L.A. Focus Newspaper October 2020 Issue

VOLUME XXV • ISSUE 8 • October 2020 >>

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CHURCH NEWS Terry Brown To be Installed at Judson Baptist Church PAGE

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SEE PAGE

Hollywood Buzz Another Winning Season for Regina King PAGE

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Upfront

Democrats Bet on Kamala Harris In Second Debate After a tumultuous first presidential debate between democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, democrats are placing their hope in senator and vice-presidential nominee, Kamala Harris in the second of three debates...

Saving Grace Koryn Hawthorne

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contents

L.A. Focus Publications

October 2020 October 2020

Left: Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas presents a $15,000.00 grant to the Lula Washington Dance Theatre; Middle: Senator Steven Bradford and Lori Gray President/CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services celebrates 30 years of Leadership. Right: On Sept 29th, a small crowd gathered outside the Laugh Factory to hold a candlelight vigil in memory of Breanna Taylor.

From The Editor

4 Commentary “Trouble’s A Brewin’”

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Feature Story

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Hollywood Buzz

Praying for Racial Equity

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UpFront Democrats Bet on Kamala Harris In Second Debate; L.A. City Council Will Use 10.4 Million to Protect Renters from Eviction; New Campaign Targets Key Underrepresented Voting Group: Black Men Al SharptonTalks Misconceptions About His Placeat the Center of Civil Rights

10 Headlines From Africa Head to Head

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Proposition 21

14 Game Changer Cameron Stewart

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Money Matters Groups for and Against Prop 22 Aim Their Messages to Black Voters

Biz News Briefs Michael Jordan Forms NASCAR Team, Secures Bubba Wallace as Driver; Black Restaurants Get Boost from Investment Fund

staff Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Staff Writers Production Photographer Advertising

Lisa Collins Stephen Oduntan,Christal Mims Alyshia Curry Ian Foxx Kisha Smith

Another Winning Season; NeNe Leakes Announces “Real Housewives of Atlanta” Exit; Sunny Hostin Accuses ABC of Racism

Carpet Style 25 Red One On One Rihanna

Jurnee Smollett

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Eye On Gospel

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First Lady Files Myrna Jefferson Willims St. Mark United Methodist Church

34 In Good Taste 37 Saving Grace 38

From The Pulpit of Paradise Baptist Church

Katina Cyler “Sweet Blessings”

Koryn Hawthorne

Lecrae: On Facing His Hidden Truths; Kierra Sheard Celebrates Milestone; CeCe On the Defense

28 Pastor Profile 29 Church News 30

Through The Storm Mark Curry’s Comeback: A Story of Tests and Triumphs

Rodney Wooten

Rev. Terry Brown to be installed Pastor at Judson Baptist Church;Pentecostals mourn passing of Bishop J. Delano Ellis

The Lula Washington Dance Theatre received a $150K grant from Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to create an outdoor performance space offering free Saturday dance training (9am to 1pm) for neighborhood children. Socially-distanced performances will also be provided on the open air stage, year-round.

To reserve space, email: school@lulawashington.org.

honorary advisors West Angeles C.O.G.I.C. City of Refuge Greater Zion Church Family Southern Saint Paul Church Faithful Central Bible Church Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Baptist Minister’s Conference

Bishop Charles Blake Bishop Noel Jones Pastor Michael Fisher Rev. Xavier L. Thompson Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer Pastor Emeritus Melvin Wade Pastor K.W Tulloss

advisory board Napoleon Brandford Pastor Beverly Crawford Lem Daniels Bob Blake

Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co. Bible Enrichment Fellowship International Church Morgan Stanley Bob Blake & Associates

Cover Design: UpScale Media Group

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Photo Credit for Regina King: JamesShootsAndDraws

by James Anthony at crowdMGMT FASHION ID: Dress: Schiaperelli Couture by Daniel Roseberry Stylist @waymanandmicah MUA @makeupbylatrice Hair @larryjarahsim

L.A. Focus/October 2020

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Countdown To Election 2020 Local Political Match Ups To Watch And Your Guide to 2020 Ballot Measures

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Commentary

PASTOR MICHAEL J.T. FISHER Guest Columnist

“Praying for Racial Equity” he vicious, cold-blooded ambush of two deputies in Compton last month sparked outrage and attention from around the nation. The manhunt is on. The surveillance video is on every network. All resources are in play to ensure that the perpetrator of this crime is brought quickly to justice. And rightfully so. What happened on Saturday is appalling and tragic -- the definition of evil.

We pray for the deputies and remain hopeful that they will be able to recover and live their fullest lives.

The wholehearted, impassioned response of law enforcement to this shooting is a reminder of what is and could be in the relationship between the police and communities of color. It is both the answer and the problem.

If we accept that all life is precious, it is the responsibility of our community and law enforcement to respect all life equally. It is our responsibility to respond with equal outrage, sadness, energy, urgency, and passion when black lives, blue lives, any lives are targeted or taken.

The reason we say “black lives matter” is because in these moments, when those in power run so swiftly to the aid of fallen colleagues, we see the response we so desperately desire in our own community. We have no choice but to conclude that other lives matter more than ours.

Of course, nothing justifies killing or targeting police and anyone, any citizen or community leader in Compton who isn’t willing to stand up and rebuke this kind of behavior is a coward. I know many of us are filled with so much hatred and disdain. I fear that in our hatred, we are losing respect for life. We believe if we don’t handle things ourselves, it will never be handled.

Andres Guardado was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy in June. There were no body cameras, no surveillance video released, and no response to calls for an immediate, independent investigation. The attorney general said he didn’t have the resources to investigate every shooting.

Dijon Kizzee was shot and killed by a deputy in

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Westmont after being stopped on his bicycle. He was shot twenty times. Again, no video, no charges, no public details of the investigation.

It feels that whenever something happens to us, the evidence seems to disappear. But when a deputy is shot, we see surveillance video immediately. When a deputy is shot, the world stops and there’s a massive manhunt.

When we get killed, the killer is resting comfortably at home and the house is protected by fellow deputies.

Do we have a right to be angered -- enraged -- by our experiences with law enforcement? Yes. Do we need to shine an eternal light on injustice and move purposefully to tear down systems of oppression? Yes, without pause.

But we cannot be in the streets saying, “respect life,” and then take life. The killing of innocent black lives and the killing of innocent officers (and I pray that these two recover) all grieve God. He doesn’t choose grief for one person and dismiss grief for another. He grieves universally.

He grieves the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Trayvon Martin. He grieves for the young man killed at the bus stop when gang bangers have an initiation night and take yet another innocent life.

Life has been given by God to all people, so it grieves

From the Editor

Him when we are slaying our brothers and sisters. We did not create life. Life is not ours to take.

I recently took to Facebook to begin a dialogue with my congregation and community around these themes. The conversations continued on the following Sunday and have yielded several specific and familiar calls for action.

When we get past this crisis, we ask for the same response from law enforcement when deputies do to community members what has been done to the fallen deputies. The same pain and hurt that is felt, we ask that you feel for us. We ask that the system that works for you -- that produces surveillance video, evidence, suspects, a world that stops until justice is served -- work for us.

We ask our community to resist retaliating with the same evil that we’re trying to fight. Disagreements with law enforcement can never justify or diminish the loss of life. The deputies shot on Saturday night are loved ones, brothers, sisters, and parents. We need to deal with racism in our institutions, but we won’t solve anything or achieve lasting justice by creating more victims and grieving families.

Justice requires accountability. It requires a system that holds both the community and law enforcement accountable. As we move forward, we ask for the immediate creation of a citizen’s advisory council that’s more than symbolic, one with subpoena power and real responsibility in decision-making, that would make recommendations on police policy, community relations and discipline. Such a move would go a long way towards building trust and bridging the gap between community members and law enforcement.

Swift, meaningful justice works when it works for all.

It can never work when it only works for some.

I pray for the deputies and our community. I pray for all victims of senseless violence. I pray for racial equity. I pray for racial equality. I pray for justice.

Michael J.T. Fisher is senior pastor of the Greater Zion Church Family and president of the Pastors of Compton.

LISA COLLINS Publisher

“Trouble’s A Brewin’” n the words of the song from beloved musical, “The Music Man”–“My friends, we’ve got trouble. Right here in River City…with a capital T that rhymes with “P” and that stands for Trump.”

Yes, we’ve got trouble anytime the president of the United States suggests that might not respect–or commit to– the Constitutional guarantee of a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the election.

Concession is how we end election cycles. It’s not always pretty as in the Gore V. Bush Florida vote battle in 2000 or as with Hillary Clinton in 2016.

To be sure, we’re headed for some dark days in November if this vote is anything but a landslide for Joe Biden. If people don’t turn out to vote against Trump in numbers so huge that they can’t be contested both by popular vote and the electoral college–– it’s a wrap for a peaceful transition of power. And even then, there’s a chance Trump will fight it.

By all accounts, he is not a man who will easily concede to defeat. Trump’s plan, say some political insiders, is to halt the vote count with the day of votes, to litigate the rest into oblivion and there are talks of contingency plans to bypass the vote in each state. We think of electoral votes as representing the popular votes state by state, but the constitution doesn’t guarantee that. State legislatures have the power to appoint electors directly and legistlatures in six of the battleground states are controlled by Republicans and the Trump campaign is talking about the possibility of asking those Republican legislators to disregard the popular vote because it has been rigged and to simply appoint Trump electors to represent the state.

That’s according to a scenario spelled out in an article titled “The Election That Could Break America,” written by Barton Gellman and published in the Atlantic.

Little wonder that gun sales are booming. Fact is, that gun retailers will tell you that people are concerned the election could spark violent discord no

L.A. Focus/October 2020

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matter who wins.

Trump has already hinted: There won’t be a transfer of power…there will be a continuity of power and Democrats who won the popular vote in 2016 by 2,868,692 votes are not likely to step away gracefully.

Simply put, some believe that conditions are ripe for a constitutional crisis that would leave the nation without an authoritative result for days, weeks or even months. Who knows who will show up at noon on January 20, 2021 to be sworn in as the nation’s 46th president–perhaps both Trump and Biden?

Stranger things have happened. After all, last year we weren’t wearing masks and terms like social distancing and viral load weren’t anything anyone was talking about. (And where has all the Lysol gone?)

For me, the strongest statement Biden made in the debate that became about as unhinged as Trump–was when he said with certainty–‘Oh, yeah, he’ll leave.’ But that he would have to say it bespeaks the times in which we are living. And to top things off, Trump has tested positive for COVID-19. So, it appears he’s not the “Teflon Don” he’s made himself out to be particularly as it relates to all things pandemic. Perhaps this will be a wake-up call for all those no-maskers who praise his every MAGA move.

But I digress…

If you are a voter, think about voting in person. More than half a million postal votes were rejected in this year’s primaries, even without Trump trying to invalidate them.

If you cannot vote in person, you can drop your ballot off at a secure ballot box and then track them or better yet, just vote in person. Once again California will offer early voting and while I hate to remind people of those who died for us to have the right to vote, it is only to signify the importance of voting. Important not only so that we do not end up with another four years of Trump in the White House, but for the things that impact our lives daily.

We’re now paying 10¢ a bag at the supermarket– when we’re not trying to gather up all our groceries in our arms to carry them out–because we didn’t vote the plastic ban proposition down.

(I could kick myself for that).

Seriously, there are some key ballot measures–from parolee voting, stiffer criminal sentencing and the reinstatement of affirmative action to a veto referendum on the elimination of cash bail and rent control. Many of which are sure to impact us on a personal level and yet they are not given the consideration they warrant. We hope this year will be different and to that end, we have put together a voting guide that breaks down the 2020 ballot initiatives. (Check it out on page 20).

Also featured in our election special are some of the key local races that have heated up the 2020 election cycle. There’s the tight race for Supervisor (2nd District) that is pitting veteran City Councilman Herb Wesson against State Senator Holly Mitchell; the challenge activist Grace Yoo has presented for County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas (the hardest working man I know) for the City Council District 10 seat; and the highly-publicized battle over who will become L.A.’s next district attorney.

Let’s all vote to make America sane again.

On a personal note, I have to give a shout out to my Dad, Rev. G. Mansfield Collins–who not only served as an aide and confidante to Dr. Martin Luther King but is one of the last few surviving Tuskegee Airmen–on his recent birthday milestone. Love you.

Keep the faith.

UpFront

News Briefs

Democrats Bet on Kamala Harris In Second Debate

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fter a tumultuous first presidential debate between democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, democrats are placing their hope in senator and vice-presidential nominee, Kamala Harris in the second of three debates.

Harris will take on Vice President Mike Pence during their first and only debate this month.

“The American people benefitted from a very clear contrast,” Harris said of the first presidential debate. “On one hand you have Joe talking directly into the camera, trying to bring some semblance of maturity to a conversation with a county that is in the midst of at least three major crises at a proportion that we’ve not experienced in generations … on the other hand, you have Donald Trump who spent the whole time interrupting, bullying the moderator and lying to the American people.”

A former prosecutor and participant in the democratic primaries, Harris is wellequipped to handle a debate stage - a trait that democrats are banking on to take down Pence.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has confidence in Harris and her ability to discuss key issues effectively but also had a word of advice.

“She has to modulate her responses because we know there still is a double standard alive and well when it comes to women in politics,” Clinton said. “She's got to be firm and effective in rebutting any implication that comes from the other side, but to do it in a way that doesn't scare or alienate voters.”

Congresswoman Maxine Waters says

that Harris’ ambition is the most admirable thing about her, and she shouldn’t worry about the public calling her names or talking down on her simply because she is displaying the characteristics of a strong woman.

“She’s prepared and she will deal with it, and she knows how to deal with it,” Congresswoman Waters said. “For those of us who are confident that we are capable and that we deserve opportunity, we don’t let that stop us from pursuing our goals. We have missions that we’ve defined for ourselves and we continue to work on those missions.”

Senator Bernie Sanders believes that Pence has his work cut out for him if he’s going to defeat Harris in the debate.

“I believe that Kamala, as somebody who has known her for a number of years, is incredibly smart, tough, and I would not want to be Vice-President (Mike) Pence in a debate with her,” Sanders said.

Experts are saying that there is a heavier burden placed on the vice-presidential debate given what happened with the Biden/Trump debate.

“There is a weight that's placed on Mike Pence and Kamala Harris to demonstrate that there is still something useful

CHRISTAL MIMS Staff

about two people meeting in the public square and having an exchange of ideas because that's at the heart of this grand democratic experiment that we have,” said Ed Lee, of Emory University's Alben W. Barkley Forum for Debate, Deliberation and Dialogue. “That usually is not placed on a vice presidential debate.”

University of Georgia head debate coach Shunta Jordan thinks that anything is better than the screaming and disrespect that the U.S. witnessed during the first presidential debate.

“I don't expect either candidate to back down but am confident in saying we won't see the disgrace and embarrassment of [the last debate],” she said. “I expect to hear more argumentation and refutation. I expect to hear each candidate discuss actual policy or what needs to be the priority in America moving forward.”

Many have noted that Pence is generally level-headed and will most likely not come close to the way Trump acted in the first debate. He is said to be practicing his approach to the debate and will focus on the Trump administration's accomplishments and the key differences between his team and their democratic opponents.

Harris says that she will treat Pence with respect but will not tolerate blatant lies being told to the American people.

“I’m also not going to stand by quietly if he, in whatever tone of voice, delivers lies,” Harris explained. “Joe and I have a lot in common, and one of them is that we don’t back down from a good fight if it’s a fight worth having."

L.A. City Council Will New Campaign Targets Key Underrepresented DELAWDER Use 10.4 Million to Voting Group: Black Men KEITH Contributor Protect Renters from Black Men Voting, a political action committee based in Los Angeles, has teamed Eviction up with civil rights groups like 100

L.A. Focus/October 2020

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to authorize the use of more than $10.4 million for an emergency legal defense fund to protect renters from eviction during the coronavirus pandemic. The program is expected to launch sometime in December.

“The laws of the city of Los Angeles are on the tenants’ side,” Council President Nury Martinez said. “Many of the people that we are serving are absolutely desperate and scared to lose their housing, and we need to do everything possible to be able to assist them. With the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction Defense Program, we’ll be able to work together … to make sure that folks stay housed.”

About $8.5 million of the fund will come from the federal CARES Act money that the city received and $2 million will come from a renters’ legal defense fund created last year in response to a state rent control law.

The city will be creating an education campaign to make tenants aware of the legal services and use some of the money to contract with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles to assist the city’s COVID Response Emergency Defense program for up to $7.1 million and lasting for one year.

“Having access to legal support when fac-

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L.A. City Council continued to page 36

Black Men Los Angeles and the NAACP to launch a campaign encouraging Black men to vote. The campaign will target Black men in L.A. and crucial battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. The committee hosted a panel on Tuesday consisting of Black Men Voting Co-Founder Attorney Dermot Givens, President and CEO Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Reverend William Smart, President and Board Chair of 100 Black Men L.A. Dr. Jewett L. Walker, Jr. and Darrell Goode of the NAACP to discuss voting issues.

“Black Men Voting has developed a very strong and direct message to target Black men and reach out to them to vote, to vote for Kamala Harris and BidenHarris,” Givens said. “Our analysis has shown that Kamala Harris is the motivating factor for Black men to vote and our analysis has also shown that Black men will be the deciding factor in winning in California.”

On why the Biden-Harris ticket is the way to go, Givens explained that President Donald Trump has no interest in helping Black people and has given

Chokeholds Now Outlawed in California A bill–authored by Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) in response to the tragic death of George Floyd and hundreds of other suspects subjected to dangerous chokeholds and carotid restraints used by law enforcement–is now state law.

The bill makes it illegal for law enforcement statewide to use chokehold and carotid restraints to forcibly detain a suspect.

“California has again led the nation by passing some of the strictest police use-of-force standards while also mandating de-escalation and use-of-force training. The people have made it clear that now is the time to rise up and recognize that changes must be made so that law enforcement can do what they were sworn to do — protect and serve,” said Assemblymember Gipson. “This bill clearly defines some of the substantive changes that are needed. It’s a beginning...a step towards healing and repairing trust between the community and law enforcement.”

Paying Rent Could Help Your Credit Score Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill authored by Sen. Steven Bradford that will require landlords who manage medium to large, subsidized, multi-family housing units in California to offer their tenants the option of having their rental payments reported to a major credit bureau.

“This bill, the first of its kind in the nation, starts to correct the longstanding inequity where those with the least resources have to fight the hardest to establish and improve their credit scores,” said Sen. Bradford. “Having a good credit score is the first step in helping renters achieve the American dream of homeownership. But most renters today do not receive a benefit to their credit scores when they consistently pay their rent on time. SB 1157 changes that for some of our most at-risk tenants. Renters and working families have suffered because of COVID-19 and this bill will provide an opportunity for families to responsibly build their credit after this crisis.”

According to a recent survey, just over 45 percent of Californians are renters. SB 1157 provides an incentive for paying rent on time and focuses on subsidized housing to assist tenants who will most likely receive the greatest benefit from establishing or improving their credit score.

SB 1157 will have a delayed operative date of July 1, 2021 to allow landlords a reasonable amount of time to prepare for implementation.

Ballistic Report Shows Discrepancy In Breonna Taylor Case

license to racists to act on their beliefs.

“Trump has his dog whistle to his white, racist supporters and that dog whistle has been heard all over the country,” Atty. Givens said.

Black Men Voting will also launch a celebrity-led ad campaign featuring actors like Malcolm Jamal Warner and Lynn Whitfield to emphasize the importance of voter participation.

“Throughout our history, Black men have voted in significantly less numbers than Black women and the general population,” Dr. Walker, Jr. said. “At no time is our participation more needed and more important than it is right now.

We can no longer sit idly by and expect the Black women to do the voting on our behalf.”

Issues like healthcare, the economy, gentrification, homelessness in the Black community, jobs and education were cited as being key factors in the Black men continued to page 36

A Kentucky State Police ballistics report does not support the claim by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron that Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, shot one of the Louisville police officers the night she was killed.

The report states that “due to limited markings of comparative value,” the 9-mm bullet that hit and exited LMPD Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly was neither “identified nor eliminated as having been fired” from Walker’s gun.

During Cameron's announcement regarding the case last week, he claimed that “friendly fire” was ruled out in the instance of a bullet entering Mattingly’s thigh, and also said that none of the officers were carrying a 9-mm weapon. But Walker’s attorney obtained a record showing that ex-Louisville Metro Police officer Brett Hankinson also had a 9-mm weapon.

Walker filed a $10.5 million lawsuit alleging malicious prosecution, false arrest and assault.

An unnamed juror also contends that Cameron misrepresented the grand jury’s deliberations and didn’t give the jury the option of indicting the two officers who fatally shot Taylor, according to the juror’s lawyer.

UpFront Al Sharpton Talks Misconceptions About His Place at the Center of Civil Rights With his new book, Rise Up: Confronting A Country At The Crossroads, Reverend Al Sharpton outlines his unrelenting position on the weightiest political and societal issues of our time, recounts some hard lessons learned, and offers an inside glimpse into the mentors who shaped the man we see today. Most importantly, Reverend Sharpton outlined his plan for an America at the crossroads in a recent sit-down with Allison Kugel.

Kugel: In light of recent news in the Breonna Taylor case (no criminal charges filed in her death), what was your first reaction when you heard that decision?

Sharpton: It was alarming, but not surprising. I didn’t have confidence in this investigation, because of the obvious policies of the prosecutor. The prosecutor guides the grand jury and there is nobody in there besides the prosecutor. This prosecutor is a protege of Mitch McConnell. I did not think that he was going to do anything. I did feel that the indictment of the other officer, [Brett] Hankison, for the endangerment of everybody but Breonna was just as offensive. What they are saying is that he was reckless in who he was shooting at and putting others at risk.

What about who they shot, and her being at risk? It is one of the reasons why we do what we do, in saying there needs to be new laws. We just had a big march with tens of thousands of us, three weeks ago.

Among two of the things we wanted are The George Floyd Policing and Justice Act that sat in the House, but the Senate hasn’t taken it up. It would strengthen the laws that would have eliminated the no

knock laws and put this whole thing in a different perspective. That's one of the things I talk about that in this new book (Rise Up, Hanover Square Press).

Kugel: Many people believe you just show up wherever the action and media attention is. Without your hard work, the world wouldn't know Trayvon Martin or George Floyd— why isn't this common knowledge?

Sharpton: A lot of the media just doesn’t say it. Ben Crump and the families have said it. In fact, Breonna Taylor’s mother's first interview was on my show (MSNBC's "PoliticsNation"). They couldn’t get a national show before my show. Sybrina Fulton (Trayvon's mother) wrote about it her book on Trayvon. Ben Crump brought them to New York to ask me to blow up Trayvon [in the media]. Trayvon had been buried for 2 weeks. I didn’t even know about Trayvon until they came and met with me in my office. We made it an issue and called the first rally and had about 10,000 people. It ended up being the day my mother died, and I went ahead with the rally anyway. I said in the eulogy to George Floyd that people call me to blow things up, and I have an infrastructure with NAN where we support the family, we help them get legal advice and media advice, and we stay with them. Sometimes people can’t cover their expenses if they need to do a rally. Some of them need to pay their rent, and NAN helps with that. They call us because they know we'll come.

Kugel: With the worldwide protests that erupted after the murder of George Floyd, what do you ultimately see resulting from all the protesting?

Sharpton: The legislation is one, as I said, but the overall result should be how we as a culture redefine policing and move past police being above the law while questioning the actions of some police is thought to be anti-police. I think legislation can enforce this, or we need a cultural shift.

One of the reasons the Floyd case caught on the way it did is that it happened in the middle of a pandemic and everyone was in lockdown. There were no sports, so people were watching the news to see what was happening with the lockdown. They kept seeing this footage over and over again, and they couldn’t turn to sports as a distraction. There was no distraction with George Floyd, and I think that caused an eruption. How could somebody press their weight with their knee on someone’s neck for more than eight minutes unless there was some venom there?

Kugel: I read where you are not in favor of “Defund the Police”. What are your thoughts?

Sharpton: I think that we should redistribute how we do the resources like dealing with some of the things you outlined. A month after we did the eulogies for George Floyd, I did a eulogy for a 17-year-old kid killed by a stray bullet in the Bronx, and a eulogy for a one-year old baby that was killed by a straight bullet in Brooklyn.

How can we say we don’t need policing when our communities are disproportionately victims of crime? We are the only community that has reasonable fear of cops and robbers. I think we need to reallocate how we deal with the funds for police.

We must have police in presence because right now we are inundating our communities with guns and drugs, and that is reality. Ironically though, I think what people don’t understand, Allison, is the one who has defunded the police is Trump. By Trump ineffectively handling COVID-19, most of these cities are going to be in deficit and will be laying off police. That is a bigger threat than people stating it at rallies. They have run out of funds. They are laying off teachers and policeman in some cities.

Kugel: Good point. Whether you love Trump or hate him, every American should be aware that an important part of our democracy is a free press, as well as our postal service. When somebody in the highest office in the land who essentially gaslights the American public and says, “You can’t trust the media, you can’t trust the medical experts; only believe Me,” that is very dangerous rhetoric and undermines our democracy. Why do you think so many Trump supporters aren't seeing that?

Sharpton: It baffles me on one level, and on another level, I think because the country is so divided, and they have been divided by the media. The media has convinced people that everybody but FOX {News] and a few radio talk show guys are buffaloing you or fooling you. They set a climate where a guy like Trump, who really is representing himself almost as an autocrat, can rise up and take advantage of that. He can say, "Don’t believe them, believe me.

I’m one of you." There is nobody more not one of them than Trump, with the glitzy billionaire lifestyle he lives. Whether he is a real billionaire or not, we don’t know. But he’s been able to sell that to people who are suffering through existence issues that are lower-middle class or poor, like I grew up.

It's appealing to them that they are doing this to me, and he has identified "they" as the liberal media. He gives everybody a

ALLISON KUGEL

Contributor

Photo credit: Michael Frost

blame game. In the interim, he does policies that don’t help them, but that they can feel that it is not his fault, instead it’s their fault.

Kugel: A big part of your organizationis Criminal Justice Reform. Recently Kim Kardashian worked with President Trump to have the life sentence of Alice Marie Johnson commuted. Would you ever be open to working with this current administration on Criminal Justice Reform?

Sharpton: I don’t trust Trump. I did support the [Emergency Community Supervision Act of 2020] bill that Corey Booker and Hakeem Jeffries came to me with. They said, "Even though we are working with Jared Kushner, would you support this bill?" Van Jones called me, and he was working very closely with Jared Kushner. I said, "I’m not going to do photo ops with them, but I support the bill." I went on my show and endorsed the bill. I think you have to put principle over personality, but I don't want a photo opp with this president. He called me after he won and invited me to Mar-A-Lago, and I wouldn’t go because I believe he is just a cynical manipulator. Even bad people can sometimes deliver good results, and I didn’t want to get in the way of the results.

I wanted to support it even though I do not trust him. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Kugel: Lastly, there has been a lot of rioting and looting mixed in with peaceful protesting. Your organization's famous slogan is, “No Justice, No Peace.” Do you want to clear up, for people, what you mean by that?

Sharpton: It means the only way we are going to have real peace, where we can live together as a society that respects each other, is to have justice. I don’t mean "no peace" in the sense of violence. I am absolutely, unequivocally against violence.

I have denounced it everywhere and will continue to. As far as the two cops shot in Louisville, Kentucky, I think it is morally wrong. You cannot become like the people you are fighting. If you become like that, if you have the same values and the same moral code, they have already defeated you. At the same time, I think there’s a difference between peace and quiet. Quiet means just shut up and suffer. Peace means let’s strive to work together even if we've got to march and make noise together to get an equal society for everybody.

That is what I mean by “No Justice, No Peace.”

Allison Kugel is a syndicated entertainment and pop culture columnist. For more information, visit AllisonKugel.com.

HeadToHead Weighing the Pros and Cons of Proposition 21 alifornia is in the midst of Don’t 2025 to meet our housing needs.

Be Fooled by a housing crisis, but vot- Bad Public Proposition 21contains Policy ers should not be fooled zero funding for affordable In Response to by so-called “solutions” that offer housing and contains no Housing Crisis bad public policy in response to requirements that any new one of our state’s most pressing challenges. affordable housing be built. The state’s A measure on the November ballot, independent Legislative Analyst said Proposition 21, would make our state’s measure would actually make our current housing crisis worse, and would hurt bad situation worse, noting it would “likely Black homeowners and tenants alike. It discourage new construction” and could will make it harder to build the new lead to thousands of affordable housing we need in California existing units being and could put the livelihood of small land- taken off the market lords in jeopardy, paving the way for more through condo convercorporate takeover of the rental housing sions. This would only market. further diminish supThat’s bad for our community and bad ply of rental housing for our state. That’s why California voters and increasing costs. overwhelmingly rejected an identical Furthermore, capmeasure just two years ago, and why vot- ping rents will hurt Diane Robertson ers should vote No on 21 this fall. families who own rental property by makHousing is a particular concern in the ing it harder to maintain their properties.

African American community, which con- Rental property has been essential to sevtinues to lag behind other parts of our city eral generations of families, African in many key economic indicators, includ- American families in particular, who have ing home ownership rates, which have fall- used income from their investment to en from 46 percent in 2006 to 41 percent in finance a child’s education or help start a the Black Community — more than 30 per- business. Many older properties in South cent lower than home ownership rates for L.A. require more repair and service. By white residents. capping rents, some owners will be forced Our community is still struggling to to foreclose or to decide whether the cost of overcome years of systemic public and pri- keeping a rental unit is worth the trouble. vate underinvestment. Over the last sevWhen African American property owneral years, we have seen new public invest- ers decide that selling the property is the ment with the expansion of the Expo and best option, this opens the door for corpoCrenshaw lines through South Los rate landlords to acquire more assets in Angeles. As policy makers have empha- our community. We must protect small sized the importance of developing new property owners who operate on small housing that is close to public transit, we margins, give applicants a chance if they are beginning at long last to get our fair don’t meet all of the rental qualifications share of investment in our community. and maintain the integrity of our commuProposition 21 could slow that outside nity. More corporate ownership of housing investment and make it harder for local in South Los Angeles is not good for businesses and residents in our communi- African American renters. The need for ty who are facing growing economic pres- sparkling credit and strong work income sure as housing prices continue to soar. will force more African American renters We cannot regulate our way out of the to further away from our homes and our housing crisis. If we truly want to help community. meet the needs of California families, we Voters should not be fooled by must commit to building more affordable Proposition 21. It is bad policy that will and market-rate housing across our state. hurt communities across this state and We know that over the last two decades, have unintended consequences that will California has simply not built enough make our current problems worse. housing to keep pace with our growing Diane Robertson is co-founder of the Coalipopulation. According to a report by tion of Small Rental Property Owners, McKinsey Global Institute, California group over 100 rental property owners of needs to build 3.5 million more homes by color based in the Crenshaw District.

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Headlines From Africa

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f your neighbor becomes will not mandate or require Keeping Black homeless and cannot mainrent control anywhere in Families Together tain themselves, you shall California, but simply allows Amid California’s provide support and shelter..." local communities to decide Housing Affordability (Leviticus 25:35-36) what’s best for them. and Homelessness When rents go up, tents go Proposition 21 modernizes rent Crisis up! control by allowing local govHousing affordability is one of drivers ernments to limit rent increases on buildthat is putting 17 million Californians at ings older than 15 years, protecting milrisk for eviction. Uncontrolled increases in lions of renters while incentivizing new rent has become a housing construction. It would allow local pipeline to homeless- communities to: expand rent control to ness. Black families more buildings while exempting newly conare disproportionately structed buildings; exempt Single-Family affected by this driver. homeowners who own up to two homes; Black communities and allow limits on rent increases when a are disproportionately new renter moves in. impacted by this Local community control is essential!! pipeline. It’s no secret Proposition 21 is endorsed by CongressKelvin Sauls there is a housing women Karen Bass, Maxine Waters, and affordability crisis in California. This is a Barbara Lee, the California Democratic moral crisis!

Party, actor/activist Danny Glover, Rev. Al Black people are not only being pushed Sharpton and the National Action out of our major cities into the suburbs and Network, City Councilmember Herb Wesexurbs of California, but often out of the son, SEIU California, ACLU of Southern state in general to places with more afford- California, the L.A. Urban League, and able housing, yet less social cohesion.

KJLH. Additionally, Prop, 21 is backed by Many were pushed out strategically by firefighters and nurses. It earned the gentrification and intentionally by escalat- endorsement of the Los Angeles City ing costs, be it mortgage, rent or other Stentorians, an organization of Black fireunaffordable costs of living. As California’s fighters of the Los Angeles City Fire population grew from 29 million to 39 mil- Department. Also endorsing: the California lion over the past 30 years, the Black pop- Nurses Association, representing over ulation dwindled to just 5.8% of the general 100,000 nurses who’ve been on the frontpopulation. These are intentional systemic lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unity strategies with intended consequences. and solidarity abound!

This is De Facto housing apartheid!!

Systemic racism and displacement has Of those African Americans who remain caused a disproportionate number of Black in the Golden State, two-thirds (65.6%) are people to become homeless. In L.A. County, now renters. At the same time, homeown- where 8% of the overall population is ership rates for Black Americans nation- Black, African Americans represent 34% of wide have been falling. The power to do those experiencing homelessness. And something about combatting California’s eviction rates in Black communities are far runaway rents and rising housing costs is higher than in white communities. The in our hands this November. Learn about twin crisis of housing affordability and and vote ‘Yes!’ on Proposition 21, the homelessness deeply and disproportionateRental Affordability Act, this election. ly affect Black families and communities Proposition 21 is a ballot initiative that across the state. Our time is now! will limit unfair rent increases and preProposition 21 is one way to help to staserve affordable housing, especially in his- bilize families and preserve the social and torically Black and minority communities economic fabric of the Golden State. With that are particularly vulnerable to dis- Proposition 21, rents can go up reasonably placement due to high rents and stagnant without resulting in tents going up! The wages. The law returns the decision-mak- stabilization of rents will prevent the ing process on whether to allow or enact destabilization of Black families. We can rent control measures to local jurisdictions, interrupt this pipeline to homelessness Kelvin Sauls continued to page 24 communities, and local elected officials. It

A look at current news from the continent of Africa

Angola: State-owned second cycle schools have been authorized to charge fees and emoluments in order to ensure their sustainability.

Mali: Mali's military junta, which staged a coup in August, has agreed to an 18-month transition government. A spokesperson said the interim government would be led by a military officer or a civilian.

Botswana: Women's rights activists applauded the government's decision to allow wives to own land, with their husbands. This comes after President Mokgweetsi Masisi amended a 2015 Land Policy prohibiting wives from owning land if their husbands already owned property. Before, only unmarried women or the wives of men who did not already own land were eligible for land rights, leaving millions of married women, widows, and single mothers without access to the land where they live and work.

Mozambique: Worsening conflict, combined with a precarious humanitarian situation, has forced more than 300,000 to flee their homes and villages in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province, leaving them completely reliant on humanitarian assistance, according to the UN World Food Program.

Burkina Faso: According to the UN, more than 535,500 children under five suffer from acute malnutrition. Some 156,500 are "severely" malnourished and nine times more likely to die than well-nourished children due to COVID-19’simpact on households and the ability to provide for the basic needs of children, who face a triple crisis: security, health and food.

Cameroon: The government and UN have announced plans to rebuild the Anglophone regions, which has been embroiled in a bloody war between national security forces and armed separatists since 2017.

Ivory Coast: Political leaders are unlikely to resolve rising tensions ahead of the much-anticipated 31 October presidential elections. President Alassane Ouattara is seeking a contentious third term. Former president Henri Konan Bédié is aiming to return to the position from which he was overthrown in a coup.

Lesotho: Barely three months after her husband former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane's ejection from power, former First Lady 'Maesaiah Thabane is reported to be spearheading a spirited plot to oust his successor, Moeketsi Majoro—mobilizing legislators from different political parties to support a no confidence motion against Majoro.

Rwanda: President Paul Kagame has said that he has instructed the leadership of the police that any officers found to have engaged in excesses use of force will be held accountable. The Minister of Justice Johnston Busingye has also condemned the use of excessive and at times deadly force by some police personnel while on duty, saying this is not part of the operational guidelines of Rwanda National Police.

Senegal: With a mission to positively change the narrative about Africa, a new website called “The Africa I Know”, features profiles of successful African professionals working in fields such as science, technology and engineering.

Sudan: The Sudanese government has reactivated an economic state of emergency, with Finance Minister Hiba Ahmed Ali stating that the "insane" rise in price of the US dollar against the local currency was due to sabotage. Some attribute the Sudanese Pound's devaluation to the lack of foreign exchange resources, and capital migration, as well as smuggling, speculation, and the increase in import needs.

Tanzania/Uganda: Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania are set to start trading as a single market before the end of 2020, after connecting their trading systems and linking to the East African Community Capital Markets Infrastructure Information technology platform. The project will remove obstacles on stock trading in regional markets, spur activities and boost liquidity in underperforming markets.

Vote By Mail and Vote Early PILAR MARRERO

Ethnic Media Services

ll registered voters in California will soon receive a mail-in ballot even if they haven’t asked for one, and there will be plenty of options to register, reregister, vote by mail, vote in person or vote curbside up until Nov. 3rd, said Secretary of State Alex Padilla at a briefing with ethnic media.

“We have to start thinking of November 3rd as the last day of voting, not simply as ‘election day’,” Padilla noted.

California has 21 million registered voters, more than the population of every other state except Florida and Texas, and the largest number of voters anywhere.

Voting by mail has been growing in popularity, Padilla said. In the last statewide election — the March primary– up to 70% of registered voters voted by mail.

“That’s a great start, but in California 30% of voters is still a large number. We want to make sure those who are not familiar with this way of voting are comfortable with it, and know they can still vote in person if they need or want to,” Padilla said.

Voters should vote by mail and vote early, Padilla urged, and they should take advantage of tools that improve the transparency and security of voting such as ballot tracking (Where’s My Ballot?) which tells them when their ballot has been sent, when it was received by the county, and when it was counted.

Voters can sign up for ballot tracking and receive notices via text, email or voice call, he added.

“This will be great for transparency, accountability and confidence, which have come under attack in recent weeks,” Padilla noted. He called the timing of the Presidential elections in the midst of the pandemic and heightened political polarization “an unprecedented situation.”

Padilla encouraged voters to register, re-register if they need to change their voter file information or check their registration status by going online at

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VoterStatus.sos.ca.gov. If any of their information has changed, including their address, they can register or reregister at https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

Mail-in ballots will go to voters the first week of October (and mid-September for overseas voters).

“According to the law you need to postmark the ballot

by Nov. 3, but we are extending the deadline for that ballot to arrive in county offices from three days to 17 days,” Padilla said. “This is just in case there are delays by the postal service.”

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 19, but in 15 counties that participate in conditional voter registration, including San Francisco, people can complete a Voter Registration Application at their local Department of Elections on the day of the election and receive a provisional ballot which will be counted after it has been verified.

“There are several reasons why some people need to vote in person — such as accessibility, or to receive language assistance, or to replace a ballot that was lost, or if you made a mistake,” Padilla noted.

Voting in person will happen in bigger and safer locations than in the past, such as the Golden One Center in Sacramento, an NBA arena, the Dodger Stadium and the Staples Center in L.A., the Chase Center in San Francisco, and the Oakland Coliseum.

Counties are working to identify voting locations where authorities can guarantee that health precautions are followed, including social distancing, mandatory use of masks and availability of sanitizers.

As for the security of mail-in voting which President Trump has repeatedly questioned, Padilla pointed out that ballots are printed on paper that has specific watermarks, are printed by certified printers made in the USA only, use official envelopes with barcodes that can be tracked, and require the voter’s signature on the outside of the envelope.

Referring to President Trump’s recent suggestion that voters in North Carolina vote by mail and then show up in person “to test if the first ballot was counted,” Padilla said that the state has a number of features to prevent any kind of “double voting.”

In California every ballot has a unique barcode and as a ballot comes in or the person votes, the record is “immediately updated.” If someone sends a mail-in ballot and then presents themselves as the ballot box, they will be shown to have voted and be turned away, he said.

He also said any kind of “electioneering” or harassment at the polls is “illegal.” He encouraged anyone with questions, comments or complaints to call the SOS hotline at 1 800 345 VOTE or their local county registrar.

Padilla warned that for close races it will take weeks for counties to finish processing and auditing the results.

“If that’s the case, it’s not a time to panic but to be patient and confident,” Padilla said, adding that he is concerned that President Trump will claim victory “prematurely.”

“Results aren’t final until the work is done,” Padilla said.

Four Mistakes That Will Disqualify Your 2020 Mail-In Ballot For all of the convenience it provides, voting by mail can be more prone to human error than voting in person, leading to mail-in ballots being rejected at higher rates than in-person votes. The Associated Press has reported that more than 100,000 mail-in ballots were invalidated during the 2020 primary and in a race as tightly contested as the 2020 election is sure to be, here’s four mistakes that can disqualify your mail-in ballot and how to avoid them.

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Forgetting To Sign the ballot envelope In L.A. County over 2500 ballots were disqualified because voters forgot to sign them. Voters are required to sign on the outside of the ballot envelope confirming both their identity and eligibility to vote. Keep in mind that elections officials are required to provide notice and instructions to all voters identified as having failed to sign their voteby-mail identification envelope a minimum of eight days prior to the elected.

Voters then have the ability to cure those ballots with a signature no later than 5pm two days prior to the certification of the election.

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Signatures That Don’t Match Election officials are required to cross-check the signature a voter used to sign their ballot envelope to see if it matches the voter's most recent signature on file with the elections office, the Department of Motor Vehicles, or another government agency. If they do not match, the ballot can be challenged, so sloppy handwriting can be a problem. Again, you should be notified as having a mismatched signature and given a chance to cure the mistake, before the ballot is rejected outright.

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Improperly Filling Out Ballots Be sure to follow the directions for filling out your ballot to a tee. For example, use blue or black ink, if directed. Fill out your ballot on a dry surface to avoid spills and marks that can confuse the scanners. And be sure not to double vote. Any of the aforementioned can create problems with your ballot.

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Sending Your Ballot Back Late Believe it or not, one of the most common reasons mail-in ballots are rejected is because they arrive too late. The highly publicized post office delays of late could make the prospect of your vote not being counted if not mailed in early.

Game Changer: Cameron Stewart “A Leap of Faith Led Cameron Stewart to Pioneer New Ground” he inspiration for Stewart’s business, Alcam Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics – which specializes in artificial limbs (prosthetics) and orthopedic braces (orthotics) that help patients regain mobility after they are diagnosed with a debilitating condition or loss of limb– was growing up with his sister who suffered from the severe vitamin D deficiency known as rickets.

The condition caused her bones to be so brittle that they would break without proper support, and Stewart spent a great deal of time going with her to appointments to get her fitted for leg braces. Little did he realize then, that these experiences would one day lead to his professional success.

After graduating Tuskegee University on a football scholarship in 2006 with a degree in sales and marketing, Stewart knew right away that he wanted to start a business.

“I’ve always wanted to own my own business…I’ve always had the entrepreneurial spirit,” says Stewart who owned his first business at thirteen doing landscaping.

So, upon graduation, instead of going out and getting jobs like many of their peers, Stewart and his partner decided to start a business of their own and given all the attention to the Americans set to retire in record numbers, the two saw baby boomers as a solid bet.

Said Stewart, “We saw an opportunity to service that population.”

The Riverside-based business started out selling general medical and outpatient supplies before evolving into strictly orthotics and prosthetics (O&P). After years of developing a ground game and working through contracted licensed O&P manufactures, Stewart was able to pass the certification exam which allowed Alcam Medical to produce their own O&P devices, and subsequently have complete control of their business.

To that end, Alcam Medical is able to provide a complete service that begins after a diagnosis or potential amputation and continues through outpatient care and rehabilitation. In the case of an amputation-- which Stewart says their typical patient is between 50-60 years of age and suffers from vascular disease due to diabetes– Alcam representatives come in after surgery, interview the patient to assess their unique mobility needs. With a mold of the patient’s limb, they create a socket and ultimately a custom prosthetic limb. The patient then

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It really comes down to being confident in yourself. “You have to build self-confidence to be able to do whatever it’s going to take. And what it takes on day one isn’t going to be the same as what it takes on year five. You’re always going to have to be agile and take risks and keep trying- you only have to be right once.” returns for several visits to ensure it fits properly.

Alcam Medical recognizes that the process of getting a new limb requires much more than physical rehabilitation. Emotional and psychological support are key. To put patients on a holistic road to recovery Alcam Medical offers it’s Amputation Care Program where they educate patients and their families on the process of recovery.

Patients are then matched with a P e e r Visitor who is someone living with a prosthetic limb and can relate to the patient on a personal level about the road to

Opinion

KEITH DELAWDER Contributor

recovery.

“It really makes a huge difference,” says Stewart, who employs upwards of 50 workers. “When the patient goes through our program, they typically adapt to using the prosthetic faster than someone who doesn’t because it’s really life-changing. They have to learn how to walk, and really how to live again. When you are able to have a relationship with someone who’s been through that type of situation, the results are typically much more positive.”

The other struggle for patients requiring an O&P device is the cost, which can often begin to soar if insurance doesn't cover their needs. For that, Stewart has a no-per son-left-behind mentality.

“Basically, at the end of the day, every patient that comes to us will be serviced. We’re going to try to figure out a way for it to get paid, but if not, we’re still going to service that patient. That’s our motto and that’s what we live by,” says Stewart, who lives with his three daughters, ages 7,8, and 10, and his wife who he calls his “key to success” for taking care of the home life so he can put his full focus on the business.

Beyond his passion for helping patients on that road to recovery, Stewart is also passionate about helping other young entrepreneurs on their road to starting and succeeding at owning their own business. That’s why Stewart heads the Business Advisory Group at his home church, the Greater Emmanuel Temple Church in Lynwood. The group meets monthly where Stewart is able to pool his resources to mentor young entrepreneurs on what it takes to get their business up and running through seminars and bringing in guests who are experts in their field.

“Seeing people take that leap of faith and go out on their own and really start something is really special to me,” says Stewart. “And these are my church people, so they are very dear to me. It’s definitely a passion of mine to help them succeed in any way I can.”

His advice to a young entrepreneur?

“It really comes down to being confident in yourself,” Stewart reports. “You have to build self-confidence to be able to do whatever it’s going to take. And what it takes on day one isn’t going to be the same as what it takes on year five. You’re always going to have to be agile and take risks. So if you’re just starting out I would say take the risk and keep trying-- you only have to be right once.”

For more information about Alcam or orthotics and prosthetics,, visit alcammedical.com

Rev. Jonathan E.D. Moseley, Sr

“Don’t Cut our Communities out of Rideshare and Delivery Services”

L.A. Focus/October 2020

Social justice and community leaders are strongly supporting Proposition 22 on the November ballot, for a simple reason: The measure is needed to protect access to rideshare services for communities that have been historically redlined.

For communities of color, there are two transportation eras: before the advent of rideshare–and after. And we don’t want to go back to “before,” with all the longstanding discrimination practices it had against communities of color.

Nearly 1 million California households–disproportionately Black and Brown families–do not have access to a personal vehicle. These families are reliant on a public transportation system that can be inconvenient, unreliable, or even nonexistent in some of our neighborhoods.

And the COVID-19 pandemic has made this reliance even more challenging as services have been reduced and many families in our community must balance their need to earn an income with their concerns over contracting the virus while using public transportation.

For decades, this reality left communities of color reliant on old-school for-hire services, but traditional taxi companies have long discriminated against minority communities, making it nearly impossible for people of color to be picked up or dropped off in the neighborhoods where they live.

A 2018 equity audit of taxi service in Los Angeles, for example, found that taxis were 73 per-

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cent less likely to pick up a Black customer than a white one, and that a quarter of Black riders never got to their destination. When Black riders succeeded in getting a taxi dispatched to them, they waited 52 percent longer than white riders.

Enter ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft, which made consistently accessible transportation a reality for millions of Black and Brown Californians. For the first time, our communities had a safe and reliable way to call for rides that would deliver us to where we needed to go.

App-based rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have set standards to prevent discrimination against communities of color, and Prop 22 would safeguard all the progress we’ve made and strengthen those protections by implementing new anti-discrimination, harassment, and public safety policies that protect both drivers and customers.

Access to reliable transportation has become even more important as the pandemic has transformed life in our state. Indeed, in April of this year, trips to and from low-income housing census tracts comprised 46 percent of California Uber trips, compared to 36 percent last year.

Black and Brown communities are already struggling to get by amid the pandemic and the worst economy in generations. If Prop 22 doesn’t pass, the availability and affordability of rideshare services would be significantly diminished. Take away our access to reliable transportation, and you take away our ability to get to work, to get to medical appointments, to take care of our families, and

to get on with our lives while minimizing exposure to a deadly virus. Civil rights and social justice organizations from across California are supporting Prop 22 because it will ensure vital opportunities to earn an income while providing unprecedented new benefits that will aid our communities during this pandemic and beyond.

That’s why I’m joining others in my community in strongly supporting Prop 22.

Prop 22 will enable drivers to continue working for ridesharing services as independent contractors, rather than as full-time employees with rigid schedules, protecting their ability to work when they want and as much as they want. Prop 22 also provides drivers new protections like a minimum earnings guarantee, a stipend for health care, and anti-discrimination protections, without forcing them into an antiquated model of work.

The majority of app-based drivers are people of color, so Prop 22 is a good deal for hundreds of thousands of Black and Brown app-based drivers.

Most importantly for our communities, it will ensure that the rideshare industry in California is able to meet the needs of the people of our state. It will mean that people in communities of color can get where we need to go, safely and reliably. Because there’s no going back to the dark days of discrimination in for-hire transportation.

Rev. Jonathan E.D. Moseley, Sr. is currently the Interim President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Action Network/Western Regional Director

Money Matters Groups for and Against Prop 22 Aim Their Messages to Black Voters as Election Day Nears With less than two months left before Election Day, campaigns both defending and opposing Proposition 22 – the ballot initiative that aims to keep gig company drivers classified as independent contractors – are revving up their efforts to reach out to Black voters.

Earlier this month, Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart pumped another $70 million into their campaign to pass Prop 22. The total funds those app-based companies and others have spent on the Yes on Prop 22 public information effort is now $181 million, making it one of the most expensive California initiative information campaigns ever.

The opposition, made up of mostly labor organizing groups, has raised about $4.8 million so far, with funding coming mostly from labor organizing groups.

On Sept 3, the Yes on 22 campaign hosted a press conference for ethnic communities in the state. At the event, community leaders spoke up about why they support the ballot initiative. They emphasized that gig companies provide an easy stream of income for their drivers, and that Prop 22 would keep those jobs in California – and in Black and Brown communities in particular.

“Driving has been a source of relief for these people. It’s easy to sign up, start driving and earning right away, without a lot of the normal barriers that block Black and Latino Americans from working,” said Dr. Tecoy Porter Sr., President of the National Action Network Sacramento Chapter.

Jay King, President and CEO of California Black Chamber of Commerce, said the Black community can not afford massive job losses in the wake of the pandemic.

“One in 10 app-based drivers are Black. Many of them would lose their jobs if Prop 22 is not passed this November. When so much of our community is suffering, we need to encourage and promote new and innovative ways to make income. I encourage everyone to vote yes to save app-based jobs and services,” he said.

QUINCI LEGARDYE

Calif Black Media

On Sept. 9, protesters from Rideshare Drivers United (RDU), an organizing group that has come out against Prop 22, gathered under an Uber billboard in Oakland that read, “If you tolerate racism, delete Uber. Black people have the right to move without fear.” Uber has launched a microsite that promotes that slogan and shares how the company plans to rid its platform of racism and investments it has made in the Black community.

“We are condemning them on their hypocritical ballot measure that would relegate drivers to a permanent underclass without basic rights or voices or privileges. We condemn major companies like Uber and Lyft who are claiming support of a protest movement that has galvanized America, in the middle of a pandemic that has disproportionately affected Black and Brown people in their lives,” Cherri Murphy, an RDU organizer, told California Black Media.

Murphy says there are multiple instances when Uber and Lyft exploit Black drivers and customers, alleging that those companies increase ride prices in Black and Brown neighborhoods.

That claim has been supported by a June preprint study by George Washington University.

“If you want to know whether or not Lyft and Uber are doing the right thing, you need to look at their historical measures and tactics. The most recent one is around the preliminary injunction. As opposed to following the rules, what they want to do is invoke fear and have people make a decision based on fear. So their method on threatening people to shut down wasn't because they're in a bind. Not a million dollar – a billion dollar – company. Compare that to those who live check to check,” said Murphy.

As they wait to see how Californians will vote on Prop 22, Uber and Lyft are also currently in an appeals process against the preliminary injunction that ordered them to classify their drivers as employees last August.

On the Money Akon’s $6 Billion “Wakanda” To Begin Construction Next Year Singer Akon is constructing a $6 billion city in Senegal inspired by the futuristic, fictional land of Wakanda from the Marvel’s “Black Panther.” The R&B singer said work on Akon City will begin next year in Mbodiene Park which is 100 kilometers from the country’s capital, Dakar.

“We are looking at Akon city to become the beginning of Africa’s future,” Akon said at an announcement ceremony also attended by Alioune Sarr, Senegal’s minister for tourism, and other government officials. “Our idea is to build a futuristic city that incorporates all the latest technologies” Akon City will even have its own cryptocurrency dubbed” AKoin.” With six of the ten fastest-growing economies in Africa, and more than 60% of Africa’s population under 25, the potential for growth is enormous. The World Economic Forum predicts that consumers will be spending $2 trillion on the continent by 2025.

The singer, (real name Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam), was gifted 2,000 acres of land by Senegalese President Macky Sall to build the high-tech city. He is said to have acquired $4 billion from unnamed investors.

Construction is projected to take more than three years. According to its official website, the solar-powered city will have a seaside resort, sports stadium, university, healthcare facilities, offices, luxury houses, shopping malls, skyscrapers and eco-friendly tourist centers.

Akon hopes that his project will provide much-needed jobs and serve as a “home back home” for Black Americans and others facing racial injustices around the world.

Senegalese officials view the project as a way to boost the country’s economy and revitalize their tourism industry which is struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biz News Briefs Basketball legend Michael Jordan is the newest NASCAR team owner. The 57-year-old will oversee a NASCAR Cup Series team with the only Black, NASCAR top racer, Bubba Wallace, as a featured driver. Jordan will be the majority owner while NASCAR’s Denny Hamlin will serve as a minority owner.

“Growing up in North Carolina, my parents would take my brothers, sisters and me to races, and I’ve been a NASCAR fan my whole life,” Jordan said. “The opportunity to own my own racing team in partnership with my friend, Denny Hamlin, and to have Bubba Wallace driving for us, is very exciting for me.

Historically, NASCAR has struggled with diversity and there have been few Black owners. The timing seemed perfect as NASCAR is evolving and embracing social change more and more.”

Jordan says he wants to educate a new audience and open up more opportunities for Black people in racing, something he believes will be possible with Wallace by his side.

“I think (Bubba) has the potential to be (a champion). If I didn't think so, I wouldn't get into this," Jordan said.

Michael Jordan Forms NASCAR Team, Secures Bubba Wallace as Driver

“Luck has a lot of do (with winning) in a lot of sports. But if you feel you have the same knowledge and the same equipment, you give yourself a chance. Then it's all up to the driver.”

Wallace will get behind the wheel for the new team in the 2021 NASCAR Cup series.

Black Restaurants Get Boost from The James Beard Foundation Investment Fund A new grant initiative from The James Beard Foundation was recently established to help Black food and drink businesses survive during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage fund aims to disburse $15,000 grants equally across Black and Indigenous populations throughout the nation. It’s application is set to open later in the year.

“The new Fund is part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to continually lift up the Black and Indigenous business owners in its industry, not just in light of the pandemic, but for good,” said James Beard Foundation Vice President of Community Colleen Vincent, in a press statement. “Financial resource is that much more impactful when coupled with support from organizations and experts who make themselves available to provide guidance on professional skills like marketing, structuring business plans, and negotiating contracts.”

The fund is in partnership with the organization’s Open For Good campaign that launched earlier in the year to provide assistance to the areas of the food industry hardest hit by the pandemic.

The initiative will help a variety of food businesses including food trucks, pop-up supper clubs, fast-casual restaurants, and more.

Mastercard Commits $500 Million to Closing Racial Wealth Gap Mastercard has pledged to help end the racial wealth gap in the Black community by investing $500 million in Black initiatives over the next five years. The money will go toward funding products, services, financial support and technology to assist Black entrepreneurs in securing capital for different ventures.

“We’ve been focused on driving financial inclusion around the world for more than a decade — it’s core to who we are as a company and how we think about our role in society,” said Vice Chairman and President of Strategic Growth for Mastercard, Mike Froman. “We will be addressing the wealth and opportunity gap faced by Black families and Black-owned businesses, including by providing access to safe and affordable financial services and capital to start and run a business.”

The company will work with seven cities across the country including Los Angeles, Atlanta, Birmingham, Dayton New Orleans, New York and St. Louis to set up various programs designed to give financial support to Black business hopefuls and the community.

Mastercard is also looking to help Black, “underbanked” customers by making digital financial products more affordable and accessible through community development financial institutions (CDFIs).

Honorable Mark Ridley-Thomas Squares Off Against Grace Yoo for City Council 10 Seat upervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas squared off against Attorney Grace Yoo in a two-hour long District 10 Run-Off Candidates Forum last month. The candidates answered both prepared and audience questions on everything from homelessness and affordable housing, the corruption at City Hall to the need for another major grocer in the Crenshaw Corridor.

Yoo, a community activist and attorney, listed her top three priorities as homelessness and affordable housing, public safety and fighting corruption at City Hall.

Ridley-Thomas, who has served in the city council, state assembly, state senate and now as Supervisor of the Second District, cited homelessness (and affordable housing), law enforcement accountability and a comprehensive racial policy framework in economic development and justice and with COVID-19 as his primary focus.

Yoo was put on defense for her advocacy

S

Restoring transparency and ethics to government MRT: If you want to build a project in the 10th district, there will be a community-based neighborhood council entity of those who are stakeholders, who you will have to have a conversation with in order for you to come to my attention to approve the project.

Stakeholders have to have a say. I call it participatory democracy.

Yoo: If you have the meetings in the evenings or on weekends when regular people can go and give comment, that would be real participatory democracy.

The way it’s set up the only people who have easy access are the mega developers and you’re creating in the city council a corrupt pay-to-play situation.

Over policing of communities of color Yoo: The demilitarizing need is there. Overall, I know our officers have done what is good, but I do believe we have systemic problems. Can’t just willy nilly cut [funding]. When you bring in more female officers, you have a fundamental shift. [It’s] proven that when you have women officers, they are able to de-escalate the situation. When police officers do not see people of color as someone who deserves respect,

of Measure S, which was defeated while Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas touted his success at reopening the Martin Luther King Hospital, seeing that Leimert Park got a station on the Crenshaw/LAX line, the revitalization of Magic Johnson Park and of the passage of Measure H. The two locked horns the most on the issue of affordable housing as Yoo criticized the number of affordable units he was responsible for developing.

Said Yoo, “Los Angeles in the recent decade has built more than 88,000 units and we’re not even talking 8,000 units.”

“It’s interesting that someone would choose to demean my record in terms of performance, when incapable of producing one single project, Ridley-Thomas countered as he listed some of the projects he’d been party to including Adams Terrace, Gramercy Place, 4300 Vermont, Normandie Terrace, the Alexandria House.

“These are concrete results and I will

build on that record. Yet, while I was pushing measure H, Ms. Yoo was spending her time advancing Measure S, which would have been the death of affordable housing in Los Angeles and everyone came forth and rejected it resoundingly. Why? Because it was bad policy. It would have put people out of work and significantly retarded the issue of affordable housing…

Both said that they would meet regularly with constituents; support an ordinance to prohibit the hiring of individuals who were let go or resigned from other law enforcement agencies or the military due to allegations of misconduct; extend the rent stabilization ordinance to buildings over 15 years old; push for citywide free Wi-Fi; and that they had not accepted any campaign donations from law enforcement or police unions.

One of the first questions from the audience was if Ridley-Thomas would pledge not to run for Mayor and would serve the

full four years of his term.

“The Mayor’s race is already on,” Ridley-Thomas answered. I am in the race for the Tenth [District] which I fully intend to win.”

Ridley-Thomas said the differences between the candidacies couldn’t be clearer.

“I’m pushing for an anti-racist policy agenda that will envelop Los Angeles,” Ridley-Thomas said. “I’m for building affordable housing, not blocking it; for repurposing those parts of the industry that will make the tenth district thrive. I’m pushing for the celebration of the diversity of the assets of the Tenth District.

Yoo said that she was running to fix what’s wrong inside city council, referencing the recent corruption scandals. ““I will put the needs of the people first,” Yoo declared.

Below find where the candidates stand on some of the key issues facing the 10th district:

that is when you get in trouble.

MRT: I have respect for law enforcement and have no desire to demonize them, but I will call it like it is without apology and there needs to be a fundamental change in how business is conducted in law enforcement. Not anti-police, but anti-police abuse. To diversify is obviously important among racial and gender lines. We have to call for independent investigation of any officer involved shooting that results in fatality. It seems to you have to have an inspector general…an independent oversight commission.

Development of affordable housing MRT: Over the past decade, we have built 3033 units, 1300 in the pipeline and 2375 in pre-development.

Much of this work has been done with nonprofit, affordable housing advocates who embrace my candidacy because they know I know how to get it done.

Yoo: The government should set policy so that when we are building, it is not only luxury, it is affordable and low income. We can do this by using prefab, tiny homes, container homes. Better, bring in lower end units and rehabbing and re-using existing buildings, because there is nothing greener. We can use our

resources much more wisely.

Business and economic development MRT: You have to have local worker hire policies on major projects built in the 10th District. You have to have project labor agreements and those things that celebrate the opportunity for people to be included.

Every project should have a small business development component. We need to speak the language of tech and attack the digital divide. It means we have to look at the issue of bio science and high paying jobs.

Yoo: We need green new deal. We need to make sure we have the right infrastructure to allow for this. We can make it easier for businesses to operate by streamlining things. That’s a huge need. Also incentivizing development. And yes, we need to do local hire, but we can’t just have it in a contract and then a back door where it doesn’t happen.

Corruption at City Hall Yoo: I would want our council members to come together and find out what new policies must be put in place to stem the corruption.

MRT: If people violate the law, they ought to pay the

consequences and there’s a variety of ways to make that happen from the City Attorney to the ethics Commission to the District Attorney to the US Department of Justice all of which have descended in certain aspects on local government.

Striking a balance between tenants and landowners impacted by COVID-19 MRT: The best inoculation is eviction defense. That’s why I am pleased to have authored that in the County of Los Angeles and the work that’s being done on Mom and Pop rental assistance. We provide extensive support for those who are tenants because we know COVID 19 has been devastating. I also argued for the development of a rent registry to track the issue of compliance for Mom and Pop [landlords]. It is up and running through the department of Consumer and Business Affairs. They intervene. They do counseling and provide resources.

Yoo: We cannot allow the small Mom and Pop landlords to carry the brunt of this all by themselves…

We really need to do mortgage forgiveness and attorneys to provide eviction defense (There aren’t enough, and they are underfunded).

Y

our Voting Guide to 2020 Ballot Measures QUINCI LEGARDYE Contributor

2020 is a big election year. While the presidential race takes up a lot of the national conversation, state and local elections are also happening, and these need the same amount of consideration given to the big race. State and local elections are the ones that affect everyone most directly and most quickly.This year, California as a whole is reckoning with some big changes. The propositions on the ballot cover many issues, including tax codes, voting rights, workers’ rights and affirmative action. The results of these ballot measures will affect every life in California in some shape or form, and it’s important that voters understand them and make informed decisions. Here’s a detailed look at the propositions you’ll be voting on:

14

Stem Cell Research

Prop 14 seeks bonds for stemcell and other medical research. If passed, $5.5 billion in state bonds will be issued to fund stem cell and other medical research, with $1.5 billion going to research and therapy for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, epilepsy and other brain and central nervous system diseases. Money would come from the state General Fund over the course of years.

Proponents of Prop 14 argue that the funding will accelerate the development of treatment and cures for many diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases like COVID-19. Opponents of the measure say the state can’t afford the debt, which they say would reach $8 billion with interest added. They also contend that the majority of the money from the first stemcell research measure, Proposition 71, in 2004, went to infrastructure and education, producing few breakthroughs.

15

Schools and Communities First Initiative

of commercial and industrial property. If passed, commercial and industrial property will be taxed based on current market value instead of the purchase price. The new tax revenue this generates, an estimated $6.5 to 11.5 billion, will fund K-12 public schools, community colleges and local governments. The measure would exempt residential properties and owners of commercial properties with a combined value of $3 million or less, and exempt small businesses from personal property tax.

Proponents argue that the prop would close corporate tax loopholes and force wealthy corporations to pay their fair share of taxes. Further, that the funding is needed for schools and local communities struggling during the pandemic.

Opponents argue that wealthy corporations and landlords will probably pass the buck to tenants and small businesses, and that any tax increase would ultimately raise the cost of living in the state.

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Prop 15 increases funding for public schools, community colleges, and local government services by changing the tax assessment

Repeal Prop 209/Reinstate Affirmative Action If passed, Prop 16 would remove California’s ban on affirmative action, which was put in place with Prop 209 in

1996. Repealing the ban would allow state agencies and institutions, including colleges and universities, to consider race, ethnicity and gender for employment, admissions and contracting decisions.

Proponents argue it would create targeted opportunities for Black and Latino communities and correct decades of economic exclusion and institutional racism.

They also argue that the measure is a way to address the racial wealth gap in California. Opponents of Prop 16 argue that the change would make race more important than merit in the college admissions and employment processes, a form of reverse discrimination.

17

Parolee Voting Rights

If passed, previously incarcerated people will be able to vote while on parole, instead of having to wait until the parole term is over. This would enfranchise over 50,000 parolees, who are disproportionately AfricanAmerican and Latino. California is currently one of three states that require incarcerated persons to finish their prison and parole terms before they can vote.

Just 19 states allow parolees to vote.

Those in favor of Prop 17 argue that

parolees have paid their debt to society and contribute to their communities through work and community service, and therefore should have a say in government. Also, that banning parolees from voting disenfranchises a large portion of the Black and Latino vote. Opponents of the measure–primarily voter watchdog groups–argue that parole is a transition period and previously incarcerated persons have not paid their debt to society until after parole is over.

18

Prop 18 would allow those who are 17-years-old at the time of a primary or special election–and would be legally able to vote if they will turn 18 by the following general election–to vote across a full election cycle.

Proponents argue that 17-year olds can make informed decisions about voting and should be allowed to participate in the full election cycle. They also argue that young people should have a say in issues that directly effect them, and that the change will inspire young people to get more informed about politics.

Opponents say that 17-year-olds are

Holly Mitchell and Herb Wesson Face Off In County Supervisor’s Race his November's election will feature many important and highly contested races, but few are as competitive as the battle for the L.A. County Board of Supervisors District 2 seat between State Senator H o l l y Mitchell and L.A. City Councilman H e r b Wesson.

Voters in District 2 are fortunate enough to choose between two proven leaders, each with their own list of impressive accomplishments, crediHolly ble endorseMitchell ments and experience serving on

L.A. Focus/ October 2020

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the state and local levels.

The early frontrunner-- though by a razor thin margin-- is Wesson who overspent Mitchell by three to one only to secure 29.9% of the vote this March in the primaries to Mitchell’s 29.0%. Wesson is coming off three terms of holding the L.A. City Council District 10 seat where he’s been voted President of that body since 2011. Some of his major accomplishments include securing a city-wide $15 minimum wage, pension reform, and consolidating local elections to increase turnout.

Though he has been serving the city of L.A. since 1987, Wesson was first elected to public office in 1998 when he represented California’s 47th district in the State Assembly and was unanimously voted Speaker from 2002-2004.

Meanwhile, in the last ten years Holly Mitchell has put together her own impressive career, first serving in the State Assembly followed by California State Senate. She became the first African American to chair the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee where she’s taken the lead in passing three consecutive state budgets of over $215 billion each. Her most publicized piece of legislation, the CROWN act, was signed into law

by Governor Gavin Newsom last year which created protection against discrimination for race-based hair styles in public

schools and the workplace.

Prior to her time in politics Mitchell ran the largest child and family development organization in California, Crystal Stairs, and worked for the Western Center for Law and Poverty as a legislative advocate.

The candidates are vying for a seat on a powerful Board of Supervisors that controls a budget of $36 billion, with over 113,000 county employees who run countless agencies that bring essential services to the over 10 million county residents-and the magnitude of the position’s responsibility cannot be understated.

For Wesson, his experience being voted into the leadership positions of both the Speaker of the Assembly and President of the City Council will be a major selling point to voters as to why he’s the person that can get things done on the county level.

“It’s important that the people you work with respect you and respect your ability,” Wesson tells L.A. Focus of his leadership experience. “When they do that it affords you the ability to have influence. Since I know every member of the board personally, I will be in a position to be respected and have a degree of influence, which will ultimately help get things accomplished.”

As for Mitchell, she sees the work she’s done on the State level as parallel to what the Board of Supervisors seeks to accom-

Primary and Special Election Voting For 17 Year Olds

KEITH DELAWDER Contributor

plish.

“I am someone with a traceable, provable track record of being involved in policy development and programs that directly fall in the lane of what the county has oversight on,” Mitchell tells L.A. Focus.

“It’s one thing to have served in various public offices, it’s another to have the opportunity to elect someone who you can see has a proven track record in working in those areas.”

To go along with their credentials, each candidate boasts long lists of highly reputable endorsements. Governor Gavin Newsom, former Governor Jerry Brown, over 20 State lawmakers, and the United Farm Workers have all pledged their support for Holly Mitchell. But maybe the most prized endorsement Mitchell received is from the L.A. Times who referred to her as “the legislature's moral compass” in their selection, saying her “background and experience have put her in the best position to carry on the county’s work in improving justice and human services”.

“Voters,” the endorsement continued, “should judge her as well by the legislation she has authored and steered to passage, including numerous bills to correct inequities in government, including the justice system, healthcare programs and foster care services, and to address police

still legal minors and can be unduly influenced by parents and teachers.

19

Property Tax Transfers

Prop 19 would allow homeowners who are over 55, disabled or victims of natural disaster to take a portion of their property tax base with them when they sell their home and buy a new one. It would also limit or delete the ability of new homeowners who inherit properties to keep their parents’ or grandparents’ lower property tax payments.

Under this proposition, anyone who inherits a home from their parents would only be allowed to keep the lower property taxes if they use the home as their primary residence. It takes away the inheritance pass through of grandchildren and as a family second home and would mean a huge tax increase to families wanting to keep their parent’s homes but not able to due to the tax increase, which would go to fighting fires.

Opponents say Prop 19 will result in less money for schools and other public entities funded by property taxes.

20

Stiffer Criminal Sentencing

Prop 20, if passed, would change procedures and standards for the state Board of Parole Hearings and community probation programs, and expand the list of offenses that disqualify an inmate from parole. It would change several theft-related crimes from misdemeanors to felonies and create two new crimes, serial theft and organized retail theft. It would also expand DNA testing to require samples from some convicted of theft and domestic violence.

Supporters argue that previous prison reforms, specifically propositions 47 in 2014 and 57 in 2016, led to an increase in crime by repeat offenders, and that tougher parole standards are needed.

Opponents say the measure will increase spending for prisons with funding that should go to programs like schools, rehab, mental health and homelessness.

21

Rent Control

Prop 21 is the latest rent control proposition. If passed, it would amend state law to allow local governments to establish rent control for residential properties over 15 years old.

Local rent-control limits can differ from the statewide limit, but local governments would be required to allow landlords to increase rents by 15 percent after a vacancy for the first three years. Also, people who own no more than two housing units with separate titles, such as singlefamily homes and duplexes, are exempt from rent control. 64% of AfricanAmericans in the state are renters.

Those in favor of Prop 21 argue that putting a cap on California’s sky-high rents is the best chance for renters to stay in their homes and to prevent homelessness. Half of renter households in the state are overburdened and spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Opponents, primarily developers, landlords and business owners, argue that rent control would discourage construction and take affordable units of the market.

They point out that current California law restricts rent increases to 5% plus inflation, one of the strictest statewide caps on rent hikes in the country.

22

California App-Based Drivers Initiative

Prop 22 is about employment classification for rideshare and delivery drivers, affecting the companies Uber, Lyft and DoorDash, among others. If it passes, these companies will be able to classify their drivers as independent contractors with benefits from the companies, including a base wage and healthcare subsidies. Currently, these drivers are legally classified as employees under AB-5.

Proponents argue that Prop 22 would allow gig drivers, who are majority African-American and Latino, to keep their flexibility and continue earning

income in a turbulent economy. Those against Prop 22 argue it would allow the companies to underpay their drivers, and exempt gig companies from providing standard benefits like unemployment insurance and workers comp.

23

Dialysis Clinic Requirements

The passage of Prop 23 would require that dialysis clinics have at least one licensed physician on site during treatment. It would also require clinics to report infection data to state health officials, and require state approval for clinics to close or reduce services. State and local health care costs would increase due to increased dialysis treatment costs.

Supporters of Prop 23 argue that the regulations are necessary to keep large dialysis corporations in line.

Opponents of Prop 23 argue that many dialysis clinics would have to restrict hours or shut down if they had to pay a licensed physician, and that dialysis patients would have trouble affording increased treatment costs. They also note that the proposition does not require that the physicians have any specialized knowledge in dialysis or kidney function.

24

Stronger Consumer Privacy

If passed, Prop 24 would strengthen the California Consumer Privacy Act by letting consumers tell businesses to limit the use of sensitive data, such as you exact location and race, and prohibiting businesses from keeping consumer data for longer than necessary. It would also establish a new state agency dedicated to enforcing privacy laws and increase financial penalties for violations concerning consumers under age 16.

Additionally, it would beef up financial penalties for violators and allow consumers to demand that personal information not be shared at all, rather than simply not sold.

Those in favor of Prop 24 argue that the current consumer privacy law isn’t strong enough, and that the measure would give people more control over their personal data, and make it easier for consumers to sue companies if their emails and passwords are stolen or hacked.

Those against say Prop 24 does not go far enough and would serve as a giveaway to big social media companies.

25

Veto Referendum on Elimination of Cash Bail

Proposition 25 asks voters to either approve or strike down a state law that banished money bail from the state criminal justice system. If it passes, the current system– where suspects pay a cash bond to be released from jail with a promise to return for trial–would be replaced with risk assessment to determine whether a detained suspect is a flight risk or a danger to the public. The state superior courts would conduct risk assessments and make recommendations, and the state Judicial Court would determine which factors are to be considered.

Supporters argue that the risk assessment system would be fairer than the current system, which depends on a suspect’s ability to afford bail. Opponents argue the risk assessments will likely discriminate against Black and Brown people and increase racial profiling. They also point out that it will give judges unchecked power with no accountability, and that setting up the new system would cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

State Directory - https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/qualified-ballot-measures

use of force – not just this year, when public attention has become attuned to structural racism and its deadly consequences, but consistently over her legislative tenure.

The L.A. Times endorsement also slammedWesson for pushing through a charter amendment requested by a police union that they maintain “weakened the disciplinary system for officers accused of dishonesty, excessive use of force and other offenses”, and for failing to follow up on promises to conduct citywide hearings on police discipline”.

“I’m proud the L.A. Times referred to me as the ‘moral compass’ of the legislature because it is a reflection on the fact that my career has been defined by that level of integrity,” said Mitchell on the endorsement.

For Wesson, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Supervisor Janice Hahn, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, the L.A. County Federation of Labor, along with unions representing local firefighters and sheriffs have given him their endorsement.

Also supporting Wesson is the Democratic Party of L.A. County who called his leadership and experience “an incredible asset” for the County.

“My relationships are local, and my endorsements are from local electives,” says Wesson. “I’m so proud to have

received the endorsement of the Democratic Party. I’ve been a Democrat my entire life and to be endorsed by them carries a lot of weight.”

Even among local supporters and colleagues in the community, respect for both candidates is strong.

“I love both candidates and I think they are both strong choices, but I’m leaning my support towards Holly Mitchell,” says Reverend K. W. Tulloss of Weller Street Missionary Baptist Church. “I’ve worked with Senator Mitchell and I’ve seen her through the years go over and beyond for the community. There’s no harder worker I’ve ever seen in political office than Holly Mitchell.”

Kerman Maddox, owner of the local communications firm Dakota Communications, echoes that he too knows and respects both candidates, but is supporting Wesson.

“As an African American small business owner, the thing I admire about Herb Wesson is I have seen him aggressively go to bat for African American small business,” said Maddox. “I give him a lot of credit for that. It’s been very helpful for African Americans trying to do business in the city.”

So how are the voters in District 2 supposed to distinguish enough between these candidates to make the best choice?

According to Wesson, it comes down to contrast in style.

“The key is to have the ability, and the relationships to get things done,” says Wesson. “If there’s anything that distinguishes us it’s the contrast of style. When the virus hit I didn’t retreat to my home, I hit the streets. My office has been converted to a social delivery program where we sent out food and supplies to people in need. When there is a challenge, I’m not going to run away from it, I’m going to run into the eye of the storm. I take being an essential worker seriously. With me, you won’t have to look for me, I’ll be there.”

While Mitchell makes her case that she is the candidate of the future, not the past, pointing to complaints about Wesson’s leadership style being too “old school” or “a backroom style better suited for a different decade,” as the L.A. Times wrote in their endorsement of her.

“I read all the time that people complain about the process the city council used under his leadership where all the votes were agreed upon either in committee or behind closed doors,” says Mitchell. “It’s just a different strategy. Good policy doesn't come from a top-down, control-based process which he as speaker has done. I don’t know if that will work on the Board.

I think you need collaboration and joint decision making. I can’t point to great

areas of depth in terms of his policy knowledge while I’ve been a part of leadership and used the capacity to close a deal and land a deal.”

Herb Wesson

The Heat Is On

As Jackie Lacey and George Gascón Vie To Become The Next L.A. District Attorney STEPHEN ODUNTAN Staff

n a contest already dominated by pressing issues like police brutality and criminal justice reform, the Los Angeles district attorney’s race is in no shortage of hot-button topics that are sure to have a significant impact in the runoff elections this November.

Incumbent Jackie Lacey faces a challenge from George Gascón, former LAPD officer and district attorney of San Francisco, who said law enforcement unions impact Lacey’s ability from prosecuting rogue officers.

The two candidates have clashed over how best to tackle police accountability for flagrant use of excessive force.

When Gascón was a district attorney, he created an independent investigation bureau tasked with overseeing allegations of police misconduct. He said in an interview Monday that the independent review “brought to justice” more than 30 police officers for multiple offences that included excessive use of force.

I

Across the country, protests against police brutality erupted like a quenchless fire in response to George Floyd’s May 25 in-custody death, leading to tough conversations about racism and demands from Black Lives Matter activists’ to slash the police budget.

Lacey, who commended BLM activists for raising awareness surrounding police violence, said that Gascón served as district attorney of San Francisco for nine years and failed to carry out reforms in the Bay Area that he proposes for Los Angeles.

“I believe in protesting, and I’m glad that BLM has chosen to elevate this issue of police brutality. But I still, on the other hand, want us not to forget that it’s equally not good if people are victimized in the community by violent crime either. And not only do I understand reform, but I also understand that it has to be done without sacrificing our safety. And I am a stronger D.A. on both those issues than the man who’s moving down here from San Francisco,” Lacey said.

The winner will oversee the largest prosecutor’s office in the U.S., with nearly 1,000 lawyers, and a territory that covers the nation’s second-largest city and 10 million residents across one of the most diverse populations in the world.

Gascón, who is running on a platform of reducing mass incarceration, clinched just about enough votes in March to advance to a general election runoff in November against Lacey who has historically embraced a more conservative view of law and order. Whoever does win the seat come November, Gascón says, we can expect to see a much different D.A.’s office than the one we’ve seen over the past eight years.

His comments touch on the current racial climate and calls to dismantle racism.

“Ms. Lacey has fought every reform effort since she’s been elected D.A. Another four years of her policies would continue to destroy the communities that are in dire need

of a different way of looking at policing and public safety,” he said.

Gascón is among many reform-minded prosecutors pushing progressive policies across the country – including in Philadelphia, Dallas, and Orlando –breaking from decades of tough-on-crime thinking.

But Lacey has framed herself as a more tempered reformer and has said if she’s elected for a third term, she’ll reform the cash bail system–a progressive stance her opponent has championed.

In fact, last February, she announced she’d asked a judge to wipe out and seal cannabis-related convictions dating back decades, as well as, 3,700 misdemeanor cannabis possession cases that she says would help people gain meaningful employment.

“I’m running because I want to finish a lot of the things I started in my first two terms that also include getting more mental health services for people. Treating addiction. Getting help for those who are homeless,” Lacey told LA Focus.

Asked about how confident she was in securing a third term as a top prosecutor, Lacey said that she’s “very confident” because there’s the silent majority who have different views and feel drowned out by the people protesting in the streets with megaphones.

“While they want justice and I too want justice and systemic racism to end; they also understand that you have to be able to work with the police on public safety issues,” Lacey said.

The first woman and first African-American to serve as LA’s District Attorney enjoys strong support from the law enforcement community. Her supporters like former councilman and police chief Bernard Parks says Lacey’s steady hand and unwillingness to be swayed by critics appeals to a wide pool of voters.

Still, she has taken a great deal of heat on how she has handled police killings.

“Jackie Lacey hasn’t ever wanted to prosecute a police officer, and it wasn’t until the contentious runoff that she decided to do something different for the first time when she prosecuted the officer in the Hollywood Division who assaulted a homeless gentleman. I think she’s disingenuous. I like George Gascón better because he’s more progressive,” said Cheryl Dorsey, a retired LAPD sergeant and social justice advocate.

Over the last three years, Dr. Melina Abdullah, cofounder of Black Lives Matter L.A. has spearheaded weekly protests outside Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey's office for failing to prosecute officers who kill civilians–especially those of color and her handling of two recently high-profile cases where Lacey dropped the ball.

“Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey’s failure to charge Ed Buck for the deaths of Gemmel Moore and Timothy Dean was not because of a lack of evidence or probable cause,” said Abdullah. “Her failure was a direct result of a lack of interest and political will. All of which was the reason that the sheriff’s department sought outside help from their federal counterparts to finally bring Buck to justice.

“Just because you’re black it doesn’t mean you’ll advocate on behalf of black people. Think of every person who has sold their soul for individual advancement: that’s Jackie Lacey.”

Gascón, who received endorsements from Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sen. Kamala Harris, offered what he believes is a clear distinction between his and Lacey’s campaign.

He said, “I’ve never had a case of an officer-involved shooting with an unarmed person, while [Lacey] has had over 600 police killings, and at least 12 on her own admission were police shootings of unarmed people. But there hasn’t been a prosecution in any of these cases.”

INSIDE HO L LY W OOD

by Neily Dickerson Spotlight: “Fatale” Two of my favorite actors are coming together in a film called, FATALE. Academy Award winner, Hillary Swank and Michael Ealy (Think Like A Man, Stumptown, Being Mary Jane).

The acting duo flip the script in this psychological thriller.

In the suspenseful and provocative psychological thriller, a successful sports agent, Darren (Ealy), watches his perfect life slowly disintegrate when he becomes entangled in a police investigation led by a discredited, disgraced and determined detective (Hilary Swank), with whom he had a wild one night stand.”

Originally scheduled for a summer release the Lionsgate picture will debut October 30th just in time for hal-

role for the actor who plays a Kansas City mob boss leading one of two criminal syndicates at odds with each other set in 1950.

Rock is getting rave reviews for his performance and says the role is the best role he’s ever had. The cast features a few familar faces including Glynn Turman and Jason Schwartzman and it is good. loween horror fun and I’m excited Another show I’m watching is, about seeing it. I hope it's more sus“Ratched.” American Horror" story penseful than scary.

Other cast members includes, actress, Sarah Paulson has teamed up Michael Collie, of "Luke Cage" fame, again with creator Ryan Murphy, and and everyone’s favorite 80’s/90’s TV developed television goodness in this son-in-law, Geoffrey Owens, of "The psychological thriller about the charac- Hometown: New York City ter of the same name (Nurse Ratched) Big Break: “Eve’s Bayou” Cosby Show” fame.

In the meantime, check out Chris from the 1975 Oscar winning film, One Upcoming Projects: Lovecraft Country (HBO) Rock in Fargo. It’s a different kind of Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Jurnee Smollett got her start in the industry at the tender age of five on hit TV shows like “Full House” and “Cosby” before moving on to the silver screen in “The Great Debaters” and Tyler Perry’s “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor.” She is now generating buzz for her performance in the superhero film, “Birds of Prey” and lead role in HBO’s new Jim Crowera, horror drama, “Lovecraft Country”, produced by Jordan Peele. Though the 33-year-old, divorced, mother of one, has co-starred in nearly a dozen series–includFriendsgiving Bad Hair Fatale ing Underground, True Blood and Friday Night Lights October 23 October 23 October 30 –and a handful of films, she is clearly just getting started.

News caught a few factual errors that NeNe Leakes Announces “Real would have embarrassed me, they were Housewives of Atlanta” Exit The widely anticipated “Lovecraft Country” has created also asking me to delete parts of my a lot of buzz since its premiere, what drew you to the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star story that might cast ABC in an unfashow?

NeNe Leakes officially announced that vorable light. Deleting those passages I was so wildly convinced that there was no f***ing pershe will not be returning to the popular didn’t feel right to me–they were all son who could play Leti Lewis but me that I became reality show for its 13th season. Leakes true, and they were some of the battle obsessed. We're telling the story of heroes that go on a first sparked rumors about her exit scars of my experience.” quest to disrupt white supremacy, and it's maddening after deleting her Instagram account Hostin claims the network paid her less that in the year 2020 it's still relevant. Letitia believes and claiming that no one has “protected than her white counterparts and says in disrupting the system. It’s so bold, so audacious, or stood up” for her. that executives never formally because that era was bent on erasing us, but she will “I have made the hard and very diffiannounced her official role on the show. not be erased. cult decision to not be a part of ‘Real She also took issue with being assigned Housewives of Atlanta’ season 13,” said a dressing room on a different floor It’s been reported that you and co-creator of the show Leakes in a YouTube video. “It wasn’t from the rest of the co-hosts.

Misha Green had a rocky relationship in the beginning an easy decision for me. I have been on A spokesperson for “The View” declined before becoming “best friends,”can you tell us about an extremely, extremely long, exhaustto comment on the allegations made by that? ing, tiring, emotional negotiation.

Hostin.

We did the pilot and I hated her. We proceeded to be There has been a lot of emotion flying Briefly: Iconic Black actress Cicely the worst of enemies for the first two months of shooton both sides.”

Tyson will put out a memoir in 2021. ing. It became the joke on set: 'Oh, it's a Jurnee scene, Talk show host Wendy Williams, who is The 95-year-old will detail her life and that means she and Misha are going to be arguing for a friend of Leakes, said that money was career in the new book, “Just As I Am” 20 minutes before we start.' the main factor in her departure. and says she couldn’t be more excited to Williams also said that Leakes share her story.

Having been in the industry for so long, what are your likes a lot of “attention” and “At 95, I’m only beginning to fully thoughts on its progress in terms of inclusivity? could be back. understand my identity,” Tyson said.

This business can be maddening. For all its liberalism, “The accolades, the lights, the glamour “The View” co-host Sunny and glitter–they’re all just ornaments I've been in these spaces where these very powerful fundraisers and write the checks for the Hostin Accuses ABC of on a tree. It is only a tree’s roots, its ori- people do the Black or brown kids' scholarships, and then I know for gins beneath the soil, that can reveal Racism a fact they go back into their staff meetings and they're Lawyer and co-host of its entire story.” all white. And if you do that, you're a hypocrite, and ABC’s morning talk show, The memoir will also touch on her rela- you're not actually anti-racist. I think what we're witSunny tionship with other groundbreaking nessing right now is a real shift in the balance of power View” “The Hostin has accused the entertainers like Harry Belafonte, within the industry. So many have stopped asking for a network of racism and Sidney Poitier, Richard Pryor and seat at the table. They've just said, 'I'm going to go and attempts to censor her new James Earl Jones as well as her mar- build my own table.' book. The memoir, “I Am riage with jazz icon Miles Davis…In These Truths” allegedly other news, Starz has ordered a second You’ve been adamant about not doing nudity unless it’s details the “indignities” season of “Power” spinoff, “Power Book critical to a story. How has your journey been specificalsshe suffered at the II: Ghost.” The show drew almost 7.5 ly as a Black woman in terms of being oversexualized or hands of ABC execu- million multiplatform views in its disrespected? debut week, making it the mosttives.

I've sat with directors and they'll say, 'This is what it “I felt I had been some- watched new series in Starz history. is,' and you try to listen and understand, but if I don't what censored by ABC in The series broke records on the Starz trust that they truly believe it's essential to the plot, if writing the book,” Hostin app in the week after its premiere, driv- it's like, 'Dude, you actually don't care for him to get said in an interview. “I did ing subscriber acquisition up 42 per- naked too?' then I know what this is, and it's a no for remove some passages. I think cent and also setting records interna- me. I'm very aware of the over-sexualization of the they were concerned about how it tionally as the top-performing series in Black female body – this perverted fascination that UK, France, Germany, Spain and made the network look. predates me – and so the notion that I would ever con“While I was grateful that ABC Brazil. tribute to that weighs very heavily on me.

STREAMING & IN THEATRES THIS MONTH

HOLLYWOOD BUZZ

Death On the Nile October 23

Another Winning Season

L.A. Focus/October 2020

After more than three decades in the Hollywood, 49-year old actress Regina King feels that only now is the industry taking notice of her work.

“Now that I’m in my 40s, people in positions of power are recognizing it, but ever I’ve everything I’ve approached, approached powerfully,” said King after receiving her fourth Emmy–the most for any AfricanAmerican performer– at last month’s virtually telecast Emmy Awards.

King, who was honored with outstanding actress in a limited series or movie for her portrayal of Angela Agbar in the HBO hit series, Watchmen, used the platform to bring attention to Breonna Taylor; to pay homage to the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; and to urge everyone to vote.

The L.A. native is also generating early Oscar buzz for her directorial debut, “One Night In Miami”, which imagines a conversation taking place between Malcolm X, Cassius Clay, Jim Brown and Sam Cooke, after Clay’s winning victory over Sonny Liston in 1964. She is set to join Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz and Lakeith Stanfield in The Harder They Fall, an all-Black western feature set at Netflix.

Jay-Z is one of the producers.

Credit: JamesShootsAndDraws 24 Photo

by James Anthony at crowdMGMT

Q&A

Jurnee Smollett

RedCarpet Style

NAACP IMAGE AWARDS 2020

MET GALA 2018

Platinum selling singer and global superstar, Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty parlayed her sweet success into a booming business empire. Here are some of her best moves on the red carpet.

GRAMMYS 2017

DIAMOND BALL 2014

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS 2009

Eye On Gospel Restoration, addressing social justice, the revelatory exploration that has come with his finding his religion; the temptations that have come with success; and the death of Kobe Bryant. Special guests include Kirk Franklin.

Changing Her Story

Lecrae: On Facing His Hidden Truths On October 13, Lecrae is set to release his second book, “I Am Restored: How I Lost My Religion But Gained My Faith.” In it, the two-time Grammy winning artist who has inspired millions tells of how when his personal life spun into chaos, he was forced to face the impact of unhealed wounds, including sexual abuse, physical trauma, addiction and the crippling depression he suffered at the top of his career.

“Career achievement didn’t protect Heath Ledger from the pain. Money and fame didn’t insulate Robin Williams or Anthony Bourdain. It didn’t protect Kate Spade or Don Cornelius. Many celebrities, comedians, artists, politicians, and tastemakers have fallen to an inner turmoil and darkness that they couldn’t overcome. The greatest voices have lost their will to speak. The most competent moral representatives have failed to maintain the standard they set for others. The most joyful people have drowned in a pool of despair. In the end, regardless of our popularity and professional status, we are only human,” he writes.

The 41-year old also shares the personal practices he used in his daily life for mental, emotional and spiritual health.

The book follows the release of his ninth studio album,

Last month marked the release of Jekalyn Carr's anticipated live album, Changing Your Story. Carr performed to an audience of over 12,000 at the famed "Praise In The Park" festival at the Cellairis Amphitheatre in Atlanta and harnessed the crowd's incredible energy to produce a formidable 13-track project that bolsters her growing position in Gospel music.

Already generating a number one song on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay Chart, the project is a complete body of work that incorporates equal parts exhorting and preaching all set to Carr's sonorous vocals making up an unmatched and power-filled experience. The album is almost entirely by Jekalyn and reveals her continued growth as a singer and songwriter. The title cut drives the theme and sets the tone for the whole project. "Changing Your Story," marks Carr's 4th Number 1 song in just as many years. Carr has remarkably earned (6) Top 10 singles and (4) Number 1 singles all by age 23, an unprecedented achievement.

Celebrating Another Milestone Chart topper Kierra Sheard has hit another #1 milestone, as the GRAMMY® nominated and Stellar Award-winning inspirational artist and actress garners #1 on the latest Billboard Gospel Airplay chart for her single “It Keeps Happening.” The hit song marks her first #1 single at Gospel radio as a solo artist, and her third #1 overall on the Gospel Airplay chart. Co-writing the track with her brother, producer and songwriter, J. Drew Sheard, II, “It Keeps Happening” is featured on Sheard’s #1 album KIERRA, which debuted at #1 earlier this year on both the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and the Billboard Top Christian/Gospel Albums chart in April - where her album unseated Kanye West’s album Jesus Is King from its six-month position at #1 on the Billboard Top Gospel

Albums chart. Praising God in recognizing the constant blessing and covering He provides every day, Sheard delivered an elevating live worship experience when she performed “It Keeps Happening” for the first time before a sold-out crowd at her live recording in Detroit, MI at her hometown church, Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ. The fifteen-track album includes appearances from Missy Elliott, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Le’Andria Johnson and Todd Dulaney.

Sheard says, “It Keeps Happening was birthed out of personal conversation with God. The song is a personal declaration that has manifested over my life and I am overjoyed that it is blessing the world.”

CeCe Defends Her Appearance In COVID-19 Ad Paid for

by Trump Campaign CeCe Winans took to Instagram last month to defend her participation in an ad she was told would help spread awareness about wearing a mask to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

“I was asked a couple of weeks ago to do an interview with the Surgeon General, Jerome Adams, about the coronavirus,” she posted on social media. “This interview stresses how important it is for everyone to wear a mask.

It also gives us other instructions on how to get on the other side of this pandemic. It is not political at all. We have lost so many lives to COVID-19. Let’s all do everything we can so we won’t lose any more. God bless you.”

In other gospel news, the 14th annual Inspiration Celebration® Gospel Tour, benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities, kicked off September 27 and is set to run every Sunday through October 18 on BET.com.

The four-part concert series will showcase the rich gospel legacies of Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Detroit, reviving the decades-long debate about which major U.S. city produces the greatest gospel music. Award-winning gospel music artists Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, The Clark Sisters, Kierra Sheard, Smokie Norful, William Murphy, and others, will sing fan favorites and rep for their cities.

Through the Storm

"Mark Curry's Comeback: A Story of Tests and Triumphs" ost know actor and comedian Mark Curry as the fun loving comedic high school teacher from the hit ABC sit-com, “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” that ran from 1992 to 1997. Today, at 59, he is still making people laugh.

He recently joined the cast of Bounce TV’s, “In the Cut” for the show’s seventh season and says that now more than ever, it’s imperative that we see Black entertainment on television.

“I love Bounce TV…Black TV. It’s funny and it’s new material. Black television is very vulnerable, very funny.

You don’t see too much Black television on the networks,” Curry said. “It’s rare. And [often] when you do see it, it degrades Black people.”

However, Curry believes that in 2020’s jarring social and political climate, it’s important that Black people are able to see themselves in an uplifting light and make their own rules.

“I look at this as positive, Black television that we need - with Black people. We want to see us on TV. It lets the world see that we’re funny,” Curry said.

Alongside actors like Dorien Wilson (Moesha, The Parkers, In The Cut) and Kellita Smith (The Bernie Mac Show), Curry said that he is given the artistic freedom to truly let his acting skills shine, something he says is not always awarded to Black actors.

“I play a character who’s fresh out of jail. It’s great working with these professionals because we all have fun, and Bentley (executive producer) lets me say whatever I want. I have a great time,” Curry said.

Curry has plans to spearhead more of his own creative endeavors to give Black creators a chance to thrive in their own environment without outside influence.

“We’re creating digital content. Digital stories, digital documentaries. We’re planning to be our own studio,” Curry explained. “We’re making our own content. That way we don’t have to ask anybody for anything. You control your own destiny.”

Curry knows a thing or two about the strength it takes to control your own destiny. Like so many others Hollywood hopefuls, he was a struggling artist.

“I had to change in my car,” Curry said. “I would work during the day, get in my car and drive to L.A. and I would have a show that night.”

The ability to endure also came in handy after an accident in his home a few years ago that left the 59-year-old with third degree burns on 18 percent of his body.

“An aerosol can fell in front of the water heater and it exploded. It was a bad situation,” says Curry, who–after literally seeing his skin peeling away from his body– went into survival mode.

“I'm the kind of person who, when there's an emergency, clicks into emergency survival. So, I thought, okay, you're burnt, calm down and relax. You're going to go into shock in about 10 minutes, so just keep moving, and we dialed 911."

His next thought was decidedly human.

“Here I am in the grips of death. I'm on fire, pants on fire, and the first thing I did (and this is true) was to get on my knees and say, 'thank you Jesus, for not burning my face.'”

L.A. Focus/October 2020

M

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“

Here I am in the grips of death. I'm on fire, pants on fire, and the first thing I did (and this is true) was to get on my knees and say, 'thank you Jesus, for not burning my face.'”

When the ambulance came, it was actually some guys I used to play college ball with. I knew the guy. His name was Ray White, I said, 'What's up, Ray?' “They were looking at me like, ‘damn.’

”

Curry was at his L.A. area home doing laundry when the accident happened.

“When the ambulance came, it was actually some guys I used to play college ball with. I knew the guy.

His name was Ray White, I said, 'What's up, Ray?' “They were looking at me like, ‘damn.’ I immediately went into comedy mode and I started cracking jokes to keep my mind off of the situation. That's how comedy saved my life. I just started joking. Boom. 'You know, I feel like a Kentucky fried chicken.'

“Then I got into the ambulance and felt myself going into shock. I told them, 'I'm about to go into shock' and I'm sure they gave me some drugs after that because I was groggy and passed out.”

Curry woke up two days later in a San Francisco hospital burn unit. While there for treatment, he lost 35 pounds (after not eating for a period of 10 days), experienced

severe depression and reportedly contemplated suicide.

“Imagine being in this ward. Everybody burnt up, and everybody screaming, 'aah! aaah!' and all you hear is the agonizing moans. It was just horrifying. The trauma was amazing. I still really don't think I've recovered from the trauma of it.”

Doctors told Curry that he would have to undergo skin grafts, a surgery that is said to be excruciating. He was dreading the possibility of having it done.

Says Curry, “That's why I always say praying to the Lord is very important, because I was supposed to go into that operation, and I covered my face because it's such a scary room. It's like Frankenstein, because in the burn unit, everything is stainless steel and you can see the instruments sitting up there. So, I go in there and I pray, knowing it's going to be painful. When I wake up, a couple hours later, they said, 'Good news. We didn't have to do a skin graph on you.'

“That was a miracle.”

Curry continued to grow closer to the Lord during his hospital stay, while family and friends kept his spirits up.

“All my comedian friends called me – Sinbad, Chris Tucker, George Wallace, Tommy Davison.

Davison prayed like a preacher, gave me a whole sermon.

Chris Tucker checked in on me a couple of times and Martin Lawrence's mother called me. It was an outpouring of these guys calling me, helping me out. Kind of made me laugh in a messed-up situation.”

Despite such a life-altering event, Curry came out on top. Along with his new role on “In the Cut,” he also hosts and produces his own show, “Mark Curry 360” in which he interviews high-profile celebrities and gets their often unknown, personal backstory.

“We find the nuance of people you see on television and find something out about them that you don’t know. I find that very interesting,” Curry expressed. “I know all of these guys but none of this stuff I knew about them.”

Now re-focused and reflecting, Curry believes the household tragedy was a wake-up call from the Lord.

“I believe He was saying, I need you to do more. You're wasting your time out here, just being a playboy or whatever you are. I think it's time for you to do something else. What it taught me is I'm not afraid of anything.

Because I've been through the fire.

Nothing can stop m e now.”

ChurchNews

Agape Church of Los Angeles Worship Center Consolidated Plaza: 3725 Don Felipe Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90008

Rev. Terry Brown To be Installed Pastor at Judson Baptist Church n April, the L.A. faith community mourned the loss of Pastor Dr. Johnny Baylor, noted preacher, founder and senior pastor of the Carson-based Judson Baptist Church. Under Baylor’s leadership, the church — which he dubbed as “the assignment of his life”— transitioned in just 18 months to a thriving congregation of upwards of 500 active

I

L.A. Focus/October 2020

members.

“Dr. Baylor was a combination of street submitted to the spirit of God. He was raw and real, but he was also one of the finest exegetists this nation has ever known,” said Pastor Terry Brown, who was hand appointed by Baylor as his successor.

It was last August that Baylor–who’d recently discovered the medical odds of his condition–reached out to Brown.

“When we spoke in August, the relationship had already begun to be closer and deeper,” Brown stated. “It was just in August that he was at a point where he wanted me to know that if anything would happen to him, he wanted me to succeed him as pastor. “ was in a state of disbelief. I was humbled. Still Am. Honored. Still am,” Baylor expressed. “And really, I felt like if it happened, it would be way down the road, a few years down the road. I had no way of knowing that he would pass within several months of him sharing that with me. So, it was just an overwhelming experience.”

Brown took over in April - during the onslaught of the global pandemic and says the transition has gone better than he could have expected.

“It has been tremendous. Granted, all ministry is difficult and challenging during this COVID season. I have not yet been able to meet physically with the whole church, but they have been the sweetest, kindest people.

The obvious evidence of their love for him and certainly their love for God was that they received me without question. I’m sure some people had questions and some people said this or that, but in terms of what has been communicated to me, there has never been any dissension.”

Now, on October 25, Brown is set to be officially installed as the pastor.

“Obviously, for every pastor and church, the installation represents the new relationship that God has ordained, so I have three pastors who will be sharing with me virtually,” Brown explained. Bishop Timothy Clarke of Columbus, Ohio will be giving the charge to the pastors.

Bishop Michael Kelsey wil be giving the charge to the church and Bishop James Dixon of Houston will be bringing the message.

Brown says that no one can fill Pastor Baylor’s shoes, but he is ready to take up the mantle that Baylor entrusted him with.

“His [Baylor’s] footprint is large, and my goal is not to try to fit or fill his shoes. My goal is to walk the path that God has predestined me to follow,” Brown explained. “I’ve learned from Pastor Baylor. He knew me. He knew that I had my own vision. Dr. Baylor laid a strong foundation. my goal is to lead this church into deeper vistas that he had already set into motion pursuing the kingdom of God and playing our role in the kingdom. In every aspect that we live life, we want to be a part of lifting and loving the community.

“Ironically enough, Brown–who still serves as senior pastor of the Liberty Baptist Church–will be celebrating his 15th pastoral appreciation on October 18–just one week prior to his installation and his younger brother, Pastor Steven Brown (of Houston) will be serving as the guest preacher.

Pentecostals Mourn Passing of Bishop J. Delano Ellis The Black Pentecostal community is in mourning over the death last month of popular Bishop J. (Jesse) Delano Ellis, co-founder of the Joint College of AfricanAmerican Pentecostal Bishops, the United Pentecostal Churches of Christ and served as pastor of the Pentecostal Church of Christ in University Circle in Cleveland

30

“While you share your love, concern and prayers with us, God and Bishop Ellis had another plan,” the Rev. Sabrina J. Ellis, who co-pastored Pentecostal Church of Christ in Cleveland with her husband, said in a Facebook post on September 19. “My husband made his transition this morning. Please continue to pray for us in this season.”

Ellis emphasized the importance of the legitimacy of apostolic succession, once stating that while he thought the greatest renewal movement came through Billy Graham, the next movement would come from African American Pentecostals.

West Angeles COGIC to Become City-Wide Voting Center West Angeles COGIC is set to become a city-wide voting center with voting to commence on Friday, October 30 through Election Day, November 3.

“We saw this as an unprecedented opportunity for us,” says Charles Blake II, West Angeles COGIC ___.

“Usually at this time of the year, we are in Holy Convocation, We’re usually never even home to be able to do anything in this regard and if were home during these times, we would always be a polling place. However, since COVID has kind of stopped all travel, it presented an opportunity.”

With some of their members leary about the post office going to a place to vote, they had been asked by parishioners if votes could be dropped off at the church.

“When we went to find out if we could be a ballot drop off point, that deadline has passed and as it turns out, it was easier for us to be a voting center. We just wanted to serve in any way we could.”

Providing an opportunity for people to vote is something that’s always been important to church officials.

“We’ve always stressed to members that they be registered and informed. We never tell you who to vote for or which way to vote but we do let you know that you should use the voice that you’ve given–that people fought for and died to give you that right.

Pastor Eddie Anderson Appointed to the L.A. City Council Redistricting Commission Rev. Eddie Anderson, senior pastor of McCarty Memorial Christian Church, has received a Council District 10 appointment to the Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission.

A letter from Herb Wesson formalizing the appointment noted Anderson’s “many years of community service demonstrate his advocacy as a voice for the people and his strong commitment to advocate for and uphold civil and human rights.”

The Los Angeles City Charter requires that the City be redistricted at least once every 10 years. It calls for creation of a twenty-one member Redistricting Commission, which has the authority to make recommendations on a redistricting plan to the City Council that sets boundaries for City Council districts.

“This opportunity allows me to be that moral voice to insure that all voices are included in the voting process for the next decade,” said Anderson.

In other national news...

Last month, Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention–which is comprised of 50,000 Baptist churches across the nation– are increasingly dropping the “Southern” part of their Baptist name, calling it a potentially painful reminder of the convention’s historic role in support of slavery. Convention president J.D. Greear said momentum has been building to adopt the name “Great Commission Baptists,” both because of the racial reckoning underway in the United States and because many have long seen the “Southern Baptist” name as too regional for a global group of believers.

Corprate Office: 4602 Crenshaw Blvd, Suite 2A, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 295-5571 www.agapela.org Bishop Craig A. Worsham, Founder & Senior Pastor Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Worship: 11:00am Loving, Lifting & Liberating Humanity Through The Word Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of South L.A. 10905 S. Compton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90059 (323) 566.5286 Pastor Reginald A. Pope Sunday School: 9:30am Morning Worship: 8am • 11am Children’s Church: 11am (2nd/4th Sundays) Evangelism Training/Bible Study/Independent Prayer: (Mon): 7:29pm Mobile Prayer/Bible Study: (Wed) 11am Book by Book Bible Study (Wed.): 6:30pm

Bethesda Temple Apostolic Faith 4909 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 299-2591 • thevoice4904@att.net Pastor Kyron S. Shorter Sunday Morning Prayer: 9:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Morning Worship: 11:00am Children’s Church: 11:00am Sunday Evening Service: 6:00pm

Bryant Temple AME Church 2525 W. Vernon Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 293-6201 • F: (323) 293-0082 Pastor Dwaine Jackson Sunday School: 8:15am Morning Worship: 9:15 am Bible Study (Tues): Noon Pastor’s Bible Study( Tues): 6:00pm

Calvary Baptist Church 4911 W. 59th Street,Los Angeles, CA,90056 (323)298-1605•F: (310) 568-8430 • calvarybaptistla.org Rev. Dr. Virgil V. Jones Sunday Prayer: 8:30am Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Wednesday Bible Study: 12:00pm & 7:00pm We are the Church on the Hill where the Light Shines Bright!

Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship 2085 S. Hobart Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 Phone: (323) 731-8869 • F: (323) 731-0851 www.christianfellowshipla.org Pastor James K. McKnight Sun. Early Worship: 8:00am Prayer Meeting: 10:30am Morning Worship: 11:00am Wed. Afternoon Bible Study: 1:00pm Wed. Prayer Meeting: 6:00pm Wed. Evening Bible Study: 7:00pm View Pastor McKnight’s Sermons on YouTube Crenshaw Christian Center 7901 South Vermont, Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 758-3777 • F: (323)565-4231 • www.faithdome.org Pastor Frederick K. Price, Jr. Sunday Service: 9:45am Bible Study (Tue): 11:00am & 7:30pm Tue. Night Children’s Ministry: 7:30pm Tue. Night Bible Study (Teens): 7:30pm Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (Wed): 7:30pm

God’s Faithful Disciple of Jesus Christ / Prayer Clinic & Deliverance Ministry P.O. Box 561368, Los Angeles,CA 90056 (323)293-7566 • www.gfdjc.org• gfdjc@att.net Ruby Cottle, Ph.D., Pastor & Teacher Prophetess June Morgan / Assistant Pastor

Services Every Friday: 7:00pm -9:30pm We meet at: St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 3901 West Adams Blvd, LA, CA 90018 Watch Dr. Cottle on HBN TV on Wed’s 7:30am Channel 20 Dish & DirectTV,Channel 3 U-Verse

Grace Temple Baptist Church 7017 South Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 971-8192 Rev. Rodney Howard Sunday L.I.F.E Group: 8:30am Sunday Worship Service: 9:30am Wednesday Intercessory Prayer: 6:30pm Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00pm E-Mail: gtbcla@gmail.com

Grant AME Church 10435 S. Central Avenue • Los Angeles, CA 90002 (323) 564-1151 • F: (323) 564-5027 Rev. Dr. J. Arthur Rumph, Senior Pastor Reappointed to Grant AME Church Los Angeles Rev. Dr. James A. Rumph

Sunday School: 8am Worship: 9:30am Wed. Bible Study: 11:30am •6pm

Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church 5300 S. Denker Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 759-4996 Rev. DeNon Porter Early Worship: 8am Sunday School: 9:30am Mid-Morning Worship: 11am Radio-KALI 900AM: Sun. 11-Noon, 7-8pm KTYM 1460AM Sundays: 5:30pm Bible Study (Tues, Wed & Thurs): 7pm

Holman United Methodist Church 3320 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 703-5868 • www.holmanumc.com Email: holman@holmanumc.com Rev. Dr. Ken Walden, Senior Pastor Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday Radio: KJLH 102.3FM at 11:00am Sunday School: 9:30am (Children/Youth) & 9:45am (Adults) Bible Study: Every Thursday @ Noon We Gather,Grow,Go and Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Israel Missionary Baptist Church - A Holy Spirit Filled Church 4501 South Compton Ave, Los Angeles,CA 90011 Church/Fax: (323) 233-3295 or 3296 Website: www.Israelmbc.com • Email: israelmbc@yahoo.com Rev. Rodney J. Howard, Sr. Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Worship: 11:30am Sunset Service: 5:00pm Communion Every First Sunday First Sunday Men In Prayer: 8:30 am Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesdays: 7:30pm McCarty Memorial Christian Church 4103 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 731-4131 • www.mccartychurch.org Senior Pastor Edward Anderson Sunday Worship: 10:45am Sunday School: 9:30am Bible Study: Tues Noon

Mount Moriah Baptist Church of Los Angeles, Inc. 4269 South Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323) 846-1950 •Fax: (323) 846-1964

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1300 E. 50th Street Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 235-2103 • F: (323) 235-3177 • www.mtzionla.org Dr. Edward V. Hill, II, Pastor Sunday Intercessory Prayer: 9:15am Morning Worship: 9:30am Children’s Church: 9:30am Sunday School: 11:30am Baptism: 2nd Sun. & Lord’s Supper: 1st Sunday Tues. Pastor’s Bible Study: 6:30pm Wed. Noon-day Prayer: Noon

FIRST LADY FILES

Myrna Jefferson Williams St. Mark United Methodist Church

B

orn and raised in South L.A., First Lady Myrna Jefferson Williams attended Washington High School before earning her degree in business administration from Loyola Marymount University but her love for children set her on a different path.

“I never did end up using my degree, I ended up teaching,” Williams recalled. “I worked for L.A. Unified School District for 18 years as an elementary teacher.”

She resigned from the district in search of something different and began teaching English to adults who were learning it as their second language.

In the midst of helping others, Williams was fighting her own battles.

“I’m a cancer survivor, I’m in remission and haven’t had any setbacks or anything,” Williams said. “I’m blessed in that regard.”

Williams has advocated for kids in the community through her own summer day camp for almost 25 years, and is currently at the forefront of a program in which children are allowed to come to the church and complete their virtual schoolwork in a safe environment during the pandemic.

She has also been lending her time to outreach efforts aiding people through the pandemic.

“I’m very involved in working with the church and with my husband. At my husband’s church, we started a food pantry. I do that two days a week, trying to connect with other organizations like group homes, recovery homes, churches, because we have an abundance of food - we’re like a hub,” Williams said.

On her role as first lady, Williams believes being a support system to her husband (Rev. Gary Bernard Williams) is one of the most important factors.

“I support him wholeheartedly.

We’re a team. I support him and he supports me.”

New Antioch Church of God in Christ 7826 So. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 778-7965 Elder Jeffrey M. Lewis

People’s Independent Church of Christ 5856 West Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 296-5776 Rev. Roshod D. Hall Sundays: Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Wednesday Bible Study & Mid Week Worship: Noon & 7:00pm Prayer Meeting: 6:30pm

St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 S. Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 231-1040 • stmarkmbcofla.org Reverend Dr. Lovely Haynes, Pastor Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Mon-Wed Corporate Prayer: 6:00 - 6:55 pm Monday Night Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday Noon Prayer: 12 Noon Wed. Exposition of Sunday School Lesson: 7:00pm

The Potter’s House at One LA 614 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 (818) 763-4521 • www.tphla.org Sr. Pastor Toure’ Roberts Sunday Worship: 9:00am, 11:15am & 1:00pm Thursday Midweek Service: 8pm Watch Live: http://tphla.org/watch-live/

Trinity Baptist Church 2040 West Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 735-0044 • F: (323) 735-0219 Rev. Alvin Tunstill, Jr Sunday Worship: 7:30 & 10:30am Sunday Church School: 9:00am Radio Broadcast KJLH FM: 9:00am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: Noon-7:00pm www.trinitybaptistchurchofla.org Weller Street Baptist Church 129 S. Gless St, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 261-0949 • F: (323)264-6601 • www.wellerstreetlive.com Pastor K.W. Tulloss Sunday School: 8:00am Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00am Tues. Bible Study: 6:45pm www.wellerstreetlive.com “We have not walked this way before” Joshua 3:1-6

West Angeles Church of God In Christ 3045 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 733-8300 Bishop Charles E. Blake Sunday School: 8:00am & 10:30am Early Worship: 8:00am Morning Worship: 11:00am Evening Worship (North Campus): 7:00pm Wed. Mid-Week Worship: 7:00pm Sun. Radio Broadcast KJLH 102.3FM: 10am www.westa.tv Peace Apostolic Church 21224 Figueroa Street, Carson, CA 90745 (310) 212-5673 Suff. Bishop Howard A. Swancy

In Carson

Reverend Johnteris Tate-Pastor Sunday Church School: 8:00am Worship Service: 9:15am Baptist Training Union: 7:00am Tues. Bible Study/Prayer:Noon & 7:00pm

Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church 3669 W. 54th St. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 291-1121 F: (323) 291-1133 • office@sinai.church • www.sinai.church George E. Hurtt, Pastor-Teacher Sunday Worship: 8:00am, 11:30am Discipleship Groups (Sun): 9:45am Noonday Bible Study(Tue): 12:00pm Tuesday Night in the Truth: 7:15pm Radio: KKLA 99.5 FM (Sat): 9:00pm Our Goal: To glorify God by winning more Christians and developing better Christians (Matt. 28:18-20)

Sunday Early Morning Worship: 8:00am Sunday School: 9:30 am Morning Worship: 11:00am Tuesday Prayer and Bible Band: 11:00am Wednesday Bible Study: 7:30pm Wednesday in the Word: 7:30pm Park Windsor Baptist Church 1842 W. 108th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 756-3966 • RevTerrellTaylor@sbcglobal.net Rev. Terrell Taylor Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Bible Study Wednesday: Noon & 7:00pm Communion: 1st Sunday at 8:00am & 11:00am

Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Worship: 11:45am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Wed. Noon Day Bible Class: 12:30pm Wed. Bible Class: 7:30pm Citizens of Zion Missionary Baptist Church In Compton 12930 No. Lime Ave., Compton, CA 90221 (310) 638-0536 • F: (323) 636-2080 • www.citizensofzion.org Rev. Bobby Newman, Jr., Senior Pastor; Rev. B.T. Newman, Pastor (Pastor Emeritus) Sunday School: 9:00am Morning Service: 10:45am Wed. Mid-Week Bible Study: 7:00pm

Greater Zion Church Family 2408 North Wilmington Avenue, Compton, CA 90222 (310) 639-5535 • (Tues - Thurs 10am -4pm) Dr. Michael J. Fisher, Senior Pastor Sunday Worship: 8:00am|10:45am| 5:00pm Wednesday Bible Study: 12pm|7:00pm FB: GreaterZion IG: GZCFamily www.gzcf.us

The City of Refuge 14527 S. San Pedro Street, Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 516-1433 Bishop Noel Jones

In Gardena

Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Evening Worship: 6:00pm Bible Study (Wed): Noon & 7:00pm BET/Fresh Oil (Wed): 7:00am

In Hawthorne

Holy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church In Compton 1016 E. Rosecrans Avenue, Compton, CA 90220 (310) 537-3149 • F: (310) 537-3149 Rev. Dr. George L. Thomas Sunday School: 9:45am & 10:15am Early Morning Worship: 7:30am Mid-Morning Worship: 11:15am New Members’ Class: 9:45am Holy-Communion (1st Sunday): 7:30 & 11:15am Mid-Week Prayer & Bible Study (Wed)- 7:00pm Broadcast (KALI 900AM - Sunday): 2:00pm3:00pm

Atherton Baptist Church 2627 W. 116th Street Hawthorne,CA 90250 (323) 757-3113 • www.athertonbc.org F: 323-757-8772 • athertonbaptist@sbcglobal.net Pastor Larry Weaver

Love and Unity Christian Fellowship 1840 S. Wilmington Ave, (P.O. Box 5449), Compton 90224 (310) 604-5900, www.loveandunity.org • info@loveandunity.org

Bible Enrichment Fellowship International In Inglewood 400 E. Kelso, Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-4700 • www.bamcm.org Dr. Beverly “BAM” Crawford Morning Worship: 9:30am Tues. Bible Study: 7:30pm Wed. Mid-Week Prayer: 5am, Noon & 7:00pm Wednesday Pathway: 7:00pm Thurs Bible Study: 10:00am Sat Marriage & Family Prayer: 7:30am

Apostle Ronald C. Hill, Sr. Founder and Pastor Live Stream Sunday Worship:10am & 6:30pm Live Stream Bible Studies:Wed.7:30pm&Sat 9am Live Stream Prayer w Apostle: Fri: 9am Food For Your Soul TV Ministry Impact Televison Network: Mon-Fri @6:30amPST KJLH 102.3 Sundays 9:00pm

Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00 am Sunday Bible Enrichment Class: 9:45am Mon.-Thurs. Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday Bible Study: 12:30pm & 7:00pm

Blessed Family Covenant Church 325 North Hillcrest Blvd, Inglewood, CA, 90301 (310)-674-0303 • F: (310)-674-0303 • blessedfamilycovenant.org Rev. Wendy Howlett Sunday School: 8:30am Morning Worship: 9:30am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: 7:00pm

Church of God Center of Hope 9550 Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305 (323) 757-1804 www.go2Hope.com Pastor Geremy L. Dixon Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Wed. Mid-Week Service: Noon Wed. Teaching Ministry: 7:00pm 1st Sunday Communion 5th Sunday Baptism

Faithful Central Bible Church 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave. Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-8000 • F: (310) 330-8035 Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, Ph.D. Senior Pastor/Teacher Services at The Tabernacle: Sunday Services: 7:00am, 9:30am & 11:45am Wed. Mid-Week Service: 7:00pm The Tabernacle is located at 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave., Inglewood www.faithfulcentral.com

Pastor Profile: Rodney Wooten Church: Amos CME How Long at Church: One year Hometown: Los Angeles Family: Divorced, No children Education: Memphis Theological Seminary

L.A. Focus/October 2020

I’m going to start out with a challenging question, between COVID and the protests, how do you minister to young people?

That's a good question. We can minister as we’ve always been doing, but now you have athletes starting to step up to the plate as the role models where that used to be the parents, the elders and the church. The church has taken a back seat. Now, we're trying to step up to the forefront but I believe we should have done this a long time ago.

Do you believe it's too late for the church to engage the youth?

No, but it's going to take some time. The pandemic has hurt. It has not hurt the voice of the church, but it has caused people to refocus their attention. Even though worshippers are now online and Facebook, those are [mainly] adults. You don't see as many youth online.

Is there the fear that because of the pandemic, young people are getting used to the idea of not going to church?

Yes. Sitting at home just causes them to become more distracted. They may chit chat on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram–and that has an impact with young people– but they're not talking about Christ or the church.

Because they don't see faith leaders on the front lines, do you think young people believe the faith community is not relevant to this protest movement?

That's right. If they were to see their pastor out there, it would make a difference. Those who are working fulltime don't have the time to spend to pastor their flock and for many those who are pastors fulltime, there's always a lot going on.

How did you get into the church?

Growing up in South Central I attended Phillips Temple CME. My grandmother, mother, and great grandmother were involved in the church so church became a part of my life. Then when I was approximately eight years old, I had a vision. God told me I was going to be a prophet. At the time, we had one of those old rotary phones and I would pick up the telephone and tell the operator, "I want to speak to Jesus."

The operator said, "Young man, you need to stop playing on the phone." I said, "I'm not playing." And she said, "If you do it again, I'm going to call your parents."

I did it again and she called back and told my grandmother what I was doing. My grandmother then explained to me that anytime I wanted to talk to God, all I had to do was fall on my knees.

32

In high school, I was really involved in our youth ministry. People would tell me I was going to be a preacher.

I finally accepted the call at 18 and became a local minister at Phillips Temple. But then I went off to college and I was playing basketball. I had the opportunity to play in Europe/ Before going, I asked if He would allow me to play professional basketball, I would serve Him until the day I died." And when he opened the door for me to go to Europe, I kept my promise. It's been 33 years.

How long did you play?

I played for three and a half years, hurt my back, returned to Los Angeles. I had two back surgeries, but never could fully recuperate. In 1987, I pastored my first church, Harper Chapel CME, in Lakewood. Then I attended Memphis Theological Seminary where I was president of the student body and received a Masters in Religion and then a Masters of Divinity. Going to seminary really opened up my eyes to what the ministry was about and what I was going to do for the rest of my life.

After that, I began pastoring. Altogether I pastored eight churches over the next ten years.

What brought you back to Los Angeles?

When Bobby R. Best became the 61st Bishop of the CME church, he was assigned Los Angeles. I believed that he was going to ask me to come with him and he did.

Was it always Amos Memorial that the Bishop had in mind for you?

Yes. Ironically, there were only two churches I ever really wanted to pastor– Phillips Temple CME, my home church and then Amos Memorial. My family had warned me not to come to Los Angeles due to the cost of living. I thought they were just joking until I moved here. All I knew was that I had an opportunity to pastor one of the churches I loved growing up.

It's been some time since Amos was in its glory days…

You're right. Before I transferred in, they were in single digits and the homeless had taken over. They have now moved down the street, but it took a lot of challenges in order for that to happen. At one point, I was finding condom. But in one year, I'm happy to be able to report that our membership is up, and the church is getting back to those days and the members are very happy.

It seems as if denominationalism is fading fast particularly in the CME church, is that a concern?

Yes. That's why I don't use Christian Methodist Episcopal. My first Sunday, I said, we are Amos Memorial Kingdom Builders.. I just want the community, neighbors and members to know that we are kingdom builders. At our services I don't say “members of Amos”, I just call everyone family. I want members to have the attitude that anytime anyone walks into our church, they're part of the family and that has really began to work with us, even through this pandemic.

How has the pandemic impacted the church and what are your plans beyond the pandemic?

The pandemic has allowed Amos to flourish. We're averaging over 150 on our teleconference and I still visit my members. We've been able to sustain and do well financially, and have not missed a payment on one bill. So we have really, truly have been blessed.

Why did you opt to do teleconference versus Facebook or some kind of video?

At the time, I had to make a decision and teleconference was quick and easy. I wasn't really familiar with Facebook I really wanted to have a good production, so this was almost like a radio ministry.

If you could say, I've been successful in my role as pastor, what would that look like?

To continue increasing our numbers, to see lives being transformed and seeing kids and young people returning back to church.

What's the biggest obstacle or challenge you've had to overcome and what did it teach you?

The biggest obstacle was transferring in from Texas where I was comfortable to Los Angeles where the culture, racial makeup had changed drastically and a church that was in single digits with no hope. Then to have the pandemic hit right when we were beginning to do well in our attendance. It taught me that is not by might but is by His spirit.

It has taught me that we walk by faith and not by sight.

I could have been so discouraged transferring to a church in single digits with no money in the bank, not knowing the cost of living was too high for me or for them to even help me. Then to have a pandemic where the church had to close and yet we've been over achievers.

What is most important for you to impart to your members?

Just keep your eyes on the prize. Don't look at your challenges as being negative, but as an opportunity, and that on the other side of them, something wonderful is going to be there to bless you.

Churches Adapt to New Worship Norms During COVID-19 Since March, churches around Los Angeles have remained empty as they continue to follow guidelines from the city and state in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Like thousands of others, members of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church’s have been worshipping from home, watching a stream through the church’s website. Recently, however, some members were finally able to say hello in person again.

“We wanted to figure out a healthy way and a safe way to bring everybody back together so we could have worship,” explained Neily Dickerson, a board and longtime member of the church.

In-person services moved to the church’s parking lot for a special event called “Sonday in the Sun.” About 80 people spread across the lot while over a hundred others continued to watch online.

“Everybody was just happy that we were able to be together, able to fellowship, able to see each other at least from the eyes up,” Dickerson recalled. “Even though we weren't able to hug, everybody was like, ‘hey!’ and elbow bumping...Online is good; conference calls are great but the human connection can never be replaced,” she added.

“And so we're doing our best to bring that human worship experience back together, back to fellowship with one another so that everybody can feel like, hey, you know, we're still family and we're still connected.”

SONday in the Sun by Mt. Zion certainly came later than expected. In July, Governor Gavin Newsom reissued shutdown orders as virus cases surged and rose 28% over a span of two weeks. Places of worship were ordered to once again close their doors alongside indoor restaurants, hair salons and gyms, undoing weeks of reopening efforts and squashing hopes at Mt. Zion of returning indoors. In response, Mt. Zion and other churches have continued to modify and adapt to help their communities continue to practice their beliefs and remain connected while also keeping them safe.

To that end churhes like Faithful Central Bible Church, West Angeles Church of God In Christ, First Church of God, Greater Zion Church Family and Bible Enrichment Fellowship International (who occasionally host outdoor “Encounter Services”) may not be opening

their doors until 2021. Bishop Kenneth Ulmer (Faithful Central has already stated that he wouldn’t consider holding public services until the schools are back open.

At City of Refuge, a megachurch in Gardena, services similarly went virtual and social media was revamped and expanded. Staff members also walked senior members through how to create social media accounts to ensure they remained connected to the church. A team was also created that began calling every member to perform wellness checks.

“We do miss the in-person service because of the fellowship, the personal touch,” said Elder Edwin Perry, City of Refuge’s Operational Pastor. “I do know many seniors use Sunday, of course, as spiritual growth, and then also seniors use Sunday as their time to fellowship with their friends because that's often time the one day of the week they have the opportunity to get out of the house and to come into the sanctuary to see familiar faces. So we are just making sure our seniors and those who are home alone are okay, mentally.”

In recognition of the struggles some members might have using social media or other technology, Pastor Mary Minor and her team at Brookins-Kirkland Community AME Church instead have been using FreeConferenceCall.com. It’s a provider Pastor Minor has used for years. When church doors closed on March 15 she realized that conference calls would likely be the most easiest and convenient way for people to congregate.

“Everybody knows how to use the telephone,” Pastor Minor explained.

Pastor Welton Pleasant embraced a talk show format with his Bible studies and Christ Second Baptist Church in Long Beach.

“A lot of churches were trying to do a typewriter ministry in a computer age,” said Pleasant, who serves as president of the 300-member strong, California State Baptist Convention. “They are accessing technology now— they’re stepping up. Even some of our older pastors who are very technologically challenged, I’m seeing them on internet now—on Facebook live. It’s kind of funny, some of the pastors that thought technology was the devil. Now, they’ve actually embraced it, and are really starting to

DIANNE LUGO Contributor

like it.

Under California’s color-coded tier system, which categorizes counties depending on the new daily coronavirus cases and the testing positivity rate (or the proportion of those tested who turn back a positive result), Los Angeles county remains stagnant at the most severe tier: purple.

Los Angeles would have to have four to seven daily new cases per 100,000 residents or 5-8% positivity instead of the more than 7 daily new cases per 100,000 residents or higher than 8% positivity rate currently reported before places of worship could move back indoors. Even then, they’d face restrictions of 50% capacity.

For now, many pastors have enjoyed a bit more flexibility in when they hold services. Some pretape during the week–which for those who commuted–has made live streaming a lot more convenient. Pastors who have several locations have been able to videotape one service that is streamed to other locations at the same time.

Many churches restructured their staffs, beefing up online and cutting out some of the overhead expenses that come with opening their doors, particular with the COVID -19 restrictions.

That’s not a concern for the pastors we spoke with. All of them are more concerned with keeping congregants safe.

“What I have been teaching my congregation is that the physical building is not the church. The church is the gathered believers. This became very abundantly clear when we were no longer allowed to gather indoors and we still remained together as a congregation. And so I believe it became very abundantly clear that you, personally, are the church, that you are the one that carries the word of God with you,” Pastor Minor emphasized.

“It's not the building that counts you know because people have worshipped in the park. Now you have people that are worshiping in their car, worshipping in their home. I think it's broadened that concept of what worship is. It's not the physical building, but it’s gathered believers of like mind coming together to talk about what their God has done for them and will do for them and to offer hope and encouragement to people.”

Left: Dr. Melvin Wade preachers to parishioners at Mt. Zion’s“SONday In The Sun” services; Right: Bishop Charles Blake (West Angeles Church of God In Chirst) streams his service from an empty sanctuary.

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From the Pulpit of: Paradise Baptist Church “Repentant Faith” e've been walking through the 11th Chapter of Hebrews, defining what faith is and then showing by way of scripture what the benefits are to those who put it into practice. Also letting us know with crystal clarity that if we don't put it into practice, it's impossible to please God. We talked about a pilgrim type of faith, a visionary faith, an enduring faith and last week, we talked about a sacrificial type of faith, faith that obeyed God regardless of the cost. People are quick to use the word sacrifice, but often we're not giving God our best. We're giving God the rest.

You can't say you sacrifice when you're not willing to give up your material things.

Sacrifice means you're willing to give it all up understanding that God will make a way because he promised you that He would. listened Abraham and follow God's unbelievable command to sacrifice Isaac, his only son. That’s some faith.

What does sacrifice look like from you? Is it truly sacrifice or is it just to attempt to fool not o n l y yourself, those but you around you’re who trying to profess to be so sanctified in of? front

W

Pastor Darryl Barnes

Remember, God knows your heart.

Today we’re talking about repentant faith. Hebrews 11:20 says, by faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

There's something interesting in verse 20 that I want to point our eyes and our hearts to, as it relates to a repentant faith.

See, Isaac's faith was a faith that believed in the things to come despite sin.

Isaac believed God would fulfill His promises through his sons– despite the selfishness and conniving deception of Isaac’s sons. Jacob was the younger brother who stuck closer to his mother. He was somewhat of a momma's boy. Esau was Isaac's older son, a true outdoors man, like his father. Therefore, Isaac preferred Esau and wanted Esau to receive the greater blessing of God. In particular, he wanted Esau to be the seed through whom God would fulfill His promises of a promised land and a nation of people.

But God had told Isaac and his wife, Rebecca, that Jacob was to be the one who was to receive the blessing and Esau who was the older son would then have to serve the younger son. The Lord speaking to Rebekah spelled it out in Genesis 25:23: And the Lord said unto her, two nations are in your womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from the bowel. And the one people shall be stronger than the other people, and the elder shall serve the younger.”

But when it came time to pass the blessings of God's promise on to his son, Isaac planned to ignore God's will and bless Esau.

(How many times has God spoken to you? How many times has God shown you the next move? And because it didn't line up with what you wanted to do, you ignored the will of God and seek out your own path only to be constantly frustrated as nothing ever lines up).

“And it came to pass that when Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau, his eldest son and said unto him, ‘behold, now I am old. I know not today of my death. Take thy quiver and thy bow and go out to the field

True Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 7901 South Van Ness Ave. Inglewood, CA 90305 (323) 750-7304 Rev. James A. Perkins Sunday School: 9:30am Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 10:45am Bible Adventure Hour (Tues): 6pm Bible Study (Tues): 7pm Bible Study (Thurs): Noon

Antioch Church of Long Beach 350 Pine Ave. ,Long Beach, CA 90801 (562) 591-8778 •www.antiochlb.com Senior Pastor Wayne Chaney, Jr.

In Long Beach

Online Services Stream live: Sunday 10:00 am at antiochlb.com Give: text antiochib to 77977 Social Media: facebook.com/antiochlb instagram.com/antiochlb youtube.com/antiochlongbeach

Christ Second Baptist Church 1471 Martin Luther King, Jr., Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-3421 • Fax: (562) 599-6175 • www.csbclb.org Rev. Welton Pleasant II, Senior Pastor Sunday School: 8:30am Sunday Worship Service: 9:40am Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm Wed Youth & Young Adult Ministry: 7:00pm

and take me some venison and make me a savory meat such as I love and bring it to me that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.’

But Rebekah overheard Isaac's plans to ignore and bypass God's will. So, she plotted with Jacob to deceive her husband and have him pass the blessing on to him.

You’ve got to remember, Isaac was blind.

So, as Jacob went near unto Isaac, his father. Isaac felt him and said, ‘The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau and he discerned him not because his hands were hairy as his brother’s.

Isaac gave Jacob a chance to tell the truth saying, “Art thou my very son Esau?”

And Jacob said, “I am”.

Isaac then says, “Bring in near to me and I will eat my son's venison and that my soul may bless thee.’ And he brought it near to him and he did eat. And Isaac, said unto him, ‘Come near now and kiss me my son.’ And he came near and kissed him, and Isaac smelled the smell of his raiment and blessed him and said, “See, the smell of my son is as the smell of the field, which the Lord has blessed. Therefore, God gave thee of the dew of the heaven and the fatness of the earth and the plenty of the corn and wine. Let people serve thee and nations bow down to thee: be Lord over thy brethren, and let the mother's son bow down to thee. Cursed be everyone that curses thee and blessed be he that bless thee.”

When the deception was discovered, Isaac refused to reverse the blessing, turning away from his own desires and eventually doing God's will. Genesis 27:33 reads that Isaac trembled exceedingly and said to his favored son, Esau, ‘where is he that has taken venison and brought it to me and I have eaten it all before thou came in and have blessed him ,and he shall be blessed.’

The point is this: Isaac's faith was firm about the future despite sin. At first, Isaac was unwilling to do as God had said, and his son Jacob set out to secure God's blessing by deception. Jacob was unwilling to wait upon God. He felt that he had to help God out, even if it meant lying and deceiv-

ing others.

That's the word for someone today.

Don't allow this world we live in– even your own plans– to speed up God's plans for your life. Don't allow lying, deception, backbiting…all these negative things to put you on a path where you think you need to help God out because what's going on does not line up with your plans.

Remember that in the end, Isaac repented. He believed God and ended up doing God's will. He could have easily reversed his blessing, but after the deception was brought to the table, he remained faithful to the promises of God. What are you saying, preacher?

What I'm saying is even when you make a mistake, it's not too late to tell the Lord, I'm sorry and I'm going to end it there if you give me another chance. I know you’ve got plans for your life, but God's way is the best way.

Isaac believed in the promises of God. He believed in the promised seed of God and the promised land of God. He never saw the promises fulfilled, not during his life here on earth, but he died as a man of faith, as a man who’d repented, and that's a man who did God’s will.

Luke 13:3 says, “I tell you, no, but except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.”

Acts 3:19 says, “Repent, therefore, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the almighty God.” II Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.”

I don't know who I'm talking to, but Isaac’s faith was a repentant kind of faith.

I encourage you today if there’s somebody you need to say I'm sorry to, you better get it in before it's too late.

Isaiah 55: 7 says, “Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his Rev. unto God and He thoughts, let him returnReginald Pope will have mercy upon him and to our God for He will abundantly pardon them.”

Christian’s Community Center of Los Angeles 3960 E. Gilman Street, Long Beach, CA 90815 (562) 597-3252 Senior Pastor Thom Washington Live Stream Sunday Service: 11:00am Wednesday Night Prayer: 6:00pm Sunday Bible Class: 9:30am Sunday Afternoon Services: 4:00pm (2nd & 4th Sunday) Wednesday Prayer: 6:00pm Bible Study Wednesday 7pm

Grant AME Church of Long Beach 1129 Alamitos Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 • (562) 437-1567 grantamelb@aol.com • www.grantamelb.org Rev. Dr. Michael W. Eagle, Sr.

Family of Faith Christian Center 345 E. Carson Street, Long Beach, CA 90807 (562) 595-1222 • F: (562) 595-1444

First United Methodist ChurchCompton 1025 S. Long Beach Blvd •Compton, CA 90221 (310)639-0775•F: (310) 639-1161

Sun. Worship Experience: 10:45am 3rd Sun. Healing & Anointing: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 6pm Mothers of Murdered Youth & Children Where all receive a little attention, affection and love.

Bishop Sherman A. Gordon, E.D. Min

Dr. Arnetha E. Inge, Pastor

Sunday School: 8:00 am Morning Worship: 9:00 am

Sunday School: 8:30am - 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship: 10:00-11:45am TONGAN Worship:1:00pm(2nd&3rd Sundays) Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: 7:30am & 6:30pm

Gospel Memorial Church of God In Christ 1480 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-7389 • F: 562-599-5779 • gospelmemorial@aol.com Bishop Joe L. Ealy Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Wed. Intercessory Prayer: 7:00pm Wed. Pastoral teaching adults: 7:30pm Wed. Youth Ministry Boot-Camp; Youth Bible Study: 7:00pm & Choir Rehearsal: 7:30pm

Greater Emmanuel Temple 3740 E. Imperial Highway, Lynwood, CA 90262 (424) 296-0400 •www.greateremmanuel.org

In Lynwood

Pastor Nissan Stewart Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00am Wednesday Prayer: 6:30pm Mid-Week Refuel/Bible Study: 7:00pm (Wednesday) Follow us: @GETFamilyNow The Greater Emmanuel Temple App Available in App Store

Walking In The Spirit Ministries Double Tree (Sonoma Grill) 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk CA 90650 (213) 248-6343 P.O Box 1597 Norwalk CA,90651 Tim & Leshia Brooks

In Norwalk

HealthWatch: Commentary: How Prop. 14 could help find therapies and cure that might save millions of lives

Morning Worship: 11:00am Services Held Every 2nd & 4th Sunday and Free Breakfast Is Served Bible Study: 8:30am (Every 5th Friday)

Arise Christian Center In Westchester 6949 La Tijera Blvd. Suite C,Westchester, CA,90045 (310)568-8445•F: (310) 568-8430 • Arisechristiancenter.com Pastor Ron Taylor Morning Worship: 9:00am & 11:15am Bible Study Wednesday: 7:00pm Intercessory Prayer Tuesday : 7:00pm Intercessory Prayer Sunday: 8am - 8:45am Thursday:11:30am-12:30pm

For more information, call

310.677-6011

L.A. City Council continued from page 6 ing a possible eviction can make the difference between the tenant being able to rely on the rights that had been established in our city ordinances and state legislation or not,” said Ann Sewill, the general manager of the city’s Housing and Community Investment Department (HCIDLA). “It can make the difference between having the ability to find a new apartment and move or homelessness.”

An average of 15,000 people in Los Angeles face evictions every year, but the situation has become more dire due to the financial repercussions of the pandemic.

Those facing eviction notices during the pandemic can visit: hcidla.lacity.org or call 866-557-7368 for more information.

Although the program will debut later this year, renters will be able to seek legal information now if they are being threatened with an unlawful eviction during the city and state moratorium.

L.A. Focus/October 2020

Pastor continued from page 22 importance of Black men participating in this year’s election, and the voting process in general.

Goode, who works with NAACP’s L.A. chapter, has made it a priority to register Black voters and has hosted voter registration events in areas like Santa Monica.

“It was so difficult to get young, Black men in between the ages of 18 to 35, to impress upon them how important it is to vote,” Goode explained. “We’re committed to getting the Black male vote out. We’re here to support.”

Without being part of the voting process, Black people are subject to the rules and confines of individuals who may not have their best interest at heart - something Rev. Smart says the community can no longer afford.

“Voting is our opportunity to get in the game and say, ‘Hey, I’m participating.’ Force them to make public policy that affects us, we the people,” Rev. Smart expressed.

“When you vote, you’re helping the marginalized, the vulnerable and the disenfranchised. You have a right to vote.

Exercise that.”

Dr. Walker Jr. discussed the importance of educating young, Black men early so they’re able to make wise decisions when voting and set themselves up for success in their daily lives. 100 Black Men L.A. mentors young men through several initiatives including their Young Black Scholars program.

“It’s important that our young people be able to look up and see that we’re involved,” Dr. Walker Jr. said. “In that program we stress mentoring, education, health, wellness and economic empowerment.”

The SCLC is also collaborating with 100 Black Men and Black Men Voting for their own voting initiative

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created the basis for more to come. But, if California voters do not pass Proposition 14, many promising treatments and cures may end here.

For the millions of Californians who live with a chronic disease or condition, this may be their last hope; advancing medical progress to fight devastating and lifethreatening diseases and conditions is an urgent matter and should not be put on hold.

In California, cancer is the second leading cause of death throughout the state. It is estimated that this year alone, more than 170,000 new cancer cases will be identified, which will ultimately lead to over 60,000 deaths in the state. Furthermore, in San Diego County alone, over 50 percent of the deaths are associated with either cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or lung disease – accounting for billions of dollars spent on these prevalent chronic diseases by individual families, businesses and California taxpayers.

California cannot afford not to fund Proposition 14.

Through funding Proposition 14 we can seize the opportunity to continue finding therapies and cures that could potentially save the lives of millions.

Our initial investment has made us a leader in the field of stem-cell research. Our investments in infrastructure, training and equipment alone have turned our state’s universities and institutions – including UCLA, USC, City of Hope, Cedars-Sinai and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles – into epicenters for stem cell research, creating a reality where stem-cell research has the greatest potential to advance lifesaving and life-changing cures.

The passage of Proposition 71 helped save my life. It is unimaginable to think that Californians would vote to discontinue this amazing effort – I don’t know where I would be or what condition I would be in if it wasn’t for the investment Californians made nearly two decades ago.

I know firsthand the possible treatments that Proposition 14 could bring to your life or the life of someone you love. So join me and the growing coalition of more than 80 patient advocate organizations, hundreds of leading scientists and physicians, Nobel Prize winners, senior elected officials, the California Democratic Party and University of California in voting yes on Proposition 14.

Dillon is a California resident and cancer patient who is now in remission.

that encourages Black people to vote in October through mail or early voting sites. Rev. Smart says they are also working to emphasize the importance of the census.

The panelists stressed the necessity of being educated on the voting procedure, as they differ in each state, and starting early if you’re voting by mail due to the recent concern over U.S. postal service efficiency.

The paid social media campaign for Black Men Voting is now active and every Tuesday a new celebrity-led advertisement will be released. Blackmenvoting.org will also remain updated with voting-related content.

Kelvin Sauls continued from page 10

All of us know a family member, a friend or a loved one dealing with a chronic disease or condition – and in some instances that person may be ourselves. That was the case for me nearly two decades ago when I was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer called myelofibrosis.

Upon learning of my cancer diagnosis, I was left feeling helpless, afraid and searching for answers about how this disease would affect my everyday life, what I could do to fight it, and how much time I had left to live.

It is because of California’s forward-looking leadership in passing Proposition 71 in 2004 – hoping to find treatments and cures for chronic diseases and illnesses – that has allowed me to still be here today. Proposition 71 established the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to fund stem-cell research and treatment development. It’s this initiative that led to an U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved cancer treatment that saved my life.

This November, California voters will have an opportunity to pass Proposition 14 to continue the journey to save lives from chronic diseases and other conditions including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, COVID-19 and more.

Since the creation of CIRM, California has made great progress on advancing research and treatments for more than 75 chronic diseases and conditions that affect millions of Californians every day. On average, it takes 12-15 years for new discoveries to progress from the lab through clinical trials; even then, a small fraction will gain FDA approval. CIRM has defied those odds. The average CIRM grant is less than 7 years old; yet, CIRM funding has led to more than 90 clinical trials and two FDA-approved lifesaving treatments for previously fatal forms of cancer, with more on the way.

While many clinical trials are still in the early stages, a few examples of the remarkable success stories include cancer patients (like me) who had exhausted all other treatment options. I am now in remission, type 1 diabetics have begun producing insulin, quadriplegics are regaining upper body function and blind patients are regaining their sight.

Many of these trials are on track to result in additional FDA-approved treatments over the next few years, and CIRM’s nearly 3,000 published medical discoveries have

before it disrupts more Black families. We can stop the driver called unfair rent increase in its tracks before it disrupts more Black families. We can stop the driver called unfair rent increase in its tracks before it destabilizes more Black communities. Voting yes on Proposition 21 by mail by October 20th or in-person by November 3rd and help keep families–particularly Black families–together in their homes!

"If you pour out yourself for the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness..." (Isaiah 58:10)

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SavingGrace Koryn Hawthorne he was just 17 years old, but with a step out on faith, Koryn Hawthorne made a decision that would forever alter the course of her life when she auditioned for the NBC hit singing competition, The Voice. That she made it on the show was little surprise to those who had witnessed her talent as a child and who’d long declared her God-given gifts would take her far. And while they were not surprised when she was selected by vocal powerhouse Christina Aguilera–and then subsequently saved by Grammy-winning, hitmaker Pharrell Williams– they did not know just how far those talents would take her.

Over the next three months, the show’s nearly 14 million viewers would come to know the depth of her talents as well. The studio version of her live performance of “Make it Rain” by Foy Vance went to number 3 on iTunes’ top 10 list and debuted at number 84 on Billboard’s Hot 100, and she was twice saved by the public after near-elimination.

Performing songs from the likes of Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson and James Brown, Hawthorne’s powerful vocals impressed not only the public but the judges as well, with Maroon 5 singer and judge Adam Levine saying she had a “drastic, incredible, unbelievable journey.”

But what impressed some most about Hawthorne was her gospel convictions.

Defying the perceptions of most 17year old musicallygifted teens who opt for secular m u s i c , Hawthorne– who’d been cut from American Idol for deciding to sing a gospel song after the producers had told her not to–once again chose to sing a gospel song in the semi-finals.

She admits that she was unsure if she could do gospel music because she didn’t see anyone who was singing about God and who sounded like her, on the m a i n s t a g e .

Fortunately, Williams saw how special her walk with God was, even

L.A. Focus/October 2020

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“I was like whatever you want me to do, I will do it. If he wanted me to be Beyonce, I would’ve done that. But he didn’t want me to be Beyonce. I’m grateful because I don’t think I realized how special it was at that time. To be brought up the way I was brought up and know God the way I know Him and on a platform like that when she didn’t see it just yet.

“Pharrell was my coach on ‘The Voice’ and encouraged me to not change. He thought it was super dope that I wanted to do inspirational music,” Hawthorne said. “Our relationship was so amazing because he has a Pentecostal background and we talked throughout the course of the show about God and how he was raised.

“I was like whatever you want me to do, I will do it. If he wanted me to be Beyonce, I would’ve done that. But he didn’t want me to be Beyonce. I’m grateful because I don’t think I realized how special it was at that time. To be brought up the way I was brought up and know God the way I know Him and on a platform like that.”

In a business notorious for challenging the artistic integrity of those who want to “make it,” Hawthorne is grateful for God’s protection at the very beginning of her career. She finished the competition in fourth place and found a lifelong mentor in Williams. Hawthorne was ready to embody the vision that the industry may have wanted for her, but Pharrell and even record executives knew how authentic and powerful her voice for God was and he encouraged her to pursue a career in gospel music even when she received the opportunity to take the secular path.

Born in Abbeville, Louisiana, the 22-year-old grew up singing in church where an overseer predicted that her talent would be seen by the world, but she also admired more secular artists.

“I grew up listening and singing Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin. I definitely didn’t feel like there was a place for me,” she explained. “But ultimately, it’s God and through my prayers, my mom’s prayers, for God to continue to orchestrate every step of my life…that’s always what it was for me.”

Hawthorne released her first album, “Unstoppable” in 2018 and reached number 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart. The album’s hit single, “Won’t He Do It” reached number 1 on three of Billboard’s main gospel charts and has over 6 million streams on Spotify. In a rare feat, her first complete body of work earned her two Grammy nominations, an NAACP Award, Stellar Award, Billboard Music Award and two Dove Awards, amongst numerous other nominations.

These days, Hawthorne is proud to be bringing the gospel to a new generation who may not connect with the traditional, religious route, and happy that God has surrounded her with a strong team for support.

“This is where I am and I’m happy about it,” she states emphatically. “I see the plan of God over my life and I see how now I’m influencing a whole generation

that feels like they’re different. I know my purpose in God is great, so that drives me to dream even bigger.”

Indeed, by all accounts, she’s just getting started. The powerhouse vocalist released a new album, “I Am” on September 18 and its lead single, “Pray” has already reached number 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Digital Song Sales chart.

The entire creative process for the album was laidback, with the recording of the project being completed in only two weeks. The team didn’t go in with a plan but instead allowed God to flow through the music.

“It allowed God to come in and do what he wanted to do, and it also allowed our natural gifts and talents to come through. It was so organic and authentic and that’s what people can expect to hear, the authenticity,” Hawthorne explained. “It’s raw and pure. It’s encouragement all around the board. I’m so excited for people to hear it, especially in these times, because of the pandemic, because of what we’re going through. I think we need strength.”

God’s grace is what’s pulling Hawthorne through a difficult point in time for the entire world. Amid the global pandemic, she’s had to rework the marketing strategy for her new album. With the restrictions, she’s been filling up her spare time with cooking, finding new T.V. shows to watch and spending time with her family. The singer’s relationship with God has also grown with all the introspection.

“It’s causing us to see Him for who he is outside of church, outside of religion, outside of those things,” she said. “As much as I’m sure people would love to go to the altar call right now, you can’t. You have to read God for yourself.”

More than anything, she wants her new album to be a comfort and source of inspiration for people struggling during this uncertain time.

“I feel like people right now need strength and I think that’s what this album is. Hopefully with this album, it helps people to feel that. I want it to be used as a tool.”

In fact, the vocalist is more than willing to push boundaries in her music if it means helping others.

Every time I went into the studio, I just talked about how I feel,” said the Abbeville, Louisiana native. “I’m never going to stop being authentic. If it’s something that I’ve been through, we’re going to talk about it because my whole thing is about helping other people. There is someone else who’s going to go through that, and they need to hear it. That’s all I can ask for.”

For the now 22-year old Grammy nominated artist, it’s all about God’s grace. “(Saving Grace) means everything to me. I boldly talk about how imperfect I am and a lot of times, I think we feel like we beat ourselves up more than what God is doing,” she notes. We’ve all made mistakes and have done things where we feel like God is not even looking our way and that’s not true,” she said. “I am so grateful that no matter what I do, he has a plan over my life, and he can restore.”

“His grace is sufficient enough, anything that you could ask for. There’s nothing I could ever do to be enough to deserve what he has given me. That’s what the gospel is about, we don’t deserve it but it’s Jesus, because of his sacrifice, because of what he’s done. The grace of God is unbelievable and I’m grateful for it every day.”