Inglewood Small Businesses Blame Shrinking Profits on Billionaire Takeovers
By Veronica Mackey
Small business owners near SoFi Stadium and the Intuit Dome are up in arms over what they say is a billionaire
They want a meeting with sports venue owners, whose projects have made it nearly impossible for customers to
ITC Project Still on the Agenda, But Has It Failed to Leave the Station?
Inglewood City Council is set to convene this week to discuss the next phase of funding for the Inglewood Transit Connector (ITC), a controversial $2 billion project aimed at improving transportation to the city’s sports and entertainment district.
On the agenda is a staff report requesting approval to allocate grant funds—including Measure R Funding and Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) grants—to begin the $8 million design phase of the project with a potentiality of costing over $9
million. This design phase will include crucial elements like seismic design revisions and modifications to the maintenance and storage facilities.
However, despite the City’s intent to move forward with this design development, recent rejections from key players, including Hollywood Park, Steve Ballmer of Intuit Dome, and the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG), have cast serious doubts on the project’s future.
With this growing opposition, the question remains: Is it wise for the City of Inglewood to continue pursuing the ITC project, especially when both major
businesses and community members are voicing concerns about its financial feasibility and long-term impact?
Despite the City’s continued efforts to secure funding and move forward with the ITC project, it’s worth asking whether this agenda item could be pulled entirely. With key stakeholders now backing away from the project and no concrete financial commitments from major players, the question of whether the ITC is dead in the water looms large.
on page 7 On Tuesday, they gathered together outside Inglewood City Hall for a press conference to draw attention to problems that are killing their businesses— traffic, construction and street closures.
Mayor Butts, who has been one of the strongest advocates for the ITC, recently visited the South Bay Cities
Council of Governments (SBCCOG), requesting $200 million in support from surrounding cities. His request, however, was met with rejection, further complicating the already precarious funding situation. With major businesses declining financial involvement and neighboring cities refusing to chip in, is it time for the City to put their innovative political willpower toward other endeavors?
In a letter, Mayor Butts confirmed loss of support for the project and
Inglewood Today News
Publisher’s Message
Stay Alert on Election Day
By Willie Brown
With less than a week left, you are most likely being bombarded by ads, commercials and postcards in your mailbox urging you to vote. If you are relatively young, you may not be aware of why this is such a big deal. But the truth is, especially for Black people, voting is one of the few areas of life where there is equality. The one person, one vote model leveled the playing field. It doesn’t matter how rich a person is, or the color of their skin, everyone gets to vote once.
There was a time when Black people could not vote. In rare cases, some were allowed to vote, but they had to qualify by passing literacy tests or answering questions about the Constitution. Some racist voting
officials took extraordinary measures like making would-be voters guess the number of jelly beans in a jar. Whatever the test was—it was nearly impossible to pass. Like anything else in this country Black people had to fight—literally—to get voting rights. They were jailed, beaten, and some even died for the right that some of us so flippantly take for granted today.
When the Voting Rights Act passed under President Lyndon Johnson in 1965, racists had to find another way to suppress the vote. They would often lie about dates, voting locations and hours to confuse black voters into thinking they waited too late or their vote would not count.
In recent years, a handful of states— mostly Republican—have come up with more shenanigans to make it harder for voters from voting. Rejecting mail in ballots, shutting down voting polls, placing more polls in white areas, and passing a bunch of new Voter ID laws are just a few of the tricks conservatives have employed to suppress the young, the old, the poor and the person of color. They argue that the stricter voting laws were necessary to prevent voter fraud. They argue that fraud is a widespread problem, which is a lie. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, incident rates of voter fraud averaged between 0.0003 and 0.0025, or less than 1 percent.
Trump is perpetuating the big lie of widespread voter fraud. He has put his followers on high alert that this election will be “rigged” because he knows he can’t win outright.
Guardian reported on Monday that hundreds of ballots were burned inside ballot boxes in Vancouver, Washington and Multnomah, Oregon near Portland. Authorities have arrested a 35-year old man who confessed to the crimes, and who stated he wanted to be arrested. Police in Oregon say the fires were started by an incendiary device, which was set off inside a ballot drop box near a Multnomah County Elections Office.
The Guardian also reported that farright Trump supporters election denial groups have been monitoring ballot drop boxes. Online, extremist groups openly discuss ways to destroy ballot boxes.
As the violent Trump Maga supporters prepare to wreak havoc if things don’t go their way, those of us who believe in democracy must be prepared for these sorts of attacks as well. I am urging everyone to take the following precautions before November 5th because by then it may be too late:
Plan for an emergency just in case you may have to leave suddenly or hunker down inside for a few days. If right-wing extremists decide to
act crazy like they did at the nation’s Capitol Building, you don’t want to get caught up in the mayhem. Make sure you have plenty of food, water, flash lights and batteries on hand. Have a suitcase or backpack ready specifically for emergencies. Get extra cash and fill up your gas tank so you can move to another area or check on loved ones if needed.
While we cannot cower down to the bullies, we don’t want to be foolish either. Stay positive and trust God. But also, use your common sense. Stay safe when you drop off your ballot or go to vote in person.
Decide in advance where and when you will vote. Remember, you can vote early either by sending your ballot through the U.S. mail, drop it off at a ballot box, vote early in person, or vote early on Election Day, November 5. As long as your mailed ballot is received by November 12 it will count. Vote the way that is best for you. But please vote.
If you see any suspicious activity in or around a ballot box or U.S. mailbox, report it immediately by contacting the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) at 877-876-2455 or the Secretary of State at (916) 6572166 or (800) 345-VOTE (8683).
Inglewood Today Announces Internships
Inglewood Today (https://inglewoodtoday.com) has announced immediate internship opportunities for aspiring journalists and data/research assistants. The 31-year old media company is considering college and high school students for 3-6 month internships working hybrid 4-8 hours per week.
Journalist interns will have an opportunity to build their writing portfolios while interviewing celebrities, elected officials and other community leaders. They will also cover issues related to Inglewood and surrounding areas. Data/ research assistants will work behind the scenes maintaining databases and helping to organize and launch a new blog.
Interested candidates may apply by submitting resumes to veronica@inglewoodtoday.com. If applying for the journalist internship, candidates must also submit their best 2-3 writing samples.
Who’s on the Ballot for Inglewood?
There are 5 Election Day races specific to Inglewood. If you’re undecided about who to vote for, here’s a helpful guide. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. Please make the time to vote!
By Willie Brown
City Treasurer
The people who manage the City’s spending.
Candidate 1 - Angela Allen
Angela Allen is an Inglewood resident and dedicated professional with 28 years of experience in education and three years in public service. Allen currently serves as Inglewood’s Deputy City Treasurer and is “one semester away from certification as a Municipal Clerk.” She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in education. While her campaign site says she has extensive experience with budget and finance, she doesn’t list examples of her work. There isn’t much out there regarding her experience, but she is endorsed by Inglewood Mayor James Butts, Jr.
Candidate 2 - Taylor Bryant
Taylor Bryant is a longtime Inglewood resident and graduate of City Honors, UCLA, and Loyola Law School. Bryant did an interview with the blog, 2 Urban Girls where she states past elected leaders who make decisions without the voice of the people as impetus for her running. She says she is ready to ensure the city’s growth is managed responsibly as there is a record number of development happening.
“With my background as an attorney, I’ve developed skills in advocacy, negotiation, and problem-solving that I believe are essential for effective leadership. I want to leverage that expertise to ensure that the voices of our residents are heard, that our resources are managed wisely, and that we create a city that works for everyone, not just a select few.” Housing, traffic and education are her top priorities, and she hopes to bring transparency and accountability to her Inglewood constituents. Bryant is endorsed by Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
City Clerk
The City Clerk maintains a record of all Council proceedings, City records and archives; administers City elections; provides fiscal, administrative, and personnel services to the Council and Mayor; and provides staff assistance to the Council
Aisha L. Thompson is the sole runner for this office. Thompson previously held the office of Inglewood’s Deputy City Clerk, and has served the City of Inglewood for 18 years. Additionally, she served 6 years in the State Assembly and 15 years as a Civil Service
Employee of Inglewood. Needless to say, public service is her legacy.
Her goals include:
o Establishing a working foundation with the Boards and Commissioners.
o Assisting colleagues, board members, and commissioners on the procedures of filing their Fair Political Practices Commission form 700.
o Building and creating new, lasting relationships with Inglewood residents.
o Establishing and building relationships with the youth of Inglewood, their parents, and IUSD to increase awareness of the voting process as well as increase the number of young Inglewood voters.
Board of Education Trustee – Area 4
The Board of Education Trustee will oversee the school district and manage the needs of students and parents alike.
Candidate #1 -Ronald Gomez
Gomez is a first generation Angeleno, born to Central American immigrants. He is also a first-gen college graduate of UCLA, Loyola Marymount University and USC Law School. Gomez is running for a seat on the school board because he was once a student of the Inglewood Unified School District, and in his words, “experienced firsthand the historical shortcomings of our educational system.” Gomez says he’s “ready to fight tirelessly for our kids” and implement structural change for the Inglewood scholars. He is a former public school teacher and a graduate of the Teach for America program.
Priorities include addressing the school closures by requiring a community impact assessment and public consultation period of at least one year before any decision is made. He wants to end receivership from the County and put IUSD back into local control. Gomez also wants higher pay for educators and to protect their right to form a union. Other goals include narrowing the ratio of special education classes to 5:1 to increase focus on the unique needs of special education students. Gomez is endorsed by the Mexican American Bar Association.
Candidate #2 - Margaret TurnerEvans
Margaret Turner-Evans has served as the school board president. She was a junior high and high school classroom teacher for more than 20 years as well
WHEN WE VOTE, WE WIN.
When our rights are on the line we fight and when they’re on the ballot we vote, because we’re not going back.
The economy is on the ballot. Health care is on the ballot.
Criminal justice reform is on the ballot.
Reproductive freedom is on the ballot.
Environmental justice is on the ballot. The right to vote is on the ballot.
If we do our part and show up to the polls, we will make history (again)!
Let’s vote for progress and the future we deserve. Vote for the leader who’s been fighting for us for years.
Election Day is November 5th.
Vote for Kamala Harris.
Photo Credit: National Archives (Top)
Area Communities
Serving Ladera, Hawthorne, Westchester, Lawndale, Gardena, Carson
Inglewood High School Basketball Poised for Success Under Coach Jason Crowe
By Milo Neil
Inglewood High School basketball is heading into the 2024-25 season with renewed energy and purpose. The team is guided by a familiar face— Jason Crowe, an Inglewood alum
short on the scoreboard, showcased the resilience and talent that the Inglewood program has been cultivating.
At the heart of Inglewood’s resurgence is Crowe’s son, Jason
combined with the structure and mentorship from his father, positions Inglewood as a formidable contender for the Ocean League Championship this year. Their preparation through the Real Run program—a
runs deep, with legendary alumni like Paul Pierce, Ralph Jackson, and Ray Reed stopping by to offer encouragement to the young team. The support for Crowe’s mission has been nothing short of “beautiful,”
and former professional basketball player with an impressive 13-year international career. Returning to his alma mater as head coach, Crowe is focused on building a program that not only excels on the court, but also embodies the values of hard work, community, and leadership.
Inglewood gave the city a glimpse at their new lineup of talent during their exhibition matchup against Utah Prep. The game was part of the Battle by the Beach and High School Fall Invite series, an early test of the team’s potential. Despite the 92-82 loss, Crowe found reasons for optimism. “We did some positive things vs Utah Prep. We competed hard and had some guys shoot the ball well. We didn’t do enough to win, but I was encouraged by our efforts,” Crowe reflected. His team’s performance, though falling
Crowe Jr., who transferred to the school after a standout stint at Lynwood High. The young guard lived up to the hype in last week’s game, dropping an impressive 36 points and dishing out 7 assists against Utah Prep’s defense. Senior power forward Parker Jefferson, a 6’10” transfer from Waxahachie, Texas, made his mark with impressive footwork, rebounding, and a polished mid-range game. Crowe Jr. went head-to-head with the nation’s #1 player, AJ Dybantsa, demonstrating his elite scoring ability and leadership on the floor. “Coaching my son has been awesome,” Coach Crowe shared. “He inspires me with not only his work ethic but also his passion as a performer. He has a will to win and prepares himself for the competition.”
Crowe Jr.’s elite-level talent,
development initiative designed to mentor and prepare student-athletes for the regular season—has set the stage for what Coach Crowe calls a year of “creating lifelong memories” and developing the future leaders of tomorrow. “We want to represent Inglewood with class for the 24-25 season,” he said.
Crowe’s return to Inglewood High School marks more than just the arrival of an experienced coach—it’s a homecoming filled with meaning. “Love brought me home. Community members and ex-schoolmates have been asking me to come home for years,” Crowe explained. “I graduated from this school, my son attended K-8 in this district. When the opportunity was presented, I was excited to give my last years of service to a place that meant the world to me.”
The pride of Inglewood basketball
a testament to the school’s rich basketball legacy. With that kind of backing, Inglewood’s prospects for the season look bright.
As the Sentinels prepare for their official season opener—a non-league game against Cabrillo on November 11 at the City of Champions Tip-Off Classic—Coach Crowe’s vision for the program is clear. Beyond wins and losses, he’s focused on establishing Inglewood High School as a place where student-athletes can thrive, not just on the basketball court, but as healthy, well-rounded individuals. With Coach Crowe at the helm, and a roster led by one of the nation’s top scorers in Jason Crowe Jr., Inglewood High School basketball is primed for an exciting season, with all eyes set on bringing home the Ocean League Championship.
Sports & Entertainment
Beyonce and Kelly Rowland Hope to Shape ‘Destiny’ With Houston Voters
By Veronica Mackey
To say that Kamala Harris’ rallies are electrifying is an understatement. Just look at the impressive list of celebrities who have endorsed her in recent weeks—Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Bruce Springsteen, and now the Queen Bey herself—Beyonce.
Beyonce showed up hand-in-hand with former Destiny Child member Kelly Rowland on Oct. 25 to support Harris in their hometown of Houston.
Beyonce talked about how voting can create change for future generations:
“I am not here as a celebrity. I’m here as a mother. Your vote is your most valuable tool, and we need you. We all have a role to play to make this a reality. We are all part of something much bigger. We must vote. It’s time to sing a new song. Are y’all ready to add your voice to the new American song?”
Rowland delivered a heart felt call to action for Houstonians still on the fence to vote for Harris. Her tone was commanding, even presidential:
“(This is) a moment, Houston, where we grab back the pen of those who are trying to write an American story of division and hatred. . . We are grabbing back the pen from those who are trying to write an American story that would deny the right for women to make our own decision about our own bodies!”
But while Rowland was creating buzz in Texas, Black Twitter (X) was buzzing about what she was wearing. The “Motivation” singer appeared in an oversized, very masculine-looking suit by Fear of God, styled with an Amiri shirt and tie—a sharp contrast
to Beyonce’s short hour-glass fitting dress.
“Who said Kelly Rowland was wearing a Steve Harvey suit last night?” one user joked.
“Kelly Rowland has been used as a prop for Beyoncé entire solo career,’ one user wrote on X. “Kelly should be tired of looking like a fool —but, apparently she’s not,” adding that Beyoncé was dressed “very demure, very cutesy, very feminine.”
The “fashion critics” continued the comments, but then the discussion ended up in a very weird place.
Someone said colorism was behind Rowland’s fashion choice.
Huh??
Yes, someone actually said, “This is colorism. The optics here are terrible
& purposely designed to make the d(a)rkskin BW appear more “m(a) sculine.’’ Another similar post read, “The colorism is screaming here ... can’t let the dark-skinned sis have her shine.”
Fortunately, a user injected common sense back into the conversation, writing that “actual” colorism is thinking that Rowland “doesn’t have the free will to choose her own outfit.” They added, “The actual colorism is thinking she’s so submissive and stupid that she would let other ppl dim her shine The actual colorism is infantilizing a 43 yo wman (sp).”
“Immediately placing her in a place of a victim IS colourism,” another user commented.
A fan, hoping to squash the backand-forth explained, “Kelly Rowland likes to wear suits and has for quite some time. But because YALL don’t like it, the argument has moved to Beyoncé has made her do it to make herself look better. These tweets don’t move anything, these two women love each other IN REAL LIFE.”
And more important, these are two very busy, highly successful women who love their country, making time to encourage every eligible voter to vote. Hopefully the message resonated enough for voters (including those on X) to take that pen Kelly Rowland talked about and use it at the polls on November 5.
Secretary of State Weber Releases Early Ballot Return Stats
Last week, the office of California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber provided updates on ballot return statistics for the Nov. 5 General Election.
Since the state began sending out ballots by mail earlier this month to all registered voters in all 58 counties, more than 2.8 million residents have voted. So far, the state has accepted 98% of those ballots, the majority of which were returned by mail.
Some residents cast their votes inperson, amounting to a total of 4,709 ballots.
The highest number of voter registration and ballot returns came from counties with dense populations such as Los Angeles County, San Francisco County, San Diego County, and Orange County.
On Oct. 25, the Secretary of State’s office partnered with Ethnic Media Services (EMS) and California Black Media (CBM) to host a news briefing on essential resources to prepare voters to cast their ballots properly and inform them about what the state is doing to protect their votes.
“As long your ballot is postmarked by election day, November 5th, and received by November 12th, it will be processed and counted,” said Joe Kocurek, Deputy Secretary of State for Communications, during the briefing.
“If people feel like their mail isn’t reliable or they’re a little more concerned, they should probably mail
added Kocurek.
Last week, Weber also announced that residents who missed the online registration deadline on Oct. 21, still have the opportunity to register to vote. The Secretary’s office confirmed that residents can participate in “same day” voter registration and cast a ballot at their county elections office, a designated voting center, or polling place in their respective county.
need “Same Day” voter registration to visit an early voting location or their county elections office before Election Day to ensure their voices are heard,” said Weber.
Citizens who are eligible for “same day” voter registration are required to fill out a complementary form in order to receive a ballot. The vote will be counted once county officials have completed the verification process for that voter’s registration.
According to the office of the Secretary of State, residents can find more information at these links:
Important dates
•Vote centers open for early inperson voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties beginning on October 26, 2024.
•Mailed vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by November 12, 2024.
For “Same Day” registration visit: caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov. Check online voter registration status
Information about county elections offices can be found at sos.ca.gov/ elections/voting-resources/countyelections-offices.
“You don’t have to wait for Election Day. To minimize wait times, I encourage Californians who here: voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. Active registered voters can track their ballot on: wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov.
Inglewood Today News
Continued from page 1: ITC Project...
acknowledged that the City is looking at alternative plans:
“Last Thursday, Inglewood lost a vote from the Board of Directors of the Southbay Council of Governments for the final $500 million in matching
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as the assistant principal at Palisades Charter High School for 13 years. Turner-Evans highlights approving payroll and budgets, reporting child abuse, student discipline and parent/ teacher conferences as skills she has mastered in her previous educator roles.
“Although we have faced the difficult decision to close some schools due to enrollment challenges, I am dedicated to transforming our remaining facilities into state-of-the-art environments,” Turner-Evans said. She hopes that school beautification—that could be accomplished if Proposition 2 and Measure US win this November—will attract students and parents back to IUSD and increase student enrollment. She also aims to coach teachers and support the professional development of staff. She is endorsed by County Administrator Dr. James Morris and Board Members, Councilwoman Gloria Gray and Councilman Alex Padilla.
Board of Education Trustee - Area 5 Ernesto Castillo is running unopposed and seeking re-election for a second term as a Board of Education Trustee. If re-elected, Castillo will continue to oversee Hudnall Elementary School, Inglewood Continuation School, Inglewood High School, Oak Street and Payne Elementary Schools. Castillo’s public servant legacy includes interning for Congressman Tony Cardenas, and serving as the Inglewood City Commissioner for the Library Board. As the only Latino and Youngest Commissioner, he advocated for Spanish language material and support for Spanish-speaking students. He is currently working on his Entertainment and Law degree from Loyola Marymount University. He is the only candidate running in this district.
Inglewood City Council
Council District 3
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patronize their businesses. Community activist Najee Ali said, “We thought it would help businesses. but in fact, it’s been just the opposite.”
“There should have been a ‘Shop Inglewood’ campaign,” a woman said. “But, there was nothing.”
Traffic, construction, and street closures have negatively impacted the bottom line of such establishments as Sweet Red Peach, JAMZ Creamery, Orleans and York Deli and many merchants in the Holly Park Plaza—an Inglewood business staple for over 50 years.
Sweet Red Peach owner Karolyn Plummer told Uscannenberg.com that her business made less than $600
grant funds to the billon dollar Federal Highway Administration grant and the $900 plus million in state and local grans to complete the project, which had received a qualified bidder.
At this point the City will evaluate
Eloy Morales, Jr. is running unopposed. He has been the City Councilman for District 3 since 2003. He brought a successful youth sports program to Inglewood that’s been running for 20 years. He’s worked with State Assembly Member Jerome E Horton to bring medical care, scholarships, and a responsive government to the citizens of the Inglewood community. He was also appointed to serve on the Aviation and Planning Commissions for the 3rd District.
Council District 4
Candidate #1 - Carlos Zurita
With 6 years as a community organizer, Zurita has devoted his time toward making a difference in the areas of housing, education and veterans affairs. Zurita says he was inspired to run for office after witnessing the leadership of Councilman Alex Padilla, Jessie Lopez, Hugo Soto, and Marqueece Harris Dawson. He says, “They’ve set an example of the kind of councilmember I aspire to be.” Zurita’s top priorities are affordable housing, creating more youth-oriented spaces, and addressing the traffic congestion that a renovated Hollywood Park has brought. His vision for the city is “one that is safe, clean, and truly supportive of its local residents.
“Most importantly, I want a city that puts its long-time residents first, ensuring they don’t feel pushed out as the city grows. Our community should evolve in a way that allows everyone to thrive, without sacrificing the wellbeing of the people who have called it home for years,” Zurita said.
Candidate #2 - Dionne Faulk
Dionne Faulk, a graduate of California State University, Dominguez Hills, with a BA in Economics and a minor in Political Science is notably the first Black woman to be elected to the Inglewood City Council. Before
during the 2022 Super Bowl at SoFi. Her business has been hit harder since the Clippers’ Basketball season began at Intuit Dome. She said she has lost $40,000 in one month.
ABC reporter Ashley Mackey said on X that some businesses are doubling as parking lots to help make up for the losses.
The problem, owners say, stems from too many cars and not enough pedestrians. They blame Inglewood Mayor James Butts, Jr. and the City Council for not looking out for them. Inglewood leadership, they say, has allowed billionaires to come in and dominate the area with little regard for their survival.
its options for reprogramming to a less ambitious, but qualifying project or series of transportation projects. We continue to seek traffic and pollution reducing alternatives to the automobile centric transportation
she became a council member, she served as a city commissioner in the LA County Department of Consumer Affairs. She became a school board member in 2017 and was elected to the Inglewood City Council in 2020. Faulk is also a member of the Los Angeles African-American Women’s Public Policy Institute. She considers her first term successes getting the Covid vaccine out to her community, attracting new businesses and creating housing opportunities.
Faulk has four main pillars of focus for her (potential) second term: Homelessness, Small Businesses, Public Safety, and Community Engagement. She has worked to remove homeless encampments and find housing for the homeless, and cracked down on homeless people who were taking shelter in abandoned homes. When it comes to businesses, Faulk helped to get the Champions Grant Initiative off the ground, granting $2 million to more than 100 small businesses and non-profits. In the Public Safety realm, Faulk worked with the Inglewood Police Department to monitor social media and stop illegal street and donut races before they occurred. She also helped secure new flashing red lights which reduce speeding while still allowing our emergency vehicles to access neighborhoods quickly. Her key endorsements include Los Angeles County Democrats, LA County Federation of Labor, SEIU, Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, Gardena Mayor Tasha Cerda and Long Beach Rex Richardson.
Candidate # 3 - Leslie Jones
Leslie Jones is apprehensive about Sofi and Intuit Dome’s effect on Inglewood residents’ quality of life.
Jones would like to build a coalition among small businesses in Inglewood and figure out a way to incentivize residents to shop small. Jones is
modality that exists at present. Thank you to everyone whose hard work has helped bring us this far.
They want to form partnerships with their big business neighbors, and be recognized as part of Inglewood’s retail landscape. Business owners in the mostly African American and Latino city say they were promised economic prosperity resulting from the thousands of weekly visitors attending SoFi and surrounding venues.
The reality is potential customers are being diverted away from major streets to mitigate traffic. Jasmine Summer of Orleans and York Deli said the traffic is so bad that it has discouraged food pick and delivery, which has negatively impacted her bottom line.
With the promise of a new $300
running on the promise to put residents above corporate interests. A native of Inglewood, Jones received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Arizona State University. Jones is a business owner (1010 Wine bar in Inglewood) and a long-time advocate for cancer patients, colon cancer specifically, as it affects her mom. Jones was appointed by Board Supervisor, Holly J. Mitchell to serve on the Small Business Commission in 2023.
Candidate # 4 - Angelique Johnson
Angelique Johnson is a long-time community organizer and advocate for families and constituents in District 4. Johnson’s official bio describes her as, “More than a candidate — she’s a neighbor and a friend with a proven record of advocating for fair wages, healthcare access, and labor rights. Her deep community ties and experience in grassroots organizing make her uniquely qualified to translate activism into action.”
Johnson is committed to expanding youth services and programs, affordable housing, helping small business success, and improving senior resources. Her top 6 goals include:
-Ensuring city council meetings happen in the evening so residents can attend
- Ensuring term limits for elected officials
- Reimagining what public safety looks like and making it a communityled effort
- Helping small businesses thrive
- Affordable housing
- Supporting youth and older residents of Inglewood so they feel safer and more secure
million hotel in the works, and commitments to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl LXI in 2027 and the Summer Olympics in 2028, traffic congestion shows no sign of easing. Mayor Butts’ efforts to build a people mover from SoFi, the epicenter of traffic jams, was recently met with defeat, with funding losses. Ironically, key players raised concerns that construction and road closures required for such an ambitious project would create barriers for people attending their businesses.
The mayor said the City will look for less costly ways to solve the traffic problems.
