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C e l e b r a t i n g 3 1 Ye a r s o f Service in Inglewood, Airport area Communities
Your Community Connection Since 1994
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EYE ON THE CITY October 26 - November 1, 2023
City of Champions
VOL. 38, No. 43
“The Role of Angel Investors....” See Page 6
Dionne Faulk, District 4 & Morningside High Celebration Inglewood Today News
I moved to Los Angeles in 1982. Consequently I’ve missed four of my five ten-year reunions. That’s why I was so personally impressed with this event that I covered this past Saturday afternoon.It was about as close to a class reunion as I am ever likely to share. The members of the gathering were all on a mission to honor a gentleman that they all genuinely loved, admired and respected. Of course as we always do, any mission is likely to take on an aura not unlike a party, or in this case, a class reunion among old friends, and as we all waited for the man of honor to arrive location descended into boisterous laughter, hugging and fist bumping, as age old memories filled the air. The group welcomed me into the crowd as if I was an orphaned classmate, which little did they know was appropriate because as I soon discovered, I was in the company of a bunch of underclassmen, all of whom,
as best I could gather amidst the merriment, their average graduation year was the class of 1976, at Morningside High School, while I hailed from the class of ‘72, which made me a senior. Walking through the door, I was met by a lovely young lady that introduced herself as Melissa. She told me that everyone should be onsight in a few minutes, and within Continued on page 4
Celebrating Richard Roundtree: Reflecting on the profound impact of ‘Shaft,’ shaped by a trailblazing action hero Inglewood Today News
Richard Roundtree, the iconic actor who starred in the 1971 film “Shaft,” passed away on October 24 at the age of 81 from pancreatic cancer. Known for his role as the private detective John Shaft, Roundtree’s performance in the film solidified his status as a star. Despite being typecasted in the role, Roundtree acknowledged that the constant association with Shaft was a testament to the character’s lasting impact. “Shaft” was a groundbreaking film that featured a Black actor in the lead role and was produced on a low budget. Directed by Gordon Parks, the movie not only saved MGM from financial troubles but also paved the way for future Black action stars. Roundtree’s portrayal of Shaft was a significant moment
in the history of Black cinema. Before Roundtree, actors like Sidney Poitier, Jim Brown, and Woody Strode had made their mark in the industry, but it was Roundtree’s role in “Shaft” that truly made history. His character became an iconic figure, taking on the mob and obstacles while enjoying relationships with women along the way. The film, despite its flaws, was a response to the social climate at the time. Born in New Rochelle, New York, in 1942, Roundtree faced challenges in his early life, including racial discrimination. However, he found success as a model before transitioning to acting. He joined the off-Broadway
Negro Ensemble Company and honed his acting skills. When he was cast as Shaft, Roundtree initially struggled to understand the role and the filmmaking process. However, audiences never noticed his discomfort, and the film propelled his career. In the years that followed “Shaft,” Roundtree worked to break away from the image of the character and explore different roles. He appeared in films like “Earthquake” and “Charley OneEye” but faced limited opportunities outside of the Shaft franchise. Despite the challenges, Roundtree’s survival in the industry was a testament to his talent and resilience. In recent years, Roundtree had more opportunities to showcase his versatility as an actor. He appeared Continued on page 2
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