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Fast-food workers rally outside... See Page 4
July 8-14 2021 VOL. 36, No. 27
“We Have His Back”: Dem Leaders Throw Support Behind Gov. Newsom in $276 M “Republican Recall”
Tanu Henry | California Black Media
working families – and middle-income Californians – as well as justice for all Californians, its crystal clear to me that Gov. Newsom is the kind of leader we need at a time like this,” said Mitchell. Last week, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis announced Sept. 14 as the date for the recall election after the state verified Newsom’s opponents had collected the1,495,709 signature they needed (12 % of the total votes in the last gubernatorial election) to officially trigger the recall process. “In just a few weeks, every Californian is going to get a ballot in the mail. And you have to fill out the ballot. Mark ‘no” and return it by September 14. If you prefer to go in person, you can do that at your
A group of influential California Democratic leaders held a press conference July 2 to pledge their support for Gov. Gavin Newsom against what they are calling the “Republican Recall,” and to remind Californians, from their point of view, what the state will lose if that effort succeeds. “This recall is a partisan power grab nothing more, nothing less -- a cynical attempt by national Republicans to force an election, and to try to seize control in California,” said U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, former California Secretary of State and California’s first Latino U.S. Senator. Stating that the recall threatens advances California’s Democratic leadership has made, Padilla continued, “This Republican recall effort is powered by the same forces who still refuse to accept the results of the presidential election in 2020. They are pushing voter suppression efforts in statehouse after statehouse across the country.” Other Democratic leaders participating in the press conference were Rusty Hicks, chair of the California Democratic Party; Robert Garcia, mayor of Long Beach: Holly “When you think about what he has Mitchell, Supervisor, Los Angeles been able to do around protecting the County; and Assemblymember David environment, education, expanding Chiu (D-San Francisco). opportunity for our low income and
Cali’s Push to Let Student Athletes Get Paid
Gets Big Assists From SCOTUS, NCAA
Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) represents the sports programs at over 1,260 academic institutions, 102 athletic conferences, and more than 480,000 student athletes who have not been allowed, until recently, to make a dime from their athletic abilities or the marketing of their names, images or likenesses. But last week, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) unanimously ruled that the NCAA policy must fall in line with the country’s antitrust laws and that the organization does not have the authority to deny student athletes the right to receive compensation for their athleticism or fame. “I’m excited about this ruling. It’s long overdue and I am happy that California
had a small role in moving that tide, that marker,” said Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena), who, along with Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) introduced Senate Bill (SB) 206 or the Fair Pay to Play Act in California. SB 206, which Gov. Newsom signed into law in 2019 – and which is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2023 – paved the way for athletes in the Golden State to cash in on apparel endorsements, autograph signing, jersey licensing, social media commerce, ticket sales or other for-profit ventures. Speaking during a Juneteenth celebration at the Secretary of State office in Sacramento, Bradford said, “It’s really what we were talking about here today. College athletics is an Continued on page 7
Continued on page 8
Headed to a Runoff: Mia Bonta Could Be First Member of Black Caucus From Bay Area in Almost a Decade
Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
From a pool of nine candidates, Mia Bonta, and Janani Ramachandran emerged as the two frontrunners in a special election held June 29 for the seat representing California’s 18th Assembly District. A run-off election has been set for Aug. 31. Bonta, an Alameda Unified School District School Board member, and social justice attorney Ramachandran will vie against each other to fill the seat Bonta’s husband Rob Bonta vacated when Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed him the state’s 34th Attorney General in March. In last week’s poll, neither candidate
reached the 50%-plus majority threshold to stave-off a runoff. As of July 31, Bonta had 22,551 votes (38.2%) while Ramachandran, in a distant second-place position had 14, 030 votes (23.7%). “I’m honored and humbled by the outpouring of support from the diverse coalition we built over the course of this primary campaign,” Bonta said after preliminary results showed that she was leading Ramachandran by 40%. “While we did not reach the 50% threshold tonight, momentum is on our side and I know we are ready to continue reaching out to earn every single vote to win in August,” she added. v Ramachandran expressed her gratitude Continued on page 2
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July 8-14 2021
The Lookout: Gov. Newsom Signs Budget-Related Bills Funding Housing, Community Orgs, and More Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media
Watching your tax dollars, elected officials and legislation that affects you. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a number of different bills Monday, June 28, many of them related to the state’s $262.2 billion budget for fiscal year 2020-21. Among priorities set to receive funding are rent relief, housing and some community-based organizations delivering social services locally. One of the bills Newsom signed is Assembly Bill (AB) 832 which will pay 100% of qualifying tenants’ past due and/or prospective rent and extend the eviction moratorium to Sept. 30. “In an agreement forged between the Governor, the Senate and the Assembly, AB 832 increases the value of the reimbursement the state’s emergency rental assistance program provides to now cover 100 percent of past-due and prospective rent payments, as well as utility bills for income-qualified tenants,” Newsom’s office said in a statement. “AB 832 also allows tenants to access rental funds directly if their landlord chooses not to participate and ensures landlords can receive compensation even if their otherwise income-qualified tenants have already vacated a unit,” it continued AB 832 also includes provisions that will protect renters after the eviction moratorium expires. There has been a bit of pushback for this bill. One such critic is Toyin Dawodu, a landlord in Riverside who
is suing the state over courts being unavailable for tenant related cases due to the pandemic. “They should have some empathy for small business owners like us who buy properties, rent them out and we’ve been paying mortgages for about 12 to 14 months and have not been able to collect rent,” Dawodu said, responding to the governor singing AB 832 into law. Newsom also signed Assembly Bill (AB) 128, called the Budget Act of 2021, which sets the budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. This budget will allocate state and federal money to various programs and projects, including $1 billion in funds annually to combat homelessness. That money will be funneled down to local governments. That bill has garnered support from mayors of some of California’s largest cities, namely the Big City Mayors Coalition. “California has nearly five hundred cities and towns, yet 58% of unhoused Californians live in one of the state’s 13 largest cities,” stated San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, chair of the Big City Mayors Coalition. “Our big cities need resources to scale proven solutions, so I am grateful for our legislature’s historic investment
of $1 billion annually to spur local “The tax increase required a twocommunities’ innovative efforts against thirds vote from the Legislature, homelessness. We urge Governor a task made easier by Democrats Newsom to join the legislature in controlling enough seats that they don’t need Republican votes,” responded Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield). “As #CaBudget Chair, I’m proud of the work the subcommittee chairs & I have done this session to craft a historic, transformative spending plan that helps struggling Californians & advances our economic recovery. Thank you to our staff, who also played a big role in this success,” Ting wrote. Assembly Bill (AB) 464 will authorize a city or county providing large cities with funds we to establish an Enhanced Infrastructure can quickly deploy to house our most Financing District (EIFD) to finance vulnerable neighbors,” Liccardo the construction and maintenance of continued. small businesses in the aftermath of the According to Senate President Pro COVID-19 pandemic. Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), 2021 The bill will also make state funds has seen a record budget surplus of available for “facilities in which over $76 billion. nonprofit community organizations “California’s finances overall are in provide health, youth, homeless and great shape, but we know many local social services.” communities continue to struggle in Assemblymember Kevin Mullin the aftermath of the pandemic. This is (D-San Francisco), author of AB 464, a commonsense approach that allocates explained what he believes the bill will one-time state resources to help our do for the local economy. local communities,” Atkins said last “Economic and community recovery week. from the catastrophic effects of the The budget, particularly tax increases COVID pandemic will depend on on businesses with 500 or more public investment as soon as possible employees, has drawn some criticism to resume the local economy,” Mullin from Republican lawmakers. said last week.
Continued from page 1: Headed to a Runoff... PRESIDENT/ EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Willie Brown PUBLISHER Kenneth Miller VICE PRESIDENT Gloria Kennedy PRODUCTION Kenneth Denson QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER Gloria Kennedy Inglewood Today Weekly is a legally adjudicated newspaper of public circ ulation, published weekly by Ads Up Advertising, Inc. News and press releases may be submitted for consideration by mail to 9111 La Cienega Boulevard, Suite 100, Inglewood, CA 90301 or by email to itnetworks@msn.com.
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to supporters. “Thank you for believing that our grassroots movement for justice is winnable, because fearless progressive change is what our District wants and deserves,” said Ramachandran. “You helped us stun the political experts who didn’t see our grassroots surge coming. Naysayers who didn’t believe in the strength of people-powered movements.” California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber’s office will certify special election results for Assembly District 18 on July 8. Malia Vella is currently in third place with 10,049 votes (17.0%), the last candidate in the double-digit range. AD 18 includes most of Oakland, San Leandro and Alameda. About 65% of voters there are Democrat, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. It is one of the largest bases of liberal voters in the state. Bonta and Ramachandran are both Democrats. Depending on the results Aug. 31, Bonta, who is Afro-Latina, could join the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) as the group’s 11th member. Bonta would also be the CLBC’s first member from the Bay Area since Sandré Swanson served in the Assembly. Swanson, who represented the 16th
Assembly District from 2006 to 2012, was also former Deputy Mayor of Oakland and served as chief of staff to U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (DCA-13). The 16th Assembly District cuts across parts of Alameda and Contra Costa counties and covers Orinda and parts of Walnut Creek and the Tri-Valley. Bonta was elected to the Alameda Unified School District School Board in 2018 and currently serves as board president. She has been endorsed by Lee; California’s junior U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla; California Treasurer Fiona Ma; Secretary of State Shirley Weber; the California Teachers Association; Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California; and Equality California. Bonta her campaign’s message rests on three key pillars: housing, education, and addressing homelessness. Between 2015 and 2019, the number of homeless people living in Oakland increased by 86%, according to According to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Point-in-Time (PIT) count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons. That report also reveals that 70% of the East Bay city’s homeless population are African American although Blacks account for 24 % of the general population.
“I will work to secure funding for local homelessness programs in the East Bay and push for the wraparound services it takes to lift our unhoused neighbors out of poverty,” Bonta stated. Ramachandran’s political platform includes providing affordable housing, addressing “extreme climate events,” and raising California’s wages to $22 per hour, she said. According to Minimum-wage.org, a website that tracks minimum hourly rates around the country, California’s state minimum wage is $13.00 per hour, which is greater than the federal minimum Wage of $7.25. The California minimum wage was last changed in 2008, when it was raised $5.00 from $8.00 to $13.00. The current minimum per hour for employers in California with 26 or more employees, is wage $14.00, Minimumwage.org reported. “I will fight to raise the minimum wage in California to $22 per hour by 2022 – with a dedicated plan to support small businesses. Living wages will lift millions of California families out of poverty while strengthening our economy,” Ramachandran stated.
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July 8-14 2021
EYE ON THE CITY GEORGE DOTSON
ALEX PADILLA
JAMES BUTTS
ELOY MORALES
RALPH FRANKLIN
AROUND THE CITY
A Message from County Administrator Dr. Erika Torres
Dear Inglewood Unified School Room, where families and students can District (IUSD) Staff, Students, Families access a list of resources that include and Community: visual relaxation and sound, healthy eating, goal setting, fitness and more. Recently the Virtual Calming Room was highlighted by ABC7 Inglewood Community Journalist, Ashley Mackey, to discuss the stigma around mental health and explore the benefits of utilizing this free resource. Staff from IUSD and the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) were interviewed to expand on their collaborative effort and purpose for creating such a phenomenal site in support of our District’s commitment to prioritize mental health and wellness for students, families, staff and the community. To view the ABC7 coverage, please click here. To access the Virtual Calming Room, please click here. In our continued commitment to Enrollment and Family Resource Fair serving our community and providing We are excited to announce that our current information, we have some District will host an Enrollment and important updates in this week’s Family Resource Fair on Saturday, July message. Please be advised that our 31, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. newsletter will be distributed twice a at Caroline Coleman Stadium. Please month during the summer break. Our join us to learn additional information regular, weekly distribution will resume about our schools, health and wellness in August 2021. services, family resources, job fair and ABC 7 Calming Room more! Families and students will also During Mental Health Awareness have an opportunity to win raffle prizes, Month in May, we shared Morningside and participate in fun activities, music High School’s (MHS) Virtual Calming and food! Additional details regarding
the enrollment fair are coming soon. Please visit our IUSD website at www. inglewoodusd.com for updates. Drive-Thru Food Giveaway Our District has partnered with the City of Inglewood, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to distribute free meals on July 9, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. at Woodworth-Monroe TK-8 School. The car line formation will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the distribution is based on a first-come-first served basis. For more information, including the school site address and additional food resources and contact information, please click here. 2021 Summer Hours of Operation As a reminder, the District has implemented its longstanding practice of a 4-40 work schedule to decrease energy costs during the summer effective Monday, June 14, 2021 through Friday, July 23, 2021. During this period, the District’s hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. The entire District will be closed on Fridays with the exception of Custodian, Maintenance and Grounds Department, Child Development Center (CDC), and School Police.
Please kindly note that the District will be closed for an observed holiday on Monday, July 5, 2021. Our operating hours for the remainder of the week from July 6, 2021 through July 9, 2021 will be 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. The summer 4-40 work schedule will conclude effective Friday, July 23, 2021. Our normal operating hours will resume effective Monday, July 26, 2021. Grocery Kits Distribution Update Our District is providing ONE free Grocery Kit per child at the following sites beginning Monday, June 28, 2021: The kits contain 7 days of breakfast and lunch, including milk and fresh bulk produce. The kits may include various grocery items each week such as cheese, cherries, apricots, peaches, avocados and cucumbers. Please click here to access additional details regarding grocery kits. For more information, please contact the IUSD Food Services department at (310) 680-4870. Thank you staff, parents, students, and community members for your ongoing support and commitment to the success of our district. #WeAreInglewoodUnified Sincerely, Erika F. Torres, Ed.D., MSW County Administrator
Newly released ‘Summer of Soul’ documentary is worth the watch By Brea Mitchell, Staff Writer
In 2017, musician Ahmir Thompson, better known as ‘Questlove’, gained access to 40 hours of never-before-seen footage of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, a music festival that took place over a timespan of six weeks, celebrating Black music and Black culture. For 50 years, footage of this festival had been collecting dust in a basement— media, television, and film companies had no interest in it, perhaps because around the same time, just 100 miles north, the well-known ‘Woodstock Festival’ was underway. The Harlem Cultural Festival became known as ‘Black Woodstock’, and
many of the festivalgoers even referred to it as ‘the Black barbeque’. It was a gathering of dancing and singing, and a celebration Black history and Black resistance, but the festival also served as a space for comradery and healing during times of tension, unrest and severe oppression of Black Americans in the 1960s. The festival took place in Mount Morris Park, which is now the Marcus Garvey
Park, and performers included Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension, and more. The heartfelt documentary pieced together by Questlove includes concert footage, interviews from prominent Black voices, and even reflections from attendees of the festival. ‘Summer of Soul’ is available now on Hulu, and well worth the watch. Consider this documentary the latest act of fighting against the unfortunate common theme of Black history erasure in America.
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July 8-14 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
Fast-food workers rally outside Inglewood City Hall demanding support from elected officials for the FAST Recovery Act
By Brea Mitchell, Staff Writer
On Thursday, July 1, Los Angeles fast-food cooks and cashiers gathered outside of Inglewood City Hall demanding elected officials to protect fast-food workers by supporting the FAST Recovery Act (also known as AB257). AB-257, introduced by Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez in January 2021, would create a Fast-Food Sector Council, an 11-member board with representatives appointed by the governor and legislative leaders, each for four-year terms. The council would establish industry-wide minimum standards on wages, working hours, and
other working conditions related to the health, safety, and welfare of fast-food restaurant workers. The bill would also supply the necessary cost of proper living to workers. After Assembly Member Autumn Burke chose to abstain from voting on the bill, the workers deemed it vital to hold the rally outside of Assembly Member Burke’s office at Inglewood City Hall. Nearly half a million fast-food workers reside in California, and even as the state’s economy is on a path toward recovery, these workers remain in crisis, and the issues at hand have been relevant
since before the pandemic. Issues include violence on the job, sexual harassment, wage theft, and health and safety concerns. Most recently, as the heat wave across California intensifies, there’s been an increasing number of fast-food workers’ complaints citing extreme heat and inadequate or broken air conditioning in stores. Mysheka Ronquillo has been an employee at Carl’s Jr. for five years, and she’s also a home healthcare worker. Ronquillo spoke at the rally about some of the traumatic experiences she’s faced while working at Carl’s Jr., and the lack of protection that she had during these
experiences. The FAST Recovery Act would make all of the difference for Ronquillo and her coworkers. “AB-257 will basically hold large corporations of fast-food accountable for everything that goes on in the workplace. It would give us a voice. We would get paid a decent wage. It would protect us. There were times where I was at work and I would be abused by customers, and they would just tell me to keep working. People put their hands on me, and I’m just told to keep working. That’s not fair, and no one’s held accountable for that. With AB-257, we’ll have a council made up of people that are also on our side. They’ll enact laws so that we’re protected at work, so that we don’t feel like we’re scared to speak up because we’re afraid of getting fired,” says Ronquillo. The push for AB-257 didn’t end here. Approximately two hours after the Inglewood rally, Compton was the next destination, outside of Assembly Member Mike Gipson’s district office– who also abstained from voting on the bill.
Pedro Venegas is the secret sauce behind the rapid growth of Inglewood’s ‘Dobby Garden’ By Brea Mitchell, Staff Writer
In January 2021, Inglewood native Pedro Venegas began tending to his neighbor’s tangerine tree. They were tasty tangerines and Venegas couldn’t stand the thought of them going to waste. Once the tangerines reached their full potential on the tree, he would pick them and take them to downtown Inglewood on Market Street, where a donation drive was regularly held at the time. Donations were brought in daily from people all over Los Angeles– items such as food, books, toys, and clothes. And as Venegas began to regularly bring the tangerines, his giving spirit also compelled him to help upkeep the donation area. He noticed when food would sit there for too long, and would clean out the items that could no longer be of use. He’d also organize and keep the space as clean as possible.
Eventually, the donation box was shut down due to lack of upkeep. Afterall, Pedro Venegas is only one person. Perhaps the space needed just a couple more Pedro Venegases to help maintain the area. But for the time that this donation drive did last, it helped many people. With all of that being said, the tangerine tree turned out to be the origin story of Venegas’ green thumb. After the shutdown of Market Street’s donation drive, Venegas craved a new
project. He soon stumbled upon the new community garden that had recently launched at Inglewood’s Darby Park, ‘The Dobby Garden’. Venegas saw the potential and how much work there was to be done at the new Darby Park addition. Garden Director Eva Penuelas asked if he’d like to help with some of the weekly tasks in the garden. “A month later, it looked better. Two months later, it was starting to come together. I had asked Eva to tell me the days she would be [at the garden], and I’d come and help on those days. I didn’t know anything about gardening, but it’s food that people could actually use. Now that people are actually showing up with their bags to pick up food– that’s what I was waiting for,” says Venegas. Now, as for day-to-day activities as the garden continues to blossom, Venegas helps keep the fruits and vegetables hydrated and healthy. He’s always
willing to get his hands dirty whenever necessary, and he’s always ready to educate any curious kid or adult that stumbles into The Dobby Garden with questions. Afterall, not long ago, he was the one who stumbled into the garden with the same questions and curiosities. Keeping The Dobby Garden thriving is just one of Pedro Venegas’ talents and interests. During his free time, you can also find him playing pool at the Inglewood Senior Center. “The thing that I like the most, and what I’m trying to do for my own self, is make my community my home. Anything that I like to do, if I can do it in Inglewood, I want to do it in Inglewood. The more people that have that mentality, it can affect the community,” says Venegas. His answer when asked what The Dobby Garden is in need of in order to continue to grow and reach its full potential, “a few more people to get involved.” Consider that a call to action!
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Sports & Entertainment Newcomer update: DeSean Jackson
By Stu Jackson, LA Rams
With the offseason program complete and training camp on the horizon, it’s time to look ahead. As part of the preparation for training camp, theRams. com will be spotlighting a handful of players new to the Rams’ roster. Kicking off the series is wide receiver DeSean Jackson. How He Got Here: Jackson was available this offseason after being released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 19. A little over a month later, he agreed to terms with the Rams on a one-year deal. The signing reunited him with Rams head coach Sean McVay,
who was his offensive coordinator for three seasons in Washington (2014-16) and oversaw a span in which Jackson posted the second-highest (20.9, 2014) and fourth-highest (17.9, 2016) singleseason yards per reception averages of his career. What’s Next: Reconnecting with McVay, Jackson will be tasked with filling a similar role to his first stint. McVay previously mentioned creating more explosive plays being a priority this year, and Jackson’s speed and big-play ability will play an important part in that. It’s also possible Jackson could be used in other ways. Jackson landed in a Los Angeles offense with
established, returning targets for quarterback Matthew Stafford – similar to his arrival in Washington seven years ago – but McVay still found other ways to capitalize on Jackson’s skillset beyond just his niche “deep threat” role back then. On June 9, Stafford said Jackson “still has the long speed” and “plays a little bit bigger than people give him credit for.” Bet You Didn’t Know: Though many may recognize Jackson from his college playing days at Cal, his roots go deeper than that. He grew up in the Crenshaw neighborhood of Los Angeles – even playing football in a park near what is now the site for SoFi Stadium – before
starring at Long Beach Polytechnic High School. He was also a producer of All Eyez on Me, a 2017 biopic on rapper and activist Tupac Shakur. Quotable: “Just getting the relationships down with my teammates, Rob (Robert Woods), Coop (Cooper Kupp), guys like that and seeing how we’re going to work together, it’s definitely going to be a scary group for defenses and defenders, because Sean McVay, one thing about him is he’s going to figure out how to get people open. So we’re just looking forward to having a lot of fun doing it.” – DeSean Jackson on June 8
Newest Chargers Wrap Up Rookie Development Program Hayley Elwood, Team Reporter
For the Chargers rookies, the backend of spring and beginning of summer has been a whirlwind. Since the draft, the group has been acclimating to life in the NFL through the team’s rookie development program led by senior director of player engagement Arthur Hightower and team clinician Dr. Herb Martin. Hightower, who’s entering his 17th season with the Bolts, said this year’s program was great and the ability to even get to know the players in person beforehand, in comparison to 2020, made it even better. “We were able to see the rookies prior to training camp in person which made a big difference,” Hightower said. “A lot of the meetings were still virtual, but just knowing that you physically saw them in the building, or they could stop by your office, or you could go by their hotel to check on them, that was the biggest difference.” The program covers a wide variety of topics from football to finances and everything in between giving them a crash course in all things Chargers and NFL. “To a man, they just appreciated the fact that we were able to give them a
view of their future in terms of their job, but also life skills that go beyond being a professional athlete,” he mentioned. “Budgeting is budgeting. Whether you’re a professional athlete or a schoolteacher, you still need to learn how about benefits, your salary, moving. They can be things we take for granted, but they’re of use to these guys.” The culmination of the program ended with pairing the rookies with female reporters in Emmy-award winning sports broadcaster Laura Okmin’s GALvanize bootcamp which focuses on media training and building relationships. 2021 marks the fifth bootcamp Okmin has done with the Bolts. Though done virtually this year, each rookie gets paired with a reporter and after the pairs get to know each other, the women interview their NFL partners one-on-one. It’s a process that benefits both the rookie and reporter as they embark on their new careers. “It’s a chance that helps growing professionals,” Hightower said. “I obviously work for the Chargers and I have a job to help the young men that we bring in, but there’s also a group of young women who are cracking into
their own profession, too … Laura does a great job of having the players examine their ‘who.’ We know what they do as professional athletes, but who are you? Being able to get that out of young men and young women goes a long way. I like to send them off into the summer knowing their ‘who’ as they try to make this team and establish their careers in the National Football League.” “We’ve been raised to think our job defines who we are,” Okmin said. “I think we’re now just in this awesome point of time where athletes know they’re so much more than what they do. It’s such a privilege to help guys start thinking about that early on. I want the two groups to leave with empathy for each other and respect for each other. That’s the professional part of this because these rookies have never had women in the locker room before. “It just feels like if we can get these rookies at this part of their career and we can get so many young women at the beginning of their journeys to realize how much they can help each other and how many more similarities they have than differences, I think that can change the relationship between both sides.”
While the development program may be complete, the work is just beginning. For the newest members of the Bolts, this is their job now. While no duration of an NFL career is guaranteed, Hightower, Martin, and team chaplain George Gregory are doing what they can to have the players “build authentic relationships” with them and each other as they navigate this next chapter of their professional lives. “We set up an accountability program where they’re in groups of four or five and checking in on each other,” Hightower explained. “(The program may be over) but we never leave them. My goal is to build authentic relationships and not just working relationships. “No matter what, these guys are all rookies together with the Los Angeles Chargers. They can go on and have careers with another team, but they all got their start right here. It’s one of those things where relationships get established in this league. I remember coach Marty Schottenheimer told me that relationships are what make this league. It steers it. I never forgot those words. Little things like that go a long way.”
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BUPPIE | BUSINESS
Cal Woman Quits Powerful Biz Org; Alleges Anti-Black Comments, Actions
Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media
A California-based member of the Washington, DC-based National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) resigned last month, accusing the group’s leadership of racist actions and statements. She was an elected official of the organization that advocates on behalf of more than 10 million women-owned
businesses around the United States. Charlotta Carter, President-CEO of GRI Technology Solutions and president-elect of the NAWBO-San Francisco Chapter, resigned her position in a letter to the NAWBO membership last month. Carter’s resignation was soon followed by by another Black woman, Vikita Poindexter, stepping down from a NAWBO leadership role. Poindexter is CEO of Poindexter
Consulting Group and president of NAWBO-California. In her resignation letter, Carter recounted incidents during her onboarding and work as president-elect when NAWBO showed reluctance to support Black women business owners. Carter wrote, “I’m humbled to be asked to join but find that there is a true disconnect with the overall NAWBO set of mission and goals and what I believe
and need as a Black business owner to be part of the organization. NAWBO’s strategy and vision IMHO (in my honest opinion) does not value diversity and cannot see the uniqueness of Blackowned businesses -- challenges that are far beyond other demographics.” The women’s resignations -- and Carter’s condemning allegations -come nearly a year after the George Floyd protests last summer, a time when corporations and non-profits took symbolic and substantive steps to promote diversity, promote racial equity and support Black individuals and institutions. Carter shared details of a racist incident she said happened April 30. “In bringing that draft legislation to NAWBO National and the incoming president, she was very offended that we included language in that draft bill to help address African American womenowned small businesses earning $50,000 or less. She was very offended, and said, ‘If we’re going to just focus on African American women, we can’t support this. Besides members of NAWBO, we’re tired of focusing on African American women’s issues. So, needless to say, the meeting went downhill from there,” Continued on page 8
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A DOCTOR’S NOTE ON VACCINES
Dr. Tasha Dixon, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health 1.What are the chances the vaccine has any long-term side effects on my health? There are no known long-term negative effects of the vaccine. After you receive your COVID-19 vaccine,
you may feel some slight side effects, just like you would after the flu vaccine. Some of the most common side effects include arm soreness, a mild fever or a headache. But these symptoms will subside after 24 hours. If you do feel any of these side effects, there’s no need to worry. This is your body’s way of telling you it is building immunity and protecting you against COVID-19. In the end, the only lasting sideeffect is protection. The vaccine protects you from getting extremely sick, possibly needing hospitalization or worse. 2.How do I know if my vaccines will protect me from new variants that begin to circulate that may be more infections and dangerous? Scientists are working around the clock to test the COVID-19 vaccines against the new variants that may be
more infectious or dangerous. So far, all three of the vaccines have proven to be effective against the variants— keeping you and your loved ones safe and protected against the virus. 3.Will I need to get a booster shot and if so, how many months after I have been fully vaccinated? We don’t know yet if we’ll need booster shots or annual vaccines, but scientists are studying this now. What we do know is that whether it is a booster shot, an annual vaccine or just the initial vaccine, it is important that we all do our part to stop COVID-19 from taking over our lives, our jobs, and our communities. 4.What should parents know about the vaccines for those younger than 16 years of age? If we want to protect all of our loved ones from this deadly virus, we all need to be vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines, like other vaccines your children get, are safe and effective and help us eradicate disease in our community. Remember that only the Pfizer vaccine is available for those who are 12-17 years old. Visit Vaccinatelacounty.com to make your vaccination appointment.
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July 8-14 2021
Electronically FILED by Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles on 07/01/2020 04:15 PM Sherri R. Carter, Executive Officer/Clerk of Court, by C. Monroe,Deputy Clerk
20STCV24870
PUBLIC NOTICE
COVID-19 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021139689 The Following Person Is Doing Business As:
Due to the existing COVID-19 health emergency and the social distancing measures currently in effect, and pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20((https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3.17.20-N-29-20-EO.pdf)), please note that members of the public will only be allowed to observe and address the City Council Meeting of July 20, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. by telephone, video and other electronic means, as follows:
Activate Telehealth 578 Washington Blvd., Suite 396 Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Viewing and Listening to the Meeting without Making Public Comments: •On Spectrum Cable Local Channel 35 with audio and limited video. Please check with your cable provider for details. •Live on-line through Facebook Live, with audio and limited video, at https://www.facebook.com/cityofinglewood/ •The above access options provide the public with the opportunity to both observe and listen to the meeting. •However, members of the public who wish to orally address the City Council must use the public access options noted below:
Registered Owner: MSJ Comprehensive Insurance Solutions, LLC, 578 Washington Blvd., Suite 396, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Listening to Meeting and Oral Public Comments: The meeting’s telephone number and access code will be provided no later than 72 hours before the meeting on the meeting agenda published at https://www.cityofinglewood.org/AgendaCenter/ City-Council-3. Please observe the following tips when phoning in: •When you call-in, the operator will provide further instructions on how you can make public comments via phone. •If you are calling from a cell phone, please call from an area with good reception. •If you are watching the meeting on Facebook or Channel 35 while also accessing the phone line, it is requested that you mute the sound of your video feed as it is offset by 3 seconds from the phone transmission. Additionally, when you are making public comments on the phone line you will be inaudible due to feedback.
This business is conducted by a company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on June 22, 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.) MSJ Comprehensive Insurance Solutions, Inc., Owner
Written Public Comments: Should you choose to submit comments electronically for consideration by the Inglewood City Council/Successor Agency/Housing Authority/Finance Authority/Parking Authority/Joint Powers Authority (Legislative Body) by sending them to the City Clerk/Secretary at yhorton@cityofinglewood.org, and Deputy City Clerk at aphillips@ cityofinglewood.org. To ensure distribution to the members of the Legislative Body prior to consideration of the agenda, please submit comments prior to 12:00 P.M. the day of the meeting, and in the body of the email, please identify the agenda number or subject matter. Those comments, as well as any comments received after 12:00 P.M., will be distributed to the members of the Legislative Body and will be made part of the official public record of the meeting. Contact the Office of the City Clerk at 310-412-5280 with any questions.
This statement was filed with the County Clerk on June 22, 2021
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 1, 8, 15, 22, 2021 IT0042230120020163 Inglewood Today
Accessibility: If you will require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 412-5280 or FAX (310) 412-5333, One Manchester Boulevard, 1st Floor, Inglewood, California 90301. All requests for accommodations must be received 48 hours prior to the day of the hearing. The City Council of the City of Inglewood, California, will hold a public hearing on July 20, 2021 at the hour of 2:00 p.m., to consider the following: 1.A Public Hearing to consider code amendments to Inglewood Municipal Code Chapters 10 and 12, including Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA-2021-002) to modify signage regulations for banners in the Public Right-of-Way (ROW), citywide.
Electronically Received 06/07/2021 08:43 AM
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.
A Notice of Exemption (EA-CE-2020-043) has been prepared to state that the proposed project will have no significant adverse impact upon the environment, a copy of which is available for public review in the first-floor lobby of the City Hall and via email at bmccrumby@cityofinglewood.org. This notice is given by the order of the City Council of the City of Inglewood and is dated the 29th day of June 2021. Aisha L.Thompson, City Clerk City of Inglewood, California “If you challenge the proposed code amendments in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing.” In the event that the City Council meeting of July 20, 2021 is not held, or is concluded prior to this public hearing agenda item being considered, the public hearing will automatically be continued to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. “Si no entiende esta noticia o si necesita mas informacion, favor de llamar a este numero (310) 412-5280.”
Continued from page 1: Cali’s Push...
extension of the chattel system. Those athletes are people of color -- African American men and women -- who have never been fully compensated.” About a week after the Supreme Court’s landmark decision, the NCAA, based on recommendations from the organization’s Division 1 Board of Directors, announced that it would lift its restrictions on student earnings and allow students to profit off of their athleticism and fame. That organization’s decision came a day before laws lifting the NCAA ban in eight states – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, Ohio and Texas – took effect July 1. According to the NCAA, the temporary action would remain in place until federal legislation or new NCAA rules are adopted. After the NCAA decision, Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman and co-lead attorney for a class action suit, Keller v. Electronic Arts Inc., that helped shift the ground on the student athlete pay issue, shared his thoughts. Berman told California Black Media, “this set of rules argues that the fate of college sports is not seriously in jeopardy if the NCAA were to get out of the business of fixing NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) prices entirely.” “The NCAA is admitting what we’ve known all along: that consumer demand is not tied to athletes’ earnings, and for many reasons, college sports can have
a future that is both fair and sustainable for athletes,” he continued. In the Supreme Court case, the National Collegiate Athletic Association v. Alston (No. 20-512), U.S. Justice Neil Gorsuch delivered an opinion in the 9-0 unanimous ruling. Gorsuch wrote, “Colleges and universities across the country have leveraged sports to bring in revenue, attract attention, boost enrollment, and raise money from alumni. That profitable enterprise relies on ‘amateur’ student-athletes who compete under horizontal restraints that restrict how the schools may compensate them for their play.” The NCAA, he continued, “issues and enforces these rules, which restrict compensation for student-athletes in various ways. These rules depress compensation for at least some studentathletes below what a competitive market would yield.” The lead plaintiff in the case the Supreme Court decided, Alston v. NCAA, is African American Shawne Alston, a former University of West Virginia (UVW) running back. Alston played for the Mountaineers from 2009 to 2012. Alston’s landmark ruling may have led to the biggest rewriting of NCAA rules in the organization’s 115-year history, but it was Ed O’Bannon, who first brought a legal complaint against the NCAA, over the compensation of former and current student-athletes.
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July 8-14 2021
Continued from page 1: “We Have His Back”...
local polling place on September 14. You can find information about that on our Secretary of State website,” said Chiu, urging Californians to support Newsom. The effort to recall Newsom began in 2020 led by a former Yolo County Sheriff’s Deputy, Orrin Heatlie, with the support of a group called the California Patriot Coalition. They criticized the governor for high taxes, what they perceived as inaction on the drought, pro-illegal immigrant policies and other grievances. The movement gained traction during the COVID-19 global pandemic when larger numbers of Californians became resistant to the governor’s pandemic-related business closures and other restrictions. To recall Newsom, more than 50 % of voters would have to check yes on that option, which will be the first question on the ballot. If more than 50 % of voters agree to Newsom’s recall, the candidate on the ballot (the governor will not be included as a choice) with the highest number of votes will qualify as Newsom’s replacement. Tom Del Beccaro, a vocal supporter of the recall and chair of RescueCalifornia.org, a political action committee galvanizing Newsom’s opponents across the state, said removing the governor from office is “every American’s business.” Del Beccaro wrote in a Fox News op-ed last month, “California is beset with problems. For years, California’s policies have led to crisis after crisis. There is a perennial water crisis, a wildfire crisis, an electricity crisis, a crime problem, business and job flight from the state, homelessness and poverty.” Expressing the opposite view, according to Chiu, what the governor has achieved in the two and a half years since he was sworn into office, is nothing short of remarkable. “Our governor has led our state and invested in truly bold investments,” Chiu said. “He led the passage of unprecedented legislation to protect civil rights, to reform our criminal justice system; to double down on our fight against climate change; to create more housing for the unhoused than any governor in history; to expand access to health care; to make record investments in education; to support immigrant communities; and truly deliver big for working families. He has launched the biggest economic recovery plan in our state’s history.” At the press conference the high cost of holding an off-cycle special election was discussed. The California Department of Finance estimates that the election will cost taxpayers $276 million.
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Advertising and organizing on both sides of the recall effort could cost hundreds of millions of dollars more. “I was blown away – not in a good way – when the Los Angeles Country registrar’s office told us what it would cost us locally to hold this election,” said Mitchell. “From the operational aspects of an election at this time of year to what it is going to cost statewide. All of us as taxpayers are going to have to pay when our dollars need to be going to the California Comeback plan to help us recover.” In California, Democrats dominate. Of the 20.9 million registered voters in the state, an estimated 46.3 % are Democrats, about 24 % are Republican and roughly 24% consider themselves independent or having “no party preference,” according to 2020 numbers compiled by the Public Policy Institute of California. Hicks said with the recall election officially happening in less than three months, he is paying close attention to the lessons of 2003 when a successful recall effort against Democratic Gov. Gray Davis led to his ousting and the election of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Every poll shows that Democrats overwhelmingly reject this Republican recall and we as a party our prepared to put forth the effort to ensure that the 10 million California Democrats get to the polls to defeat this,” said Hicks, adding that this election has national implications for Democrats. Hicks said low voter turnout is a concern. But he assured supporters that the California Democratic Party has the technology, strategies and infrastructure in place to successfully push back on the recall. Garcia says he’s confident, too, that the recall will fail in September. “Let’s not forget, Democrats didn’t want this recall in the first place. This is a state that supports the governor, and we expect to defeat the recall.” Mitchell says the two options voters’ have couldn’t be clearer. “What side of this do you want to be on? Do you want to be on the side of someone who stood in the gap, understood vulnerable communities, and the needs of vulnerable communities, and did all that he could to protect us?” asked Mitchell. “Or do we want to stand with the people who never stand with working families on any other issue ever?” Mitchell says that Democrats have to work hard to inform ethnic communities across California about what is at stake for them if Newsom is recalled. “I know where I’m going to stand, and the people I represent are clear as well,” she said.
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Continued from page 6: Cal Woman...
Carter told California Black Media (CBM). Carter also alleged that, at an onboarding meeting, she spoke with another Black woman who was president of a different NAWBO chapter, who said she was “afraid” to reach out to the NAWBO national board for a statement about George Floyd’s death. Carter said, “My take to that is why -in an organization that’s supposed to be supportive of you and your community and your issues -- would you be afraid to call the headquarters and ask them to make a statement on something so critical in our history. Why would you be afraid? You’re gonna get blackballed or something? And if that’s the case, why would you want to be a part of an organization like that?” In an email to NAWBO members obtained by CBM, NAWBO National leadership said that they were taking Carter’s allegations seriously, and that they had convened a special task force to investigate her claims. The letter reads, “As a national organization with local footprints, we must in principle and in practice, be inclusive, diverse, respectful and equitable to all members.” Carter also told CBM that she is still confident in her decision to leave the organization, and that she was skeptical of the organization’s future regarding their diversity and inclusion initiatives. “The incoming president Susan Dawson’s first statement that ‘members of NAWBO are tired of supporting African American women’s issues,’
was her truth. And anything that came after that was total BS. So, any apology would ring hollow to me because she really wouldn’t have meant it So, I’m happy if they do something about it and they do some soul searching and realize that they’re more of a racist organization than they think they are, that would be great. And if they don’t do anything then I know I made the right decision by distancing myself from them,” Carter said. NAWBO ’s leadership said in a statement to CBM that they have appointed a special task force to investigate the accusations, and that they cannot publicly comment on the matter until the investigation, which is currently underway, is complete. They also said that four BIPOC women currently serve on NAWBO’s national board. “In principle and in practice, NAWBO values and seeks a diverse and inclusive membership. We seek full participation in the organization by all business owners who support our mission to empower women entrepreneurs, regardless of race, religion, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. Our goal is to effectively represent the full diversity of the women business owner community and to expand access to leadership opportunities across the full spectrum of our membership,” the statement reads.
COVID-19 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPTIONS Due to the existing COVID-19 health emergency and the social distancing measures currently in effect, and pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20((https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3.17.20-N-29-20EO.pdf)), please note that members of the public will only be allowed to observe and address the Special Planning Commission Meeting of July 21, 2021 at 7:00 P.M. by telephone, video and other electronic means, as follows: Viewing and Listening to the Meeting without Making Public Comments: •On Spectrum Cable Local Channel 35 with audio and limited video. Please check with your cable provider for details. •Live on-line through Facebook Live, with audio and limited video, at https://www.facebook.com/cityofinglewood/ •The above access options provide the public with the opportunity to both observe and listen to the meeting. •However, members of the public who wish to orally address the Planning Commission must use the public access options noted below: Listening to Meeting and Oral Public Comments: The meeting’s telephone number and access code will be provided no later than 72 hours before the meeting on the meeting agenda published at https://www.cityofinglewood.org/ AgendaCenter/Planning-Commission-4 Please observe the following tips when phoning in: •When you call-in, the operator will provide further instructions on how you can make public comments via phone. •If you are calling from a cell phone, please call from an area with good reception. •If you are watching the meeting on Facebook or Channel 35 while also accessing the phone line, it is requested that you mute the sound of your video feed as it is offset by 3 seconds from the phone transmission. Additionally, when you are making public comments on the phone line you will be inaudible due to feedback. Written Public Comments: Members of the public can submit comments electronically for consideration by the Inglewood Planning Commission by sending them to the Case Planner indicated below. To ensure distribution to the Commissioners prior to consideration of the agenda, please submit comments prior to 12:00 P.M. the day of the meeting, and in the body of the email, please identify meeting date and subject matter. Comments received after 12:00 P.M. on day of meeting will be made part of the official public record of the meeting. Contact the Planning Division at 310-412-5230 with any questions. Accessibility: If you will require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact the Planning Division Office at (310) 412-5230, One Manchester Boulevard, 4th Floor, Inglewood, California 90301. All requests for accommodations must be received 48 hours prior to the day of the hearing. The Planning Commission of the City of Inglewood, California, will hold public hearings on July 21, 2021 at the hour of 7:00 p.m., to consider the following: 1.A public hearing to consider an application by J.D. Fox, representing WDR, LLC. for AT&T Mobility, for Special Use Permit No. 2021-007 (SP-2021-007) to allow the location of a roof-mounted wireless telecommunications facility on the roof of an existing, three-story parking garage on an approximately 3.96 acre, HPSP (Hollywood Park Specific Plan) zoned property at 3863 West Century Boulevard and legally described as Lot D of PM 382-31-36 (AIN 4025-011-094). A Notice of Exemption (EA-CE-2021-055) has been prepared stating that the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a copy of which is available for public review in the first floor lobby of City Hall and via email to mfewell@cityofinglewood.org. 2.A public hearing to consider Zoning Code Amendment 2021-001 (ZCA-2021-001) to Chapter 12 of the Inglewood Municipal Code to modify regulations for Smoke Shops. A Notice of Exemption (EA-CE-2021-020) has been prepared stating that the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a copy of which is available for public review in the first floor lobby of City Hall and via email request sent to bmccrumby@cityofinglewood.org. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65009, if you challenge any of the public hearing items in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing. In the event that the Planning Commission Special Meeting of July 21, 2021 is not held, or is concluded prior to a public hearing agenda item being considered, the public hearing will automatically be continued to the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. “Si no entiende esta noticia o si necesita mas informacion, favor de llamar a este numero (310) 412-5230.”