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
Clippers
March 3 - 10, 2021 VOL. 36, No. 09
Leading CEOs Champion Equity for the Black Community NNPA News Wire
WASHINGTON—Six of the nation’s largest non-governmental, non-profit membership organizations announced the launch of a vaccine equity and education initiative. The effort aims to help Black Americans make informed personal decisions about vaccination by providing them with accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccines from medical professionals and health officials and combating misinformation about the vaccines. All six organizations are also committed to raising awareness and the importance of equitable access to the vaccine for Black communities. Led by a diverse group of Black CEOs, this initiative gathers resources from respected and trusted community and business leaders, health professionals and public officials to ensure that accurate and transparent information about the COVID-19 vaccine is available to Black Americans. Our country’s long history of unethical medical practices in the Black community has increased distrust around medical science and may contribute to hesitancy among Black Americans to take the vaccine. This initiative seeks to ensure Black Americans can get answers to their questions so they can make informed decisions about protecting themselves, their families and their communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted Black Americans and Black-owned businesses. It has revealed and exacerbated long-standing racial disparities in the nation’s health system. The initial vaccine outreach and distribution has not reflected equity as a priority, the CEOs said. Available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shows that only 5 percent of the Continued on page 7
Forum
& Lakers
“Posh Luxury Imports Owner takes giant risk...” See Page 6
Sydney Kamlager Succeeds Holly Mitchell as Calif. Senate’s Only Black Woman
Tanu Henry | California Black Media
On March 2, voters in California’s 30th Senate District elected Sydney Kamlager to represent them in the upper house of the state legislature. With that win, Kamlager, 48, becomes one of two African Americans in the State Senate -- the other is Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Los Angeles) -- and the only Black women in that legislative body, replacing former Sen. Holly Mitchell. Mitchell resigned from the Senate last November after she won a seat on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. “I woke up this morning to the next chapter -- and I am ready,” said Kamlager, who currently serves in the state Assembly. In her current role, Kamlager represents the 54th District, which includes Baldwin Hills and Ladera Heights. “Last night was our win,” she continued. “If you are Black, Brown, Asian, Native American, a woman, LGBT, a worker, a small business owner, a proud union member; if you are fighting for social, racial, environmental, criminal or economic justice; if you are an artist, a truthseeker or truth-teller; if you believe in true emancipation from systems Diego) says she looks forward to and welcome to my soon-to-be fellow designed to shame and defeat us – then working with Kamlager and the this is your win, too.” Senator-elect can count on her support. Continued on page 7 Senate Pro-Tem Toni Atkins (D-San “Extending a big congratulations
A Message from County Administrator Dr. Erika Torres In our continued commitment to serving our community and providing current information, we have some important updates in this week’s message. In addition, we want to invite you to our March 10, 2021 Board of Education meeting at 5:00 p.m., where I will provide an update regarding the reopening of our schools. Please click here to access the Board meeting livestream information. IUSD School Reopening You may have recently heard in the news that the L.A. County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) is permitting L.A. County schools to reopen for in-person instruction for students at grade levels TK- 6. The state permits elementary schools to
reopen as soon as the county reaches a 7-day COVID-19 adjusted case rate of 25 per 100,000. L.A. County reached that threshold countywide on February 15, 2021. The safety of our students, staff and community continues to be our top priority. Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) will continue to provide a virtual learning model as we make plans to reopen for in-person instruction. IUSD will continue to address safety measures and other considerations to return students and staff to school campuses as soon as possible. Most recently, IUSD has partnered with Beach Cities Health District to provide COVID-19 vaccines for our staff. Through this partnership,
IUSD staff will have an opportunity to access vaccination appointments at Inglewood High School. IUSD will continue to work to prepare for a safe reopening. For more information detailing the protocols and measures IUSD is taking to ensure the health and safety at our district and school facilities, we invite you to review the IUSD Health and Safety Plan Presentation which can be found here. Special Message from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond We are extremely honored and grateful to State Superintendent of Continued on page 7
JOIN US ON
Page 2
March 3 - 10, 2021
The Solution to Trump, White Privilege and The Republican Party Inglewood Today News
We know from the appearance of former President Trump at the conservative Republican gathering in Florida over the weekend that their agenda against America continues. We see over 28 states with Republican controlled legislatures have introduced more than 100 bills aimed at voter suppression. These include restricting the number of voting sites, limiting the hours of voting from 9 till 5pm Monday through Fridays with no weekend
voting; There is also legislation to limit the number of drop boxes for return of mail in ballots and the requirement of state issued voting I.D. cards. But the solution to this assault on democracy has already been demonstrated in both the state of Georgia with its massive voter turnout that produced two U.S. Senators to change the balance of power in the U.S. Senate and thereby empowering our Vice President, Kamala Harris to be the tie breaking vote as the President of the U.S. Senate. We have also seen the State of Virginia pass a state version of
PRESIDENT/ EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Willie Brown PUBLISHER Kenneth Miller VICE PRESIDENT Gloria Kennedy PRODUCTION Kenneth Denson QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER Gloria Kennedy Inglewood Today Weekly is a legally adjudicated newspaper of public circ ulation, published weekly by Ads Up Advertising, Inc. News and press releases may be submitted for consideration by mail to 9111 La Cienega Boulevard, Suite 100, Inglewood, CA 90301 or by email to itnetworks@msn.com.
You can reach us at 310-670-9600 or by fax 310-338-9130 www.inglewoodtoday.com The artistic contents of Inglewood Today Weekly are copyrighted by Ads Up Advertising, Inc. and permission to reprint any article herein must be obtained in writing from the Publisher.
DISPLAY ADVERTISING 310-670-9600 X107 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 310-670-9600 X104 SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Subscriptions are available by mail for $100.00 per year. Home Delivery may not be available in all areas, or gated communities.
the Voting Rights Act amendments that were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013. African Americans, Africans who have become naturalized citizens with the right to vote, Latinos, Asians who are now under massive hate crime attacks, Native Americans and any other people of color who now make up the growing majority of Americans, must become politically active. We must follow the Stacey Abrams approach of voter outreach, education and turnout
that Georgia used to elect two U.S. Senators. We must do this in every state starting now with a look at who will run for Congress and the U.S. Senate in 2022. We must change the approach of civic now being taught in our schools starting with an understanding of the political process at the very local level. We must come to understand that every vote counts and that we can not wait until there are more homicides and abuse of political power from racist law enforcement personnel and White Supremacist who think that democracy means only them and their iinterest. The Republican Party has demonstrated its lack of concern for human life other than their own throughout this pandemic. Now that a 1.9 Trillion Covid Relief Bill is before the Senate, a Bill that can mean the difference between life and death for millions of Americans, we see a solid and lockstep Republican block in the Senate determined to vote against the bill and further continue the suffering of All people in this country regardless of their color. This is the Party opposed to Food Stamps to feed starving families, but yet believes in subsidies and tax benefits to corporations and big business with those same dollars that could be used to save lives. We must remember that the Republican Party is the Party of White Privilege, even though some mis-guided Blacks belong to it. We must learn the track records of those who say they will represent us just as the FBI is learning the identity of those 57 white local elected officials that participated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. We must start a collective movement because the Republican Party, its members, the White Supremist and those who use the term “Make American Great Again (MAGA)” to disguise their racist, don;t think we are capable of long range planning. We too must both plan now and act now as if the 2022 elections were tomorrow. Let’s beat them at their own game.
WE ARE ALL BETTER
TOGETHER Across the nation, the Black community is disproportionately affected by COVID-19 cases.
In California, Black residents are the 4th most affected group by COVID-19, making up 4% of all California cases. Historically known as advocates and providers, Black churches across the state are stepping up to bridge the gap between the government and free access to community-based testing. As leaders in the community, the church testing sites are exemplifying the way to properly engage the Black community in providing resources and reducing the spread of COVID-19.
AACEC-CAL.ORG/COVID19TESTING
Page 3
March 3 - 10, 2021
AROUND THE CITY Inglewood City Council Cites Women History Month
EYE ON THE CITY
GEORGE DOTSON
By Francis Taylor, Sr. Writer
March is Women’s History Month and the City of Inglewood and the nation will highlight and celebrate the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. Last year many of the women’s suffrage centennial celebrations originally planned for 2020 were restricted, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the National Women’s Alliance extended the annual theme for 2021 to “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced. It was announced in the council meeting that we particularly recognize Stacey Yvonne Abrams, the politician, lawyer, voting rights activist, and author who served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2007 to 2017, serving as minority leader from 2011 to 2017. She is a Democrat who founded Fair Fight Action, an organization to address voter suppression, in 2018. Her efforts have been widely credited with boosting voter turnout in Georgia, including in the 2020 presidential election, where Joe Biden won the state, and
ALEX PADILLA
JAMES BUTTS
in Georgia’s 2020–21 U.S. Senate election and special election, which gave Democrats control over the Senate. Earlier this year Abrams was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in the 2020 election. Getting down to business, the council approved a three-year agreement with
ELOY MORALES
RALPH FRANKLIN
Ellison Wilson Advocacy, LLC, to provide legislative advocacy services for the City. The council approved Amendment No. 1 to Grant Agreement No. 920000000TOD201512 between the City of Inglewood and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the Florence/Hindry and Crenshaw Station Transit Overlay District Project. The council approved a purchase order with Crosstown Electrical & Data, Inc., for LED traffic control devices, per Bid No. RFB-0126. The council awarded and approved an agreement with Michael Baker International, Inc., to prepare the Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) 2020 study and the staterequired plan/report to be submitted to the California Department of Water
Resources and an agreement with Kane, Ballmer & Berkman for legal advice, guidance, and representation. Responding to a public comment, Mayor Butts explained that a city as vibrant as Inglewood, must maintain legal representation. Before closing the weekly council meeting, Mayor Butts described a few of the council’s recent accomplishments that benefit the citizens of Inglewood and the County of Los Angeles. He mentioned the city’s 1st Time Home Buying Program, the Rent Relief Program and the COVID-19 Debit Card Program for needy Inglewood families. He explained that within the nine square miles of the City of Inglewood, the city boasts five COVID-19 Vaccination Programs, including the 12,000 vaccinations that are being administered each day for Los Angeles County teachers, the mobile vaccinations that are being administered to immobile senior citizens and the Centinela Hospital Vaccination Program that is catering the city’s first responders.
IUSD Stellar Student Spotlight
IUSD Stellar Student Spotlight City Honors International Preparatory La Tijera Academy of Excellence High School - Ja’Cobe Simms Cree Suttice
Ja Cobe Simms By Maygan Orr
Beginning his football career with the Inglewood Jets at the age of 6, Ja’Cobe Simms has become a standout athlete. He is currently a senior at City Honors International Preparatory School (CHIPS) and plays the guard position for the Inglewood High School Sentinels. Ja’Cobe recently received offers from 6 colleges but accepted an official offer on February 3, 2021 from Arizona Christian University (ACU), where he will play next Fall as an offensive lineman and major in Business. In January 2021 he toured ACU, a Christian faith-based school with a family-like community, which is important to Ja’Cobe and one of the reasons he fell in love with the
campus. He also likes that ACU isn’t too far from his family in California. Although Ja’Cobe will be out of state for college, he wants to maintain his roots by opening an Inglewood barbershop one day. Ja’Cobe is a selftaught barber and an entrepreneur who wants to start his own clothing brand called “Hustle Vision”. The inspiration behind his brand comes from his personal experiences, and his artistic skills. Growing up Ja’Cobe sometimes struggled in school, but later realized the importance of staying motivated to be his best, which is why he plans to include inspiring messages on his brand pieces. He hopes to spread this positive message to everyone who sees it. In addition, he also enjoys drawing and wants to use his original designs for his clothing brand. Ja’Cobe loves the City of Inglewood and has bettered his community through mentoring local youth at the Boys and Girls Club, as well as volunteering at the Red Cross. Ja’Cobe has this advice to share with his fellow IUSD students: “No matter what you have been through, never give up.” To nominate a stellar IUSD student to be spotlighted next month, please email maygan.orr@inglewoodusd. com.
By Maygan Orr
CreeSutticeDon’t underestimate this 3rd grader! Our Stellar Student for February is La Tijera Academy of Excellence’s best classroom secretary - Cree Suttice. Cree has served as class secretary for her second and third grade years at La Tijera. Her exceptional work ethic and passion for helping others has impacted her teachers and peers. She takes her class secretary role very seriously, even during online learning. Cree is always assisting other students and her study buddy through Zoom. She has shown true leadership and has set a shining example for her classmates.
Not only is Cree a great help to her class, she is also an outstanding student. She enjoys learning, and her two favorite subjects in school are math and English. Her love of math allows her to use her critical thinking skills and work through difficult math problems. Having begun spelling at the young age of two, Cree has become a great storyteller and artist, who enjoys writing short stories as well as illustrating them. Over the years she has finished 6 of her own original stories. Her love for math and English are reflected in her grades and recent diagnostic test scores, where she scored at the 6th grade level in both subject areas! Cree’s hobbies include playing soccer and basketball with her cousins and listening to classical and hip hop music. She was also an assistant at her church before the pandemic. Cree’s dream job is to become a pediatrician because she loves to help people. Her kind nature is seen through her acts of service, and will continue to carry on in her bright future! Cree has this advice to share with her fellow IUSD Students: “Don’t let what you can’t do, interfere with what you can do.” (by Maygan Orr) To nominate a stellar IUSD student to be spotlighted next month, please email maygan.orr@inglewoodusd. com.
Page 4
March 3 - 10, 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
LOS ANGELES RAMS AND HEALTH NET PARTNER TO SUPPORT HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF INGLEWOOD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS IT News Wire
The Los Angeles Rams and Health Net are teaming up with Inglewood Unified School District to support the health and wellness of students through exercise and reading. To kick off the partnership, the Rams and Health Net will launch the Virtual PLAY 60/Read 20 program to inspire students to be mentally and physically active while at home. On March 4, the Rams and Health Net will distribute the first of five instructional exercise videos to 12 Inglewood Unified schools that feature team mascot Rampage,
Cheerleaders, and team reporter Sarina Morales. More than 1,400 Inglewood Unified students will also receive books and at-home exercise kits with pedometers, resistance bands, water bottles and more. “Due to the pandemic, many kids are stuck at home, unable to get the regular exercise they need to stay healthy,” said Dr. Alex Chen, Chief Medical Officer at Health Net. “We know healthy kids do better in school, and so we are pleased to partner with the LA Rams and the Inglewood Unified School District to help get students moving and learning.”
Each month from March to May, new Virtual PLAY 60/Read 20 videos will be available for students at therams. com/community/play-60. Episodes will feature reading sessions and dance lessons with Rams Cheerleaders, stretching exercises with Rampage, nutrition lessons and more. “We are so grateful that our amazing partners, the Rams and Health Net, are able to provide this wonderful opportunity for our students,” said Dr. Erika Torres, Inglewood Unified’s County Administrator. “The PLAY 60/Read 20 promotes literacy and
encourages our student scholars to be physically active and prioritizes wellness during these most extraordinary times.” “We are proud to work with Health Net to address the physical, social, and educational needs of local students who have adapted to so much this year,” said Molly Higgins, Rams Vice President of Community Affairs and Engagement. “At the heart of both organizations is a desire to help transform our communities and we hope these programs encourage our young students to stay active and committed to their education.”
Waters Applauds House Passage of Her Amendment to H.R. 1, the For the People Act IT News Wire
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, issued the following statement regarding her amendment to H.R. 1 passing the House. “Later today, the House will pass H.R. 1, the For the People Act, legislation that is vital to ensuring the continuance of our democratic and electoral institutions. This legislation strives to hold our system of government to account, and demands a more equitable, more just, and more participatory democracy. Prior to a final vote on H.R. 1, the House voted on, and passed, my amendment to the For the People Act. “As my late colleague and friend, the Honorable John Lewis, would have pointed out - one of the primary ways in which voters are disenfranchised is through deliberate misinformation, a tactic that has taken on new life in the age of social media. Now, every single election cycle sees attempts to suppress voter participation by intimidating or intentionally misleading voters. “The For the People Act addresses this issue by prohibiting misinformation which intentionally misleads a voter in order to suppress their vote. This misinformation is defined as including a statement which threatens a voter with
fake criminal penalties if they vote, such as misinformation which claims that if a voter casts a ballot, then they will be subject to criminal penalties or imprisonment. “However, in California and throughout the country, misinformation is not confined merely to erroneous criminal threats, but includes a wide variety of legal threats. There have been examples of students told that if they vote, they will be kicked off their family’s health insurance plan. Voters have been threatened with deportation if they cast a ballot, and some have been threatened with fake tax penalties. All of this is misinformation which makes a false legal threat of some kind. “My amendment to H.R. 1, which just passed the House, ensures that misinformation which makes any type of legal threat, not just a criminal legal threat, in order to mislead and suppress the vote will be prohibited. “It is vital that Congress uphold its responsibility to protect every American from disenfranchisement, particularly those most targeted historically by antidemocratic maneuvers and tactics, such as voters of color, and those who are poor, disabled, and young. Attempts to disenfranchise these groups has only increased since the 2020 presidential
PLACE YOUR DBAS, PROBATES, TRUSTEE NOTICES, LEGAL NOTICES, SUMMONS AND MORE IN
election, with more than 250 bills now winding through more than 40 state legislatures which would restrict, in some way, a voter’s right to cast their ballot. “This is why I authored and put forward my amendment to H.R. 1, and
why I will continue to fight for every American’s ability to participate in our democracy. I urge all of my colleagues to do the same and vote in favor of H.R. 1 when it comes before the full House for a vote.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Vaccines are: SAFE
California’s top medical experts have confirmed the safety of all COVID-19 vaccines.
EFFECTIVE
Up to 95% effective to prevent COVID-19.
FREE
COVID-19 vaccines are available for free.
PRIVATE
Your personal information is confidential and protected. Even after being vaccinated, you should continue wearing your mask, washing your hands and watching your distance until the vaccine has been widely distributed.
Vaccine supply is limited. Learn more about vaccines at VaccinateALL58.com and help end the pandemic. You can also sign up to be notified when it’s your turn to make an appointment at MyTurn.ca.gov or call (833) 422-4255.
SAVE MONEY AND SUBMIT ONLINE AT WWW.INGLEWOODTODAY.COM OR CALL: 1.888.676.1011
Page 5
March 3 - 10, 2021
LOS ANGELES SUPER BOWL HOST COMMITTEE TO HONOR “UNSUNG HERO” ORGANIZATIONS MAKING POSITIVE IMPACT ACROSS L.A. Super Bowl LVI “Champions Live Here” Program to Shine a Spotlight on 56 Nonprofits Helping Uplift Communities Across the Region
Inglewood Today News
The Los Angeles Super Bowl Host Committee (LASBHC) is launching the official Super Bowl LVI Legacy Program – Champions Live Here, which will recognize 56 “unsung hero” grassroots organizations and nonprofits who are making a transformative impact in underserved communities across the Los Angeles region. In partnership with the LA84 Foundation, the Play Equity Fund and the National Football League (NFL) Foundation, Champions Live Here seeks to shine a spotlight on the achievements of local community organizations who often go unrecognized and provide grants to help these nonprofits continue fulfilling their missions. “In less than 12 months, Los Angeles will take center stage as the host of Super Bowl LVI. Our goal is to make sure once the game is over and the fans go home, local kids and families continue to reap the benefits of the game’s economic
impact and lasting philanthropic legacy,” said Casey Wasserman, Chairman of the Los Angeles Super Bowl Host Committee, which is led by the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC) and includes SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers. The legacy program will honor each of the selected “Champion organizations” with a $10,000 grant award, a professionally produced marketing video spotlighting their organization, and public recognition of their work in the lead up to the Super Bowl. Additionally, six of these 56 organizations will be selected to each receive a total grant award of $50,000, to make an even bigger impact in their community. The public nomination process kicked off today and runs through March 31, 2021. Those interested in learning more about the Champions Live Here program
CIF SOUTHERN SECTION UPDATE
By ROB WIGOD, COMMISSIONER OF ATHLETICS
I hope all is well with you and your families. Here is the latest update. Return to Play - Outdoor Sports - As you know, the threshold for outdoor sports to begin competition is 14 cases (Adjusted Case Rate), or lower, per 100,000 people. Last week, Los Angeles County, Orange County and San Luis Obispo County reached that threshold and based on the Adjusted Case Rates released today, all 8 counties within the Southern Section footprint have met that standard. Here are the Adjusted Case Rates, per 100,000 people, as of March 2, 2021.
- San Luis Obispo County - 6.8 - Los Angeles County - 7.2 - Orange County - 7.6 - San Bernardino County - 9.0 - Ventura County - 10.6 - Riverside County - 11.3 - Santa Barbara County 13.0 - Kern County - 13.6 I hope this information is useful to you in the time ahead and if you have any questions, or I can help you in any way at all, do not hesitate to contact our office. My staff and I are ready, willing and able to assist you in any way we possibly can. Thank you very much for your help and support, it is truly appreciated.
and how to nominate an organization are encouraged to visit LASuperBowlHC. com. “Each year, the NFL Foundation looks to leave a lasting impact on the Super Bowl host city both before and long after the game is played through the Super Bowl Legacy Grant Program,” said Alexia Gallagher, Vice President of Philanthropy and Executive Director, NFL Foundation. “We’re proud to partner with the Los Angeles Super Bowl Host Committee, the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, the LA84 Foundation and the Play Equity Fund to support this year’s legacy program, Champions Live Here, and help make a positive impact across the Los Angeles area for years to come.” “The Los Angeles Super Bowl Host Committee’s legacy program, Champions Live Here, is another example of the high-profile impactful events we bring to our community. The Super Bowl provides a tremendous opportunity to focus the spotlight on our local champions and organizations who work tirelessly toward improving the lives of our city’s residents,” said Kathryn Schloessman, Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission President & CEO. “Our ability to bring programs like this to life is the result of the support provided to us by other champions in the community including our ChampionLA donors, the NFL Foundation, the LA84 Foundation and the Play Equity Fund.” “The Los Angeles Super Bowl Host Committee’s Champions Live Here legacy program is more evidence of the concentrated efforts that our partners at the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission have put forth to bring major sports events to our region that establish a positive legacy for our community and the families who are most in need,” said Renata Simril, President & CEO of the LA84 Foundation and President
of the Play Equity Fund. “By using the extraordinary visibility that the Super Bowl generates and the investment of the NFL, its partners and the LA84 Foundation, this program will support multiple organizations working directly with local young people and providing kids with opportunities to be healthier.” The committee is seeking organizations that are focused on creating real change and reaching the many neighborhoods in need across the region. Qualified organizations must be inclusive, collaborative, resourceful, innovative and be focused on driving impact in the following areas: Youth Development - Organizations creating greater access and opportunity for youth to participate in sports, leadership and educational programs; improving and upgrading fields, parks and play facilities and promoting the overall wellbeing of children and teens (physical, mental, emotional health). Jobs and Economic Opportunity - Organizations working to expand the landscape of jobs and economic opportunity, increasing and improving opportunities for training, internships, job placement, entrepreneurship, and independent contracts/vendor relationships within the sports sector. Social Justice - Organizations that are working to promote equity and positive change in areas such as education, juvenile justice, food insecurity, housing and homelessness, environmental justice and climate change, civil rights, health and wellness, and community safety. Only 501(c)(3) public charities or government entities, not individuals, based in Los Angeles County are eligible to receive the recognition and grant. The Los Angeles Super Bowl Host Committee also released their Legacy Launch Video, featuring the voice-over of D Smoke, rap artist and songwriter from Inglewood, California.
Page 6
March 3 - 10, 2021
BUPPIE | BUSINESS
Omar McGee Driven by Loyalty, Passion and Consistency Posh Luxury Imports Owner takes giant risk for greater reward
By Kenneth Miller, Publisher
The drive from Flint, Michigan through the blistering sun of oven baked Nevada desert was a daring journey for a motivated young man destined to fulfill his dream as a filmmaker in Hollywood. Only to discover during his journey that the Honda didn’t have air condition, instead blowing hot air from the overheated engine, Omar McGee kept pushing along to subsequently arrive in Beverly Hills where he’d spend days and nights sleeping in that car. McGee was once an aspiring hoops star, but figured out it was not the best career choice. A graduate of Flint Northwestern High School that produced NBA players Glenn Rice, Morris Peterson and Trent Tucker, NBA referee Courtney Kirkland and two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd offered a blueprint for athletic success, but McGee chose another path. The cousin of former USC greats Pam and Paula McGee and former Laker JaVale McGee presented the bloodlines essential for the hardwood if pursued, but he wanted to create his own story. And if the first chapter is any indication of what might the future hold for the now 45-year old, the horizon is burning as bright that Nevada sun. He altered the narrative of Flint, an underserved poor urban community introduced to the nation by a crippling water crisis that only afforded athletes a way out of its poverty grip, by attending Howard University and eventually
achieving success as a filmmaker producing acclaimed documentary Flint Town Kids which earned rave reviews. Flint Town Kids is documentary depicting the African American dark side of Flint, much of what inspired Omar McGee to become the person he is today. He learned from the hardships and shortcomings of others, many within his own family to desire a better way of life,
one that if he commits, would allow for him to carve out on his own success. “I was born into the car industry, my father has a collision shop in Flint Michigan. When I was coming up I learned the business from him but I just wasn’t interested in Buicks, Chevys or Toyotas so I went to Howard University for film and went into the film industry and did well but my morals and values did not agree with the things that was
going on in Hollywood,” McGee explained to Inglewood Today. Initially he found a way to give back by founding Executive Preparatory Academy of Finance in 2013 which closed in 2018, but sent more than 200 students to college. Now he is getting back to what he really loves which is cars. Posh Luxury Imports is currently demanding most of his attention these days. While more than 40 percent of Black business have closed during the coronavirus pandemic, McGee has taken the bold initiative to expand his luxury car dealership which specialize in exotic vehicles. “It’s a high end luxury car line, we deal with everything from Rolls Royce to Maserati.” McGee is the only Black-owned exotic vehicle sales and rental dealership in the nation’s second-largest city. He credits his father Arthur McGee as his role model and most responsible for the person that he has become. McGee frequently returns home to Flint on a regular basis and has plans on converting his father’s 58-year old shop into a dealership. “This has been an easy transition for me because I already had the answers to the test,” he added. “When I moved to L.A. and I saw Bentleys, Rolls Royce and Mercedes Benz that attracted me even more.”
Page 7
March 3 - 10, 2021
Continued from page 1: Sydney Kamlager...
Continued from page 1: A Message...
Senator,” Atkins tweeted. “Asm. Kamlager is a champion for women’s rights, civil rights, criminal justice reform and equality.” Wining two-thirds of the vote, Kamlager bested seven other hopefuls, including her closest contender Culver City Councilman Daniel Lee, who is also African American and a Democrat. Lee won 13.46% of the vote, according to uncertified election results provided by the Los Angeles County clerk’s office Tuesday. About 10.35% of all eligible voters in the district participated in the special election. “Sydney has shown her dedication to her district and this win shows that they believe in her and trust her leadership,” said Taisha Brown, chair of the California Democratic Party Black Caucus. “I am honored that we once again have a Black woman as a state senator. Brown says she has to remind her fellow Democrats that although 90 percent of all Black women consistently vote for Democratic candidates, the make-up of the party’s leadership does not reflect the high levels of grassroots involvement and the deep commitment of African American women. So far, two African American Angelenos have thrown their hats in for Kamlager’s Assembly seat: Heather Hutt, Vice President Kamala Harris’ former state director when she was U.S. Senator, and Isaac Bryan, executive director at UCLA’s Black Policy Project. Supervisor Mitchell has endorsed Bryan. His other endorsements include several progressive groups, including Black Lives Matters LA, and Los Angeles city councilmembers Mark Ridley-Thomas and Mike Bonin; author and artist Patrisse Cullors; CSU professor Dr. Melina Abdullah; and former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs. Hutt’s list of high-profile endorsers includes Assemblymembers Autumn Burke (D- Inglewood), Reggie JonesSawyer (D-South Los Angeles), Mike Gipson (D-Carson) and Jim Cooper (D-Sacramento), along with retired African American State Senators Isadore Hall and Kevin Murray. Retired Assemblymember Willard Murry has also given Hutt’s candidacy his nod.
Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond who recorded a special message for our IUSD community! His message acknowledges the deep impact that this pandemic has had on our students, families, and staff. He also stresses the importance of attending school every day. To view the video, click here. Black History Month In honor of Black History Month, we would like to continue our series to highlight some of the many AfricanAmerican figures who have made significant contributions to sports, science, arts and politics. This week we celebrate madam Vice President, Kamala Harris. Daughter of a Stanford University Professor and Indian Diplomat, Kamala Harris was raised to make an impact for the things she believed needed changed. That is what motivated Kamala to major in
reproductive rights. In addition, her legislation to preserve historically Black Colleges and Universities was passed, as was her effort to implement capital into low-income communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 11, 2020 Kamala accepted President elect Joe Biden’s invitation to run alongside him as Vice President. On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first woman and first Black woman Vice President of the United States of America. Thank you, Vice President Harris, for advocating for students and inspiring so many women and girls of color across this nation and the world. To learn more about Kamala Harris, click here. Wellness Art Contest Winner Our District would like to congratulate Inglewood High School 11th grade student, Angela Lemus, on winning our District’s Wellness Art Contest. In our collaboration with the
political science and economics at Howard University. After graduating from Howard in 1986, she went on to receive her Law Degree from the University of California Hastings College of the Law in 1989. According to Whitehouse.gov, Kamala worked as Oakland’s district deputy attorney from 1990-1998, prosecuting cases of gang violence, drug trafficking and child abuse. In 2010, she was elected Attorney General (AG) in California, becoming the first African-American woman to hold that title. According to Whitehouse.gov, Kamala fought for California homeowners against big banks that were unfairly foreclosing homes, worked to protect Obamacare, helped win marriage equality for all and reached a large settlement against for-profit education companies who scammed students and veterans. In 2016, Kamala was elected to the U.S Senate where she fought for immigration reform and women’s
Rams organization, we asked students to illustrate, “What Does Being Healthy Mean to You”. Not only will Angela’s art be featured on our website, she will also work with our graphic designer to create a design that will be featured on our food trucks. In addition, Inglewood HS Principal, Ms. Tate, shared that Angela recently won the Student Body elections as the School Site Council Student Representative, becoming the Junior Class President. She completed the first semester with all A’s and is currently achieving a 4.0 for the semester. Angela, you are a leader and a true reflection of Inglewood High School and our District. Keep up the great work! El Camino College In collaboration with South Bay Promise, El Camino college is hosting a series of Information Sessions to teach incoming college students how they can receive free tuition for up to two years, regardless of financial need. In addition, they will include
information regarding priority registration, support from an eligible Student Support & Success Program, personalized program orientations and more! The Information Sessions begin on Thursday, March 4, 2021 from 5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. To register, please select from one of the following dates: Thursday, March 4, 2021 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2021 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Thursday, April 1, 2021 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Thursday, April 15, 2021 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. For more information, please click here or contact Ananda Williams, South Bay Promise Program, at southbaypromise@elcamino.edu. MyON Winter Reading Challenge Our District would like to recognize the winners of the MyON Winter Reading Challenge. Students were encouraged to read as much as they could on the MyON platform between December 18 - January 18, 2021 and over 70 of our dedicated students from an elementary, middle and high school level, completed more than 300 minutes of reading. Congratulations to our IUSD students. We encourage you to keep reading! Please click here to see the names of our outstanding readers. Social and Emotional Support As we approach almost a year of IUSD rising to the challenge of COVID-19, I am so inspired by the resiliency, strength and dedication of our students, families, and staff. We want to stress the importance of socialemotional support for our students during this pandemic. The Child Mind Institute has created a helpful tip sheet that can be used as a guide to assist parents with monitoring these specific components of their children’s health. Please click here to access the tip sheet and additional supportive resources, including Facebook Live video chats with expert clinicians, remote evaluations, and consultations. For additional mental health services, you may contact the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Help Line at (800) 854-7771 with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week assistance. “Grab and Go” Meal Distribution (Modified Schedule) Due to a temporary modified schedule “Grab and Go” meals will be distributed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Meals for Tuesdays and Thursdays will be distributed on Mondays and Wednesdays, respectively. Meals can be picked up between 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at all school sites EXCEPT for Oak St. Elementary, Morningside High School, Bennett Kew Elementary, and Inglewood High School.
Page 8 Continued from page 1: Leading CEOs...
limited supplies of vaccines so far have gone to Blacks. And nearly half of vaccination records are missing race and ethnicity data, according to the CDC, which further hampers abilities to address disparities that may widen as demand grows. Additionally, a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that approximately one third of Black Americans are reluctant to get a COVID-19 vaccine. AARP, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the American Psychological Association (APA), the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the National League of Cities (NLC), and the YMCA are joining forces on this effort. Together, the six organizations have a combined reach of more than 60 million Americans. The effort will: • Marshal the resources of all participating organizations to equip Black Americans with accurate information from medical professionals, health officials and other trusted sources and to combat misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines; • Engage community leaders and organizations of all backgrounds at the local, state and national levels to amplify the importance of reaching Black Americans about COVID-19 vaccines and providing equitable access; and • Provide resources to reach and engage the Black community about the COVID-19 vaccine more effectively. “The pandemic’s toll on older Black, Indigenous, and people of color is staggering and must be addressed urgently to avoid even greater loss of life. Americans age 50 and older represent nearly 95% of COVID-19 deaths, and Black and Hispanic nursing home residents have died at three times
March 3 - 10, 2021 the rate of other residents, making up a substantial number of these deaths,” said AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins. “It’s a national disgrace, but through information, advocacy, and outreach, our nation can and must do better. That’s why AARP is committed to providing trusted information about vaccines, and advocating nationwide for officials to improve information and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines now.” “This country’s health inequities have been heightened by this pandemic for millions of Black and underserved communities, especially those Americans living with diabetes, and once again we see more alarming numbers coming out of the vaccine distribution where only 5% of the limited supply of vaccine has gone to Black Americans,” said Tracey D. Brown, CEO of the American Diabetes Association. “If we don’t make these communities a priority now then we will continue to see mounting devastation with severe complications and deaths from this virus. The ADA has made it a goal to address health inequities like these through our Health Equity Now platform and we will continue to advocate and drive change. Inaction is no longer an option; we must do better for all citizens.” “Once COVID-19 vaccines were developed, the country’s attention turned immediately to the logistics of dissemination. These plans, however, have not reflected enough of what we know about human behavior to encourage consistently strong vaccine uptake, particularly for communities that have historically been wary of our health care system,” said Arthur C. Evans, PhD, APA chief executive officer. “We know from research that populations differ in their understanding of what vaccines do and their effectiveness. Additionally, for Black Americans,
there is research documenting the widespread discrimination they face in interactions with our health care system, which further influences this population’s beliefs about vaccines. As a result, people are likely to form biased perceptions and beliefs about negative outcomes – like the severity of the vaccine’s side-effects – affecting them at higher rates relative to other populations. We must better understand people’s perceptions of the vaccine and then deliver evidence-based information through trusted community sources in order to enable people to make informed decisions about the vaccine.” “All of us, especially our local leaders, have the power to stop the spread of disinformation and misinformation and educate our communities about the COVID-19 vaccine. ICMA will continue to support our members and all local leaders by providing the resources to combat this virus and support equitable distribution of the vaccine,” ICMA Executive Director Marc Ott said. “Vaccination is an opportunity for us to prevent further health and financial hardship in communities of color. We encourage Black Americans and people of color to utilize these resources to learn more about the safety of the vaccine.” “The COVID-19 pandemic is once again exposing the long-standing health and economic disparities that have existed since the founding of our country. Black Americans are dying at nearly three times the rate of White Americans, and Black-owned businesses have closed at more than twice the rate of non-minority firms since the start of the pandemic,” NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony said. “As leaders of some of the largest member organizations in the United States, and also as
Black Americans, we understand the critical importance of providing Black communities with the facts and data to help build confidence in the science behind COVID-19 vaccines. I am proud to work alongside my outstanding colleagues to help uplift the Black community during this critical time for the future of our nation.” “Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the Y has worked tirelessly to meet the most pressing needs of the 10,000 communities we serve across the country,” YMCA of the USA President and CEO Kevin Washington said. “Now that the COVID-19 vaccines are beginning to reach the broader population, the Y is committed to doing our part to ensure equitable access to accurate information about the vaccines and to the vaccines themselves, especially in Black and Brown communities, which have been disproportionately affected by the health and economic impacts of the virus. I am excited to partner with these esteemed colleagues and their organizations to increase awareness about the critical importance of equity in vaccine education and distribution.”
JOIN OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
FOR INSTANT NEWS
SIGN UP AT WWW.INGLEWOODTODAY.COM
OR SCAN THIS CODE