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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EYE ON THE CITY Rams
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June 17-23 2021 VOL. 36, No. 24
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Bronny’s debut... See Page 5
Inglewood and area communities celebrate Juneteenth
By Brea Mitchell, Staff Writer
As the historic nineteenth day of June swiftly approaches, it’s important to take note of why we honor and celebrate the day. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the
Emancipation Proclamation by executive order, meaning all enslaved African Americans were now, under federal law, set free– or at least were supposed to be. It actually wasn’t until two years later, on June 19, 1865, when the last
As California Opens Up, Black Pastors, Community Orgs Urge More Testing
face a different environment. Some Covid-19 cases are plunging as workplaces such as restaurants and California prepares to slowly reopen amusement parks will require proof this week. Continued on page 7 However, returning workers will Manny Otiko | California Black Media
remaining group of still-enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas finally received word of the Emancipation Proclamation and their freedom. From that day forward, slavery had officially ended– for everybody. The first-ever Juneteenth celebration took place exactly one year later, on June 19, 1866. Black Americans sang, danced, rejoiced and embraced one another. As the tradition continues this upcoming June 19, 2021, here are five celebrations in South Los Angeles
that will be filled with Black culture, conversations, music, and overall fun while honoring the momentous, deeplysignificant holiday, Juneteenth: Leimert Park Art Walk Leimert Park Village Saturday, June 19 11AM – 9PM The Boiler Room LA – South Market St., Inglewood Friday, June 18 8PM – 2AM Healing with Color Compton Yoga session at Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) Saturday, June 19 11AM Da Poetry Party Hippo Factory Studios Saturday, June 19 7PM Freedom Hike Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area Saturday, June 19 9AM – 11AM
Hip Hop Icon Dr. Dre Opening the ‘Coolest High School in America’
school because it’s boring. “You keep flipping the same thing over and over and over again, year after Hip Hop and business icon Dr. Dre year, with the same curriculum, the said he lasted just two weeks in a same teachers,” demanded Dre, whose college program and believed that Continued on page 7 many young ones don’t want to attend By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
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June 17-23 2021
Opinion: Telehealth Increases Access to Care for Medi-Cal Patients Lets Keep It Dr. Janine Bera | Special to California Black Media
Nearly a century ago, a Norman Rockwell painting titled “Doctor and Doll” was published on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post, a popular American cultural magazine. It depicted an older gentleman wearing a suit, doctor bag at his feet, pressing a stethoscope to the chest of a little girl’s toy doll. A cluttered desk and worn chair sit atop a forgettable rug. It’s an old image of health care in America. A country doctor caring for his neighbors via a “house call.” Of course, we know it was not that simple. Healthcare was rudimentary compared to today’s standards – that is if you had access to care at all. Average life expectancy reflected that. If you were born White in 1929 you would be lucky to reach your 60s. If you were Black, you weren’t likely to reach your 50s. While things are far from perfect, at least they have improved. Healthy lifestyles and modern medicine have made living into your 80s commonplace. Significant racial disparities remain, but the gap is closing. And the number of people with health coverage has never been higher. But while Medi-Cal (the state sponsored coverage for people who have low-incomes) now covers nearly 14 million people, many still lack appropriate access to care. Access to care is a complex issue, but sometimes it’s as simple as geography.
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Taking an hours long bus ride across town to visit the doctor isn’t practical for most people. Add lost wages, a lack of childcare, and the fact that you don’t feel good, and it’s downright impossible. Solutions available in employerbased health insurance for years, like virtual care through an app or over the telephone, haven’t been an option for people on Medi-Cal. Until the pandemic. When the federal and state governments declared emergency last Spring, Federally Qualified Health Centers like WellSpace Health were able to provide care virtually via telephone and video, a practice that had been prohibited previously. Virtual care is wildly successful. Over the past two weeks, 5,015 patients accessed care remotely rather than visiting our health centers. Half of primary care visits and 85 % of behavioral health visits were virtual. According to a statewide survey of community health centers, which serve 1 in 5 Californians, there has been a 75 % decrease in no-show rates since the implementation of telehealth. A study conducted by the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network reported a significant number of patients from communities of color engaging in telehealth and having a high level of patient satisfaction. As the Chief Medical Officer for one of our region’s largest healthcare providers, and an internal medicine doctor, it makes sense. Technology has given us the ability to conduct a modern day “house call.” We can go to the patient and break down significant barriers to care. If the patient requires a hands-on assessment or treatment, we can take that step. But frequently, especially in behavioral health, handson care is not necessary. Our ability to provide virtual care under the emergency order will expire soon. Permanent authorization will require action by the legislature and the governor through the budget process. Assembly Bill (AB) 32 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D- Winters) provides the template for action. In this budget cycle, the Governor must take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity to address inequality in our health care delivery system. By adopting the provisions of AB 32 into the FY21-22 final budget, it will guarantee all MediCal beneficiaries – regardless of where they seek care – can use all telehealth modalities, including telephonic care, indefinitely. Telehealth may not make for a good Norman Rockwell painting, but it does make for good medicine. It’s an improvement, a step forward that helps us get healthier and close gaps in care. It even brings back the house call. Dr. Janine Bera is the Chief Medical Officer for WellSpace Health and Chair of the California Primary Care Association Telehealth Clinical Task Force.
Hollywood Park announces new milestone, reaching over 50 percent completion Inglewood Today News
Los Angeles County’s New Landmark Destination Nears First Phase Completion as Construction Progresses on Ambitious 300-Acre Mixed-Use Development; Inside Look Showcases Emerging Retail, Office, Residential, and Entertainment Districts INGLEWOOD, Calif. June 16, 2021 – Hollywood Park, the largest urban mixed-use mega development under construction in the Western United States, is set to bring a new level of retail, office, residential and entertainment to Inglewood starting in 2021. As phase one of construction continues for its retail, office, and residential districts, the development announces 50 percent completion, along with releases new renderings showcasing Hollywood Park’s vast 300-acre project, which includes SoFi Stadium, the newly completed 70,000seat stadium, home to the National Football League’s (NFL) Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. Conceived by real estate developer and Los Angeles Rams Owner/ Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke, Hollywood Park will become a city within a city with its recreational outdoor plaza as its social heart. Going beyond SoFi Stadium, Hollywood Park will include up to five million square feet of creative office space, an exceptional retail district reaching up to 890,000 square feet, a 6,000-seat performance venue, a 300-room hotel, and up to 2,500 new sophisticated residences. The expansive outdoororiented districts will border a six-acre artificial lake while being interlaced with 25 acres of tree-lined public parks and grand plazas. “It is exciting to witness this new destination take shape into what has become one of Los Angeles’ most profound and architecturally significant landmarks,” said Jason Gannon, managing director of SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. “The entire 300acre development encapsulates worldclass design and architectural elements that present an incredible experience unlike any other development in the country. We look forward to continue bringing the destination to life and further realizing Stan Kroenke’s vision for Los Angeles’ newest destination.” “Hollywood Park’s vibrant outdoor plazas connect the varied uses of this regional destination,” said Chris Meany of Wilson Meany, development manager of Hollywood Park. “It responds to Stan Kroenke’s mandate that Hollywood Park succeed on two levels: as a global entertainment destination and as an urban village that delivers what so many of us seek today – high quality residences, environmentally superior offices, in a walkable neighborhood that enriches our quality of life.” Integrated, Flexible Office Spaces for the Future of Innovation Hollywood Park will be a significant new office submarket on the south
side of Los Angeles bringing a total of approximately five million square feet of commercial space. Hollywood Park’s first 380,000 square feet Class A office building, the NFL Building at Hollywood Park, is under construction and will open in 2021. Design is underway for an additional 500,000 square feet of office space. Designed to accommodate even the world’s largest organizations, Hollywood Park will come equipped with one of the most sophisticated technologically advanced infrastructures in the world. Buildings are designed to address the flexibility and scale most critical for media, technology, and entertainment firms in the years ahead. Future office tenants will benefit from SoFi Stadium’s revolutionary emerging technologies, including a robust dark fiber network with best-in-class 24/7 security, access to the industry’s newest and ultra-fast 5G network, and the largest-ever WiFi 6 implementation for immersiveexperience applications. Unlike any other open-campus setting, Hollywood Park’s creative office spaces will bring various roof decks and generous terraces allowing for views of SoFi Stadium amidst the bustling, pedestrian-friendly 300 acres. Starting summer 2021, the NFL will relocate its West Coast headquarters from Culver City to Hollywood Park occupying 214,063 square feet of office space within the NFL Building at Hollywood Park. A custom-built NFL studio and studio support space totaling 74,922 square feet has also been leased. As Hollywood Park’s first signed office tenant, the NFL will serve as the anchor tenant for the Gensler-designed innovative office campus. Designed to meet LEED Gold standards, the NFL Building at Hollywood Park will offer a stunning ground floor lobby with high-end finishes, a shared roof top garden for all tenants and generous terraces on each floor. Each 55,000-squarefoot floor will feature large, open floorplates with ample natural light and expansive floor-to-floor heights of over 13 feet high. Each private terrace will provide exclusive vantage points into SoFi Stadium and the adjacent demo field in front of the NFL Studio Building that is designed for outdoor broadcasting experiences and made open to the public when not in use by the NFL. An additional 165,000 square feet, encompassing floors five through seven, currently remains available for lease. Located near major freeways, only six miles from the California coast and four miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Hollywood Park will allow employers to draw in highly sought talent from surrounding regional areas, including Los Angeles, Orange County, South Bay, the San Fernando Valley and beyond. Integrated with the incredible retail hub, first-class dining and Continued on page 6
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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 District (IUSD) Staff, Students, Families and Community: In our continued commitment to serving our community and providing current information, we have some important updates in this week’s message. End of the School Year Closing Remarks As we close the 2020-2021 school year, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to our entire Inglewood Unified community for another year of success, triumph, and growth. Despite the unique circumstances presented this school year, you still continued to support our students, families and the entire school community in countless ways. I am eternally grateful for every single staff member who embodied the character of our amazing District, by fulfilling our mission to provide effective educational experiences for every student. Each of you went above and beyond to see that our students were equipped with various resources to support them during distance learning and in-person instruction. I was inspired to witness IUSD staff rise to meet the unique challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. You displayed extraordinary strength, by adapting to new technology, schedules, and ongoing health and safety requirements. Your determination to mobilize and meet the needs of every student in our care truly represents the integrity and morale of our incredible District. Error! Filename not specified. To our exceptional IUSD students and families- I am extremely proud of you and want to commend you on a job well done! You balanced home life, distance learning, virtual events and continued to demonstrate diligence, motivation, and used the unexpected experiences to find the determination to work to the best of your ability. You adjusted to new instruction and ongoing changes that were instrumental in helping you complete another academic year. I am humbled at your flexibility and strength. This has been a school year that has been filled with both anxiety and hope— but it is a year that validates what I already knew and that is the resilience that our students, parents, educators and community exhibit every day. Have a happy, safe and healthy summer vacation! #WeAreInglewoodUnified
Summer Enrichment Programs IUSD Summer Music Band Camp and Orchestra The Inglewood Teachers Association (ITA) and Instructional Leadership Corps have partnered with Musicians at Play (MAP), an organization of professional musicians that are partnered with schools throughout Los Angeles county to mentor youth musicians, to give our students an opportunity to select and play an instrument of their choice and take part in a new music program. Bertrand’s Music, an organization who is providing the band equipment, will allow students to select from various instruments including the flute, clarinet, trumpet and more! The IUSD Summer Music Program will take place at Woodworth-Monroe TK-8 and begin on: •June 21 - July 22, 2021, MondayThursday from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. for grades levels 4-8 •June 21 - July 29, 2021, MondayThursday from 1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. for high school students To register for the music band camp, please click here. To get a preview of what will take place during the duration of this program and access an overview of an introduction of instruments, please click here and input “band21” as the password. To access the information flyer, please click here. Inglewood Summer STEAM Academy In partnership with Star Education, IUSD will host weekly workshops dedicated to introducing students to fun, educational and exploratory activities to advance school curriculum and student achievement. “VAPApalooza” the first of the weekly event series, will take place on June 21, 2021 - June 24, 2021 and will offer a stimulating introduction to Visual and Performing Arts such as drawing, painting, dance, sculpting, acting, graphic design and more. The additional educational programs will take place as follows: •Engineering and Urban Planning (June 28, 2021 - July 1, 2021) •Forensic Lab (July 5, 2021 - July 8, 2021) •STAR Planteeners (July 12, 2021 July 15, 2021) Additional details such as registration information and start times are forthcoming. Girls Make Beats Girls Make Beats, an organization
that empowers girls to expand their knowledge in DJ and audio engineering has partnered with ITA and the Instructional Leadership Corps to host educational seminars June 21, 2021 July 30, 2021. For the duration of this summer partnership, students will be provided courses on industry leading hardware and software that serve as outlets for girls ages 5-17 to unite and collaborate within the music industry. In addition, students will learn to interface with industry professionals and have an opportunity to showcase their original music created throughout the course. Please continue to check our website and social media pages for registration information and start times. To learn more about Girls Make Beats, please click here. Wondalunch and Vaccination Event at Crozier Middle School Crozier Middle School will host a community Juneteenth event from 10:00 am through 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 19, 2021. This event, Wondalunch, sponsored by Kenya Barris & Khalabo Ink Society, is open to all community members to enjoy contact-free produce, dry goods, prepackaged meals, baby supplies, hygiene kits, and toys! Special guest hosts include Wondaland, Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI), Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Angela Rye, Jidenna, and Dreamers Youth. Please visit bitly.com/wondalunch to register early! Participants will also have the opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, administered by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH), which includes entry into the county sweepstakes. Physician Specialist, Eric El-Tobgy, MD, MPH, from the LACDPH Outbreak Management Branch, will be onsite to meet with individuals to provide information and answer their COVID-19 vaccine questions. You can register onsite or in advance by visiting myturn.ca.gov. In order to be vaccinated at this event, participants will need to provide: •Proof of age, and •Minors age 12-17 only - Consent Form (English/Spanish) Please click here for more details regarding required documentation. We hope to see you at the event on Saturday, June 19th! Grocery Kits Distribution Update Our District is providing ONE free
Grocery Kit per child at the following sites beginning Monday, June 14th: The kits contain 7 days of breakfast and lunch, including a gallon of milk and fresh bulk produce. The kits may include various grocery items each week such as cheese, cherries, apricots, peaches, avocados and cucumbers. For more information, please contact the IUSD Food Services department at (310) 680-4870. Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Drive-Thru Distribution On Saturday, June 5, 2021 the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation partnered with Pull Up Neighborhood, UCLA Health, Mattel, the American Heart Association, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and the Los Angeles Lakers to host a Drive-Thru Distribution for Inglewood families at Morningside High School. Families were given free boxes of produce and food, COVID-19 resources, fitness equipment, Dodgers and Lakers apparel, toys and more! The Dodgers Foundation and partners served more than 1,500 families. IUSD would like to thank every organization and volunteer who came out to support the students, staff, and families of the Inglewood District and community! South Bay Workforce Success Youth Resource & Job Fair South Bay Work Investment Board is proud to present its 2nd Virtual Blueprint for Workplace Success Youth Resource & Job Fair on June 17, 2021. This virtual event will feature 16 local businesses seeking to offer resources and hire youth for a variety of positions. The scheduled employment recruiters include Starbucks, Amazon, FedEx, Walmart, and more. This event is an opportunity to engage with employers while building virtual professional skills. Session 1 will take place from 9:00 a.m. – 11:40 a.m., for young adults 18 years and older. Session 2 will take place from 2:00 p.m.- 4:40 p.m. and is dedicated to students 18 years old and younger. To register for the job fair, please click here. Senior Graduation Photos To Parents and Guardians of our graduating seniors: Our District would like to acknowledge all of the achievements of our seniors with a special recognition. We would like to include a photo of each of our graduates that will be displayed on our website and social media platforms. It is not required to have a professional take their senior portrait, however there are some image specifications that must be considered when submitting photos. Please click here to review specifications and to submit your senior’s photo. 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
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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
By curating a community of African drumming, ‘Motherland Music’ is a cultural connection
By Brea Mitchell, Staff Writer
When visiting Inglewood’s ‘Motherland Music’ for the first time, one may be pleasantly surprised at what they find. You will pull up to park your car in the narrow, crowded driveway while thinking, “How long has this been here? And why have I never been before?” You’ll open your car door and immediately hear the rhythmic, beating drums vibrating from the back of the cozy, house-like building. As you follow the catchy beat down the driveway and to the back of the building, you will be met with a quaint, outdoor nook area, where Motherland Music hosts their weekly community ‘drum circles’. Drummers of all experience levels show up to play together, with the common goal of expressing themselves– free of charge. But outdoor drum circles are just a small part of what Motherland
Motherland1: Malik Sow’s weekly Saturday Djembe class (Brea Mitchell/Photos)
Music offers. Past the outdoor nook area lies a garage space that is used as an instrument repair shop. The garage is filled with African drums and other instrument parts, and staff members working tediously repairing or rebuilding the instruments that are brought in by their clients. In the garage is a door that leads to an inside space where African drum lessons are regularly held, led by highly-experienced instructors. Malik Sow, who hails from Senegal, has been teaching classes at Motherland Music for over twenty years. His Saturday Djembe class is among the most popular. Inside the building where classes are held, walls and shelves are filled with instruments on display for sale. When regularly taking classes and attending drum circles, clients are encouraged
Motherland2: inside look of Motherland Music (Brea Mitchell/Photos)
to purchase their own instruments– getting the repetition in at home is a large part in further mastering the craft. But African drumming is about much more than just playing an instrument. “African culture is in our DNA. A lot of people, growing up, don’t know their culture. This is about where people can connect with that, maybe through drumming, and then start digging in deeper,” says Lunden Rice, operator of Motherland Music. Rice’s father opened Motherland Music nearly thirty years ago following his own trips to West Africa. He would learn skills from the West African drummers and became further intrigued with the craft, longing to learn more. As a carpenter and woodworker, he was able to understand the makings and mechanics of the drums. As he began to bring drums back to California from
his trips, his passion grew. But for the time being, his crafting and playing remained in the backyard of his home. But not for long. Eventually, years later, Motherland Music was born. Now, it’s an ever-growing community with a warm, welcoming space to immerse in cultural roots. In the upcoming future, Rice looks forward to hosting more community events, birthday parties, and even events for the city of Inglewood. The eager clients and students floating in and out of Motherland Music on a daily basis– the smiles and conversations, the hellos and goodbyes in passing, and the fact that Operator Lunden Rice seems to know every person in the building by name – lets you know that for many, Motherland Music feels like home.
The Inglewood Housing Authority’s Annual Plan aims to expand access and programs for the upcoming fiscal year By Brea Mitchell, Staff Writer
The Inglewood Housing Authority (IHA) recently held its annual Resident Advisory Board (RAB) meeting on May 13. The purpose of this meeting is for the IHA to receive input and feedback from the general public regarding the Section 8 voucher program. The received feedback will be considered and implemented in the following year’s IHA Annual Plan. All Section 8 participants are automatically considered members of the
Resident Advisory Board. Therefore, the input and feedback in the annual RAB meetings come directly from program participants– families and individuals within the community who, themselves, rely on IHA’s housing voucher program. Every year, when the RAB meeting approaches, it is vital that Section 8 program participants– also known as RAB members– contribute to the meetings, as the suggestions and feedback in these meetings determine the direction of the Annual Plan for the
following fiscal year. This year, on May 13, the RAB meeting concluded that the two main areas of concern within the IHA program are rent increases for Section 8 participants, and Section 8 homeownership interest. In response to the first concern, the IHA staff explained that the IHA currently has a process to determine rent reasonableness, and some rent increases may be denied. For the latter, the IHA staff explained that the IHA previously had a
homeownership program, and that they would make it a priority to review the program feasibility. In a statement later released, the IHA declared that it does, in fact, have the capacity to successfully operate a Section 8 Homeownership program. Up next, the Inglewood Housing Authority will hold a public hearing on June 22 to consider the approval of this Annual Plan for the fiscal year of 20212022, which begins on October 1, 2021.
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Sports & Entertainment Bronny’s debut, Ed Azzam retirement highlight weird season
BRONNY DEBUT- Sierra Canyon Sophomore Bronny James, got a visit from mom Savannah and dad LeBron James for his debut in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division championship on June 11 at Sierra Canyon High School. LeBron was also joined by Drake courtside as Bronny’s team was upset by Corona Centennial 80-72. Bronny missed the entire season with a knee injury, but returned for the title game and scored 7 points. (Kenneth Miller/Photo) By Kenneth Miller, Publisher
High school basketball will close its season with a Southern California Regional tournament this week, three months after it normally would have been run because of the ongoing COVID pandemic crisis. As school districts discovered they would have to govern based on state and county regulations, private schools ran amuck, making their own determination on their students and athletes as they saw fit. The segregation between affluent private schools and poorly ran district schools could not have been more elevated during the most challenging health crisis in modern history. State and Los Angeles County COVID regulations loosened just enough for a semblance of sports seasons to be conducted well beyond their scheduled dates in beyond prom and graduation dates. Some athletes decided to leave the state for an opportunity to participate
elsewhere, but it likely did not matter where players sought the lure of a college scholarship, they were met with a landscape that was not kind to them. The NCAA granted its student athletes additional athletic participation, all but ruining any chance of the fringe scholarships available. In the meantime, what we got this year was the changing of the guard in high school basketball in the City and Southern Sections. After 42 years and 15 Los Angeles City basketball titles Ed Azzam has decided that this season will be his last on the sidelines. I knew before the COVID shortened season ultimately began, but out of respect decided to keep the news quiet. His longtime assistant DeWitt Cotton will take over and become the first Black head coach in the history of the school. Now the most storied rivalry in the history of the Los Angeles City Section will feature two Black coaches in Cotton
and Reggie Morris, Jr. of Fairfax. Azzam came up short on title number 16, as Birmingham defeated the Comets to capture the City Open Division crown on June 12 at Westchester High School. The new face of high school basketball and more specifically private school Sierra Canyon, Bronny James, the highly touted son of NBA icon LeBron James made his long awaited season debut on June 11 in the Southern Section Open Division Championship against Corona Centennial. We learned a couple of things from the title tilt that ended Sierra Canyon’s reign in the Southern Section. First and foremost is junior Sierra Canyon guard Amir Baily is too good to continue to play high school basketball and should reclassify and enroll at UCLA right now. Second, is Bronny is an elite defender as a sophomore who will experience a breakout season next year but will never measure up to the hype in comparisons
Bronny James
to his father and the none sense should stop. A knee injury forced Bronny to be shut down for the season, but he made a shocking and surprising appearance in the championship game, looked winded and out of shape but score 7 points in an uplifting performance. Finally, Sierra Canyon and everyone else are going to require significant upgrades if they are to contend with Corona Centennial. The Huskies got 24 points from UCLA recruit Kylan Boswell, a sophomore, 21 from junior Donovan Dent, 16 from sophomore Jared McCain and stellar games from underclassmen 6’6 Aaron McBride and 6’10 Devin Williams. Centennial may not attract the likes of LeBron and Drake to their home games like Bronny did in his debut, but chances are they will add more banners to go with the one they took at Sierra Canyon.
Hollywood Park partners with Live Nation Inglewood Today News
World-Class Venue and Leading Live Entertainment Company to Bring the Biggest Artists and Events to the Brand New 6,000-Seat Theater in the Heart of Inglewood, CA Hollywood Park, a near 300-acre sports and entertainment destination, and Live Nation have partnered in an exclusive multi-year booking agreement for its brand new 6,000-seat performance venue, the Performance Venue at Hollywood Park. The Performance Venue
is part of the sprawling Hollywood Park mixed-use development in Inglewood, Calif., which is being developed by Los Angeles Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke and will be adjacent to the new SoFi Stadium and American Airlines Plaza. “The Performance Venue at Hollywood Park is a sophisticated, intimate venue that will host a wide range of world-class events, including celebrated musicians, immersive entertainment, and close-knit community gatherings,” said Christy
Castillo Butcher, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park’s senior vice president, Programming and Booking. “Hollywood Park is a true sports and entertainment destination, and our partnership with Live Nation will help us further our goal to deliver extraordinary entertainment to Angelenos and visitors across the globe.” The state-of-the-art theater will host a variety of live entertainment from concerts to comedy, award shows, eSport competitions, community events,
conferences, and more. Live Nation will be the exclusive long-term promoter for the theater, bringing the biggest and best names in music, comedy and entertainment to the all-new Los Angeles venue. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be the exclusive promoters of this incredibly dynamic venue coming alive in Los Angeles,” said Rich Best, Live Nation’s Continued on page 7
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June 17-23 2021
BUPPIE | BUSINESS
‘A Family Affair: The premiere of Baron Davis’ first movie’
By Shannon Belt, IT Intern
The vibe was just right. Music bumping, the boisterous sound of chatter filled the outside section of Baron Davis’s movie premiere of “Domino: Battle of the Bones.” His debut as both an actor and director, this get-together was not only a celebration of a finished project but a full-circle moment for Davis as a former NBA star turned entrepreneur. The creative outlet was always in the cards for Davis. Born in the whelm of creativity of South Central Los Angeles, the set up of the premiere was no less than that. Actors, media, stars and any other people who found themselves invited to the premiere saw the walls surrounded with street-style art. Written in graffiti font, three out of four of Davis’s businesses lined the walls all with the theme of SoCal: palm trees, sunsets and of course basketball. Some of the stars of the movie who were in attendance were David Arquette, Nathan Dana Continued from page 2: Hollywood Park...
entertainment, and views of SoFi Stadium’s breathtaking architectural design, there is carte blanche for companies to reimagine their future workspaces and make Hollywood Park their own. Reshaping Los Angeles’ Retail Scene The first phase of Hollywood Park’s dynamic retail district will total 500,000 square feet, with 320,000 square feet currently under construction and scheduled to open spring 2022. Starting next year, Hollywood Park will bring local businesses and big-name international brands stretching across multiple blocks and walkable courtyards. With an emphasis in diversity and inclusion, Hollywood Park’s newest tenants will feature local concepts including LUVFUL led by South Los Angeles’ Peace Love Reedburg, a new location for Los Angeles’ own Sky’s Gourmet Tacos, founded by female entrepreneur Barbara Burrell, a second location for family-owned, Inglewoodbased juice bar Antojitos Martin, and
who played Andy, Megan Sousa who played DJ Dominos, Jahdai Pickett, Anthony McKinley also known as “Scruncho” and many others. You turn to the left and you enter the movie. While it might sound like an exaggeration, the same location of the premiere is the same place many of the scenes in the movie took place. Dominos were scattered all around the SLiC studio which served as a film set. Across from the outdoor patio section as you enter the studio your first stop is Tenspeed’s room. Enclosed with beaded curtains, Tenspeed’s room was filled with all of his essentials: skates, a handheld mirror, a pick comb, and of course a hefty collection of dominos. This was one of three other themed rooms that could be seen during the premiere. In the other rooms, you could watch the movie accompanied with the same snacks as the movie theaters with a domino-themed twist to every box of candy. That kind of realism made the movie feel even more relatable. Relatability was a strong point behind this movie which focused on the developing bond between grandfather and step-grandson as they battled the greatest domino players in Compton. The ability to bring together two vastly different characters is an art that only comes with the competition of sports and games. From Lou Betaty Jr., who played Gerald, a fallen domino champion to Andy a socially awkward domino genius, a second Inglewood location for Residency Art Gallery, a platform for artists of color. These new retailers will be joined by global luxury cinema company Cinépolis, the latest venture from Lynne Weaver, founder of Inglewood’s Three Weavers Brewing Company, and Long Beach’s Iconix Fitness. As a smart city, Hollywood Park will offer all retail tenants access to a robust security and infrastructure network that is cross connected with the sophisticated offering at SoFi Stadium. Through a connected mobile application, residents, tenants and visitors will enjoy a series of benefits that will enhance their experiences onsite. Future Hollywood Park guests will enjoy experiential retail programming such as lakefront dining and cocktails; summer movies and local music in the park; art shows; a 20,000-squarefoot international
or even Tenspeed who was played by Scruncho and based on a real person, a local domino star willing to do and say anything to win the tournament. Davis’s film was able to show the various people within the area he grew up in who have a commonality in this tile-based game. The meaning of this comedy-filled movie doesn’t stop at the coming together feeling that comes with playing dominos. It is a movie that tells a story about Compton with local talent out of Compton. This was something that Davis made a point to do in his work making sure that everything stayed within the family of South Central, Los Angeles. From rapper and Long Beach native Snoop Dogg, who played Professor Dominologist, to Pickett who played Slams, a local gang member and long-time domino player the movie was filled with homegrown stars. “Big Slams, his original character you know is from the skit he did and I was like ‘yo can we run with that?’” Davis shared during the Q&A portion of the movie premiere. “I watched these guys on Instagram because I don’t really watch TV. But they’re homegrown,
they’re from LA, Scruncho is from LA and these dudes are the next up and coming comedians and actors.” Around 70 to 80 of the guests stayed to hear more from Davis and the other major contributors to the movie. Hearing and even seeing by way of the studio setup helped clearly show the mindset behind the project and what it means for the community. Dominos: Battle of the Bones made its way to the theatres on June 11 all across the country. While everyone who sees the film may not be a domino legend like Slams or Tenspeed, they will be able to walk away with a fresh set of eyes on South Central Los Angeles and a newfound urge to slap some bones. “Shoutout to all the actors, shoutout to all the crew, everybody came prepared and everybody came professional,” Davis said in his closing remarks. “We stuck to it and I really believe in these people, just within these walls we shot so many scenes and now we do some of the same events here. It’s kind of cool to have this ghetto domino experience, it’s a family affair.”
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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
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021101491 The following Person is doing business as: Vispring Of Los Angeles 316 S. Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048 32707 Calle Perfecto San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Registered Owner(s): Comfort-Gallery 3 Inc., 32707 Calle Perfecto, San Juan Capristrano, CA 92675 This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on April 30, 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.) Comfort-Gallery 3 Inc., Owner.
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 May 27; June 3, 10, 17, 2021 IT0042230120020162 Inglewood Today
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real name is Andre Young. The star, who reportedly has a net worth of more than $1 billion, revealed he and music mogul Jimmy Iovine are establishing the “coolest high school in America.” “I want to reach the inner-city kid, the younger me,” Dre told the Los Angeles Times. “Here’s a place that you can go where Continued from page 1: As California...
of testing and vaccination. Testing -or some other proof of vaccine status -- are already required to enter health facilities or to fly. According to Disney Parks’ blog, the organization recommends attendees be vaccinated or provide a negative test if they want to visit the park. Guests are also required to wear face masks. Kelsey Lynch, public relations manager, Disneyland Resort, said the amusement park will accept visitors from outside California after June 15. The California Department of Health’s website contains a link to a page where you can find the nearest testing site by entering your ZIP Code. The website also provides a list of all the testing centers in the state. According to the health department, it takes about two days to get the results of a COVID-19 test. Testing is still free at some locations. Several community groups are also partnering with the state to keep testing free and accessible in vulnerable
Electronically Received 06/07/2021 08:43 AM
This statement was filed with the County Clerk on April 30, 2021.
there’s something that you can learn that you’re really interested in,” he continued. The concept has been approved by the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s second-largest school system. The Times reported that more than 80 percent of students are Latino and Black and about the same number come from low-income families. According to the Times, Dre and communities. The California African American Community Empowerment Council (AACEC) is partnering with the Tabernacle Community Development Corporation to provide testing at Black churches. Dr. Gerald Agee Sr., pastor of Friendship Christian Center, Oakland, and statewide director of the African American COVID testing program, is working with the California Department of Health to organize free testing sites at African American churches around the state. According to Agee, people can get tested at churches in San Bernardino, Alameda, Riverside, San Francisco, Solano, Sacramento and San Diego counties. Agee said, through their statewide church partnership, African Americans are still testing positive for COVID-19 at a rate of about of 4.5 %, which is higher than the state’s 1.5 % rate. Agee explains that he has experienced the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic firsthand as many of his
Iovine’s school will be located at Audubon Middle School in Leimert Park, a longtime Black cultural hub, but in a larger community where many Black and Latino students have struggled with low achievement. The newspaper reported that the new school would be a “magnet,” meaning that students can apply from across the sprawling district. Transportation will be provided for those outside the local area. The school will enjoy hightech equipment and projects with private industry. “A task could have something to do with music or incorporate an element of music,” the newspaper reported. But as Iovine said, this is no music school or Hip Hop High. “This is for kids who want to go out and start their own company or go work at a place… like Marvel or Apple or companies like that,” Iovine stated. “Working successfully in these areas means breaking down silos between different jobs and skills — and disrupting familiar patterns with creativity and purpose,” Iovine continued. “This is nowhere near a music school,” he said. Los Angeles Schools Superintendent Austin Beutner said the district must find new, better, and more engaging programs. He said the new venture could create “the coolest high school in America.” “We can better connect what a student learns in a high school today with a job opportunity in the future,” he said.
church members have contracted the disease. “We won’t be satisfied until we’re testing at the same rate as the state,” he said. According to Agee, the key to driving down the Black community’s COVID-19 numbers is testing and vaccination. Many business leaders welcome the idea that the state is taking a sensible approach to reopening. According to Sabrina Lockhart, executive director of the California Parks and Attractions Association, the new guidelines outline how families can enjoy themselves at attractions. “The latest state guidelines give amusement parks a path to get more people back to work and provide visitors more options for safe family fun this summer,” she said. “As the state reopens, amusement parks will update their own safe and responsible plans for operation based on state and local guidelines.” Gov. Gavin Newsom recently
Continued from page 5: Hollywood Park...
Regional Head of Talent for California. “Alongside Hollywood Park, we plan to make this a must-visit live entertainment venue and we can’t wait to unveil what is in store for this unique space.” The Performance Venue at Hollywood Park is a 227,000 square foot, threestory indoor venue situated under the same roof canopy as SoFi Stadium and American Airlines Plaza, and it is seamlessly blended in at the canopy’s southernmost corner. Equipped with its own three-bay loading dock, the theater can operate independently or in tandem with the stadium and plaza for larger events. With three levels of seating, the venue can be configured to house three different crowd capacities, creating an intimate setting for events at 3,400 and 4,400 or full capacity at 6,000 seats. Complete with a two-story Kaynemaile chandelier, the theater will feature six luxury boxes, a 1,200 squarefoot premium back-of-house hospitality space, with adjacent dressing rooms, and a 3,500 square-foot private club with 140 premium seats. Recently announced Live Nation events at the Performance Venue at Hollywood Park include: September 4, 2021 - Caifanes September 11, 2021 - Los Angeles Azules *SOLD OUT* September 23, 2021 - Black Pumas September 24, 2021 - Los Angeles Azules September 25, 2021 - Devo (one of only two headlining shows this year) October 6, 2021 - Trippie Redd October 29, 2021 - Alejandro Sanz December 3, 2021 - Christian Nodal March 9, 2022 - Marina and the Diamonds March 12, 2022 - Louis Tomlinson *SOLD OUT* March 13, 2022 - Louis Tomlinson *SOLD OUT* announced the Employer Vaccination Toolkit, which aims to make it easier for employers to make the vaccine available to their employees. “Anyone who wants to, should be able to get vaccinated,” said Newsom. “Getting more people vaccinated will bring us closer to ending this pandemic. That’s why we’re working with employers to make it easier to access COVID-19 vaccines – so no one misses their shot at protecting themselves and their communities.” Newsom has also unveiled a $100 billion stimulus package to help California recover from the coronavirusrelated economic downturn. The state also recently launched the “Vax for the Win” program, an effort that offers a series of financial incentives for people who get vaccinated. Prizes include cash awards and grocery cards. “Getting every eligible Californian vaccinated is how we bring our state roaring back from this pandemic,” said Newsom.
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The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and there’s no cost to you.
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