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C e l e b r a t i n g 2 7 Ye a r s o f Service in Inglewood, Airport area Communities

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LA Lounge to celebrate 6 years... See Page 6

July 29 - August 4, 2021 VOL. 36, No. 30

Councilwoman Faulk sounds alarm for unvaccinated As Delta variant surges delinquent Blacks at great risk Pandemic Problems of Food Insecurity Are Not Over By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher, The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

There are still families and individuals in our community who do not have enough to eat each day. While some food distribution has slowed down, the needs are still present. Many of those providing the distribution of food say they are running into a shortage of volunteers to handle the process. We are also still confronted with the issue of school being out, but not hunger. We still have high unemployment in our high risk communities. And, now we are faced with a new virus at the same time that many continue to resist getting vaccinated even though there is no cost other than their time to get the shot. This paper does not want our communities of color, in particular, to be misled. Many of those among us who have not taken the vaccine by choice are in some of the most high risk jobs. We saw the impact of the COVID-19 virus on those persons in round one of this virus. So what can we do now? We can continue testing, get the vaccine, and wear a mask, regardless of what the governmental agencies are saying about the safety of going without one. We can be mindful that the infection rate among those who have been vaccinated exists, but, so far, has not been fatal even - though there have been some hospitalizations. We can talk to those around and among us who are vaccine resistant. If they don’t take the vaccine, then we should limit our contact with them for our own safety and the safety of others even though we have been vaccinated. We must give very serious personal thought about our children and their return to schools. No one will care about them as much as you, the parent. It cannot be enough to say that we have reduced the number of children in a classroom to 17 or 18 when in the past that number has been 30 or more. Continued on page 7

Dionne Faulk, Inglewood District 4 Councilmember By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

Just as Los Angeles County was poised to a fall season that would be fully open and life pointing towards normalcy following more than a year of combating the gravest health pandemic during modern history, a surge of the Delta variant specifically among unvaccinated Blacks and Latinos could present alarming consequences. Inglewood Today recently gained access to a confidential report distributed by Martin Luther King Community Healthcare that revealed a slide deck from July 9th and July 16 which documented Blacks having the lowest vaccination rate.

The report also stated how COVID patients tested at Martin Luther King Community Hospital were predominantly Black, including inpatients and ER patients who subsequently were released. An additional slide deck from July 16 focused on COVID cases rising in the unvaccinated population, primarily Blacks and Latinos. Moreover, the report showed a 300 percent increase in projected daily hospitalizations which is anticipated to soar to 560 percent increase if the unvaccinated community trend continues. News was not particularly good for individuals who are vaccinated

and don’t practice the recommended safety precaution guidelines urged by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of wearing a mask while indoors. The CDC released information that a vaccinated person could be infected with the Delta Variant and infect individuals who are not vaccinated. Most reports specify the category of individuals who have refused to be vaccinated are of the younger population ages 35 and under although the infection rate of those age groups have continued to escalate. Continued on page 8

Cal Top Educator Tony Thurmond Says Schools on Track for Safe Reopening Manny Otiko | California Black Media

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond says school districts across the state are prepared to open safely in the fall even as COVID-19 cases surge in California and around the country. The new spike in COVID-19 positive rates across the state are driven by infections involving the more contagious Delta variant. Thurmond was speaking online at a recent Safe Schools for All seminar featuring several California education experts. On the call, Thurmond gave parents a preview of what they will Continued on page 7

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July 29 - August 4, 2021

Profile: Sydney Kamlager Carries the Weight of All Black Women in California Senate Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media

In a faded photo from 1975, is a smiling woman, a formerly enslaved person, sporting a metallic gray birthday hat. In front of her is a 3-yearold Sen. Sydney Kamlager. “Gram was born a slave and freed by Lincoln. She carried her papers to prove her freedom every day of her life,” the California Senator tweeted, sharing her great-great grandmother’s photo with her followers. Kamlager, the only Black woman serving in the California Senate, spoke with California Black Media about her career, what inspires her and the priorities she has fought for since her term began. “It is a heavy and awesome responsibility, feeling like I am speaking for millions of women like me,” Kamlager said, talking about being the only Black woman in the state Senate. “I don’t take it lightly and I’m trying to get more of us in there,” she said. Kamlager says her great-greatgrandmother is one of her greatest inspirations. “When she was born, she was not free, and her DNA is inside of me. That’s the thing that motivates me, that this woman in my family was strong enough to live through that circumstance. It’s something that I wake up and think about every day,” said Kamlager. Kamlager attributes her success to her parents and counts them as another source of inspiration.

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“My parents were social justice activists in Chicago, fighting to make sure that community members had access to healthcare and housing,” she said. “I come from a family that was denied housing because they were interracial.” Her life in public service started in Chicago, she says. “I got my first taste of politics helping my grandmother work to get Harold Washington elected as the first Black mayor of Chicago,” Kamlager recalled. = Kamlager left Chicago to attend the University of Southern California. She was there when the 1992 Los Angeles riots broke out. That experience helped strengthen her resolve to enter public life, she says. “It was the first time I saw what happens when a city stops listening to its communities,” she said. “The next summer, I spent time working to figure out how we could both rebuild LA and build bridges between communities.” Kamlager’s journey to becoming a California elected official began in 2017 when she threw her hat in the 54th Assembly District race to complete the term of former Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas. The next year, she won the special election and was sworn into office in April. Then, in November 2020, she announced her run for the State Senate when former Sen. Holly Mitchell resigned. Kamlager won that special election in March. Now, as the state Senator representing the 30th District, criminal justice, health care, housing and racial equity are among Kamlager’s priorities. “I spend a lot of time in the criminal justice space. I have a number of bills this year that focus on criminal and legal issues,” Kamlager said. “One is AB 333 which is a due process bill as it relates to gang enhancement charges. Another bill AB 127 got signed into law by the governor this Monday which says that prosecutors can also attest to an arrest warrant of a police officer involved in a police shooting. And ACA 3 which is about taking involuntary servitude out of the state constitution,” she continued. The Senator also spoke about economics and how it impacts the lives of Black Californians. “It is incredibly important to talk about the economics of Black America and Black California and to connect that to issues of housing, transportation,

jobs and education,” Kamlager said. For her, an important part of the Black economic power conversation is reparations. “I’ve been incredibly supportive of the reparations task force that is moving along and making sure that some of these things get agendized,” she said. Kamlager mentioned the ongoing inequity in the medical sector, an issue that the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare. “I introduced a number of implicit bias bills to have training in our medical community because we saw who was getting treated and who wasn’t,” she said. Kamlager says her office used the Budget Act of 2021 to help fund local programs, including art, healthcare and housing initiatives. About $400 million of the state’s $267.1 billion budget this year supports projects to which Kamlager and her team helped steer funding. “I was very active in this year’s budget negotiations,” Kamlager continued. “I was instrumental in the work to get $30 million to our public hospitals, which

we know were ground zero for so many of the COVID cases.” Childcare providers were heroes who stepped up during the pandemic, she says. They took care of children as their essential worker parents soldiered on to make sure the economy and health care systems kept running. Another one of her priorities is housing equity through efforts like Project Room Key, a state program created in response to the pandemic. It provides motel and hotel rooms for people experiencing homelessness. Programs like that expose some of the same inequities they were designed to diminish, Kamlager points out. “With Project Room Key, the majority of the homeless individuals that got placed during the pandemic were White homeless individuals even though we know 62% of the folks who are homeless are Black,” she said. The senator also addressed the rise of hate crimes. “We can elevate the issues of African Americans when we are on the floor giving speeches,” she continued. “We have done that. We will do that. But there is an element of fear that is predicated on the history of this country, and it’s based on the fact that Black people, one, are feared, and two, are not valued.” “Legislation doesn’t fix that, she added. “It is the collective energy and voices of Black Californians, Black Americans and their allies elevating those discrepancies and disparities so that folks are able to reflect on them.”

FREE Document Shredding Event!!! When:

Where:

Saturday, August 14, 2021

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

On Grevillea Avenue off Manchester Blvd. (in front of Inglewood High School)

NO-CONTACT DRIVE THROUGH DROP OFF To comply with mandatory county regulations, this will be a no-contact event. Shredding material must be placed in rear of vehicle for removal. Document shredding is limited to Inglewood residents only. ID is required. No more than three (3) boxes or bags of shredding material per vehicle. For more information, please contact the City of Inglewood Public Works Department at (310) 412-5333.

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July 29 - August 4, 2021

EYE ON THE CITY GEORGE DOTSON

ALEX PADILLA

JAMES BUTTS

ELOY MORALES

DIONNE FAULK

AROUND THE CITY

Inglewood Public Library mobile app hopes to attract younger adults By Brea Mitchell, Staff Writer

The Inglewood Public Library has launched their mobile app, ‘Inglewood Library To Go’ where residents can access audiobooks, movies, music, tutorials, and more. Even magazines will be available to read through the app on a mobile device. And for those who still value a hard copy book, they can be placed on hold for pick-up at

the library through the mobile app. The convenience of having nearly an entire public library’s content at the palm of your hand for free of charge is likely to strike the interest of the Millennial and Gen Z demographic. During the 2020 pandemic, reading habits amongst Millennials actually increased, and the public libraries throughout the country that offered

digital content during these times did in fact see utilization of the service from their community. But aside from digital content and pandemic-behavior, nationally, public library building usage has been in steep decline over eight years up to 2018, according to the Freckle Report 2021 by public library analyst Tim Coates.

The common question, however, is how to keep public library building usage a factor of interest to younger adults, especially as more and more public libraries begin to offer digital content. Many agree that a public library building– not just its digital services– is still a vital asset to every community, and always will be.

Inglewood unveils IPark&Go The City of Inglewood announced several transportation options to SoFi Stadium—including the launch of the City’s IPark&Go remote parking and shuttle program and multiple public transit options—as well as a new residential permit parking program. Together, these new initiatives will help to promote a more positive experience both for local residents and for event attendees traveling to SoFi Stadium. Because traditional onsite

registration and public education. Once finalized, the Citywide Permit Parking Program will include the following features: Citywide 24/7 parking restrictions: The program will include full-time parking restrictions, Monday through Sunday, 24 hours per day, for all streets within the City. Parking for up to two hours will be allowed for vehicles without permits between the hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday through Sunday. More effective enforcement tools:

parking options at SoFi Stadium will be limited for large events like NFL games, the expansion of alternative, high occupancy transportation solutions are intended to provide greener, convenient, and affordable travel options and create a unique event experience in the Los Angeles County area. Neighborhood Protection Program The neighborhoods surrounding the stadium will be converted to permit parking only. The residential permit parking program will give local residents priority for on-street parking in residential areas and will preserve and protect quality of life while alleviating increasing traffic in neighborhoods. The new Citywide Permit Parking Program is envisioned to be operational and enforced within key neighborhoods surrounding the stadium by Fall 2021. Currently, City efforts are focused on resident

The City will enforce the expanded permit parking program through signage, fines and towing. Parking enforcers will drive the residential permit parking districts Monday through Sunday, 24-hours a day, 7days a week and issue citations and/or tow vehicles that do not have a valid permit. Parking for up to two hours will be allowed for vehicles without permits between the hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday through Sunday. Residents will have the ability to apply for permit parking passes online at the Parking & Enterprise Services Department webpage on the City of Inglewood’s website. To obtain a permit, residents will need to show proof of residence (rental agreement, light/gas bill), current California drivers’ license, and vehicle registration (must match resident’s address). Permits will be tied to vehicle license plate. IPark&Go: Remote Parking and

IT News Wire

Shuttle Services Today also marks the formal launch of the IPark&Go remote parking and shuttle service, offering additional parking solutions for those attending games, concerts, and other events at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. The IPark&Go service provides multiple off-site parking locations collectively offering over 4,000 additional parking spaces in the City of Inglewood and convenient surrounding areas. This parking alternative will

Fans and event attendees using IPark&Go will be dropped off and picked up at the City of Inglewood’s Intermodal Transit Facility, conveniently located within Hollywood Park, steps away from SoFi Stadium. Note that the exact availability of locations and parking spaces may vary based on the event, and additional parking partners and locations may be added to the IPark&Go program over time. Please check iPARKANDGO. com or the LAZgo mobile app for the most current information on parking availability and pricing. IPark&Go is available for NFL preseason and regular season games, starting on August 14, 2021, and is anticipated to be available to guests attending events at SoFi Stadium and the Hollywood Park for events with more than 40,000 attendees. For more information on the City of Inglewood’s new development projects and transportation options visit: http:// allow attendees to streamline their envisioninglewood.org/ parking experience with a convenient, Increased Transit Services to affordable and safe parking option that Inglewood allows ticket holders to find, reserve, and pay for parking spaces and shuttle GTrans will be offering express service in advance of their event. public transit service from the Harbor After arriving at their parking Gateway Transit Center to the SoFi destination and parking their vehicles, Stadium complex on the 110 Freeway fans and event attendees board a for most NFL games. Additional shuttle bus that will take them to the details can be found on GTrans’ City of Inglewood’s Intermodal Transit website. www.ridegtrans.com Facility, conveniently located next Metro will be offering regular service to SoFi Stadium, and back, typically for SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park within 30 minutes or less each way. guests on three bus lines as follows: To use IPark&Go, guests can follow Metro Bus 212 offering service these simple steps: along Prairie Avenue to Hollywood Visit iPARKANDGO.com to via La Brea Av as well as connecting purchase offsite parking and shuttle to Metro’s C Line Green rail service transport in advance. Parking and Metro Bus 117 offering service shuttle transport can also be booked along Century Blvd using the LAZgo mobile app. Metro Bus 115 offering service Guests should have a parking permit along Manchester Blvd and shuttle passes (printed or on To plan their trip, guests are smartphone) ready to be displayed encouraged to visit: www.metro.net when they reach the offsite lot.

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July 29 - August 4, 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

Chargers, SoFi Celebrate Bolt Academy Graduation Event By Hayley Elwood, Chargers

What is usually reserved for gamedays was transformed for a ceremony, as 14 young scholars from the Bolt Academy successfully completed and graduated from the program. “To take these 14 kids who worked so hard, went through the Academy, studied and fought hard, to graduate and come here today as part of game day is something I think that will affect their lives forever,” mentioned Chargers chief of staff Fred Maas. “For us to be part of that and see the smiles on their faces is something you can’t quantify. It’s incredibly rewarding.” Presented by SoFi, Bolt Academy is a collaborative partnership between the Los Angeles Chargers Impact Fund, Inglewood Unified School District, and Brotherhood Crusade, a nonprofit building power in South L.A. for over 50 years, created to prepare students for careers.

Juniors and seniors from Inglewood high schools were invited to participate in the six month after-school program in which they learned leadership and job-readiness skills. “As a naming rights partner for SoFi Stadium here in Inglewood, it was essential for us to support the community way beyond just putting our name on the side of a building,” added Margi Brown, SVP of marketing and media, SoFi. “Given the Chargers’ relationship with Brotherhood Crusade, it was a natural extension for us to join in and contribute to such an amazing program.” “The Bolt Academy has given me experiences I typically wouldn’t be able to have,” added graduate Dante Reese. “The best part of Bolt Academy was the family that we built. We’ve come together every Wednesday for the past few months and in that time, we were able to build a family, be vulnerable with each other, share our stories with each other, and really connect with each other beyond this program.” Next up for the graduates is an opportunity to work gamedays for the Chargers in the fall in a variety of different roles and areas. To prepare them for that, students had headshots taken on Wednesday, received their gameday uniforms, took a tour of SoFi Stadium and even got to hear from Chargers Legend Marcellus Wiley. “Today we are celebrating 14 amazing students who have completed our curriculum and they are gonna be working here at SoFi Stadium and have an opportunity to connect with caring adults that will provide them with opportunities to learn more about their careers,” said Dr. Erika Torres, county

administrator & superintendent, Inglewood Unified School District. “Our students are gonna receive handson experiences and this is something I know will change their lives forever.” “I’m looking forward to just being able to work at SoFi Stadium and work with the Chargers,” Reese added. “This is such an incredible opportunity that most people won’t be able to have, and for me, it’s really just being able to work with such a great organization. Who knows, this internship could lead to a potential career and that’s what I’m looking forward to most.” SoFi helped the Chargers launch Bolt Academy through the It’s Good, for Good campaign in 2020 by pledging $1,000 after every successful Chargers field goal and PAT scored in SoFi Stadium. The It’s Good, for Good campaign resulted in a $30,000 SoFi donation to the Brotherhood Crusade. Earlier this year, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley surprised the students with the news that each of them would be receiving a free Microsoft Surface laptop which was made possible by the company’s donation. Presented by SoFi, Bolt Academy is a collaborative partnership between the Los Angeles Chargers Impact Fund, Inglewood Unified School District, and Brotherhood Crusade, a nonprofit building power in South L.A. for over 50 years, created to prepare students for careers. On July 21st, the group came together at SoFi Stadium to celebrate the 14 young scholars from the Bolt Academy who successfully completed and graduated from the program.

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July 29 - August 4, 2021

Sports & Entertainment Herbert is all the rave as Chargers camp opens

By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

If the Chargers are ever going to establish their own footprint in the Southern California sports market than 2021 will have to be that year. Although it’s still not clear if this season will happen with fans in the seats, vaccination rates will likely become just as valuable as victories and statistics with the NFL implementing protocols for teams that don’t meet guidelines potentially forfeiting games. As training camp began this week for the Bolts at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa there was a breath of optimism in the air after a 2020 campaign that felt as flat as an unopened Pepsi. That under achieving 7-9 campaign cost head coach Anthony Lynn his job after four seasons of much the same, but it also unveiled the new face of the franchise reigning NFL Offensive

Herbert star studded career was Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert. I could not help but notice during forged by an injury to journeyman camp last year how big Herbert was, but Lynn sealed his fate when he did recognize that he could not start the season with him on the bench.

Tyrod Taylor, now of the Houston Texans. The Chargers did not have to look far when they raided the Rams for the defensive minded Brandon Staley to become their head coach. “Hopefully, when we hit the ground on July 27th when they report, they feel really strongly that they can be the best versions of themselves because of all of the work that they’ve put in,” he said. “That’s something that you must emphasize at all times. To be the best version of yourself, you really have to work at it. We’ve really detailed that up so that they can take advantage of these five weeks and really be ready to go on July 27th,” Staley stated Staley is exactly what the Chargers Continued on page 7

LA Rams Training Camp is underway

NE-YO and wife Crystal Renay treat daughter Isabella Rose to first-ever Disneyland Resort Visit GRAMMY-winning superstar NE-YO and his wife Crystal Renay treat daughter Isabella Rose to her very first Disneyland Park visit in Anaheim, California, July 22, 2021. NE-YO and his wife Crystal Renay welcomed baby Isabella on June 25. Isabella’s first ever Disney ride was The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, where the whole family got to buzz through Hundred-Acre Wood in an oversized beehive on a journey filled with beloved songs and scenes from Winnie the Pooh. (Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort) By Brea Mitchell, Staff Writer

The LA Rams arrived at their Newport Beach team hotel this week in preparation for Training Camp, which began at UC Irvine beginning on July 28. Upon arrival, Head Coach Sean McVay, along with players, spoke with local media about the upcoming weeks of what’s to come– giving a glimpse at some of the key focuses going into camp, such as roles to be filled and adjustments that will need to be made. Since the recent unfortunate Achilles injury of the Rams’ top running back Cam Akers, many are eager to learn who is up next for the position. Darrell Henderson, Jake Funk, Raymond Calais, and Xavier Jones are all in the mix to fill the Akers void. Coach McVay made it clear that, as of now, he is not looking to pursue a free agent veteran for the roll. Another top-priority on Coach

McVay’s radar headed into camp will be the outside linebackers. He mentioned the “versatile skillset” that Justin Hollins has proven himself to have based off of last season, but also acknowledges that he’s still accumulating the necessary experience it takes to be a top defensive force. As for cornerback and safety, Coach sees great promise with David Long Jr. and Terrell Burgess. Burgess is coming off of a severe ankle injury from last season that kept him sidelined after Week 7, right as he was beginning to play some of his best football. At the safety position, many eyes will also be on Taylor Rapp and Jordan Fuller. As for COVID-19 precautions, Coach McVay mentioned at the press conference that 100 percent of the Rams staff is fully vaccinated, and “really close to 100 percent” of the players are fully vaccinated. Coach declined to detail the exact numbers.

‘Ledisi Sings Nina Simone’ takes hold of The Hollywood Bowl By Brea Mitchell, Staff Writer

Grammy-winning artist Ledisi Young, better known as simply ‘Ledisi’, graced The Hollywood Bowl on Saturday night (July 24) with a smooth, sensational performance of a musical setlist that consisted of Nina Simone’s greatest hits, along with a dash of Ledisi’s original music. The performance was a mixture of jazz and R&B with the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra conducted by Thomas Wilkins playing alongside each number. The show comes on the heels of Ledisi’s most recent album release, ‘Ledisi Sings Nina’, which is a sevensong tribute to the beloved Nina Simone.

Ledisi’s undeniable talent and charisma was on full display, winning the crowd over more and more after each song. “I’m nervous!” she proclaimed on the microphone after her opening song of the performance, perhaps Simone’s most well-known track, ‘Feeling Good’. Although Ledisi surely didn’t show any signs of nervousness, her statement of honesty brought the zealous crowd to laughter and a roaring applause. She went on to perform other Nina Simone hits such as ‘My Baby Just Cares for Me’, ‘Be My Husband’, ‘I Put A Spell On You’, and more, with the night concluding with ‘I’m Going Back Home’. Continued on page 8

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July 29 - August 4, 2021

BUPPIE | BUSINESS

LA Lounge to celebrate 6 years at Regency West Inglewood Biz to promote COVID vaccine By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

LA Lounge owner Aaron Moore knows from personal experience the dangers of COVID-19 having contracted the virus and subsequently being vaccinated. So it is of little surprise that Moore will continue to use his platform as Inglewood business owner to encourage unvaccinated people to take the shot at LA Lounge 6th anniversary on July 31 at Regency West from 12 noon til 10p.m. “We are much more than a cigar lounge. More importantly we are responsible community caretakers and I would be negligent if I did not encourage people, especially Blacks to vaccinate and save their life and others as well,” Moore told Inglewood Today. There will be an incentive for Tickets are available at the door. individuals who attend the event. Inglewood Today coverage of Hosted by MC Rock, the event will local news in Los Angeles County offer vendors, live jazz and food. is supported by the Ethnic Media

Sustainability Initiative, a program operated community newspapers created by California Black Media across California. and Ethnic Media Services to support minority-owned-and-

Advocates: Internet Companies Must Partner with Ethnic Media to Close Digital Divide

Tanu Henry | California Black Media

Digital equity advocates – people who have been working for decades now to come up with solutions to narrow the divide between people who are connected to broadband and those who still aren’t – say Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must partner with the ethnic media to reach people in California who remain unconnected and under-connected to broadband service. “We have focused on the importance of community and Ethnic Media. We think that the Internet Service Providers should be advertising with (ethnic media), reaching out to you and connecting with you,” said Sunne McPeak, CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) a statewide non-profit with offices in Concord and Los Angeles dedicated to closing the digital divide. McPeak says, with its 91 % broadband adoption rate, California has done a remarkable job getting people online with stable access to high-speed internet connections that

can improve their quality of life. That number has skyrocketed from 55 % in 2008. However, there are still 6 million Californians, she says, who are not connected or under-connected (those with only smartphone access) to broadband. Most of those people live in low-income households. Among Californians who are not connected to high-speed internet, 8 % -- more than half of them – are Black, according to CETF. “There is still clearly a divide among groups that are most digitally disadvantaged socioeconomically,” McPeak said. “No state has more lowincome people than California. 15 % of our population is low income.” McPeak was speaking during a news briefing organized by Ethnic Media Services last week titled “Trapped by the Digital Divide: Demanding Universal Broadband as a Basic Right.” McPeak was joined on the online conference by Angela Siefer, executive director of the Cleveland-based National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). Siefer shared national numbers that reflect that the vast majority of people who are still not connected to the internet live in urban areas, challenging a widely held notion that rural areas remain the regions most unconnected to broadband in the United States.

“Prior to the pandemic, 36 million US households did not have an internet connection in their home,” said Seifer. “Of that number, 26 million are urban and 10 million are rural. I want to confirm the bigger number piece of this is urban.” In addition to having a high broadband adoption rate, California continues to take a number of steps to make sure there is universal connectivity to broadband. Last week, Gov. Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 156 into law. That legislation requires the state to make a multi-billion dollar investment into the construction of a state-owned open access network of internet cable with several offshoot lines that will connect unserved households and businesses mostly in urban and rural areas. “As we work to build California back stronger than before, the state is committed to addressing the challenges laid bare by the pandemic, including the digital divide holding back too many communities in a state renowned for its pioneering technology and innovation economy,” said Newsom at a rural elementary school in Tulare County. “This $6 billion investment will make broadband more accessible than ever before, expanding opportunity across the spectrum for students, families and businesses – from enhanced educational supports to

job opportunities to health care and other essential services,’ the governor continued. Also continuing to ensure as many Californians as possible not only have access to broadband but also have reliable equipment to connect to it, California State University announced that it will give all incoming students and transfers at eight of its campuses across the state new iPad air tablets. The package includes accessories, including smart keyboards. The only requirement for the students is to register at a website called CSUSUCCESS (CSU Connectivity Contributing to Equity and Student Success) “CSUCCESS will assure that students have immediate access to innovative, new mobile tools they need to support their learning, particularly when faced with the lingering effects of the pandemic,” CSU Chancellor Joseph Castro said, announcing the initiative. McPeak says while there are a number of programs like the federal Emergency Benefit Broadband program that can help Americans connect to high-speed internet more affordably, many people are just not aware of them. “We have to ask, what are (the ISPs) doing to work with ethnic media and community organizations?” asked McPeak.

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July 29 - August 4, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021159816 The Following Person Is Doing Business As:

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021137649 The following Person is doing business as:

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021137605 The following Person is doing business as:

Annuity Emporium Insurance Services 540 N. Jackson St., 101 Glendale, CA 91206

She Knows Lacy 800 S. Fir Ave., #14, Inglewood, CA 90301 1590 Rosecrans Ave., Ste D534, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Carew Consulting USA 800 S. Fir Ave., #14 Inglewood, CA 90301

Registered Owner: Annuity Emporium LLC, 540 N. Jackson St., 101, Glendale, CA 91206

Registered Owner(s): Lora Lacy Marshall, 800 S. Fir Ave., #14, Inglewood, CA 90301

This business is conducted by a company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on July 15, 2021.

This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on June 21, 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.) Annuity Emporium LLC, Owner

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.) Lora Lacy Marshall, Owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on July 15, 2021

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on June 21, 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 July 29; August 5, 12, 19, 2021 IT0042230120020166 Inglewood Today

Registered Owner(s): Lora Lacy Marshall, 800 S. Fir Ave., #14, 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 June 21, 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.) Lora Lacy Marshall, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk on June 21, 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 July 22, 29; August 5, 12, 2021 IT0042230120020165 Inglewood Today

Continued from page 1: Cal Top Educator...

likely face when their children return to class in the fall. He mentioned that he visited Camarena Elementary School in the Chula Vista Elementary School District and that the school opened July 21 successfully implementing the new mask requirements. About 900 of the 1000-member student body were present, he said. “Everyone was wearing a mask,” he said. “Everyone was following protocol.” On Friday, Thurmond visited a summer learning program at Monte Vista Elementary School in Los Angeles County. “The CDC and the California Department of Public Health have already provided guidance that even as case rates increase, if everyone is wearing a mask and everyone who can get a vaccine gets one, we can keep our schools open safely,” Thurmond said. Thurmond also said that vaccines were vital to returning to normal. He also reminded African Americans to make sure to get the vaccines. However, he noted that the Black community was lagging behind the vaccination rate. As of July 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said 4% of vaccinated people in California are Black. African Americans account for 6% of California’s population. Vaccines are now available for children aged 12 to 18. Thurmond also added that while many parents have complained about distance learning, some African American

parents say they prefer it because their children don’t have to deal with bullying or harassment. One of the featured speakers at the online seminar was Dr. Naomi Bardach, Safe Schools for All team lead. She gave a presentation on some important facts to know about the coronavirus and how it affects children. Bardach reminded parents that scientists and medical professionals had gathered a lot more information about the coronavirus since it first hit America more than a year ago. In 2020, schools closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and children transitioned to distance learning conducted mainly through online classes. However, Bardach said parents have noticed that there are some downsides to this form of instruction. She said parents have observed that their children are experiencing emotional issues such as depression and sleeplessness. Some children are missing the social interaction of being in school. Bardach also said medical research has shown that children are less likely to catch the coronavirus than older people. According to her, most children contract the disease from a close relative, not from fellow students or school personnel. However, there are things that adults can do to reduce the spread of the virus among children. “Vaccines for adults are key to prevention in kids,” she said. “Vaccines

mean kids can return to the things they enjoy.” Schools plan to return to in-class education with a host of new weapons to fight the coronavirus pandemic. According to Bardach, some of the methods the schools will use to contain the virus are testing, masks, ventilation and increased sanitation. “Masks are very effective in preventing transmission,” she said. There are several ways to get vaccinated, such as at-school sites, health departments and pharmacies. Schools also offer testing. The state has provided schools with $5 million to pay for rapid testing. Another recommendation to reduce the spread of the coronavirus is to make sure sick children remain at home, said Bardach. Continued from page 1: Pandemic...

If the class is cut in size, then who is teaching the second group; and are they getting the same level of instruction and not being parked with an adult as a babysitter with no skills? Let us not forget the food insecurity of our children at school even though a number of schools are now preparing backpacks to go home with our children for weekend meals. The problems of the pandemic continue and food insecurity is only one of them. We can do much to help each other if we just make a decision to personally get involved in helping others. What are you doing?

Continued from page 5: Herbert...

need to complement Herbert who put the Chargers in position to win every time he took the field only to be let down by inept coaching decisions and a porous defense. Herbert enters his second NFL training camp in a much different situation than his first. In 15 starts beginning in Week 2, Herbert threw for 4,336 yards – 39 yards shy of Andrew Luck’s all-time rookie record in one fewer start. Herbert set rookie records in total touchdowns (36), passing touchdowns (31) and completions (396). He’s the primary reason why many are predicting the Chargers will be a force in the AFC West with an outside shot of making to the Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022 at SoFi Stadium. He was so good last season there was little to no mention of the franchise best signal caller Philip Rivers who owned a 123-101 record or Charger Hall of Fame QB Dan Fouts who finished his career barely above .500 at 86-84-1. Neither have ever won a Super Bowl, something Herbert has a chance to achieve. There are some nice pieces on the defensive side for Staley to work with, namely All Pro safety Derwin James Jr., who missed all of last year with a knee injury, was fully cleared for football activities at the start of organized team activities in May. James Jr. totaled 105 tackles, 3.5 sacks and three interceptions during his rookie season, helping lead the Chargers to a 12-4 record. Despite not playing in 2020, James Jr. said he’s become a better player. “I feel like I’m smarter,” he said. “As crazy as it sounds, I feel like I’m smarter. The game has slowed down a lot for me. I haven’t been out there physically to show you all, but the game has slowed down a lot, and I’m very excited.” Defensive end Joey Bosa will be reunited on the football field this summer with his brother, Nick, when the San Francisco 49ers come to town for joint practices on Thursday, August 19 and Friday, August 20. Bosa needs two sacks in 2021 to pass Melvin Ingram (49) for sixth on the Chargers’ all-time sacks list. With five, he’ll pass Fred Dean (52) for fifth all-time. Keep your eye on Kenneth Murray who set a Chargers rookie record with 107 total tackles in 2020. His 959 defensive snaps last were the most among any Bolt defender. Inglewood Today coverage of local news in Los Angeles County is supported by the Ethnic Media Sustainability Initiative, a program created by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services to support minority-owned-andoperated community newspapers across California.

Page 8 Continued from page 1: Councilwoman Faulk...

Locally Inglewood City Councilmember (District 4) Dionne Faulk weighed in on the crisis. “As we continue on our path to ending the COVID-19 Pandemic, I want to remind you that this is not yet over. The Delta Variant Is increasing in rate and poses new challenges for Los Angeles County residents and Inglewood residents specifically. Statistics show that the number of positive cases is on the rise in our Black and Brown communities, and there is a direct correlation to vaccination rates. According to LA County Public Health, only 61% of Inglewood residents age 16+ have at least one vaccine shot, and 99% of all new cases are of unvaccinated people. I encourage you to protect yourself, your family, friends, and children who cannot get vaccinated by getting your shot today. Vaccination is free, and your immigration status is not a factor in eligibility. I implore you to please do all that you can to stay safe!” This week the CDC updated its masking guidance in response to new science related to the Delta variant. In areas with substantial and high transmission, CDC recommends fully vaccinated people wear masks in public, indoor settings to help prevent the spread of the Delta variant and

July 29 - August 4, 2021 protect others. The agency is also recommending that everyone in grade schools wear masks indoors, including teachers, staff, students, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. L.A. County already requires masking indoors in all public settings and K-12 schools; with increased vaccinations and indoor masking, the County should be able to return to lower rates of transmission. L.A. County has administered nearly 11 million total vaccine doses to residents 12 years and older, including more than 6 million first doses and nearly 4.9 million second doses. This means more than 6.1 million LA County residents have received one dose, and more than 5.3 million are fully vaccinated. Among County residents 12 and older, almost 70% have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 61% are fully vaccinated. As of July 29 at County-run vaccination sites, LA City sites, and St. John’s Well Child and Family Center sites, everyone 18 and older coming to get a vaccine will have an opportunity to win one of seven packages of tickets to an array of concerts presented by AEG.? To find a vaccination site near you, make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more, visit: www. VaccinateLACounty.com (English)

and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish). If you don’t have internet access, can’t use a computer, or you’re over 65, you can call 1-833-5400473 for help finding an appointment, connecting to free transportation to and from a vaccination site, or scheduling a home-visit if you are homebound. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. Inglewood Today coverage of local news in Los Angeles County is supported by the Ethnic Media Sustainability Initiative, a program created by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services to support minority-owned-andoperated community newspapers across California.

Continued from page 5:‘Ledisi Sings...

Throughout the night, Ledisi gave the audience a crystal-clear understanding of the deep admiration that the she holds for Nina Simone. It was her spoton character impersonations between each song, and the personal, poignant story that she shared with the audience, describing the very first time in her life when she felt connected to the iconic singer– “Doctor Nina Simone,” Ledisi

consistently referred to her as. Ledisi was in her late-20s and battling deep depression. Her life’s dreams and aspirations, at the time, were continuously facing harsh rejection. Despondent and discouraged, Ledisi sat in a rocking chair on her front porch, debating if life was even worth living anymore. She recalled a dark moment when she pondered “how to leave the earth.” But in that moment, as she sat in a rocking chair debating if she wanted to go on with life, the sound of “Doctor Nina Simone’s” piano came blaring through the speakers that sat inside of her house. It was ‘Trouble In Mind’ that was playing. The dark cloud left, and Ledisi rose from the rocking chair. “I got my spirit back!” she recalls. Since then, the singer-songwriter sure has come a long way. ‘Ledisi Sings Nina’ currently sits at #1 on the Jazz genre Top Albums chart, and this is far from her first taste of success. Ledisi is a 13-time Grammy nominee. This past March, however, was her first Grammy win, taking home Best Traditional R&B Performance for her original single ‘Anything For You’. On Saturday at The Hollywood Bowl, as the end of the night approached, Ledisi, in a cathartic moment of gratitude and grace, says to the delighted crowd, “Thanks to Nina for getting me here.”