January 11, 2024

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January 11-17, 2024

VOL. 39, No. 02

Statement on Behalf of Brenda Victoria Castillo, President & CEO, National Hispanic Media Coalition on the 2024 Golden Globes

Brenda Victoria Castillo President and CEO National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)

The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) congratulates the winners of the 2024 Golden Globes, especially the actors and artists of color who continue to trailblaze in our industry. It was a historic evening for actresses like Lily Gladstone, who took home the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for her role in Killers of the Flower Moon. With her win, she becomes the first Indigenousidentifying winner in the Globes’ 81year history. We commend Gladstone for giving part of her acceptance speech in the language that is native to the Blackfoot and Niitsitapi people, showing that Indigenous cultures fully deserve to be recognized on the industry’s biggest stages. From Ayo Edebiri’s win for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series for The Bear to Ali Wong and Steven Yeun’s wins for their Continued on page 7

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Inglewood City Council’s 2024 Session Begins With The Theme Of Giving Back By DPM

During the first 2024 session of the Inglewood City Council, Mayor James Butts, Jr. expressed his gratitude towards some students at Inglewood Unified School District. Despite the holiday season being over and the southland experiencing a brisk winter, the warmth of the students’ appreciation brightened the halls. The city donated $50 Target gift cards to economically disadvantaged youth in the district to bring some holiday cheer. In response, the students created a handmade booklet with pictures, handwritten notes, and inspired paintings to show appreciation. Butts was deeply appreciative of the booklet and overtaken by emotions. “The city is in a financial situation in which we could make sure that unhoused, foster, and socially disadvantaged youth in our school district somewhat of a Christmas,” said Butts. “We gave out close to 1,500 $50 gift cards for Target. The cards could be used for toiletries, toys, hygiene, and clothing. And they sent this book to use. It definitely touched my heart,” added Butts. With respect to the families’ privacy, the school district shared how much the students and their parents appreciated the city’s kind gesture. “The City of Inglewood’s thoughtful donation of Target Gift Cards that were distributed to IUSD students this holiday season brought joy and cheer to our youth, giving them the

opportunity to experience the spirit of the holidays in a special way,” said Dr. James Morris, Ed.D. County Administrator. The city’s “generosity has had a positive impact in the lives of our students,” he added. IUSD Board President Dr. Carliss McGhee has a close relationship with many of the teachers and students in her district. She knows firsthand how the gift cards made a difference in these inflationary times. “We are very grateful to Mayor

Butts and the City Council for always looking out for our families during the holidays,” said Dr. McGhee. “ The families’ faces tell the story – gratitude and thankfulness,” she added. Butts added that the city gave out $20,000 Champions Grants to 103 small businesses in Inglewood that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. This was an initiative created by the mayor and funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, a federal program.

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January 11-17, 2024

News You Might Have Missed Tanu Henry, Magaly Muñoz and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

Report: Police Officers Stop Black Californians 132% More Than Expected A California Department of Justice (DOJ) report released last week states that African Americans in California are stopped by law enforcement officers 132% more than expected, based on a comparison of stop data and residential population. The findings were included in the DOJ’s Race and Identity Profiling Advisory (RIPA) Board’s seventh annual report. The report analyzes millions of vehicle and pedestrian stops conducted in 2022 by 560 law enforcement agencies in the state. Established in 2016 as a result of Assembly Bill (AB) 953 written by former Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), RIPA aims to eliminate racial and identity profiling and foster diversity and racial and identity sensitivity within law enforcement. The 223-page report features the board’s view of pretextual stops where the stops result in resisting arrest charges, looks at the impact police unions have on law enforcement accountability and protocols for law enforcement training on racial and identity profiling, and examines youth interactions with police both in and out of schools. Black individuals made up 12.5% of stopped people analyzed in the report, with Hispanic/Latinos making up about 43% and Whites making up 32.5% of people. In a statement released Wednesday,

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Attorney General Rob Bonta commented on the guidance that RIPA has given to the state in the report. “The annual collection of the RIPA stop data is making California communities safer by directing thoughtful and reflective reform,” said Bonta. But not everyone agrees that the data presented by RIPA is accurate or informative. The Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), an organization that represents 80,000 public safety members and over 950 associations, said the report “does not capture enough information for the Board to even satisfy California’s own legal standard for determining racial profiling.” PORAC enlisted the help of Texas State University professor Dr. Brian Withrow to examine the data from the report which he found “inadequate in many ways.” “The best data sets are those that recognize the complexities associated with an issue and provide robust qualitative information. However, the data the RIPA Board collects and analyzes — despite the breadth of its reach — is woefully inadequate as a measure of potential racial profiling in routine operations,” Withrow said in a statement. Withrow recommended that other factors such as age, gender, and context of the communities where officers are assigned should all be taken into consideration along with race. He proposed that members of the RIPA Board sit down with police officers, oneon-one, to better understand why they might make a stop and how they proceed once they do. The Governor entrusts the CSAC with administering financial aid programs for students attending public and private universities, colleges, and vocational schools in California, according to the state agency’s website. The CSAC also advises policymakers on making higher education affordable and accessible

for to all eligible qualified California students. Sec. of State Weber Will Appeal Ruling Allowing Asm. Vince Fong to Run for Two Seats in Same Election In a statement, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber said she will appeal a California Superior Court decision that allows Republican Assemblymember Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) to run for seats in the United States Congress and the California State Legislature at the same time in the March 2024 primary election. “I strongly disagree with the outcome of this case, and I am gravely concerned about the consequences of today’s ruling,” Weber said. in a “I do agree, however, with the Court’s expressed concern that this ruling ‘may result in voter confusion and the disenfranchisement of voters if Fong is ultimately elected for both offices but does not retain one,’ and that it ‘defies common sense to find the law permits a candidate to run for two offices during the same election.” Fong is running for the seat currently held by his one-time boss, former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy (D-CA-20). He is also in the race to retain his current seat in the Assembly representing the 32nd District, which covers parts of Kern and Tulare counties. “Today’s ruling is a victory for the voters of the 20th Congressional District, who will now have the opportunity to select the candidate of their choice in the March 5th election,” Fong celebrated in a statement. Weber says as California’s “Chief Election Officer,” she has a duty to protect the votes of Californians. “As such, my office will appeal this ruling in an effort to ensure that voters in future elections will not become disenfranchised, be left without representation, or become subject to other unforeseen negative consequences that would erode confidence in our elections,” she said.

Proposal to Create University of California Online Could Generate Hundreds of Millions of Dollars As of the time this news brief was written, the Secretary of State (SOS) of California had not yet declared it eligible, but a proposal to establish the University of California Online (UCO) as its own semi-autonomous institution may appear on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot as an “initiated constitutional amendment.” Last week, the state’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) released its analysis of the measure that will create the UCO as an institution administered by the University of California (UC). In a letter to Attorney General Rob Bonta, the LAO said creating the virtual university exposes the state to some financial costs and risks initially, but California could generate hundreds of millions of dollars to “low billions of dollars” in revenue every year. If the measure’s sponsors meet all the SOS’ requirements and the initiative makes it to the ballot, voters will have the option to approve UCO as an online university that has its own president, faculty, academic senate, budget and endowment. The Board of Regents would have the authority to appoint the virtual school’s president. The initiative also proposes that UCO offers an online version of every course the University of California, California State University (CSU) and Community Colleges of California (CCC) lists in their catalogs to in-state and out-of-state students either on a for-credit or audit basis. In both cases, tuition would be charged. “All of the cost is to be covered through student tuition revenue generated by the new university,” wrote the LAO in its letter to Bonta. “The measure is not intended to have any direct fiscal impact on state or local governments.” California Concealed-Carry Law Blocked … for the Second Time Continued on page 8


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January 11-17, 2024

Funding “Is Not Fair”: Advocates Want More Green Spaces in Black Neighborhoods

McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

On a sunny December morning in Inglewood, Center Park was bustling. Among the people enjoying one of the city’s smaller green spaces, were two women on a Zoom call sitting at a picnic table. “It’s really upkept, quite secluded,” one of the women said, appreciating the park. “I’ve seen people mingle. I’ve seen soccer practices,” she added. Just as the parkgoers in Inglewood cherish their outdoor public recreational facilities, these spaces are valued assets within communities and their proximity can influence real estate prices. However, some advocates say the state is not developing and maintaining community recreational facilities equally. They point out that green spaces in neighborhoods where Black Californians live remain underfunded even though the state has invested billions of dollars over the last decadeand-a-half to improve them. “They need to have a system to get money to the Black communities,” said Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., a Los Angeles-based businessman, civil rights activist, and philanthropist. “They will tell you they have a system to make sure it’s not unfair, but the way they do the funding is not fair,” continued Bakewell, the only Black member of the California State Park and Recreation Commission. “Black people are not getting that money.” Bakewell has expressed concerns the scoring system employed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP) to determine how funds are distributed does not benefit African American cities and neighborhoods. Defending its operations and application process, the SPP says giving all Golden State residents -- especially those living in disadvantaged areas -- access to open outdoor spaces is its main goal. State Parks Deputy Director for Community Engagement Sedrick Mitchell said SPP has, “placed green spaces in places where they weren’t before.” SPP’s grants initiative, according to Mitchell, is the largest parks-related

program in California history. It has funded $1.16 billion in construction, expansion, or renovation of 299 parks since 2009. Center Park in Inglewood is one of 120 expanded or renovated parks. The park’s $2.7 million revitalization was

Legislative Caucus Assemblymembers Karen Bass (D – Ladera Heights), Curren Price (D – Inglewood) and Sandré Swanson (D-Oakland). Legislative actions have funded the program since. The state park’s office of Grants

rounds. Over $6 billion of the projects went unfunded. Applications are evaluated in a competitive process. Project approval is determined by a scoring system that awards a maximum of 100 points. SPP says, the main qualifying

completed in the early 2010s. . SPP was created by Assembly Bill 31 in 2008, which included among its co-authors former California Black

and Local Services received $7.69 billion in park project requests from local jurisdictions, nonprofit groups, and other entities in SPP’s first four

criterion for funding is the ratio of park acreage per 1,000 residents living near the park, the median household income of those residents, and the number of residents living below the poverty line. “If you have zero acres, you are likely to get the most points,” Mitchell explained. “If you have two acres, you are going to get less. The law requires us to look at two things -- acres per 1,000 and income,” Bakewell, who has been a parks commissioner for two years, said Seaside, a small city on the southern tip of Monterey Bay with a Black mayor and a significant Black population, per capita, should have received SPP funds to revitalize three parks. Continued on page 7


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January 11-17, 2024

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

Health, Education, Reparations and Budget Deficit Among Top Black Caucus 2024 Priorities Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Closing out their 2023 activities and previewing what they intend to focus on this year, members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) met with Black news media outlets from different parts of the state. During the meeting, held late last month, the lawmakers shared some of their top priorities for the 2024 legislative session, which began Jan. 3. Issues members stated are their primary concerns for the next legislative session fall into several categories, including health, education, public safety, social services, homelessness, affordable housing, and economics. CLBC is planning to bring immediate attention on creating legislation around the 100-plus recommendations the California Reparations Task Force panel presented to the Legislature in June of last year. Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City), Chair of the CLBC, said, because so many of the caucus members have been appointed committee chairs by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), she expects they will leverage their positions to meet the group’s goals over the course of the next year. “It is a pleasure to be in this space where we have a record number of members of the Black Caucus being chairs of key leadership committees as well in the area of budget,” said Wilson. “Traditionally, what happens is when our members are serving as chairs, they also serve budget subcommittees. All members are essentially sitting on budget subcommittees for the upcoming new year,” she continued. Seven of the 12 members of the CLBC joined Wilson in attending the virtual news briefing facilitated by California Black Media (CBM). They included Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) and Assemblymembers Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley); Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood); Mike Gipson (D-Carson); Akilah Weber (DLa Mesa), Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D – Los Angeles) and Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento). The other five members were unable to attend the briefing due to holiday season obligations, Wilson said. During the 2024 legislative session, Jackson, who will lead Budget Subcommittee 2 on Human Services, said he expects Black Californians will see that the CLBC is “protecting” key issues that concern Black Californians. “I think it’s going to be an opportunity that other Black caucuses have never

had before,” said Jackson. “So, I am looking forward to working with the speaker and Chair Wilson to get these things done.” Speaker Rivas created the new Budget Subcommittee on Human Services to focus on state funding for programs such as CalWORKs, CalFresh and In-home Supportive Services. Budget Subcommittee No. 1 previously oversaw human services funding, in combination with health. The new subcommittee Jackson is leading will engage in increased activities on social programs, in addition to interacting with residents and advocates on issues such as disability rights, low-income jobs, childcare, and aging, Rivas stated in a Dec. 5, 2023, letter. In addition to Jackson’s new role, Rivas appointed other members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) in to leadership roles in November for the 2023-2024 legislative session. Wilson is chair of the Transportation Committee; McCarty is chair of the Public Safety Committee; Weber is chair of Budget Subcommittee 1 on Health; and Gipson is chair of the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee; Bonta is chair of the Health Committee; and Issac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), chair of the Natural Resources Committee. McKinnor remains as the chair of the Public Employment and Retirement Committee from the previous Legislative session. Assemblymembers Reggie Jones-Sawyer and Chris Holden

(D-Pasadena) are both termed out this year. Jones-Sawyer is running for a seat on the L.A. City Council and Holden is running to serve on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. In the Senate, Bradford chairs the Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee. He is also serving his last term in the Legislature. Wilson said all the members of the Black Caucus are “excited” and “look forward to stepping” into their roles. Jackson says he is excited to be working on issues affecting aging adults in California. According to the Stanford Center on Longevity, the number of old people in California, those over 65, will double over the next twenty years from 4.3 million in 2010 to 8.4 million in 2030. This will take place as the huge Baby Boomer cohort — the population born between 1946 and 1964 — passes age 65. “These resources are vital lifelines for many families. By separating out human services and public health committee work, the Legislature can do a better job of focusing and also

give the committee more time to offer feedback,” Speaker Rivas stated, referring to the subcommittee Jackson chairs. “Assemblymember Jackson has dedicated his career to social work, and I believe he is the best person to lead this new subcommittee,” wrote Rivas. A recurring concern for members as they discussed the issues important to them is the state’s $68 billion budget deficit that the nonpartisan Legislative Accounting Office (LAO) projected last month. “I am so grateful that our Speaker has placed me as chair (Subcommittee 1 on Health),” Weber said. “That is going to be so important not only to tackle our budget crisis right now but also making sure that as stated earlier by Assemblyman Jackson, be creative in ways in looking to see where we are putting our money that’s actually working.” Maternity ward closures, educating public about reparations, retail theft, public safety, Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, improving the shortage of public employees, and divestment in oil are some of the issues CLBC members hope to address during the next 12 months. Other pressing issues for members are early education, afterschool programs, childcare for African American parents, criminal justice reform, and finding solutions to end mass incarceration in California’s jails and prisons. “As a group, this is not the last time (CLBC will meet with the Black Press). We know that the work you do is important, people laud us always for the work that we do, but you really are on the front lines of our communities,” Wilson told the Black news publishers and reporters.


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January 11-17, 2024

Sports & Entertainment

La Clippers Sign Kawhi Leonard To Contract Extension LA Clippers Media

The LA Clippers have signed Kawhi Leonard to a contract extension, it was announced by President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank. “We’re thrilled to continue our

relationship with Kawhi. He is an elite player, a terrific partner and a relentless worker who knows how to win and makes it his first priority,” said Frank. “He elevated our franchise from the Continued on page 7


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Aden Ferguson

January 11-17, 2024

Regulations That Will Affect Small Businesses in 2024

As of January 1st, 2024, several new financial regulations have gone into effect that will impact businesses and individuals across the country. One of the most significant changes is the requirement for all cryptocurrency exchanges and payment services to register with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Previously, only exchanges dealing with fiat currency were required to register. Now, any business that facilitates digital asset transactions must register with FinCEN and comply with anti-money laundering regulations. Proponents argue this will help curb illicit cryptocurrency transactions, while critics warn it places an undue burden on small startup exchanges. In a reprieve for individuals, a provision in the latest stimulus bill blocked a plan to require financial institutions to report digital asset transactions over $600 to the IRS. Lawmakers felt this would be invasive and deter cryptocurrency adoption. However, businesses receiving cryptocurrency payments still need to report transactions as income. On the small business front, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has instituted new reporting requirements for lenders of small business loans. Lenders must now provide extensive demographic data on borrowers to ensure loans are being distributed equitably across communities. Opponents argue this creates unnecessary paperwork, while supporters believe it is an important step toward financial inclusion. Finally, changes to overtime rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act take effect this month. The salary threshold for mandatory overtime pay will rise

from $35,568 per year to $39,812 per over 40 hours per week. year. This means employers must pay These regulatory changes illustrate the time-and-a-half for any salaried workers evolving world of finance and labor laws. making under that amount who work While they aim to protect consumers,

manage risk, and create fairness, they also create new administrative hurdles for businesses and individuals to navigate in 2024.


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January 11-17, 2024 Continued from page 5: La Clippers...

moment he arrived. We feel fortunate member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary that Kawhi chose to join the Clippers Team. A native of Moreno Valley, five years ago, and excited to keep Calif., Leonard has appeared in 660 building with him.” career games across 12 NBA seasons Leonard is a two-time Finals MVP with the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto (2014, 2019), five-time All-Star (2016, Raptors and LA Clippers, holding 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021), five-time All- averages of 19.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, NBA Team selection (2016, 2017, 2019, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals. The 6-foot-7 2020, 2021), two-time NBA Defensive forward is the third-winningest player Player of the Year (2015, 2016) and a in NBA history with a regular-season

record of 483-177 (.732). A two-time NBA Champion, Leonard is one of 12 players in NBA history with multiple Finals MVPs, appearing in 137 postseason games while averaging 21.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.8 steals. Regarded as one of the game’s greatest two-way players, Leonard has been selected to seven All-Defensive Teams (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019,

2020, 2021) and is one of three players in NBA history to win a Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year Award and All-Star Game MVP (2020). Selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Leonard played two collegiate seasons at San Diego State University, where he was a second-team All-American in 2011 and had his jersey retired in 2020.

an additional $41.9 million in grants provided by the 2023-24 state budget would be directed to eight projects, including a $936,060 renovation of Zela Davis Park in Hawthorne and a $7 million renovation of Van Buskirk Park in Stockton. The residents around both parks are a majority African American and Latino. SPP’s fifth round has been postponed. Bakewell wants to do more but said

the commission he serves on doesn’t have a say in which projects are funded. “The system does not give the board any type of discretion on making sure money gets to the right place,” said Bakewell. “It has such an inequity that it is paralyzing. Black communities at a minimum need stellar parks and recreation.”

Continued from page 2: Funding...

The three parks are Stuart Park, legislation directed the Parks’ initiative Havana Soliz Park, and Lincoln to prioritize funding for the creation of Cunningham Park. All of them are in new parks over rehabilitations. desperate need of revitalization, said Mitchell and his staff met with Bakewell. Bakewell, Meewis, and Seaside Mayor

PUBLIC NOTICE

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2024001949 The following Person is doing business as: Gateway Tax Service 11200 Crenshaw Blvd. Inglewood, CA 90303

Registered Owner(s): GTS Franchising LLC, 11200 Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90303

Seaside Recreation Services Director Ian Oglesby to review the city’s denied This business is conducted by an individual(s). The Dan Meewis said the decades-old proposals. Meews said the meeting registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the parks are connected by deteriorating was beneficial. However, he wished fictitious business listed above on January 3, 2024. sidewalks that are walking paths for Seaside would have received guidance I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true correct. many grade school students. on how to improve their bid before and (A registrant who declares as true information which he or “It’s a centralized hub for kids their second application was rejected. she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) GTS Franchising LLC, Owner. from a variety of neighborhoods,” “We don’t have a lot of the dollars statement was filed with the County Clerk on January he explained. “The walking trails the bigger cities have, so we really This 3, 2024. throughout the parks are horrendous, needed that funding,” he said. NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, tripping hazards. We have a lot of Oglesby was frustrated with the a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of elderly individuals that would utilize process. the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of those parks to walk, but they feel they “Every time we went for it, they Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 can’t use their walkers or canes.” said we don’t have enough points to other than a change in the residence address of a registered A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be The city’s two applications for receive the grants,” he noted. “The owner. filed before the expiration. SPP funding, the latest in 2021, were criteria seemed to change every year. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the denied. I’m not saying that as a complaint. I’m use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law Although Bakewell and Meewis felt talking facts.” (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.) Seaside’s applications fulfilled the Mitchell said an area’s racial or Original January 11, 18, 25; February 1, 2024 funding criteria, Mitchell maintained ethnic makeup plays no part in how IT0042230120020397 they did not. SPP monies are dispersed. He said Inglewood Today The only park Seaside listed on their $150 million has been awarded to applications was near, but not located communities with large African in a severely disadvantaged area, said American populations. Mitchell. SPP’s fourth round of funding, RUBY BALDWIN PROBATE Seaside’s proposals also did not which began in late 2021, awarded show how citizens engaged in the $548.3 million to 112 projects. Parks Publication Notice of Probate brainstorming of how funding would received $2.42 billion in grants and be used. $1.87 billion in requests were denied. NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF RUBY BALDWIN, Additionally, Mitchell says, state In late December, SPP announced deceased. Notice is hereby given to the creditors

PUBLIC NOTICE

Continued from page 1: Statement...

performances in Beef, the evening’s tickets sold in the United States. winners and nominees are a step in The success of the tremendous stories the right direction toward achieving mentioned above shows that change is an inclusive industry. Yet, there is still not only possible, but it is within reach. much room for growth when it comes to Change cannot truly happen until the celebrating diverse stories, particularly industry puts its resources behind those of the Latine community. The our projects - from greenlighting to tremendous stories from Latine funding, marketing, and promotions. creatives this year – from Flamin’ We look forward to an awards season Hot, to Eugenio Derbez’s Radical, to that truly uplifts all voices – including Blue Beetle, amongst others -- deserve those from Latine artists – and allows recognition and respect from our peers, more creatives to showcase their magic especially given that Latine individuals on Hollywood’s biggest platforms. make up more than a quarter of movie

and contingent creditors of the above-named decedent, that all persons having claims against the decedent are required to file them with the Superior Court of the County of Los Angeles, at 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, California 90012, and mail a copy to Dion Baldwin, as the Personal Representative of the estate of Ruby Baldwin, c/o Attorney Shaune Arnold, Esq., Of FINNEY ARNOLD LLP, 633 W. 5th Street, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071. The decedent resided at 3509 W. 118th Street, Inglewood, California 90303, within the later of four months after January 5, 2024 (the date of the first publication of notice to creditors) or, if notice is mailed or personally delivered to you, as creditor, no later than 60 days after the date this notice is mailed or personally delivered to you, as creditor. A Creditor Claim form may be obtained from the Superior Court clerk. For your protection, you are encouraged to file your claim by certified mail, with return receipt requested.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2023270877 The following Person is doing business as: Dawah Security 233 E. Buckthorn St., #1 Inglewood, CA 90301

Registered Owner(s): Jennifer Flanagan, 233 E. Buckthorn Street, #1, Inglewood, CA 90301 This business is conducted by an Individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on December 19, 2023 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.) Jennifer Flanagan, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk on December 19, 2023 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 January 4, 11, 18, 25, 2024 IT002230120020396 Inglewood Today

NAME CHANGE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case # 23VECP00704 ALL INTERESTED PERSONS Petitioner: Chierika Iruka Natalie Agbim, has filed a petition with the Superior Court Of California, County Of Los Angeles, 6230 Sylmar Avenue, Room 107, Van Nuys, CA 91401, to change her name. FROM:

Chierika Iruka Natalie Agbim – TO: Chiamonte Robles

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing on February 2, 2024, 8:30 AM, Dept. A, Room 510, to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name change described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Publication Dates: December 21, 28, 2023; January 4, 11, 2024.


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January 11-17, 2024

Continued from page 2: News...

Senate Bill (SB) 2, California’s from taking effect, Gov. Newsom’s controversial conceal-carry permit law office shared the findings of a new that took effect Jan. 1, has been blocked survey that reports California’s gun laws for a second time now. are working. SB 2 prohibits gun owners from Conducted by Everytown USA, a gun carrying their concealed firearms at most safety advocacy group, the survey ranks public places and gatherings, including California and New York at the top of religious institutions, banks, hospitals, its list for having the lowest rates of gun parks and other venues. violence. On Jan. 6, a 9th Circuit Court of “We compared gun policy across Appeals lifted a temporary hold on a the country, scoring every state on the lower court injunction that blocked the strength of its gun laws and comparing law. This most recent decision upholds it with its rate of gun violence,” the a Dec. 20 ruling issued by U.S. District introduction to the report reads. Judge Cormac Carney that blocked the “In states where elected officials have law. taken action to pass gun safety laws, Before that, on Dec. 22, Attorney Gen. fewer people die by gun violence,” it Rob Bonta filed an emergency motion continues. appealing Carney’s decision. A three- COVID in California: Numbers of judge panel of a different 9th Circuit Infections, Hospitalizations Creep Up Court Appeal granted Bonta’s request, Almost a year after California allowing the law to take effect, at least officially ended its State of Emergency temporarily. declared in response to the outbreak of The same day, the law was blocked the Coronavirus in the United States in

2020, COVID-related hospitalizations and infections have begun to slightly increase– sometimes in combination with the flu. According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for the week ending Dec. 23, there were 3279 coronavirus-positive patients, which was 14% higher than the week before. That spike is the highest recorded over the last 10 months. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are eight California counties are now in its “Medium COVID-19 Hospitalization” category. They are Los Angeles, Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Butte, Tehama and Glenn counties. Los Angeles County has also reinstated a mask mandate at all license healthcare facilities after the county’s Department of Health reported a 25% increase in hospitalizations. Based on CDPH data for the last

week only, those numbers have begun to decline. There were 3,122 new COVID-19 infections across the state for the week ending Jan. 5. The statewide “test positivity” rate for the week ending Jan. 5 was 12.3%, up +0.5% from the week before. From Oct. 1, 2023. to Dec. 30, 2023, there were 1,296 confirmed COVID-19 related deaths in the state. Over the course of the last week only 1.8 percent of all deaths were “COVID-coded,” according to the CDPH. Despite the increase in numbers in some places in California, officials say the state’s overall infection and hospitalization rates are lower than last year. Hospitals are also reporting that there are enough beds in ICUs to accommodate the reported upticks. Over the last seven days, there was an average of 1,437.1 ICU hospital beds available across the state, according to the CDPH.

Controller Malia Cohen: Despite $68 Billion Deficit, California Has Enough Cash to Pay Bills what was previously a $32 billion Over the next few months, Californians deficit. will spend time processing the details of On Dec. 15, Senate Minority Leader Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2024-2025 Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) and spending plan, which he is expected to Senate Budget Vice Chair Roger Niello present to the Legislature on Jan. 10 in (R-Fair Oaks) wrote a letter to Gov. Sacramento. However, reports of the Newsom, urging him to “act early” to state’s whopping $68 billion budget address the state’s worsening fiscal deficit — as projected by the nonpartisan condition. Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) “This budget deficit will impact — have foreshadowed the Governor’s every California resident and doesn’t matter whether you’re a Republican or announcement with uncertainty. Despite anticipation of deep budget Democrat,” Jones stated. “That’s why cuts, State Controller Malia M. we must roll up our sleeves and work Cohen has expressed confidence that together to bring spending in line with California’s fiscal cash flow is in the revenues.” position to withstand any financial Cohen has been monitoring the challenges caused by forecasted state’s financial reports and clarified California is protected by its “rainy economic downturn. “Despite reports from various day reserves.” She indicated that sources indicating a budgetary deficit the Newsom administration has of approximately $68 billion, the state’s been a step ahead in anticipating cash position remains strong, and, any potential financial obstacles that absent any unforeseen circumstances, would disrupt the state budget. the state has sufficient cash to pay its “The state currently has more than bills and meet its financial obligations $91.4 billion in available borrowable through the end of the fiscal year,” resources, due in large part to the Governor’s and Legislature’s foresight Cohen said in a Dec. 19, 2023, letter. Cohen is responsible for accountability in building prudent rainy-day reserves and disbursement of the state’s financial in the Budget Stabilization Account,” resources. She has independent auditing Cohen stated. authority over government agencies The budget negotiations will involve new leaders of the legislature that spend state funds. According to the LAO, the budget — Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas shortfall increased by $53 billion when (D-Salinas) and incoming Senate compared to the projections used in the President Pro tempore Mike McGuire development of the current year budget (D-Santa Rosa). added California – up from $15 billion when the 2023–24 Rivas Legislative Black Caucus members Budget was signed in June. The LAO Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber faced challenges in providing budget (D-La Mesa and Assemblymember estimates due the IRS delaying tax Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) filings until Nov. 16, 2023. Regarding personal income, sales to the Assembly’s budget leadership and property tax revenues, the state’s team in December. Weber will lead primary revenues, California entered Subcommittee 1 on Health while an economic downturn in 2022 that is Jackson will guide Subcommittee 2 affecting the budget. Days before July on Human Services. 1, the start of a new fiscal year, Newsom In particular, the state has $24 and legislative leaders agreed to a state billion in reserves to help address the budget deal in the form of a $310 billion budget problem. In addition, there are spending plan that provided guardrails options to reduce spending on schools for essential programs and mitigated and community colleges that could

Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

address nearly $17 billion of the budget problem. Each year, LAO publishes the fiscal outlook in anticipation of the upcoming budget season. The goal of the report is to provide the Legislature its independent estimates and analysis of the state’s financial condition as lawmakers begin planning for the 20242025-budget year. In addition to the deficit, other takeaways in the report included “multiple tools available” the Legislature has to address the budget problem. Cohen is also a member of numerous

public financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. Cohen serves on the boards of the nation’s two largest public pension funds. “While legislators will have difficult choices to make in the new year, I am confident they will be deliberate in addressing the budget challenges before them, and I urge them to protect, to the extent possible, the health and social service programs designed to benefit those who are displaced, without shelter, or otherwise economically disadvantaged,” Cohen stated.


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