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
City of Champions Your Community Connection Since 1994
EYE ON THE CITY Rams
Chargers
March 25 - 31, 2021 VOL. 36, No. 12
Clippers
Forum
Elgin Baylor
& Lakers
“Inglewood ready for fresh start..” See Page 6
Defined by Grace, Elegance and Dignity “Give me my flowers while I yet live, so that I can see the beauty they bring.” James Cleveland, lyrics to Give Me My Flowers
By Kenneth Miller, Publisher
I wasn’t’ even born when Elgin Baylor became the first overall pick by the then Minneapolis Lakers in 1958. I was months old when Elgin Baylor was selected Rookie of the Year in 1959. I’ve only seen grainy black and white footage of the man responsible
for bridging the Lakers from the Great Lakes to Los Angeles. From all that I have learned since then tells me that Elgin Baylor was the original NBA superstar. Baylor signed with the Lakers June 14, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minn for rumored $17,000 to $20, 000 which today would
Two Calif. Women Are Now Leading Efforts to Support State’s 3.9 Million Small Businesses
calculate to $183,432.39 He was a man whose accolades were off the charts; Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four in 1958 averaging 31 points per game for Seattle University in a losing cause against Adolph Rupp’s Kentucky Wildcats; College Basketball Hall of Fame; Pro Basketball Hall of
Fame; 11 time NBA All Star; All-NBA First Team 10 times; holds the all-time record for most points in an NBA Finals game (61); Baylor was the first player in NBA history to score more than 70 points in a game. He scored 71 against Continued on page 8
South Coast AQMD Air Quality Education Program Goes Virtual WHAM Program brings hands on experiments and lessons to high schools and middle schools IT News Wire
Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he had appointed Tara Lynn Gray, 57, of Fresno, as Director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA). In that role, Gray, who is African American, replaces Isabel Guzman,
who President Biden appointed the 27th Administrator of the Small Business Administration in January. Last week in Washington, with an 81-17 vote, the United States Senate confirmed Guzman’s nomination. She is Latina. In California, Gray is expected to Continued on page 8
LOS ANGELES – The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) continues its second year of the Why Healthy Air Matters (WHAM) education program by providing virtual videos and lesson plans where teachers can introduce the importance of clean air to their students even through remote distance learning. WHAM is available to middle and high school schools throughout most of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. “Educating the next generation ensures that efforts to tackle air pollution remain a priority for years to come,” said Dr. William A. Burke, Chairman of the South Coast AQMD Governing Board. “By providing easily accessible lesson plans and hands on activities through the WHAM program, youth can learn about air quality issues
of today, while helping to build strong leaders of tomorrow.” WHAM utilizes a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)-based educational curriculum that teaches students about air quality issues and empowers youth to drive positive change. The curriculum aligns with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and was developed by air quality scientists and educators. More than 250 middle and high schools across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties have already signed up for the program. The program includes virtual lesson plans with fillable PDF worksheets and lecture videos. Students also have the opportunity to test air quality within their community and participate in other hands-on science experiments Continued on page 2
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March 25 - 31, 2021
Cal Lawmakers Propose Process to Decertify Convicted Cops
Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), the chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, and Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) added language with some teeth to Senate Bill (SB) 2, the “Kenneth Ross Jr. Police Decertification Act of 2021.” The amendments to the police reform bill, first introduced in December last year in the California Assembly, are designed to increase standards of accountability for law enforcement officers. They include a statewide process to revoke the certification of a peace officer convicted of violating a person’s civil rights or engaging in other misconduct on the job. “If last summer’s nationwide protests and calls for police reform have shown us anything, it’s that Californians want more than just a superficial change,” said Bradford. “If many professionals
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licensed in the state of California can have their certification revoked for committing serious misconduct or abusing their authority, then why not police officers?” Ross, after whom the bill is named, was a 25-year-old African American who a Gardena police officer shot two times and killed on April 11, 2018. According to the police report, Michael Robbins, the officer who fatally shot Ross was the last officer to arrive on the scene. Yet, he was the only officer who perceived a threat sufficient to discharge a weapon. Ross was unarmed and running from officers when he was shot. He died at the scene. Although he was involved in prior shootings, Robbins was cleared of wrongdoing in the incident. “It is critical that California’s police officers meet the highest standards of conduct and have the trust of our communities,” said Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), co-author of SB 2. “The vast majority of officers want to do what’s required to build and keep trust with the communities they serve. I’m proud to co-author SB 2 by Senator Steven Bradford which would bring us closer to achieving that goal.” California is one of only five states in the nation that does not have the authority to decertify law enforcement officers who have committed serious misconduct.
“On April 11, 2018 my son, Kenneth Ross, Jr. was murdered by a Gardena police officer who shot three other people in previous incidents,” Fouzia Almarou, Ross’ mother said. “If Officer Michael Robbins had been decertified after the first shooting, Kenneth would likely still be here, with his son, his siblings, and me,” she continued. “I’m going to fight with everything in me to get this bill passed so this doesn’t happen to anybody else.” Other states, such as Florida and Georgia, have led the nation in police officer decertification by inquiring into misconduct without regard to convictions for certain offenses. The recent amendments to SB 2 are similar to Senate Bill (SB) 73, which Bradford also introduced last year. That legislation died in committee last November. Sponsors and supporters of SB 2 say this time they hope the Legislature passes the police reform provisions they have drafted to strengthen the Tom Bane Civil Rights Act. The 1998 bill authored by California State Assemblyman Tom Bane created legal avenues for victims of police shootings to seek compensatory and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and civil penalties. The state’s primary civil rights law that protects Californians against police abuse, the Bane Act has been undercut by bad court decisions, said Carl Douglas, President of DouglasHicks Law, and Consumer Attorneys of California Board Member. Once among the most robust laws protecting civil rights in the nation, Douglas says the Bane Act no longer serves as an effective check against police brutality. It no longer alerts municipalities of harmful policing practices, gives innocent victims of police brutality an effective civil recourse for justice and accountability or holds police accountable to act in good faith, he said. In California, racial or ethnic minorities account for 3 out 4 people killed by police. And, over the last decade over 1,100 Californians were
killed by police officers, according to California Department of Justice data. In 2017 alone, 172 Californians died as a result of police use of force. The amendments to SB 2 include: strengthening the Bane Act by stripping some of the procedural barriers that afford police officers immunity; changing the composition of the public safety advisory boards to include another member of the public and removing a law enforcement officer; allowing the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to retroactively review certain misconduct related to deadly use of force, sexual assault, or dishonesty for the purpose of decertification. “The legal standard in California should be that no one — not even police officers — has immunity from the consequences of violating someone’s civil rights,” Douglas said during the virtual news conference. “Bad court rulings have given police a blank check for misconduct without consequence. As long as we are unable to hold officers accountable, our communities will continue to suffer from no recourse to justice. SB 2 will finally end immunity for officer misconduct, and it will ensure officers who use illegal force can’t re-offend.” SB 2 is sponsored by a coalition of community organizations including Alliance for Boys and Men of Color, ACLU of California, Anti-PoliceTerror Project, Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, California Families United 4 Justice, Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice, PolicyLink, STOP Coalition, and Youth Justice Coalition. “California is a national leader in many efforts, but in this one, we are dangerously behind the curve,” Bradford said. “Californians are urging us to pass meaningful and systemic reform that will improve the relationship between police and the communities they serve for generations to come. Like so many people in our state, I look forward to working with Pro Tem Atkins, our coauthors, and all stakeholders to have this bill signed into law.”
pollution control agency for major portions of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, including the Coachella Valley. For news, air quality alerts, event updates
and more, please visit us at www.aqmd. gov, download our award-winning app, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Continued from page 1: South Coast....
and activities. Teachers can also request a South Coast AQMD guest speaker to teach a virtual lesson, providing students the opportunity to ask questions about air quality and career paths in science and environmental fields. WHAM is offered for both the academic school year and summer school programs. South Coast AQMD has funding to support implementation of the program in 300 high school classrooms and 100 middle school classrooms. For more information on how your school can participate in the WHAM program, or if you are an educator who would like to participate, please visit www.aqmd.gov/wham or view our promotional video. South Coast AQMD is the air
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March 25 - 31, 2021
EYE ON THE CITY GEORGE DOTSON
ALEX PADILLA
JAMES BUTTS
ELOY MORALES
RALPH FRANKLIN
AROUND THE CITY
City Council Meeting Report By Francis Taylor, Sr. Writer
The council approved the Minutes of the meetings held on July 28, 2020, August 11, 2020, and August 18, 2020. The council accepted the staff report recommending Amendment Five to the Contract for Welfare-to-Work Vocational Intermediary and Direct Services by and between the County of Los Angeles and the City of Inglewood, serving as the administrative entity for the South Bay Workforce Investment Board, also known as County Contract No. WTW19-001 and Inglewood Agreement No. 19-077. The council adopted a resolution affecting modification to the terms and conditions of employment for employees represented by the Inglewood Police Officers The council approved a three-year annual purchase order from Overdrive, Inc., for electronic books and e-magazines in an annual amount not to exceed $90,000 (total of $270,000) beginning Fiscal Year 2020-2021 and approved and executed the proposed for right-of-way acquisition for the The council approved and executed Purchase and Sale Agreement between Century Blvd. Mobility Improvement the Purchase Agreement between the the City of Inglewood and Phoebe S. Project, 4421 W. Century Blvd. City of Inglewood and Ashoorigroup Park and Sarah J. Park, as Joint Tenants
Properties, LLC, a California Limited Liability Corporation for right-ofway acquisition for the Century Blvd., Mobility Improvement Project, 4410 W. Century Blvd. The council introduced an ordinance amending the Inglewood Municipal Code, Section 5-67 (Unauthorized Use of Park Facilities Prohibited) to: define the terms “camp or lodge,” expand hours when people are prohibited from being in City Parks, and update job titles and the proposed Purchase and Sale Agreement between the City of Inglewood and Phoebe S. Park and Sarah J. Park, as Joint Tenants for rightof-way acquisition for the Century Blvd. Mobility Improvement The council adopted a resolution approving the addition of one fulltime Housing Specialist position and amended the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget appropriately.
Why We Should Support Statehood for D.C. By John E. Warren, Publisher, The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint
Once again, the idea of Statehood for the District of Columbia has not only come before the U.S. Congress, but has also passed the House of Representatives. Most of us know that the 700,000 plus residents of D.C. have lived under taxation without representation, the very thing that was at the heart of the Boston Tea Party of 1773. That event objected to the British taxing the colonists on tea when they had no representation in the British Parliament. While the original idea for creating D.C. as a District was that no state would house the national capitol, that idea should not have survived the right of the people of the District of Columbia (DC) to have representation since they pay taxes. D.C., like Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam as U.S. Territories should be granted statehood in this enlightened age, if desired. The major opposition to D.C. statehood is the fact that such a state would be granted two U.S. Senators and possibly two Representatives in the U.S. Congress. The Republicans opposed statehood because those two senators would most likely be Democrats. That would change the balance of power in the Senate, as we saw with the State of Georgia electing two Democratic senators this year. In every state, “we the people” should be taking a very close look at all our Republican elected officials. It has become very clear that those persons have betrayed their oath of office in which they swore to “protect and defend” the Constitution of the United States. Well, that Constitution contains the Bill of Rights. It contains the 13th,
14th, and 15th Amendments, which promised “equal protection” under law, and the right to vote and the obligation to defend America “against all enemies, foreign and domestic”. With the guiding language of that document, there is no reason that every Republican in the U.S. Congress should be voting against the interest and will of the people they are supposed to represent. Statehood for the District of Columbia should not be an issue. On April 26, 1982, D.C. convened the District of Columbia Statehood Constitutional Convention which held twenty-eight drafting sessions and met through May 27,1982, formally shaping a Constitution that was submitted to the Congress, but never approved. The fact that a Constitutional Convention was held and a Constitution was drafted as required under the Enactment Clause of the U.S. Constitution certainly meets the requirements of Statehood. It should also be noted that our own late Publisher, Gerri Warren of the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, was a resident and elected Delegate from Ward VI of the District of Columbia to that convention. She was also the one who offered the motion to name the new state “the State of New Columbia” This is a year in which we as African Americans and Black people now citizens of this great country, must work harder than ever before to protect democracy and our rights which are now under so great an attack. Yes, we need to be concerned about D.C. Statehood and lobby our elected members of the Congress to make this a reality.
Mask Wearing Tips Play safer Children 2 years of age and older should wear a mask that covers their nose, mouth and chin.
Extra layers mean extra protection Wear a layered, snug-fitting mask for best protection.
Foggy glasses mean hazy safety Cover your nose, mouth and chin completely, making sure there are no gaps.
covid19.ca.gov
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March 25 - 31, 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
A Message from County Administrator Dr. Erika Torres IT News Wire
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. IUSD School Reopening Updates The safety of our students, staff and community continues to be our top priority. Critical to the reopening of our schools is an accurate accounting of staff and students who will return to in-person instruction so that we
can transition to our hybrid program reopening. Families will be offered two instructional delivery options. Option 1 is the Virtual Model where families can opt for their child to remain at home in the current 5-day virtual program, while option 2 is the Hybrid model where families can choose for their child to transition to a hybrid model, which will include both in-person instruction at school 2 days per week and virtual distance learning at home 3 days per week. Please note that your selection of instructional model for your child will apply through the end of this school year. For planning purposes, changes between instructional models will not be allowed. The deadline to complete the IUSD School Reopening Model Selection Form expired on March 24, 2021. If you haven’t completed the form, it is highly important that you please complete the form as soon as possible to select your instructional delivery preference for your child. Please note if no response is received for your child, the default will be for your child to continue learning online. Spring 2021 State Assessment Town Hall for Parents & Guardians Inglewood District’s Educational Services Department, held a Virtual Town Hall for parents and guardians
on March 23 to review the Spring 2021 State Assessments for students in grades 3-8 and 11th and 12th. Information on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments in English language arts/ literacy (ELA) and mathematics, the California Science Test, the Summative English Language Proficiency Assessments and more was be provided. During the Virtual Town Hall, parents and guardians found out which assessments their child will take this spring and determine the best ways you can help your child prepare. Celebrating Women’s History Month In honor of Women’s History Month, we would like to highlight some phenomenal women who have made significant contributions to sports, science, arts and politics. This week we celebrate animal rights activist, Dr. Jane Goodall. For more than 60 years, Dr. Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking work has protected chimpanzees from extinction and redefined species conservation to be reflective of the local people and environment. Dr. Goodall was born on April 3, 1938 in London, England and her fascination with animals began at an early age. Not long after graduating, Dr. Goodall was hired as secretary in South Kinangop, Kenya at the Coryndon Museum in Nairobi, where she studied prehistoric remains of early humans and vervet monkeys. In 1960, Dr. Goodall traveled to Tanzania, Africa, with the goal of studying chimpanzees at close range. After many failed attempts she established a non-threatening pattern of observation, where she would appear at the same time every morning on the high ground near a feeding area. Within one year the chimpanzees allowed her to move as close at 30 feet. In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education and Conservation, where their focus is to protect chimpanzees from extinction and prevent deforestation in areas across Africa. In 1991 she co-founded Roots & Shoots, a global outreach program that invites young people to inform the world about conservation efforts. It is through
this same program that she inspires thousands of young people to take action in their own lives and communities. Dr. Goodall is considered one of the world’s greatest primatologists. Thank you, Dr. Goodall, for your unwavering
passion for protecting the planet and ecosystem. To learn more about Dr. Jane Goodall, please click here. Temporary Modified Schedule Extended Our District’s modified work schedule will be extended through April 16, 2021. We appreciate your patience as we make every effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and prioritize the health and safety of our staff and school community. The temporary modified scheduled is as follows: School Sites and District Offices will remain closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. School Sites and District Offices will continue to operate on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. L.A. Promise Fund Internship The Los Angeles Rams and the L.A. Promise Fund has partnered to create a paid 3-week virtual internship program for Morningside, City Honors and Inglewood High School incoming sophomores, juniors and seniors. The summer program includes virtual training to prepare interns for potential career opportunities, professional development workshops on office culture and etiquette, diversity, equity and inclusion, case study discussions
and more. In addition, L.A. Promise Fund will provide ongoing coaching to ensure the internship placement is successful, all while students earn college credit. To apply for the internship program, please click here. Applications are due no later than March 28, 2021. Virtual 3-Day Football Camp The Los Angeles Rams are excited to celebrate diversity within sports through their 3-Day Virtual Football Camp, with drills led by professional female football players. The camp will focus on football fundamentals, specific positional skill refinement, and a character discussion to inspire hope, perseverance and passion. The free, 3-Day camp begins March 29, 2021 through March 31, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. 3:35 p.m. Applicable grade levels include 1st grade through 8th grade and 9th through 12th. Please click here to register no later than March 26, 2021. USC Young Researchers Program Applications for the University of Southern California 2021 Young Researchers Program (YRP) are now open! YRP is a six week summer program designed to increase involvement among students who are traditionally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This unique opportunity creates a network of support for high school seniors transitioning to college and future careers through virtual mentorship, workshops and STEM speakers from NASA, the National Institutes of Health, USC, UCLA, Stanford, UC Irvine, Intel, Google and many more! The application deadline is May 15, 2021 and the program begins June 28, 2021. Please click here to apply and find additional information on eligibility requirements, applications details and important dates. 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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Inglewood ready for fresh start amid COVID-19 By Kenneth Miller, Publisher
Inglewood High School football coach Mil’Von James has had more than a year to rid his team of the bitter 2019 CIF semifinal 41-40 playoff defeat at the hands of Esperanza that likely coast the Sentinel an elusive CIF championship. Inglewood leading by seven with 20 seconds to play, Esperanza’s wide receiver Roshawn Lacy scored a controversial five-yard touchdown on a reverse play with 14 seconds to play and running back Walter Gooding converted the two-point conversion to help Esperanza (9-4) pull off a stunning upset 42-41 in the CIF Division 13 Southern Section semifinals at Yorba Linda High. That was then and this is now as Inglewood and most other area schools have waited with abated breath for a season than annually begins in the fall “It’s been difficult getting them to stay Coleman Field in Inglewood against Martin (Cal commit) and also returns starts a restricted fan less campaign in focused during these times.” Lawndale Leuzinger at 7p.m. All-Area wide receiver Orion Peters the spring. Nonetheless, Inglewood will play Inglewood hands the signal calling (Washington State) and three-year James has tempered his expectations its season opener on March 25th at reigns over to serra transfer Justyn varsity lineman Devin Hancox. for 2021 telling Inglewood Today,
Rams, DeSean Jackson agree to terms on one-year deal By Stu Jackson, Therams.com
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Los Angeles Rams announced this week that they have agreed to terms with wide receiver DeSean Jackson on a one-year deal. Jackson, 34, joins the Rams after spending the last two seasons in Philadelphia. In 2020, he recorded 14 receptions for 236 yards and one touchdown in five games, missing most of the season due to ankle injury. This will be Jackson’s second stint working with Rams head coach Sean McVay. The two previously crossed paths during Jackson’s three seasons in Washington from 2014-16, the same three years McVay was its offensive coordinator. Jackson eclipsed 1,000
receiving yards in two of those three seasons and posted a combined 142 receptions for 2,702 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns during that span. A three-time Pro Bowler, Jackson has totaled 612 receptions for 10,656 yards and 56 touchdowns through 161 games in 13 NFL seasons. He is also a Los Angeles native who attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School before heading to Cal to continue his career at the college level.
DeSean Jackson
“Phenomenal Teammate” Jared Cook Reunites with Corey Linsley in L.A. By Hayley Elwood. Team Reporter
Jared Cook was already in his eighth season in the NFL when he made one of the most ridiculous catches in recent memory. When the Green Bay Packers played the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round of the 2016 playoffs, Cook connected with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on a 35-yard pass that set up a game-winning field goal. But just a couple months later, Cook was gone, and off to the Raiders where he spent two seasons. That was followed by a two-year stint with the Saints and now, he’s found a home with the Chargers after agreeing to terms with the Corey Linsley reflected. “The biggest was furious when (the Packers) didn’t Bolts for his 13th season in the league. “Jared was a phenomenal teammate,” thing I remember about Jared is everyone re-sign him, because that’s how much
he meant to the team. Great teammate, great dude. A professional on and off the field – he’s everything you want in a teammate.” Cook and Linsley are reunited once again out west with the Chargers. (Also joined by former Packer and current Charger, Bryan Bulaga.) Although Cook was only in Green Bay for one season, his presence can’t be overstated – as Linsley attested. “He’s fast (and) he can run well but as a teammate, he’s a professional, he handles his business,” Linsley elaborated. “He’s been in the league a long time now; he knows the ins and Continued on page 7
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BUPPIE | BUSINESS
Five Tips For 2021 Graduates to Prepare For a Fiercely Competitive Job Market IT News Wire
Colleges may return to normalcy in a few months as the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines continues. Meanwhile, in sharp contrast to that positive news, millions of college students will graduate this spring facing bleak employment prospects. The COVID-19 pandemic caused unemployment to soar in 2020 and is expected to affect the job market for graduates again this year. Some labor analysts see the pandemic perhaps having this ripple effect on graduates for years to come. These sobering trends are why students should expand their preparation for the job market and know what action steps they need to take, says Vince Thompson (www. meltatl.com), founder and CEO of the marketing agency MELT and author of Building Brand You: How To Use Your College Experience To Find And Win Your First Job. “Thanks to COVID-19, if you’re in college right now or recently graduated, you’re facing the toughest job market in our lifetime,” Thompson says.
“With so many people unemployed and displaced, people will be willing to take a lesser job for a lesser salary just to get back in the market. “To use a fishing analogy, it’s going to take a lot of casts to get a few bites for interviews and ultimately land the job. But don’t let that discourage you. Instead, let it inspire you to grow and learn what you need to know to set yourself apart from other candidates. It’s all about positioning yourself by building your resume, brand, and your network. And being enthusiastic about the process.” Thompson suggests the following tips for soon-to-be graduates as they prepare for a fiercely competitive job market: Build your brand. The job market is so competitive that companies are looking for far more than candidates with a high GPA. “Hiring managers often seek well-rounded young people who can communicate, collaborate and create,” Thompson says. “They’re looking for people who have been active outside the classroom as well
– in clubs, the community, volunteer work, etc. All of these aspects are part of your brand. Also, the new litmus test in the job market will be, ‘What did you do to improve yourself and others during COVID? Or did you do nothing and feel sorry for yourself?’ Employers are going to be looking for those intangibles.” Organize your marketing playbook. “Utilizing a complete marketing playbook means leveraging your abilities and interests on social media platforms,” Thompson says. “This is where you display your public brand. Your profile, posts, photos, and videos reflect what you’re about. It’s key that your presentation and message are consistent on each platform that you use.” Expand your networking. “Today, about 75 percent of new hires happen through networking,” Thompson says. “Build a target list of people to contact at companies that are hiring. Join discussion groups on LinkedIn that can expand your contacts and your knowledge. Connect with thought
leaders and ask them questions to gain insight.” Upskill. “Companies want young people who are versatile and able to learn new skills quickly,” Thompson says. “Research skills required in fields that you’re pursuing and get credentialed through online training programs. If opportunities are far fewer in your chosen field, research where your best skills apply in other industries.” Prepare for virtual interviewing. “When you interview in person, your body language, enthusiasm, handshake and small talk help build a connection with the interviewer,” Thompson says. “Being interviewed on a screen demands that you be fully engaged, establish a rapport, have continual eye contact and express yourself clearly.” “How you stand out from the crowd has always been the differentiator in hiring,” Thompson says. “It’s much a bigger crowd now for fewer jobs, so the importance of preparation in all facets has never been more important.”
SBA to Increase Lending Limit for
COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans
IT News Wire
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000. “More than 3.7 million businesses employing more than 20 million people have found financial relief through SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which provide low-interest emergency working capital to help save their businesses. However, the pandemic has lasted longer than expected, and they need larger loans. Many have called on SBA to remove the $150,000 cap. We are here to help our small businesses and that is why I’m proud to more than triple the amount of funding they can access ,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. Businesses that receive a loan subject to the current limits do not need to submit a request for an increase at this
time. SBA will reach out directly via email and provide more details about how businesses can request an increase closer to the April 6 implementation date. Any new loan applications and any loans in process when the new loan limits are implemented will automatically be considered for loans covering 24 months of economic injury up to a maximum of $500,000. This new relief builds on SBA’s previous March 12, 2021 announcement that the agency would extend deferment periods for all disaster loans, including COVID-19 EIDLs, until 2022 to offer more time for businesses to build back. In order to shift all EIDL payments to 2022, SBA will extend the first payment due date for disaster loans made in 2020 to 24-months from the date of the note and to 18-months from the date of the note for all loans made in the calendar year 2021. Questions about SBA COVID-19 EIDL and disaster loan payments can be emailed to DisasterCustomerService@ sba.gov or directed to SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard of hearing).
Did you know you have safety and health protections from COVID-19 at work?
Workers in California have the RIGHT to:
• • •
Protection from safety and health hazards, including COVID-19 Report an unsafe workplace Refuse to work in an unsafe condition
To file a confidential complaint about an unsafe workplace, contact your nearest Cal/OSHA district office. It is illegal for your employer to reduce your hours, fire you or otherwise retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Learn more about your RIGHTS and how to contact Cal/OSHA at dir.ca.gov/covid.
Your Actions Save Lives
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March 25 - 31, 2021
PUBLIC NOTICE
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021060345 The Following Person Is Doing Business As:
Raw Oasis 2046 W 94th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90047 21107 Amie Avenue, Apt.41, Torrance, CA 90503 Registered Owner: Cherish Harris, 21107 Amie Ave., Apt. #41, Torrance, CA 90503 This business is conducted by a company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on March 11, 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.) Cherish Harris, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk on March 11, 2021 NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.) Original March 25; April 1, 8, 15, 2021 IT0042230120020160 Inglewood Today
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS Petitioner: Courtney Donaghey Schofield, has filed a petition with the Superior Court Of California, County Of Los Angeles, 1725 Main Street, Room 102, Santa Monica CA 90401 for a name change. FROM: Courtney Donaghey Schofield – TO: Courtney Donaghey
THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing on, May 14, 2021, 8:30 am, Dept K, to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name change described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
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outs. He knows how to handle himself and that’ll mean a lot to the young guys, too. To see a guy who’s done it at a high level for a long time and see how it’s done.” Cook said that veteran presence is something he’s bringing with him to the Chargers locker room. “I’m a big guy who believes in leading by example, especially when people are paying attention and they’re watching you,” Cook mentioned. “I’m definitely going to do my best to do that and bring guys with me.” As for that ridiculous playoff catch, Cook said “it was a play that was drawn up in the dirt,” but it was also predicated on trust; trust between the QB and himself. How do you build that? And how can he build that now out here with Justin Herbert? Communication. “Talking,” he stated. “You can never talk enough. But it’s not talking from one person, it takes a dialogue, talking back and forth and understanding each other. The better you understand each other and talk things out, the easier it is on Sunday. It’s important throughout the week that you guys talk, get to know each other, get to know what each other is thinking on certain plays and envision how you see those plays playing out together. I think that’s what helps you grow and become better.” But with communicating also comes studying and gaining knowledge.
Despite his years in this league, Cook said he “can never stop learning” both in the game and in life. Now that he’s with his new team, he’s looking forward to learning from some of his newest teammates as he embarks on life as a Charger. “It’s always imperative to make yourself better, make your brain stronger, and continue to learn what you can from other people,” he mentioned. “Cause I don’t know it all! I don’t have all the answers, so whatever answers those guys can give me, that’s a huge help ... Just like in football, onto the next play, it’s the same in life. You can’t sit there and dwell on the last thing, you have to get better, learn and grow. With every ‘L’ there’s a lesson, so take that lesson and run.”
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Page 8 Continued from page 1: Two Calif....
begin working immediately since the Director of the Office of the Small Business Advocate position does not require State Senate confirmation. Now, working with similar mandates -- one in a federal Cabinet position and the other at the top-level of state government -- Guzman and Gray have become the de facto leading advocates for the almost four million small businesses in California, which, in aggregate, hire more than 7 million people and account for more than 99 % of all Golden State businesses. Together, the women will be responsible for directing tens of billions of dollars in emergency and ongoing budgetary funding to California small businesses. CalOSBA is part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), which serves as the states’ main apparatus leading economic development programs designed to boost job growth and business assistance efforts. Ashley Swearengin, CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation and former Republican mayor of Fresno, praised Gray’s appointment. “Tara is a tireless and effective leader in California’s small business community and the right choice at this pivotal time,” she said. “As the State of California continues its recovery, Tara will turn advocacy into action, get results for small businesses, and ensure our diverse small business owners and entrepreneurs are at the table driving towards an equitable and inclusive
March 25 - 31, 2021 economic recovery.” GO-Biz offers a range of growth and support services to California business owners, including permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, international trade development assistance, and more, according to the governor’s office. The governor has also charged the office to manage more than $2 billion in COVID-19 relief funding targeted to small businesses, nonprofits and cultural institutions across California. Guzman earned her bachelor’s at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. As SBA Administrator, she will lead the federal agency with 9,000 employees and represent the interests of the country’s estimated 30 million small businesses. In addition, she will oversee key parts of the Biden-Harris administration’s $1.9 trillion stimulus American Rescue Plan, including relief funding for small businesses like the Paycheck Protection Program and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program. “Throughout my public and private sector career, I have been dedicated to helping small businesses grow and succeed,” Guzman said during her Senate confirmation hearing. “Now more than ever, our impacted small businesses need our support, and the SBA stands ready to help them reopen and thrive.” Before Gov. Newsom appointed Guzman to serve as CalOSBA director in 2019, she served as the SBA’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor during the Obama-Biden Administration.
“I have every confidence that under Ms. Guzman’s leadership, the SBA will help small business owners hold on to their dreams until the economy comes roaring back,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said before voting to confirm the Burbank native’s nomination. Before Gray accepted the top role at CalOSBA last week, she had been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of YADARI Enterprises for the last 16 years. YADARI is a tech consulting firm with headquarters in Vallejo. Currently, Gray is also president and Chief Executive Officer of Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce (FMBCC), a position she has held since 2017. FMBCC is a community-based organization that advances the interests of African American entrepreneurs in the Central Valley with programs that focus on advocacy and economic development. Before that, Gray held a number of leadership positions at technology firms, including president of Ecopia Information Technology Consulting from 2000 to 2002 and Senior Telecommunications and Project Manager and Network Engineer for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan from 1995 to 1999. She has also served in top management roles at Lotus Development Corporation and RossDove Company Auctioneers. Gray holds a master’s degree in Christian Studies from Grand Canyon University in Arizona and a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Saint Mary’s College in Contra Costa County. “(Gray’s) announcement is yet another proof point of Gov. Newsom’s ongoing commitment to equity and inclusivity as we recover together,” said Mark Herbert, managing director at the California office of the Small Business Majority, an organization that works with entrepreneurs and policymakers. In addition to her many professional accomplishments, Gray is actively involved in the social, civic and religious life of Fresno as well as the broader African American community across California. She is member of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), Abundant Life Worship Center, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, the California Black Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation, and the California Small Business Employer Advisory Council. Gray, a Democrat, will earn an annual salary of $175,644. Betty Jo Toccoli, president of the California Small Business Association, said Gray is qualified for the job. (Not a big endorsement) “Small business has always been integral to the success of California’s economy, which is why today is a very special day for small business owners and entrepreneurs across the state,” she said. As for Guzman, working with the SBA’s hardworking employees to create an “ecosystem” that ensures small businesses across the United States are strong is a motivating factor. “I am excited to return to the SBA and serve as the voice of small business in the Biden-Harris Administration. I am committed to championing the agency’s mission and helping equitably build back the economy,” she said.
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the New York Knicks on Nov. 15, 1960; In his best scoring season in 1961-62, Baylor averaged 38.3 points a game, but missed nearly half the season because he was serving in the Army. “Before there was Michael Jordan doing amazing things in the air, there was Elgin Baylor!” Johnson tweeted. “A true class act and great man.” Although he won an All Star Game MVP in his rookie season, Baylor played in 8 NBA finals and never won one, a dubious distinction that often defines the legacy of great athletes. By the time I met Baylor he was the general manager of the Clippers, the brunt of league wide jokes. This was during the era of diabolical racist Donald Sterling and the Clippers were consistently the laughing stock of the league but the blame rest at the hands of the man who was the NBA’s first signature star. During his playing day Baylor was a high flying, slashing scoring machine. During his post playing career as head coach of the New Orleans Jazz from 1976 to 1979 and GM of the Clippers he found success to be fleeting. His coaching record with New Orleans was an abysmal 86-135. Then with the Clippers from 1986 to 2008 he only had two winning seasons in 22/1/2 years, but earned NBA Executive of the Year in 2006. Baylor was destined to failure with the Clippers because of the ineptness of Sterling’s ownership, but his pioneering instincts kept him in that post knowing just how rare such opportunities came along for Blacks. Essentially Baylor had the same temperament as Jackie Robinson when he broke baseball color barrier, accepting the insults and ridicule with dignity and grace because he was comfortable in his own skin. “Elgin Baylor set the course for the modern NBA as one of the league’s first superstar players,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “In addition to his legendary playing career, Elgin was a man of principle. He was a leading activist during the height of the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s and an influential voice among his fellow players.” He’s wasn’t dismayed when his grandeur was not celebrated or saluted and did not run away nor was, he combative when criticized. His even keeled temperament made him the humblest of all superstars. Staples Center is known for being statue row, with all of the figurines of the greats in Laker lore bronzed in sculptures erected. West, Magic, Kareem, Shaq, Chick Hearn and Baylor. However, by the time Baylor received his honor in 2018, Mexican boxing star Oscar de la Hoya had a statue for more than a decade. When news spread this week that Baylor had died of natural causes on March 22, in Los Angeles with wife Elaine and daughter Krystal by his side, it closed the chapter on a glorious life of which 60 was invested in the game he so loved. He was 86. The ironic cruelty is that he left never fulling receiving the appreciation he deserved.