities for people of color and give them the support to thrive within that corporation.”

The Senate Banking and Finance Committee has scheduled an Aug. 13 hearing on AB 979, Holden’s staff told California Black Media.

National Library leaders to help strengthen communities IT News Wire

CHICAGO –American Library Association (ALA) President Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., will pay a virtual visit to the John Brown Watson Memorial Library at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where he will discuss how libraries at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) shape leaders within their communities.

Watson Memorial Library will host a roundtable discussion, Strengthening Communities and Developing Leaders at HBCU Libraries, to illustrate the role of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Libraries in developing the leaders of tomorrow. The event features a panel of longstanding leaders in HBCU librarianship, as well as some rising stars. Joining Jefferson are leaders from Black Caucus American Library Association (BCALA), as the organization marks its 50th anniversary and the library community celebrates BCALA’s contributions to developing leaders in the profession: Edward Fontenette, Library Director, John Brown Watson Memorial Library

Shauntee Burns-Simpson, BCALA President, and Manager of School Outreach, New York Public Library Dr. Jessie Carney Smith, Dean Emeritus of the Library, Fisk University Andrew ‘Sekou’ Jackson, Executive Director Emeritus, Queens Library’s Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Cener, and Trustee, Queens Public Library Kathy Anderson, Director, D.W. Reynolds Library & Technology Center, Philander Smith College “Watson Memorial Library and HBCU libraries across the nation are cultivating a new generation of leaders, empowering students as they grow intellectually and professionally,” said Jefferson. “Many of these successes take place in the shadows. Their stories need to be told, their local community and professional organization need to listen, and their elected leaders need to support them.”

BCALA President Shauntee BurnsSimpson said, “At this time, when we are working to eradicate white supremacy and break down systemic racism, it’s important that we build

up and support our next generation of leaders. HBCUs create a space that allows for Black innovation. It’s that work and imagination that strengthens our communities and improves lives.”

Watson Memorial Library is the fifth stop on Jefferson’s 12-stop virtual tour, Holding Space: A national conversation series with libraries, to spotlight how libraries of all kinds across the country are addressing the needs of their diverse communities and engaging stakeholders to advocate for libraries. At each stop of the 10-day tour, Jefferson will hold community discussions exploring local and national solutions to local and national issues addressed by libraries, such as workforce development programs, children and family services, outreach to rural residents, and broadband for rural and Tribal communities.

Throughout the tour, Jefferson will also invite participants to join ALA advocates, who are currently supporting the Library Stabilization Fund Act to provide federal resources to libraries during the COVID pandemic. For more information on tour stops and ALA

advocacy efforts visit http://www.ala. org/advocacy/holding-space .

Media interested in registering for the event or speaking with ALA President Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., library leaders or advocates, may contact Macey Morales, deputy director, ALA Communications and Marketing Office, at (312) 280-4393 or mmorales@ala. org, Shawnda Hines, assistant director, communications, ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office at 1 (800) 9418478 or shines@alawash.org, or Steve Zalusky, Communications Specialist, ALA Communications and Marketing Office, at (312) 280-1546 or szalusky@ ala.org.

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August 6-12, 2020

Sports & Entertainment The King has Lakers on doorsteps to No. 17

By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

Kobe Bryant is smiling from above.

Laker fans are as happy as a kid with cotton candy at an amusement park.

The Lakers brass of Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka can exhale for now.

The Lakers are the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference for the first time in a decade after defeating the Utah Jazz in Orlando at Disney World on Monday, clinching the most defining moment during the LeBron James era.

As monumental as the achievement was, it was equally surreal. Confined to finishing the season in a bubble, harnessing and processing boiling racial divisions of a country besieged by raging coronavirus pandemic and Kobe Bryant is gone.

Since arriving to the Lakers from Cleveland two years ago, hope sprang eternal among Laker nation that there would be championship parades and banners flying all over again.

LeBron as not welcomed to Lakerdom with open arms, many still clang to the glorious legacy of favorite son Kobe and struggled to accept him.

Then Kobe died in a horrifying helicopter crash that also claimed the life of his prodigy daughter Gianna and seven others.

LeBron was as emotionally shaken as he’s ever been through the greatest grief in the history of the franchise.

The legacy that many refused to associate him with, he then embraced it and vowed to carry it.

This is not the way LeBron envisioned his final chapter unfolding.

But this is where LeBron and the

Lakers find themselves On the stepladder looking up at banner No. 17, but the Lakers have yet to play their first playoff game in seven years.

They done a lot, but achieved nothing.

LeBron is used to navigating a franchise from dubious distinction to glorious oblivion.

I lived in Cleveland and covered him for the final four years there, and the exact number of years on his contract with the Lakers is four.

He’s in year three now, has a nice side kick in Anthony Davis and the scattered debris of a puzzle that aspire to match pieces for the portrait of a championship team.

LeBron is at age 35 and this title run rest on his broad 6’8 shoulders and he clearly understands that a championship in LA at this precise moment would elevate his stature into a unique club, a special club.

It’s not as if LeBron really needed any of this. He’s already going to go down as the best player to ever lace up a pair of sneakers not named Jordan.

However, since LeBron made the decision to come one of the most treasured franchises in all of pro sports he understands the fickle responsibility that with this team its NBA championship or bust. They don’t hang conference banners in Staples Center.

Providing he rises to the occasion, all of the royal trinkets that come with such a prize will be at your fingertips, but anything short…well that’s just uncivilized.

“THE INVISIBLE Wife” My Struggle Behind the “HOLLYWOOD” Spotlight My journey to Emotional, Spiritual and Physical Wellness An Inspirational memoir By Robin Goings IT News Wire

I was trapped in an emotionally abusive marriage in Hollywood and the only way to endure and eventually overcome it all was to seek emotional, spiritual and physical wellness. My triumphant story can inspire many women!

Things took a horrid turn the day my husband called me at our home in Los Angeles from the studio in New York where he was filming his HBO comedy special. “Don’t come to New York,” he told me in regard to my flight out to support him. “If you do, I’m gonna embarrass you.” The way he saw it-and pointedly informed me, his newfound level of success was his world and I no longer had a place in it.

Cruel antics such as this haunted the marriage that I had mistakenly

believed would be my happy ever after, thus providing the crux of my story. “THE INVISIBLE WIFE” My Struggle Behind the “HOLLYWOOD” Spotlight is my inspirational memoir that provides the chronicles of my life prior to, during and ultimately after a turbulent relationship and divorce Readers of Karrine Steffan’s bestselling Confessions of a Video Vixen proved how much they crave the juicy and scandalous details of celebrity relationships. And the followup success of Carmen Bryan’s It’s No Secret; From Nas to Jay-Z, from Seduction to Scandal-a Hip-Hop Helen of Troy Tell-All proved just how desirable such books can be.

The twist, for me, is that I was married to the man; I wasn’t his groupie!

Continued on page 7

Page 6

August 6-12, 2020

The Lion Queen

BUPPIE | BUSINESS COURTNEY BEACH

Pandemic leads young entrepreneur to Beach Blvd.

TOGETHER LET’S START GOOD TROUBLE

By Michelle Lyons, Columnist

John Robert Lewis also known as “The Conscience of Congress” passed away the same weekend as Minister CT Vivian, another extraordinary civil rights leader, on what would have been Nelson Mandela’s 102nd birthday.

In this politically charged year, John Lewis’s death felt like a martyr whose death passed the torch of the civil rights movement to the next generation. Who will be the next John Lewis? There will never be another John Lewis, but their will be thousands inspired to continue his legacy of GOOD TROUBLE. I, myself, have been wondering, “Am I getting into enough Good Trouble”?

John Lewis said, “If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you HAVE to speak up .You have to say something; you have to do something.”

There is stuff all around us and all around this country that is not right. I speak up all the time about homelessness, children services, and education; in fact, I’m getting into politics so my voice can be louder. But, I must admit over the years I have learned that you have to be good crazy to get into good trouble.

Because it is not easy bucking the system of oppression. In fact, Alexandria Ocasia Ortez said she was called crazy when she ran for office. But that’s just it people would much rather sit around and watch oppression than oppose it… until they are the victim or their child, and some people are so narcissist they won’t even buck the system for their children, but yet they will call you crazy for seeking justice. We live in a day and age that narcissism is at an all time high; it’s capitalism on steroids.

How do we put love, respect and honor into a society where there are children sleeping on the streets. The problem with America is not the government, The problem with America is the fact that the government reflects our values.

When we as a people start to care more about each other than money then our government will reflect that because we will demand it. I believe when we as a people have love, respect and honor at the top of our priority list then their will be no way systemic racism or any other inequality can exist. But when I see a mother, tell a 18 year old child she has to move out because that child doesn’t have rent money then I know we as a country have a long way to go because we as a people have along way to go.

Reagan believed in trickle down theory, I believe in trickle up or better yet….

Let’s get into Good Trouble and ALL RISE TOGETHER!

By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

For years, 31- year old Carson native Courtney Beach has been trying to figure out what he wanted to do with is life.

Beach, who starred at Rolling Hills Prep in basketball, toiled in obscure semi-pro leagues before deciding to give the sports of boxing a shot.

After two years of honing his jab and right cross, he came to grips that starting

a pugilistic career is much more difficult than he thought.

He was in his mid 20’s, a prime time for life discoveries, but late to make a splash in a sport where many of its permanent young stars hail from decorated amateur backgrounds.

So, he then returned to his first love of basketball and began coaching at a local charter school while deciding to take a job in parks and recreation.

It wasn’t until America and the world was hit with a global pandemic that would alter lives, as we knew it that, Beach decided to launch an apparel line.

“I always had a passion for being creative,” he explained to Inglewood Today.

“I felt the appeal to custom apparel was a good fit because it allowed for my creative juices to flow. After all I was on lockdown from the coronavirus so I had plenty of time to explore.”

“When it first hit, I had a lot of down time cause I was laid off work,” he added.

That down time appears to be paying dividends for Beach now.

His release of hoodies and sweatshirts has inspired him to seek a trademark for Beach Blvd.

Beach Blvd. is a trendy hoodie, sweat shirt and T-shirt line.

Beach Blvd Designs is a custom apparel company at first glance, but the dream is to build it into much more.

Many of his clients are realtors, but he has also been doing robust business for Black Lives Matter.

“It started as a dream a few years ago but when things got turbulent from the pandemic earlier this year, I took advantage of the situation and started my dream business.”

Ultimately, Beach envisions a career in industrial design, automotive, footwear or products.

He earned his Associates degree at Grays Harbor in the Pacific Northwest in Washington and is aiming to continue his education.

Who would have thought that the pandemic, which has been a nightmare, would spurn a new avenue of economic growth that trends on Beach Blvd. For more information contact Courtney

Letter to Automakers Outlines Concerns Regarding Fairness and Equity for Black Automotive Media NNPA News Wire

The Black Automotive Media Group (BAMG), has challenged the nation’s automakers to address fairness and equity regarding Black media who cover the industry.

BAMG is a distinguished group of seven Black reporters and writers who have over 150 years of combined experience in automotive journalism within radio, television, print, videography, event planning and influencing, and social media.

They represent a coalition of Black journalists who either work for or own various automotive media platforms.

In a letter to 20 U.S. market automaker brands, the BAMG outlined concerns over a lack of inclusion for Blacks in automotive media and in automobile industry corporate positions.

Automakers were asked to take action on the three pillars outlined in the letter: 1) Access to press and special events 2) The lack of automotive advertising and marketing dollars for Black-owned Websites, newspapers,

magazines, broadcast media, and marketing events 3) The lack of Black professionals who participate in developing, designing, engineering, or promoting new vehicles The letter also noted the lack of diversity on the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year (NACTOY) Jury, a prestigious panel of 50 North American journalists and engineers, which as of the release of our letter had no Black Jurors.

The BAMG feels that addressing these pillars is crucial to reversing decades of exclusion that Black automotive journalists have faced. As a result of the letter, all manufacturers responded, and a series of video calls were executed.

The conversations were informative and sometimes uncomfortable, and souls on both sides of the discussions were bared. “We need to be an adequate part of the solution,” said one automaker.

“We need a strategic corporate reset,” said another.

“These are interesting times of reflection for everyone. But it also marks a moment of introspection

for each individual that, in turn, comprises the totality of corporate culture in America,” stated BAMG member Kimatni D. Rawlins. “And the auto industry is not absolved due to equivalent philosophies, directives, and practices that have excluded African Americans from receiving a fair share of the resources and opportunities extended to mainstream media.”

Some brands responded with immediate solutions and pledges to enhance their diversity efforts to at least 15% for press event representation.

However, a few were less than contrite, which was disturbing. The BAMG made it clear that diversity directives can only be successful when the mission and portfolio are integral parts of the corporate vision.

Other progress includes electing two Black male journalists onto the NACTOY Jury shortly after a panel discussion with the Motor Press Guild (MPG) on the plight of Black journalists in automotive media, and after the BAMG industry letter reached automakers.

Most manufacturers Continued on page 7

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August 6-12, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICE Fictitious Business Name Statement

Continued from page 1: Parent...

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.)

Marquis Lamont Cox, Owner

transparency, something that other since closed schools complained about.

IUSD was more focused on escaping the mountain of debt and removing the district out of state receivership instead of providing the students with a quality education.

As student test scores plummeted the individuals responsible at the district and administration level were delinquent.

One board member who oversees Warren Lane commented that she did not know that the community around the school was so beautiful.

Coffield’s persistence and that of over 100 other parents of students at Warren

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on July 8, 2020.

Continued from page 6: Letter...

File No. 2020102125 The Following Person Is Doing Business As: Elite Signing Services 2200 W. Century Blvd., # 470736 1544 W. 111th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047 Registered Owner: Marquis Lamont Cox, 1544 W. 111th St., Los Angeles, CA 90047 This business is conducted by a company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on July 8, 2020

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.

asked for assistance from the BAMG in identifying the “next generation” of young Black journalists and social media devotees who are rising stars in automotive media.

These conversations are but a first step in a long journey, as a dedicated, long-term approach will help strengthen relationships not only with Black media but also within the African American The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious community. According to http:// 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 July 16, 23, 30; Aug 6, 20200 IT0042230120020134 Inglewood Today

Continued from page 5: “THE INVISIBLE...

More so, in an effort to champion the inevitable evolution of what women reading such books are hungry for, I will offer some of the grim and glitz of my life in Hollywood, but alsoand in vein of Married to Me: How Committing to Myself Led to Triumph After Divorce, the self-help memoir written by Dayanara Torres, ex-wife of singer Marc Anthony-I will detail the trappings of such fairy tales and provide the chronicles of my struggles and how I’m overcoming the financial ruins it left me in.

I don’t just want to tell my story: I need to provide an inspirational and informative resource for other women, single mothers especially, who are struggling through the legal system for help. It hasn’t been easy for menear unbearable to endure in fact-but if my cautionary re-telling can help ease another women’s journey, perhaps it will all have not been in vain.

The beginning of this manuscript will expose the details of my life prior to my marriage. I grew up upper middle class in Ohio but, upon becoming a single mother earlier in life, I embarked on a racy career as a waitress in one of the most successful

Lane prevailed in forcing the district to reverse its decision to close the school and instead will keep it open for at least one year.

“The big problem at this point is the community does not have a commitment from Dr. Erika Torres beyond one year,” she stated.

During a meeting with Torres, the state appointed administrator who supervises the district, she was able to obtain a lower student contingency than the previous 300 that was required to keep the school open. The requirement now is for adding 50 students, a number easily achievable, especially with the forced closure of charters Today’s Fresh Start and Century Academy For Excellence.

“We want Warren Lane mentioned in the bond language. We want a commitment from the district that this school is not going to be closed in June 2021 and that Warren Lane/Daniel Freeman will be in position to get the facilities upgrades as other schools in the district have,” she stated in a letter to the district obtained by Inglewood Today.

That Coffield has managed to do what no public official said could be done (the mayor remained neutral) demonstrates the power that parents wield when exercised.

She is not going anywhere, in fact it appears that she is just getting started.

www.nielsen.com, Black Americans contribute $1.2 Trillion annually to the U.S. economy, and their marketing and media value should reflect our buying power within the automotive sector.

The BAMG expects to meet quarterly with manufacturers to assess progress made towards greater inclusion.

Members of the Black Automotive Media Group include: •Greg Morrison, Bumper2Bumpertv

•Roosevelt Gist, AutoNetwork •Kimatni D. Rawlins, AutomotiveRhythms.com / FitFathers.com •Frank Washington, AboutThatCar. com •Ken Chester, RoadWorthy Drive Productions •Ronda Penrice, Freelance Writer •Brian Armstead, Autosense/ Roadgear

leadership and vision of the Board of Supervisors in recognizing the vital role of our County’s arts and culture organizations.”

“The Lula Washington Dance Theatre strongly supports the motion

by County Supervisors Mark RidleyThomas and Sheila Kuehl to increase funding for the County Department of Arts and Culture’s Organizational Grant Program,” said Lula Washington Dance Theatre Executive Director Erwin Washington. “The added funding will give arts organizations more support to rehire laid off workers and to bring great arts programming back to the County.”

“For the Korean American Music Foundation, the Organizational Grants Program has helped our youth orchestra meet its financial obligations the past few years, serving the local community through the two to three concerts that we put on annually. We strongly recommend that the Organizational Grant Program continues to grow and sustain the local youth and arts community, and as we’ve seen through the recent COVID-19 and civil rights unrest, we can truly see and appreciate that music does heal. Music can unite and get us through all the tough times,” said Korean American Music Foundation General Manager Gene Kam. “As a longtime grantee of the County, we’re excited to hear of the Board of Supervisors’ continued support for artists and a more equitable and just distribution of this support across the county,” said Contra-Tiempo Founding Artistic Director Ana María Alvarez.

“In a time of much uncertainty there is one thing that is clear—artists and arts organizations are actively envisioning and creating a future filled with more love, equity, justice and hope. It’s inspiring to know that the board is committed to supporting this future for Los Angeles.”

According to the motion, the County cannot afford the cultural and economic consequences of allowing community arts organizations to close their doors. As a critical part of the region’s economy, demonstrated by several years of substantial growth of the creative sector, and as a provider of arts and culture programs to underserved communities, these organizations are a key part of the solution to the current crises facing residents of the County.

The 2020 Otis Report on the Creative Economy finds that nearly 1 out of 5 jobs in Los Angeles County supported by the arts and creative economy with $67 billion in labor income and $203 billion in total creative economy output.

“The importance of the Arts and the Creative Economy as a source of job creation cannot be understated— it represents one of our greatest opportunities for the future,” said Supervisor Ridley-Thomas. “So this is not only an investment in the individuals working at arts organizations, this is a prudent investment in the future of our creative economy and the regional economic forecast at large.”

Continued from page 1: Coronavirus...

County residents in these troubled and stressful times.”

Despite several years of strong growth, the pandemic and resulting economic downturn has negatively impacted many arts organizations.

A survey by Americans for the Arts finds that 29 percent of the County’s non-profit arts organizations are “extremely likely” to make temporary or permanent reductions in staff; and 33 percent expect the financial impact of the pandemic to be “extremely severe.” A substantial percentage of the County’s arts organizations are in danger of permanently closing, leaving the long-term health of this sector in doubt and setting back hard-earned progress in making arts opportunities more accessible to disadvantaged communities.

“The Los Angeles region’s arts and culture sector is facing an unprecedented set of challenges right now. At the same time, the sustainability of our arts organizations is critical to the recovery, health, and wellbeing of the diverse communities that we reflect and serve,” said Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture Director Kristin Sakoda, who recently announced the department had been recognized with four Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties. “If funded, this motion will be the first major grants increase to the incredible array of LA County arts organizations in over a decade, and it advances another recommendation of the Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative, a significant achievement. I am grateful for the

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August 6-12, 2020

YES ON S.B. 793 KCO_2

NO MORE

candy-flavored tobacco and e-cigarettes.

NO MORE

loopholes for minty-sweet menthol.

NO MORE

preying on Black communities with candy-flavored poison.

CA LI F O R N I A L E AD E R S WH O S T R O N G LY S U P P O RT S . B . 7 9 3 OP-ED

“Legislators must pass S.B. 793 and stop tobacco from taking Black lives.” – REP. KAREN BASS Chair, Congressional Black Caucus

MALIA COHEN

CHAIR, CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

DR. VALERIE YERGER

COUNCILMEMBER, AFRICAN AMERICAN TOBACCO CONTROL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

SHAMANN WALTON

SUPERVISOR, SAN FRANCISCO

TONY THURMOND

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

CAROL MCGRUDER

LARRY REID

CO-CHAIR, AFRICAN AMERICAN TOBACCO CONTROL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

CITY COUNCILMEMBER, OAKLAND

HOLLY MITCHELL

MICHAEL TUBBS

STATE SENATOR AND MEMBER, CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS

MAYOR, STOCKTON

DR. PHILLIP GARDINER

CO-CHAIR, AFRICAN AMERICAN TOBACCO CONTROL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS

SUPERVISOR, LOS ANGELES COUNTY

CALIFORNIAFIGHTSFLAVORS.ORG/ TAKE-ACTION Paid for by Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund. 1400 I St NW #1200, Washington, DC 20005