L.A. Focus On The Word September Issue 2016

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September

L.A. FOCUS

2016

L A F O C U S N E W S PA P E R

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Church News: Long Beach Church Sets Out To Reshape Public Policy PAGE

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Inside Hollywood: Eddie Murphy’s Back PAGE

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SEE PAGE

Controversy surrounding sB1146 Ignites Tension Between Members of the Black Church Community and the California Black Caucus SEE PAGE

Saving Grace Deborah Joy Winans

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contents

L.A. Focus Publication

September 2016

Left;Supervisor Ridley-Thomas, LA City Council member Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Special Needs Network President/Founder Areva Martin acknowledged Southside Coalition of Health Clinics National Community Health Center Week at annual back to school event;(Middle): Actor Clarence Williams(left) along with Dr Chantiste Beal(center) at Jordan High Athletic Hall of Fame dinner honoring inductee Alan Oliney(right); Right: Merge Summit co-founder Holly Davis-Carter (l) and Traci Blackwell (r) pose with this year’s honoree, Dr. Bill Winston at the recent Merge Summit in Los Angeles

Commentary

5 From The Editor Hillary & The Bradley Effect

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Upfront

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Will The Nate Parker Controversy Crush Oscar Hopes and Threaten the Box Office Success of His acclaimed “Birth Of A Nation”?

Upfront Extra

Injuction Against Vaccine Law Shot Down In Court; Cosby Case Inspires Legislation Removing Time Limit in Sex Crimes

Head to Head Headlines From Africa Money Matters

Trump & The Black Vote

Faith Based Entertainment Has Wings

Biz News Briefs On The Money

Big Off The Court Moves For LeBron

Cover Story Battle Heats up for Black Church embroiled in SB1146 Controversy

staff

Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Staff Writers

Dorinda Walker: Didn’t Believe She Lived To See 21st Birthday

Lisa Collins Stephen Oduntan

Olympics Star Simone Biles; Eddue Murphy Is Back; T.I.& Mike Epps Star In New Comedy

Photographer Advertising Editorial Assistants

Bishop Kenneth Ulmer - Faithful Central Bible Church

Larry Elder, Dawn Strozier Jeannie Jones, Emma Gannon Ian Foxx Kisha Smith Leatha Davis Jamara Bernard, Elise Gray

L.A. Focus–On the Word, is published monthly.

Address all correspondence to: L.A. Focus, 333 W. Florence Ave., Suite C333 Inglewood, CA 90301 • (310) 677-6011 Fax: (310) 677-2338 Subscription rates $25.00 per year.

Copyright, January 1995 by L.A. Focus :uscripts/photographs are not accepted, nor shall any responsibility for them be assumed.

Correction:The Church of Christian Fellowship was incorrectly credited with the sermon for July 2016. The sermon should have been credited to Mt Moriah Missonary Baptist Church.

With Dawn Strozier

Deborah Joy Winans

Tyler Perry

2016 MTV Video Music Awards

Donnie McClurkin Long Awaited Album,Israel Houghton Pops The Question,J.J. Hairston Launches Label

Christ Second Sets Out To Galvanize Community To Reshape Public Policy Towards Black Community;#PUSH 100 Holds Second Annual Gathering;Another Move For Maranatha

Barbara Howard - Israel Baptist Church

Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Bishop Joseph Walker will be in Los Angeles on October 23, to speak at Southern Missionary Baptist Church as part of the church’s month-long Shepherd’s Celebration.

Pastor Jamal Bryant

advisory board Napoleon Brandford Pastor Beverly

Contributors

From The Pulpit Jake Smollett

Kobe Bryant To Invest $100 million

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25 13 In Good Taste Calendar/Around LA 28 14 Finding Your Pretty Inside Hollywood 29 18 One On One 30 Saving Grace Red Carpet Style 19 Eye On Gospel 21 Church News 22 First Lady Files 23 Pastor Profile 24 Through The Storm

Crawford Marc T. Little

Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co. Bible Enrichment Fellowship International Church Law Offices of Marc T. Little

honorary advisors Bishop Charles Blake Bishop Noel Jones Paradise Baptist Church Dr. Aaron D. Iverson Southern MBC Rev. Xavier L. Thompson F. A.M.E. Church Dr. Cecil Murray Faithful Central Bible Church Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Rev. Melvin Wade Mt. Zion MBC Rev. E.V. Hill II West Angeles C.O.G.I.C.

City of Refuge

Cover Design: Laweta Crawford, Upscale Media

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Commentary

Kerman Maddox Guest Columnist

Hillary & The Bradley Effect

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attended the recent Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia which by all accounts was a huge success for Democrats in general and Hillary Clinton in particular. It started off shaky with the email controversy surrounding former Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz but ended on a high note with Hillary Clinton becoming the first woman to accept the nomination from a major political party in America. We all know about the extraordinary speeches by Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton, President Obama and Hillary Clinton but the arena was especially riveted by emotionally charged remarks from previously unknown speakers like Reverend William Barber and Khizr Khan, the father of a Muslim US Soldier killed in combat fighting for America. Unlike the Republican Convention in Cleveland, the Democratic Convention speakers were as diverse as the United Nations, positively upbeat and unafraid to praise nominee Hillary Clinton.

If you’re a supporter of Hillary Clinton like I am, you’re excited about the campaign on many levels. The optics of the convention were impressive, the potential power of message carriers like Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton, VicePresident Joe Biden and President Obama are unlimited and the organization is tight evidenced by the quick pivot out of the convention where the Clinton/Kaine ticket immediately campaigned in Pennsylvania & Ohio, two key battleground states with significant number of white working class voters.

Peace was restored with most Sanders supporters and Hillary’s speech exceeded expectations.

On the surface the campaign looks well positioned to win in November but lurking underneath is an angry mob of white voters drawn to Trump’s candidacy because they’re fed up with Immigration, Gay Marriage, the emergence of Black Lives Matter and other movements they believe threaten their way of life and their economic well-being.

Trump speaks their language and has tapped into their anger and their fears.

Don’t be confused, they’re some really pissed off white voters and they’re motivated by Trump’s racially charged rhetoric and no doubt will turn out in large numbers to support him. What I don’t know is the breadth and depth of this anger, the number of closet Trump supporters and its effect on polling in this election. Is polling in this race really accurate?

Could there be a Bradley affect in this election? The Bradley affect essentially posits that due to social desirability some white voters give inaccurate or politically correct answers to polling questions for fear they’ll be labeled racist. This happened in California’s Governor’s race in 1982 where polls indicated Mayor Tom Bradley, an African American was comfortably ahead of his white opponent on election day but lost because white voters lied to pollsters and the polling turned out to be woefully inaccurate.

You ask what does this have to do with Clinton & Trump when both candidates are white. Hillary Clinton is viewed by many angry white voters as being on the wrong side on such cultural hot button issues as Immigration, Gay Marriage and the rise of Black Lives Matter, whereas Trump is viewed as the champion of angry whites who are xenophobic, can’t get ahead in life and blame minorities for their misfortunes.

I’m not convinced Trump’s support is limited to poor, uneducated white people, I think his positions resonate with more white voters than people believe. It makes me wonder if there is a hidden reverse Bradley affect in play with white voters during this election cycle. Are current polling numbers accurately reflecting the true level of support for Trump’s candidacy? How many closet Trump supporters are really out there?

With so many white voters still upset about a President Obama, angry about their government, frustrated by changing demographics and disappointed about their place in life, the political environment seems ripe for election uncertainty. While the Clinton campaign seems well positioned today, I’d caution her supporters not to take anything for granted and be very mindful about hidden Trump supporters motivated by xenophobia because I believe their numbers are larger than people think.

Kerman Maddox is Managing Partner of Dakota Communications, an original member of President Obama’s National Finance Committee and AtLarge/Super Delegate to the Democratic National Committee. He can be reached at kerman@dakcomm.com.

From the Editor

LISA COLLINS Publisher

Will The Black Church Take Its Seat At The Table?

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were the mystical and religious heads, divine or sacral rulers, considered the reflection of God's rule in the universe with titles such as "saviour", "child of God", "chief of divinities". Rulers, therefore, were not ordinary men and women; instead in many cases, they symbolized the link between God and man.

Nelson Mandela once said that ‘social transformation cannot be separated from spiritual transformation’.

All that to say that the church’s involvement with politics did not start with the civil rights movement and Dr. King, but is, in fact, an historical alliance.

And this issue of L.A. Focus ironically enough explores the possibilities, from church news and the spotlight on two local pastors working to change policies affecting black people to the Nate Parker controversy to our feature story on page 10 and a sermon taken from the pulpit of Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer in the wake of the fallout over the SB1146 controversy.

Kudos to Bishop Ulmer for standing up for the church and to all the others pastors willing to go toe-to-toe in lock step aside him in the reclamation of a power that all too often goes unused and unrecognized.

A black church united excites me. Just imagine the possibilities. Think of what collectively can be done to not only change policies and insure that our voices are heard and concerns addressed, but to the impact their positive influence can have on the next generation of leadership —even in the areas of entrepreneurship, partnering with corporations bringing financial education, advice and opportunities to the church.

“At one time we were producers, and not just consumers,” said Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray, who in 27 years as pastor of First AME grew his congregation into an 10,000plus megachurch while establishing programs that increased jobs; established housing opportunities for low-income residents, and funded investments into his community.

“Now we’re consumers. 40% of the Cadillac sales, but we don’t make the product. 39% of hair product sales, but we don’t make the products like Madame CJ Walker used to do. The dollar turns over one time in the black community, it’s spent and its gone, as compared to five times in the white community and the Latino community, seven times in the Korean community, 12-18 times in the Jewish community. In a capitalist society, you have to be producers as well as consumers. The church has to help our people to once more return to being producers.”

As another good pastor friend of mine—Rev. Mark Whitlock of Christ Our Redeemer— says, “It’s not enough for the church to prepare somebody for heaven. The church must begin to make heaven on earth.”

Keep the faith.

L.A. Focus/September 2016

ho has the most land, the most votes and the most liquid cash in the black community? Well that would be the black church.

And whose leaders impact hundred with their words and often the programs they forge in the community? You guessed it, black pastors.

While it is easier seen in churches like West Angeles and Faithful Central or First AME, the truth is a great many more churches impact the lives of not only their parishioners, but communities surrounding their churches with their programs that address everything form the basic necessities like food and clothing giveaways to computer literacy, mentoring and job development.

Unfortunately, the fact that the black church has the most land, the most money and the most votes is a point often lost on the black church.

That is until moments like the one you’ll read about in our feature story on page 8 where the black church takes a stand in the fight against SB1146 and calls out those in power who are not addressing their concerns.

It is in these moments that we see not only its true power, but even more it’s truest potential.

Fact is, at its best, the black church could have changed the face of Los Angeles and its policies, and I only use past tense because as the demographics change and more and more blacks move out of the city, the potential impact the church could have is changing.

But when you consider the number of votes it took to get elected officials into office in cities like Los Angeles, Inglewood and Carson, you’ll understand what I mean.

Consider that Marqueece Harris-Dawson was elected to the Los Angeles City Council with just 5,891 votes and Nury Martinez of the sixth district with 5344 votes.

First district City Councilman George Dotson was elected in 2013 with 1,271 votes in Inglewood and Culver City Mayor Jeff received just 2,569 votes in 2014.

With the membership numbers of some of these mega churches, not only can they help vote people out of office, but just as surely, they can vote them in. Never mind separation of church and state, which was at the heart of the issue in the black church’s recent battle over SB1146.

For me, the church having a seat at the table of “all things Los Angeles—is a nobrainer.

And historically, it’s anything but far-fetched—be it Biblical or historical. In approximately 4 B.C., King Herod The Great consulted his spiritual advisors on the birth of a child (Jesus) feared to one day rival him. Not surprisingly, the church was a defining institution of the Roman Empire and in 1534, King Henry VIII declared himself to be head of the Church of England.

In many traditional African societies, rulers were not simply political heads: they

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UpFront Will The Nate Parker Controversy Crush Oscar Hopes and Threaten the Box Office Success of His critically acclaimed "Birth Of A Nation"?

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ctor, filmmaker Nate Parker is facing a firestorm of criticism after recently opening up about an alleged rape case that he was acquitted of in 2001. Parker is director of the highly anticipated film “The Birth of a Nation,” an emotional portrayal of the freedom fighter Nat Turner, who led a rebellion that killed over 55 whites.

While a student at Penn State University in the late 1990s, he and wrestling teammate, Jean Celestin (the film’s co-writer) were charged and tried for the rape of a white classmate. Both Parker and Celestin maintain the sexual encounter was consensual. The accuser claimed it was not consensual because she was severely under the influence of alcohol. Although Parker was acquitted, Celestin was found guilty. His conviction was later appealed, and the prosecution overturned the case.

Conversations began heating up after Parker, 36, addressed the incident in an interview with Variety. He explained to the entertainment publication that, 17 years ago, he “experienced a very painful moment in my life. It resulted in it being litigated. I was cleared of it. That’s that.

Seventeen years later, I’m a filmmaker ...I have five beautiful daughters. I have a lovely wife. I get it. The reality is…I can’t relive 17 years ago. All I can do is be the best man I can be now.”

This admission garnered Parker strong adverse reactions around Hollywood and on social media, particularly after it was reported that in 2012 Parker’s accuser committed suicide.

Some have posted they will not support the film due October 7. Others criticized Parker’s lack of sensitivity and empathy towards sexually abused women. “You collaborated on a rape 17 years ago, and now you pull [Celestin] in to make this film together,” says Kamilah Willingham, a campus-assault survivor featured in “The Hunting Ground” a documentary about incidents of sexual assault on college campuses. “I’m trying to picture a way this could turn out in which the film can still be celebrated. I can’t.”

Legendary actor and activist Harry Belafonte questioned the timing of the allegations resurfacing in the media. “It’s interesting because it’s coming out the same time the film’s coming out. Of all the stories you can tell, why are you telling this story?” asks Belafonte in an interview with the Associated Press.

Though Parker is having to contend with being labeled a rapist, Belafonte is calling him “a very bright man,” and the

upcoming film he directs and stars in “a winner.”

Fact is, the film received immediate Oscar buzz at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year with Fox Searchlight purchasing the rights for a record $17.5 million, reportedly the richest deal in Sundance history.

Parker, known for his work in “The Great Debaters” and “Beyond the Lights” is being denied a press conference at the Toronto International Film Festival. A festival spokesman told reporters, “That’s definitive, it’s definitely not going to happen.” However, Fox Searchlight confirmed that Parker will address the media in a “press junket” at the festival and be joined by cast members Armie Hammer, Aja Naomi King, Gabrielle Union and Penelope Anne Miller.

“

The way you kill the message is you try to smear the messenger.

All I want to know is what is the standard? Is the standard now that you can take an almost two decade acquittal and beat him down and deny him the Oscars, but it’s alright for others who’ve done crazy stuff to be Oscar material?

”

Taking ownership of the controversy’s resurgence, the father of five girls and husband of a Non-African American wife, is hoping the film can create a platform for conversations about injustices not only in race relations but wherever it exists, especially among women survivors of sex abuse.

“Healing only comes from honest confrontation,” Parker said. “I was introduced to sex a certain way and I relied on that in my adolescence. And that type of male culture, that type of hyper-masculinity where your manhood is determined by how many women you get to say yes…its destructive…I was a dog. It was wrong. I hurt a lot of women.

“Whether it’s at a barbershop talking about getting girls or on a train hollering at a girl, we need to change the conversation about how we respect women, and I’m taking the weight for that. I’m not running from that.”

On August 16, 2016 Parker posted candidly on his Facebook page further

News Briefs GERALD BELL Contributor

explanation and sentiments about the criticism overshadowing his upcoming film’s release. “I write to you all devastated…”, he posts. “These issues of a women’s right to be safe and of men and women engaging in healthy relationships are extremely important to talk about, however difficult…And more personally, as a father, a husband, a brother and man of deep faith, I understand how much confusion and pain this incident has had on so many, most importantly the young woman who was involved. I just learned that the young woman ended her own life several years ago and I am filled with profound sorrow…”

Parker admits this moment is teaching him many lessons and insist that it is bigger than any court system. “It’s that saying, Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” he recites. “The reality is our issues are much more complex - they’re systemic and the only way to deal with and address systemic injustice is through solidarity and action. I encourage people to have conversations about his film when they leave...I just hope that when you watch the film you are compelled to have an opinion to talk about it and do something within your circle that will stand against whatever that injustice is that you see.”

The jury is still out on whether the film will suffer at theatre box offices next month. Fox Searchlight is planning to bring “The Birth of a Nation” director and his film to colleges across the country for open talks about slavery. Critics are urging Parker to add campus sexual assaults to the discussion.

The American Film Institute has cancelled a scheduled screening of the movie that included a Q&A with Parker.

But Rev. Al Sharpton, who believes that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the right-wing media are trying to use the incident to prevent the historical narrative about a slave uprising from being shown—says he has put the Academy on notice and would be monitoring opening of the film.

“The way you kill the message is you try to smear the messenger “All I want to know is what is the standard? Is the standard now that you can take an almost two decade acquittal and beat him down and deny him the Oscars, but it’s alright for others who’ve done crazy stuff to be Oscar material?”

In the meantime, Parker has said, “I ain’t perfect but I’m going to keep on trying to expand myself, to be a better man—to be a better man of God.”

L.A. To Pay $200 Million Settlement Los Angeles will spend over $200 million within the next decade because the city failed to provide affordable housing for the disabled.

The Los Angeles City Council agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by disability-rights groups who said apartment units built in the city with federal and community development funds aren’t accessible to people with disabilities. The city must ensure at least 4,000 of its affordable housing units meet accessible standards required by federal law, according to the agreement.The payout comes after City Hall leaders last year agreed to spend $1.3 billion to settle a lawsuit brought by disability groups who sued over the city’s crumbling sidewalks.

In some cases, wheelchairs can’t navigate narrow corridors or reach kitchen counters in the complexes, attorneys said. Such regulations are required under federal law in projects funded with federal money or overseen by city agencies. “The $200 million agreement is the nation’s largest accessibility settlement involving affordable housing”, said plaintiffs’ attorney Michael Allen. The deal sends a “strong, positive message to cities all over the country that their housing programs must be accessible,” he said. The lawsuit targeted about 700 housing projects across the city, attorneys’ said.

New Bill Addressing Prostitution

by Minors A bill that would decriminalize prostitution for minors has passed the California legislature and has been sent to the governor SB 1322, which was authored, by State Senator Holly Mitchell will stop the criminalization of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) victims by preventing children under the age of 18 from being charged with prostitution, subsequently allowing htem to get help without classifying them as criminals.

If passed, once a minor is suspected of soliciting prostitution, law enforcement, as mandated reporters, shall immediately report any allegation of commercial sexual exploitation to the county child welfare department.

California is one of the three major human trafficking hubs in the United States and under current law, a person under the age of 18 years old is a minor and cannot legally consent to sexual intercourse.

Any person who engages in sex with a minor victim, knowingly or not, has committed statutory rape. Under current law a victim can be detained in juvenile hall and prosecuted for prostitution. In 2014, SB 855, a budget trailer bill, was signed into law by Governor Brown. This bill allocates $14 million in funding split between CSEC training for county workers and foster care workers; launching and continuing the “Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Program” which provides counties with funds for prevention, intervention and services for CSEC victims.

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Injunction Against Vaccine Law Shot Down in Court

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ith the new school year in full swing across the Golden State, a lawyer for a group of families seeking an injunction against a new law mandating all K-12 students be vaccinated before heading into the classroom, said his clients children will not be able to attend public or private schools. Last year, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 277 among impassioned debates about whether parents had the right to stop a 10-shot immunization cocktail from being administered to their children before attending school. Attorney Jim Turner said the kids of the dozen clients he represents won’t be in classrooms while their suit against Senate Bill (SB) 277 continues. “The lawsuit could carry on for a period of time,” he said to the media, “with motions and counter motion and activity.”

Turner’s words came on the heels of U.S. District Court Judge Dana Sabraw's denial of a preliminary injunction against SB 277 sought by the dozen families and two foundations set on repealing the vaccine law. Sabraw wrote that California lawmakers have “a long history of requiring children to be vaccinated as a condition to school enrollment, and for as many years, both state and federal courts have upheld those requirements against constitutional challenge.” In mid-August, Sabraw heard testimony in his downtown San Diego courtroom. In their testimony, a coalition of law firms and advocacy groups focused on issues such as religious liberty, holistic health and individual choice in their challenge to the vaccine law, the main provisions of which took effect July 1.

The coalition argued the law diminishes a student’s fundamental right under the U.S. Constitution to get a classroom-based education with peers.

SB 277, which came in the wake of a nationwide measles outbreak linked to guests at Disneyland in December 2014, requires the parents of kindergartners and seventh-graders to prove their children have received the government’s mandated set of vaccinations before enrolling in school.

The measure only allows doctors to grant an exemption for medical reasons.

Religious and so-called “personal belief” considerations are no longer valid exemptions from being vaccinated in order to attend public or private schools and daycare facilities.

Activists across the state and around the country have mobilized against the bill for various reasons, including some who say immunization shots like those for measles, mumps and rubella—known as MMR—are a health risk to youth and can cause medical conditions such as autism. One such opponent is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention senior scientist Dr. William Thompson, who now disavows a vaccine safety study he co-authored in 2004 because it omitted data. “The omitted data suggested that African-American males who received the MMR vaccine before they were 36-months-old were at increased risk for autism,” he said in a 2014 statement by his attorneys.

“Decisions were made regarding which findings to report after the data were collected, and I believe that the final study protocol was not followed. I

MCKENZIE JACKSON California Black Media

want to be absolutely clear that I believe vaccines have saved and continue to save countless lives. I would never suggest that any parent avoid vaccinating children of any race.”

New York attorney Kimberly Marie Mack Rosenberg, one of the four lawyers who jointly filed the suit against California, said this case presents different circumstances, arguing the state is shifting the government’s duty to provide a free and equal education to parents.

She said the law paints often healthy students and their parents in a bad light because they object to vaccination due to their families’ medical history.

Proponents of the law include California Department of Justice lead attorney Jonathan Rich, who argued in the San Diego hearing that the vaccine law is intended to promote the rights to an education of every child in the state so they can be educated in a healthy and safe environment. At that hearing, the state’s legal team noted several vaccination cases elsewhere in which judges have ruled that states are not obligated to extend personal-belief exemptions to families.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson strongly supports vaccination, noting that “It’s the law in California, and it’s the right thing to do for public health,” in a California Department of Education press release.

“Early reports indicate school districts are doing a great job of reminding parents that they need to submit vaccination records for students entering kindergarten and seventh grade.”

Cosby Case Inspires Legislation Removing Time Limit In Sex Crimes

Last month, two more women came forward with allegations that ailing comedian Bill Cosby sexually assaulted them, bringing the grand total to 60 women. A Pennsylvania court ruled that Cosby, 79, will have to stand trial in the rape case against former Temple University women’s basketball official, Andrea Costand, but no date has been set. A pretrial conference is slated for this month.

In the wake of the case against Cosby, Gov. Jerry Brown will decide whether or not to sign legislation on his desk that will eliminate California’s 10-year time limit to bring rape and child molestation charges to court. However, the measure, unanimously approved by the California Senate, would apply only to crimes committed in the future. It would not allow Cosby accusers to seek prosecution for sexual assault they say he committed decades ago.

Cosby has repeatedly denied the allegations made by dozens of women around the country.

Democratic Sen. Connie Leyva of Chino says victims should always have the opportunity to seek justice after such violent acts. Civil rights groups and public offenders opposed SB 813, saying the bill does not address the root causes of victims failing to report sex crimes.

L.A. Focus/September 2016

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Head to Head: Trump & The Black Vote ho would have thought Trump and all but inevitable that the education that Donald Trump, of of black children will be sacrificed in Blacks all people, would be the public schools, wherever addressing the fact that the black Democrats are in control. community suffers the most from a breakRepublicans have nothing to lose by takdown of law and order? But sanity on racial ing on the teachers' unions, which donate issues is sufficiently rare that it must be more than 90 percent of their money to welcomed, from whatever source it comes. Democrats. Again, Republicans may not When establishment Republicans have win a majority of the votes of even those addressed the problems of blacks at all, it parents who have children in the public has too often been in terms of what ear- schools. But that is where any inroads into marked benefits can be offered in exchange the black vote can for their votes. And there was very little begin. that Republicans could offer to compete Here, as elsewith the Democrats' whole universe of wel- where, a journey of a fare state earmarks. thousand miles must Law and order, however, is not an ear- begin with a single marked benefit for any special group. It is a step. That step should policy for all that is especially needed by include appeals not law-abiding blacks, who are the principal only to black parents victims of those who are not law-abiding. with children in sucEducation is another area where some- cessful charter Thomas Sowell thing needed by all segments of the popula- schools, but also the tion is especially needed by blacks and larger number of black parents on waiting other low-income minorities. In other lists for charter schools, and anyone else in words, here again there is no need for a the black community who understands that divisive policy of earmarked benefits to at- a good education is the key for the next tract new voters into a "big tent." No mat- generation to advance. ter what policy Republicans follow, they’re The black vote has not always been a not going to win a majority of the black monopoly of the Democrats. From the time votes this year, nor perhaps this decade. of Abraham Lincoln to that of President Nor is that necessary. Just an erosion of Herbert Hoover the black vote was the Democrats' monopoly of the black votes Republican. Even in the depths of the can benefit both Republicans and the black Great Depression of the 1930s, the black community, who are currently taken for vote was one of the few that went to granted by the Democrats. Republicans President Hoover in 1932. may also get more white votes if they are no Even after President Franklin D. longer seen by some as racists.

Roosevelt won over black voters in FDR's Education is a slam dunk issue for 1936 landslide, Republicans continued to Republicans trying to appeal to black par- get a significant share of the black vote ents with school-age children, as distin- over the next 20 years. But not in recent guished from trying to appeal to all black elections. voters, as if all blacks are the same.

Someone on CNN said that if Trump Education is an issue with little, if any, were serious about wanting the black vote, down side for the Republicans, because the he would address groups like the NAACP. teachers' unions are the single biggest That was in fact a big mistake that even obstacle to black youngsters getting a President Reagan made. decent education — and among the biggest Blacks voters are not the property of the donors to the Democrats.

NAACP, and need to be addressed directly Among the few signs of educational suc- as individuals, over the heads of special cess for low-income minority children in interest organizations that have led blacks the public schools are the KIPP and into the blind alley of being a voting bloc Success Academy charter schools. But taken for granted far too long. teachers' unions are bitterly opposed to Whether other Republicans will reincreases in the number of such schools, think their approach to attracting minority and Democrats do what the teachers' voters is a big unanswered question. unions want, because money talks.

Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the As long as blacks vote automatically for Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Democrats, while the teachers' unions Stanford, CA 94305. His website is insist on getting their money's worth, it is www.tsowell.com.

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Headlines From Africa Benin: Authorities in Benin have made a formal request to its former colonial master, France, to officially return its cultural property. 5000 pieces of Beninese arts are in the French museums.

According to reports, 90% of major African classic art are out of Africa.

Central African Republic: As part of the concerted international effort to fight against violence in the Central African Republic and combat the nation’s involvement in an illicit ivory trade, the U.S. Treasury has imposed financial sanctions against two sons of Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army, a Central Africa rebel group. In addition to freezing their assets, Americans re prohibited from doing business with them.

Congo: Two Hutu women were dragged from a minibus before being lynched and their bodies burned as ethic tensions flared in the region dominated by members of another ethnic group.

Hundreds of civilians have been killed in massacres across eastern Congo.

Ethiopia: Olympic marathoner Feyisa Lilesa did not return to Ethiopia after winning a silver medal in Rio and gesturing in protest against the killings of the Oromo people (his Tribe). He told reporters that his relatives were in prison and that he feared he might be killed or imprisoned if he returned. At press, his whereabouts werer unknown.

Malawi: To help control alcohol abuse among underage youth—and frustrated that the country has failed to enforce the Malawi National Alcohol Policy, which would reduce alcohol consumption— concerned groups are calling on government officials to ban alcohol.

Mozambique: Peace talks between Mozambique’s government and opposition forces were suspended as the two sides failed to agree to a ceasefire and end the fighting that has killed hundreds of people. Negotiations were set to resume on September 12. Both sides have been asked to refrain from violence.

Rwanda: Joining a global “pedestrianization movement” where cities around the world are experimenting with car-free days, Rwanda’s capital city of Kigali is banning cars one day a month. It is just one of the measures officials have adopted to make Rwanda one of Africa’s cleanest and most developed nations. On the last Saturday of every month, those 18 - 65 are expected to

uicide Squad was a pretty suicide squad, led by terrible movie that a whole The GOP Hires Washington, D.C., insider and lot of people saw. A group Black ‘Suicide P.R. whiz Telly Lovelace, the of criminals, thugs and Squad’ to Save RNC’s national director of psychopaths are brought togethIt From Trump urban media and AfricanAmerican field engagement. er by shadowy government operThe team is tasked with the impossible: ative Amanda Waller (played by Viola Davis) to take on the jobs that no one else Sell the Republican Party to black voters would ever take. Dirty jobs. Dangerous in the era of Donald Trump. This mission jobs. Jobs where your chance of survival is is tougher than just finding a way to make less than zero. If the team makes it? Trump palatable to black voters, someGreat, they live to thing akin to convincing a vegan to add fight another day. If the bacon Double Whopper to his diet.

This move comes with real political it all blows up and goes left shark, then consequences. Earlier this year, there was they’re out of luck; no a mass exodus of the entire Africanone is coming to get American outreach team at the RNC. While each person had his or her own reathem.

The Republican Party sons, an overarching theme in many of the just put together a resignations was the challenge of trying to “suicide squad” of figure out a life after the Trump campaign.

After over a year of violent racist rhetJason Johnson black political consultants and gave oric, if Trump loses (and maybe even if he them an impossible task: Save the party doesn’t), many black politicos feared going (and the world?) from Donald Trump back to their home districts and having before he destroys everything. Is the the stench of the Trump campaign sabosquad up to the task? The Root talked to tage their political futures. Bell, however, newest member Ashley Bell, who was just hired as part of a team trying to sell the hired by the Republican National Donald to black voters in swing states Committee as senior strategist and with only about 90 days left before the national director of African-American election, doesn’t seem concerned.

“This is part of a continual process to engagement, to see what his chances are.

“I want to address the pressing issues beef up [outreach] to the black communiin the black community and connect those ty,” says Bell when I ask him whether his to policy. Like fixing a failed criminal-jus- hiring is too little, too late. He goes on to say that his goal is really to give Africantice system,” says Bell.

If there was ever a man tailor-made for American voters a choice in 2016, especiala political suicide mission, it’s Bell. ly in down-ballot races that no one may be Charismatic, intelligent and savvy, he had paying attention to, given the big names at a bright future as an elected official in the top of the ticket: “Telly [Lovelace] Georgia: He was a Democratic National could use some help, so [RNC] Chairman Convention delegate from Georgia in 2004 [Reince] Priebus brought in some reinand was elected commissioner of Hall forcements. The effort will continue to County, Ga., in 2010. Then he switched grow. Everything we’re doing is past the parties during the Tea Party fervor of election.”

When I spoke to Lovelace, he was 2010, a move that he believed in in his heart, even if, to many, he was writing his amused by the notion that this new team is the GOP “suicide squad,” saying, “It’s own political obituary.

Bell has survived, however, as a suc- the final stretch of the campaign; this is a cessful lawyer, a power broker in GOP cir- great time to add new people. There’s lots cles and one of the founders of the 20/20 of work to do.” Besides, Lovelace doesn’t Leaders of America, a bipartisan group of see himself as leading a group of desperate black elected officials dedicated to improv- outsiders; he’s continuing a legacy of biging and reforming the criminal-justice sys- tent expansion that the GOP needs in tem. He has something to fall back on order to survive.

“I always saw myself more as a Batman should the mission go awry.

Bell joins a ragtag group of black guy,” he says. (To be fair, Batman has Republican veterans and strategists been willing to work with some shady (Elroy Sailor and Shannon Reeves) in the Pulpit continued to page 26

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A look at current news from the continent of Africa help clean the streets, trim bushes, or repair public buildings.

Senegal: Officials hope a new campaign, “Feeding the Senegal by Senegalies” will help to free the nation of its dependence on rice imports, while extending areas producing rice that are already in existence. The country hopes to achieve self-sufficiency by next year.

Sierra Leone: Calls to end the controversial practice of female genital mutilation came in the wake of the recent death of a teenage girl due to the procedure, which was part of initiation rites for the Bondo, a powerful society that carries out the practice and wields significant political clout. Sierra Leone has the one of the highest rates of FGM in the world, with nine in 10 women and adolescent girls undergoing the procedure, according to UNICEF. Somalia: Late last month, militant gunmen raided a beach restaurant in the Somali capital of Mogadishu frequented by Somali government officials and foreigners. Ten were killed and 20 hostages were rescued in the attacked that started with the detonation of a car bomb.

Swaziland: Over 98,000 Swazi maidens registered to participate in an annual traditional chastity rite called Umhlanga. The annual ceremony created in the 1940s in Swaziland is to preserve the women’s chastity before marriage, serve the Queen Mother, and strengthen solidarity among the women as they work together. The maidens display culture and tradition as they sing and dance for the King (King Mswati III) who chooses a new wife at the end of the ceremony.

Zambia: Attending a church service last month, President Edgar Lungu announced that he will re-introduce a Ministry of Religious Affairs,— an office that was established under late President Frederick Chiluba. The purpose of the action will be to re-affirm Chiluba's declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation.

Zimbabwe: Last month, a coalition of 18 opposition movements—including one led by ousted vice president now opposition leader Joice Mujuru— united to organize one of the largest demonstrations in recent years to demand reforms ahead of the national election in 2018.

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MoneyMatters Faith-Based Entertainment Has Wings

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od does not slumber you cannot slumber either.” - Cary Solomon, Writer (God’s Not Dead, God’s Not Dead 2) Variety’s Purpose: The Family Entertainment & Faith Based Summit turns five. No longer a trend, family and faith-based entertainment continues to expand its audience, making it difficult for television and movie executives and studios to ignore its box office draw. During the 5th annual PURPOSE: The Family Entertainment & Faith-Based Summit, hosted by Variety and Rogers and Cowan, attendees had the opportunity to gain valuable insights from pioneering leaders at studios, networks, digital media, and brands that are succeeding in family and faith-based entertainment across multiple platforms. This day-long panel included discussions for creative talent — directors, producers, and actors — that seek to create, finance and market their own content and learn the best ways to connect to today’s audiences.

Even with their successes, industry professionals struggle to target faith-based moviegoers. Unlike films with superstar casts and directors attached, these films have not attracted the same attention or funding until now. However, many say it’s still an uphill battle, especially when it comes to marketing: “We have to remember when you’re making a movie, a lot of consideration goes into that. The studios are hesitant to provide a budget on a smaller movie. We have to find a unique way to market our movies,” Carly Solomon, writer of God’s Not Dead, shares passionately. “If the Apostles were alive today, do you think they’d go around from town to town spreading the gospel? No. They would

have really cool Facebook pages.

We need to find different and unique marketing ways.”

It’s been widely discussed that Devon Franklin, producer of the Sony Pictures film Miracles from Heaven, flew to churches around the country to market the film.

The picture was made for $13 million and grossed over $73 million worldwide.* In this instance, Franklin knew who his audience was — and he went to them. The church plays an indelible part in placing these films in the hearts DeVon Franklin and homes of the right audiences.

Pastor Toure Roberts of One Church of L.A. agrees that the church needs to be a part of this process.

“I think if Jesus was born today, as a storyteller he would be a screenwriter, because he was all about influence. He was all about stories that was connected to people,” Toure says. “So, I think that faith-based content and faith leaders being involved in the creative process is paramount.”

Indeed a shift is being witnessed in the entertainment community, which one would think would open the floodgates of prosperity. Even with the 2015 prayer-focused hit War Room, which cost $3 million to make and grossed $67 million, the gatekeepers are still not buying into the market value of faith-based content. When it comes to financing, Matthew Malek, Producer of Martin Scorsese’s Silence says, “You have to have leverage. You must control great intellectual property that can attract a great director or actor — or you’re not going to get anywhere. If Money Matters continued to page 27

On the Money Big Off The Court Moves Lebron James is done with year-to-year contracts, making it official mid August, with the team announcing that James has signed a new multiyear contract that will net him $100 million over the course of three years.

James will pocket $31 million in the first year of the new deal, making him the highest-paid player in the NBA for the first time in his entire career. His salary for the 2017-18 season will top $33 million, making him the highest-paid player in a single season in league history and exceeding Michael Jordan’s earnings of $33 million with the Chicago Bulls in the 1997-98 season.

Over the past two years, James had accepted oneyear contracts from the Cleveland Cavaliers with player options. Eager to be with his hometown team, James opted for a longer deal with the Cavs this summer.

The 31-year old forward led the Cavs to a championship this past season, marking the first championship for one of the city's three professional sports teams since the Browns won the NFL championship in 1964.

In what was an historic season, James averaged 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists, and looks to do just as well this upcoming season to defend the Cavs NBA title.

Biz NewsBriefs Kobe Bryant To Invest in $100 Million venture

Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant recently made business news with his partnership with Jeff Stibel in a $100 million venture capital fund that will invest in technology, media and data companies. Jeff Stibel, a longtime entrepreneur and investor, was introduced to Mr. Bryant by a mutual friend. The two have been invested in 15 companies since 2013, but only after Mr. Bryant’s retirement from basketball have they decided to formalize their relationship and fund. They’ve named their firm

Bryant Stibel and will be based in the L.A. area.

Both men are contributing the $100 million—which they expect to invest over the next few years—and aren’t seeking outside investors yet. Current investments include sports media website The Players Tribune, video game designer Scopely, legal-services company LegalZoom, and a home-juicing company called Juicero.

Rainbow PUSH Global Automotive Summit Refocuses on Ethnic Minority Growth

Next month in Detroit, Rainbow PUSH will host its 17th Annual Rainbow PUSH Global Automotive Summit and more than 500 automotive executives, entrepreneurs, suppliers, dealers, consumers, government and elected officials, advertising agencies, automotive manufacturers and media outlets from across the automotive spectrum participate in discussions focused on improving inclusion for ethnic minorities in the automotive industry.

The theme for this year's conference is Refocusing Diversity on Ethnic Minority Growth highlighting the

inconsistency between the inclusion we envision and what is practiced. "As groups served by inclusion initiatives have grown, the dollars allocated have not and African Americans are increasingly shut out of growth opportunities," remarked Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

"Emerging from the recession, we have witnessed the erosion of ethnic media, advertising agencies, suppliers, dealers and a shrinking ethnic employee base. During this year's Global Automotive Summit, we will PUSH the reset button,” Jackson continued. We will examine the diversity commitments we share to ensure they are meeting their original intent – to correct historic exclusion and to close opportunity gaps."

According to research, more than one-third of vehicles are purchased by ethnic buyers each year. During the Global Automotive Summit, attendees will participate in discussions with automotive executives, industry experts and researchers and speakers will share data, trends and strategies to thrive in the new automotive marketplace.

L.A. Focus/September 2016

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Controversy surrounding sB1146 Ignites Tension Between Members of the Black Church Community and the California Black Caucus

STEPHEN ODUNTAN Staff Writer n the wake of mass opposition from religious groups, colleges and black churches to SB1146—a bill that infringed on religious freedoms and would have compelled religious colleges and universities receiving state money comply with California’s anti-discrimination laws or risk lawsuits —the author of the bill, State Senator Ricardo Lara (of Bell Gardens) removed what many viewed as its key provision last month, thereby amending the controversial bill.

If left in, that provision would have meant that not only would religious schools have to provide housing for same-sex married couples and allow students to use bathrooms based on their gender identity, but as pointed out by Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer—speaking on behalf of the Interdenominational Action network, a coalition of six churches representing approximately 100,000 voters, including Faithful Central Bible Church, City of Refuge, Holman United Methodist Church, West Angeles COGIC, Crenshaw Christian Center and Citizens of Zion—thousands of students would be denied eligibility to Cal State Grants.

The recipients of Cal Grants make up an estimated 30 percent of the student body at some religious schools, the majority of them being first-generation and minority students.

For many, the amendment of the bill by Senator Lara, who is openly gay, was the victory they were looking for.

The Association of Faith-Based Institutions, who’d reportedly raised $350,000 welcomed the amendment as a positive development.

Jon R. Wallace, DBA, President of AFBI and Azusa Pacific University released a statement that read, “We share the senator’s care and concern for LGBT students and believe that the disclosure requirements contained in the newly amended bill will further ensure that students select a campus community that is right for them.”

Others, like Randy Thomasson of SaveCalifornia.com, take a different view.

"SB 1146 was a very, very bad bill and is still a bad bill today," said Thomasson. "If the watered-down SB 1146 passes and imposes new mandates on Christian colleges -- including putting a target on them by reporting them to the State for any student expulsions based on these faith-based colleges' moral standards -- the Democrat author of the bill intends to next year bring back the lawsuit provision to financially harm religious colleges. An old Arabian proverb warns not to allow a camel's nose under a tent. The SB 1146 situation is even

I

“

I believe this fight is an opportunity for the church to display its strength, influence and impact—an opportunity for the church to awaken out of its state of slumber, rise to the task at hand and show all her influence and lasting impact.

We are as powerful as we have ever been. However, we must be as relentless and tenacious as those who oppose us. The difference is we will be display unprecedented courage in the context of civility, compassion and unconditional love.

—Pastor Xavier Thompson

”

worse because the camel is fully planning to topple the tent and trample its inhabitants. Voting for this amended bill invites a full SB 1146 in the future”.

But that battle took yet another turn when while in Sacramento, Marc Little, a minister on staff at Faithful Central Bible Church, left a letter in the offices of the state’s black elected officials, in which he took great exception that “no one from the Black Caucus or the Appropriations Committee has spoken out to protect the rights of students where more than 16,000 students, many of whom are black and Hispanic students, rely on

Cal Grants and who desire (and have the right to desire) training from a religious institution without interference from this legislative body.”

“Your freedom as legislators to be irreligious, in many cases, and our freedom to exercise our faith is a constitutional right and no legislature will take that right away from us without significant challenge now and in the future,” Little went on to state in the letter.

“Let my presence here be a constant reminder that we are watching and praying that this legislative body will not test our resolve in the future to preserve our freedom to exercise our religious beliefs in our schools, universities and in our churches.”

The content in the letter infuriated Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer’s chief of staff Joey Hill so much that he anonymously left a scathing message on Pastor Little’s voicemail containing profanity-laced words, mocking Little’s legitimacy as a man of the cloth.

“I don’t know how you could call yourself a pastor after you write this “ridiculously hateful letter… You’re either stupid, ignorant, or evil. What’s wrong with you?

You have the nerve to cite history...and Leviticus. Read your bible over again and find some love in your heart you [explicit] [explicit].”

But Hill couldn’t avoid fate dictating how events would unfold and as it happened, someone recognized his voice.

Little believes Hill provided a rare and valuable glimpse into the minds of elite political circles typically good at hiding their real thoughts.

“His vile message on the voicemail has sparked renewed vigor among the faith-based community to fight against [Senate Bill 1146] and any other bill that compromises our freedom to exercise our religious beliefs, schools, universities and churches,” Little said.

In a separate incident during what was labeled as a “religious freedom bus ride” to Sacramento, some members of the church delegation were said to have allegedly questioned the faith of one of Assemblymember Autumn Burke’s staffers who happens to be gay.

Burke later slammed Bishop Ulmer in an open letter, posted on her Facebook account.

“Dear Bishop Ulmer, 'So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.' Matthew 5:11 “My integrity and that of my colleagues have been called into question for supporting SB 1146. But what integrity is there in promoting segregation and hostility towards the LGBT community?”

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Burke’s letter also accused Faithful Central Bible Church members of starting trouble in front of Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer’s office by exclaiming, "I don't want my sons and daughters to be taught to be homosexual."

Burke added, “As a black woman and mother, I simply refuse to stand idly by while hate and segregation are encouraged.”

Burke is among five of the California Legislative Black Caucus that voted for SB 1146 over the course of the bills gradual alteration in the Senate. The other lawmakers include Senator Isadore Hall, Senator Holly J. Assemblymember Chris Holden, Mitchell, Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer Sr., and Assemblymember Shirley Nash Weber.

“Every election cycle, politicians court the black vote, said Ulmer, who although acknowledged some protestors did get confrontational, but insisted the group responsible were not from Faithful Central Bible Church, pointing out that there were several groups in the Capital that day.

“Joey Hill,” says Little, “made a personal error but at the same time he exposed what I believe is the thinking of a greater part of that body as evidenced by the bill that they voted for that is anti-church.”

Little also called Burke’s version of events factually problematic.

“The statements made by Assemblywoman Autumn Burke regarding our recent church visit to the Capital do not fully reflect our understanding of what occurred on that trip. Bishop Ulmer and Reginald Jones-Sawyer met regarding these recent and unfortunate events; Ms. Burke was not available. We are aggressively seeking resolution not only for our church (a constituent of Ms. Burke's) but also a faith community that was broadly disrespected by her actions.”

Hill has since reached out to Little and apologized for the angry voicemail.

“I’m willing to take responsibility for my actions. My message was over the top and profane,” he said, while maintaining that the church delegation, “never wanted to lobby,” said Hill. “They wanted to be confrontational.

The reality is if you’re a minister, you can’t be hateful or bigoted. Some of us have been fighting for civil rights for 30 years.”

Not so say members of that faith community, who take offense to accusations of their harboring anti-gay sentiments simply because their viewpoint differs from LGBT activists. This notion is misguided, to put it mildly, Ulmer says.

“Our movement is against SB 1146 to the degree in which it infringes upon our religious beliefs,” said Ulmer.

“If this bill goes to its logical conclusion, Christian schools cannot hire someone based on their adherence to biblical, philosophical beliefs.”

He believes the extension of the bill will eventually dictate to pastors and Christian leaders what they can

and cannot do within church circles.

“Just as the LGBT community are contending for a particular constitutional position, we likewise are doing the same in the faith-based community. It boils down to religious rights as deem so by the constitution.”

Asked whether he was troubled with Burke’s letter that alleges Faithful Central members made off-color remarks about a gay staffer, Ulmer dismissed the charge.

“If I had an issue with her, I’d have called her personally. She should have called me and arranged a meeting.

We could have settled or discussed our differences faceto-face.”

Ulmer emphasized it would be far more appropriate to have kept their differences out of the public eye.

K.W. Tulloss, the pastor of The Historical Weller Street Missionary Baptist Church, believes there’s an apparent disconnect between the church and policy makers.

“I don’t know what their religious beliefs are but it does not appear to be reflective of the African-American community,” he said. “I don’t believe religious institutions should be subjected to legislation that could rock the very foundation of what those very institutions are built upon.”

SB 1146 proponents assert the bill would close a loophole that allows faith-based institutions to discriminate against LGBT students.

“This is an important bill because it’s embedded in our nondiscrimination laws that no entity that is the recipient of state funds should be discriminating on a wide variety basis including race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion, said Executive Director Equality, California Rick Zbur, a lawyer with a long history of advocacy for LGBT causes.

But “the bill,” Ulmer pointed out “is focused on Christian schools. Our issues are not so much about gay rights, but rather it’s about our rights.

“We have a right to protest. We have a right to disagree. We have a right to take a stance, and we certainly have a right to stand on our biblical principles and beliefs.”

Few have wanted to stand against the powerful LGBT lobby. With his opposition to SB48 a bill compelling California schools to teach LGBT history in 2011, Rev. Xavier Thompson, pastor of the Southern Missionary Baptist Church and president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Southern California, found out first hand what the LGBT lobby was capable of.

“I was viciously and unjustly attacked, with my message distorted by those who were short-sighted —those who took what I did and turned it into me being homophobic, a bigot, hateful and spiteful, which is the antithesis of who I am and what I preach,” Thompson said. “The unfortunate thing is we live in a day whereby the church is being attacked and labeled unjustly just because we stand on Biblical conviction.

“Anyone who takes a stand for traditional societal norms and fundamental Biblical principles is attacked by progressives for being outdated and out of step, when we believe our charge is to stand by the timeless principles that transcend culture.

When Thompson first heard about the bill and the ensuing controversy, he thought, “Here we go again.”

“But”, said Thompson, “I believe this fight is an opportunity for the church to display its strength, influence and impact—an opportunity for the church to awaken out of its state of slumber, rise to the task at hand and show all her influence and lasting impact. We are as powerful as we have ever been.

“However, we must be as relentless and tenacious as those who oppose us. The difference is we will be display unprecedented courage in the context of civility, compassion and unconditional love.”

“I believe that we can coexist with our freedoms intact,” says Apostle Beverly “Bam” Crawford, of the Inglewood-based Bible Enrichment Fellowship Church.”

“The faith community has been attacked consistently with hate and discrimination because there’s a broad brush stroke against all Christians as if were against someone.

“That said, I don’t believe that the church can afford to be passive when it comes to this bill because of its dangerous implications. Myself, being a chancellor at Bible Enrichment School of Theology, I have to come to understand how important it is to shape the future generations in foundational truth.

“My prayer is that the church will come together, step up and be the voice that we are supposed to be by informing the congregants of bills like this and other bills that infringe upon our freedoms.”

Little hopes to do just that with the establishment of www.faithwatchonline.com and not just with SB1146, but with the full range of issues and public policy affecting the church and its parishioners. That, he and many others, feel is the fullest potential of the black church, whose historic advocacy has had a profound impact on the lives of African Americans.

“There are some who don’t like the church trying to change the status quo,” Reverend Mark Whitlock, Senior Pastor of Christ Our Redeemer AME and director of USC’s Cecil Murray Center For Community Engagement told L.A. Focus in 2014.

“They want the church to remain silent because all we’re supposed to do is get people prepared for Heaven, feed the poor, clothe the naked, provide housing for the homeless. But don’t talk about politics. Don’t talk about poor public policies.

“Some people believe that the church is supposed to stay in that little box. Well, those individuals who believe that don’t know the Bible. Because The Bible speaks of us setting the captives free.

“The Bible speaks about us changing public policies.

And that’s what we’re to do.”

“

His vile message on the voicemail has sparked renewed vigor among the faith-based community to fight against [Senate Bill 1146] and any other bill that compromises our freedom to exercise our religious beliefs, schools, universities and churches...

”

Marc Little

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Through the Storm Dorinda Walker Didn’t Believe She Lived To See Her 21st Birthday...

Today, she’s a successful black female executive in the insurance industry.

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he serves as Vice President of Consumer Strategy & Key Initiatives, Multicultural Marketing at Prudential Financial, Inc. and if her title is big, that’s because her mission—of getting people to think legacy and wealth creation through programs like the Titans of Industry Financial Series, Empower U Financial E-Learning Courses and #WomenInspired workshops — is even bigger.

With the role has come a multimillion dollar budget and the distinction of being a high ranking black women executive at a leading financial services corporation. But if Dorinda Walker looks like the picture of success, there was a time when she didn’t believe she’d live to see her 21st birthday and it is that story that makes her rise to the top as compelling as her success.

Her childhood was marred by physical abuse and parents who were both drug addicts. Shuffled between grandparents and family members, at the height of her abuse, she went from the honor roll to failing and was told she would never amount to anything. Despite scoring in the top tenth percentile scholastically, she was nicknamed, “duke” for her constant fighting.

It wasn’t until she was 14 and her father was released from jail, that she was removed from the abusive home she shared with her mother and her mother’s boyfriend.

“I thought it was going to be the happiest time of my life,” Walker recalls. “My father was my everything because he took me out of that abusive situation, but six months later, my father got diagnosed with AIDS. “I was a lost soul. My mother was still in an abusive situation with her boyfriend and I didn’t want to go back to that, so I rebelled and ended up dropping out of school, selling drugs and hanging out with the wrong crowd.

“I was so angry,” Walker continues, “that I never went to my father, who must have been hospitalized at least 20 times with AIDS. Then on Saturday, April 9, 1988, he told me all the things a father would want to tell his daughter and that he wouldn’t make it through the week.”

Admitted to the hospital that Sunday, her father died the following day. Dorinda was just 16 years old. If that wasn’t bad enough, shortly after her Dad died, her mother disappeared. Severely depressed and guilt-ridden, she subsequently tried to kill herself twice.

“The second time, I bought a 20 on 20 off the street, which was a high dosage of pills,” Walker states. “I took those and it was only the grace of God [that saved me]. My cousin— who never came to see me—happened to come to my apartment. I was unconscious— almost dead. They rushed me to the hospital and had to pump my stomach. I ended up in a psych ward for six weeks.”

Even after her release from the hospital, she remained intent on committing suicide “At this point, I’m staying with my grandmother and grandfather, and I felt hopeless,” Walker says. “This time I knew to take my grandmother’s blood pressure medication. I had it all planned, but my [deceased] great grandmother came to me clear as day. She had white flowers around her head and she said God sent me to tell you that you’re not responsible for your father’s burdens and that God has a bigger plan for you.’”

That was the end of Walker trying to kill herself. Instead she got a job in a hospital.

““I still didn’t know what I was supposed to do, but I knew I should be doing something positive,” the East Orange, New Jersey native confesses. “Then weeks before my 18th birthday, I’m walking from the projects with some friends to a club in Newark. Fur coat, Guccied down and a detective stops us, threw me on the wall and starts frisking me. The voice of God said, ‘You’re going to be 18 in two weeks, what’s it going to be?’ That night I called my aunt who’d always believed in me and said you need to come get me.

That’s when I began a path toward healing and started taking the steps I needed to build a new life and viable career.”

Despite her newfound resolve, it wasn’t until she met her husband a year later that her life truly began to change.

“The day he met me, he told me I was somebody special, that he saw something great in me, and that I could be anything,” Walker said. “He’s the one who told me to go back to school to get my GED, so while he worked at night, he would stay home with my daughter by day so that I could go to school. He always encouraged me to go after the jobs I wanted, even when I didn’t think I was qualified. And for the record I’ve never been qualified for any job I’ve had on paper.”

Walker’s path to success began at a home health care agency, whose revenues she would take from half a million dollars to over $3 million a year, but having just given birth to her second child, the job proved too stressful and demanding.

Instead, she took a temporary job at Prudential that would lead to a full-time position in “life marketing.”

Though she had no marketing experience, she got the job. Two executives she did a project for commented to her vice president that she was a great project manager and asked what was being done to develop her. With that, the VP took Walker under wing, giving her strategic initiative projects and ultimately asking her to manage the team. After taking Walker as far as she could, she told her about a life insurance development program opening up and suggested she apply.

“I was one of three that got accepted,” says Walker, “and the only one that graduated. From there, I went to business development, brokerage marketing, and then to finance.”

Elevation came with each new position and then she found what she felt was her mission.

“I always had a passion for diversity and kept hearing the same thing — that Prudential doesn’t do a good job marketing to people who look like us,” Walker reports. “But instead of just talking about it, I wrote a proposal as to why we should focus on multicultural markets and what the opportunity could be. I presented it to two executive sponsors and they endorsed it.

“I reported to this person at the time who didn’t really believe in the faith-based market and didn’t want to focus on the African American market. My first budget was $100,000, and when I said I wanted to put all of it into T.D. Jakes’ Megafest, that person said, ‘I’m going to sign off on it, but just know you’re going to get fired.’

“Well, that person is no longer with the company and I got promoted. That person didn’t know what I knew: that the will of God will

love jones

never take you where the grace of God won’t keep you.”

It’s a message Walker shares at speaking engagements throughout the country. A message that resonates with women who have waited for up to an hour to talk with her after hearing her speak and to tell her how much her story has affected them.

“My story could be an inspiration to anyone who’s struggling with their circumstance,” she notes. “I’m an overcomer because I succeed in spite of. And that’s what I want people to do—to succeed in spite of —not just survive.”

For Walker that means touting the importance of financial confidence, inter-generational wealth creation and legacy building.

“In my mid-30s, I found out that my great grandfather was a millionaire in Newark in the 1920s and 30s,” she reveals. “He’d educated himself, invested in real estate, and opened two jazz supper clubs. But he died in the early 1940s and his wife wasn’t a businesswoman and lost it all.

“It’s a huge problem for our communities,” she goes on.

“As a people, we know how to make money and how to hustle, but we’re not strategic in how we spend, invest or create financial legacies for our families. We need to figure out how to balance the best of our lives, because if we sacrifice early in our lives we can give ourselves and our children a better future.”

...themusical

Coming November 5-6 The Dolby Theatre

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Calendar of events

Ongoing The Museum of African American Art Presents Where Black meets Brown, The African Diaspora in Mexico (Through September 28) Thursday-Sunday, Noon-5:00pm Crenshaw Baldwin Hills Plaza Macy’s 3rd floor 4005 Crenshaw Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90008 Contact: (323) 294-7071 www.maaala.org On Stage: August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Through Oct. 16) Call for Showtimes $30-60 Mark Taper Forum 135 N Grand Ave Contact: (213) 628-2772 www.centertheatregroup.org Crafts and Creations in the Courtyard Create art projects such as still life, paintings, clay sculptures, and more 1:00-3:00pm (Wed, Fri, Sun) Free (Parking = $12) California African American Museum 600 State Drive Exposition Park Contact: (213) 744-7432 http://caamuseum.org

L.A. Focus/September 2016

Director Ava DuVernay opted for classic elegance for the premiere of her new show, “Queen” debuting on OWN this month.

14

Senior Exercise Class Faithful Central Bible Church Learn new exercises and tips for healthy living.

at mfortable g pretty co in to k o e s lo lo s C a yw , “Too Tyler Perr new s how is h f o C g L in T d on the screen ich debute Home”, wh

9:00am-10:00am •Tuesdays and Thursdays 333 W. Florence Avenue Inglewood Information: (310) 330-8000 ext 3297 Email: vdsells@faithfamily.org

Sunday, September 4 Super Sunday with Pastor Beverly Crawford 7:00pm Free event City of Refuge 14527 South San Pedro Gardena, CA 90248 Contact: (323) 974-1917 www.noeljonesministries.org

Thursday, September 1 In Concert: The Wailers 7:00pm • $40+ The Canyon 28912 Roadside Drive Agoura Hills Contact: (888) 645-5006 www.canyonclub.net

Monday, September 5

Saturday, September 3 On Stage: Tammi Mac’s Bag Lady An emotional one-woman play 7:30pm Tickets: $35-45 Barnsdall Gallery Theater 4800 Hollywood Blvd (323) 644-6272 http://www.bgttix.com In Concert: Guy, Tank, Ginuwine, K-Ci & JoJo, Dru Hill 7:30PM • $45.00 - $95.00 (plus fees) Greek Theatre 2700 North Vermont Avenue Contact: (844) LAGREEK www.lagreektheatre.com Free Leimert Park Village Festival (Through September 5) Vendors and live entertainment, from spoken word to traditional African Drums

Janelle Mon

nd at the one of those on ha Brely Evans was it m m Su 2016 Merge

10:00am-7:00pm Historic Leimert Park Village 4318 Degnan Blvd www.leimertparkvillagefestival.com

In Concert: The Isley Brothers and the O’Jays 7:30pm • $40-$125 Los Angeles County Fairplex 1101 W. McKinley Avenue Pomona 91768 www.lacountyfair.com

Friday,

EvENT

September 9 Jazz at LACMA Featuring Wayne Shorter, John Clayton, Kenny Burrell, Les McCann and Billy Childs Free • 6:00pm Los Angeles Museum of Art 5905 Wilshire Blvd Contact: (323) 857-6000 www.lacma.org In Concert: American Soprano Singer Kathleen Battle 8:00pm •$19+ Segerstrom Center for the Arts 600 Town Center Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Contact:(714) 556-2787 www.scfta.org

Saturday, September 10

Shoreline Jam Music Festival Lineup includes Iration, Tribal Seeds, J Boog, Yellow Man, The Movement, Sammy J and more 1:00pm • $35 - 100 Queen Mary Park 1126 Queens Highway Long Beach Contact: (800) 928SPOTLIGHT 2181

Wednesday, September 14

In Concert: Beyonce—The Formation Tour 7:30PM • $45.00 - $305.00 Dodger Stadium 1000 Elysian Park Avenue Contact: (213) 224-1500 www.livenation.com

ae attends th e sc series Queen reening of OWN Sugar

Laverne Cox was on hand for the FOX Summer TCA Press Tour

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Usher and Sugar Ray Leonard have a bit of fun at the Hands of Stone movie screening

www.shorelinejamtickets.co m 3rd Annual Healthy Watts 5K Walk/Run & Health & Wellness Expo Macedonia Baptist Church Walk/Run begins at 9AM Registration: 7:00 – 8:30AM Entry Fee: $15 (for participants over 12) 1755 E 114th Street Information: (323) 569-9561 www.healthywatts.com

Sunday, September 11 The Baptist Ministers Fellowship of Southern California Present A Benefit Service for New Revelation Baptist Church Host Pastor William Turner Free • 7PM 855 N Orange Grove Blvd Pasadena Contact: (626) 795-0827

Wednesday, September 14 “Sing the Truth” celebrating Natalie Cole, Lena Horne, Dinah Washington, and Eartha Kitt Featuring Patti Austen, Freddy Cole, Dee Dee Bridgewater and more 8:00pm • 15$ and up Hollywood Bowl 2301 N Highland Avenue www.hollywoodbowl.com

The Smithsonian will open National Museum of African American History and Culture September 24th

Los Angeles’ Diversity Employment Day Career Fair Business attire and Resumes required Free • 11:00am-3:00pm Double Tree Hotel 6161 W. Centinela Avenue Culver City www.Citycareerfair.com

Thursday, September 15 Los Angeles Career Fair Professional attire required and bring plenty of resumes 11:00am-2:00pm Holiday Inn Los Angeles-Intl Airport 9901 La Cienega Blvd choicecareerfairs.com

Friday, September 16 I love the 90’s featuring Vanilla Ice, Kidd N Play, Color me Badd, Tone Loc, and more $44 and up • 7:30pm Los Angeles County Fairplex 1101 W. McKinley Avenue Pomona, CA 91768 Lacountyfair.com

800 W Olympic Blvd Contact: (213) 765-7000 www.thenovodtla.com

Saturday, September 17 Saddle Up For A Hoedown (Strap On Your Boots) Vendors, BBQ, Line Dancing and more Holman United Methodist Church 3320 W. Adams Blvd Information: Sharon Jackson (213) 598-2298 • Barbara Hartell (310) 645-1367 www.holmanumc.com Messages from Grassroots Participants will design their own magazine cover with a socially conscious message in the style of artist Milton Bowens.

2:00pm• Free (Parking = $12) California African American Museum 600 State Drive Exposition Park Contact: (213) 744-2024 caamuseum.org

(323) 731-2703 www.smbcla.org Redondo Beach Lobster Festival (Through September 25) Fri: 6:00pm-11:00pm Sat: Noon-11:00pm/Sun: Noon-8:00pm $5-80 (not including meals) Seaside Lagoon 200 Portofino Way Redondo Beach www.lobsterfestival.com

Saturday, September 24 35th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival Dynamic rhythms, poetry, dance and more.

Free • 10:00am-6:00pm Watts Towers Arts Center 1727 E. 107th Street Contact: (213) 847-4646 www.wattstowers.us Faithful Central Bible Church organizes Union Rescue Mission Volunteer Opportunity 5:30am-9:00am Tel:310-330-8000 528 S. San Julian Street Contact: fcbcvolunteers@faithfulcentral.com https://www.faithfulcentral.co m (Registration ends (9/22)

Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions Gabrielle Douglas and Nastia Liukin, along with members of the 2012 and 2016 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Teams $29-300 • 1:00pm Staples Center 1111 S. Figueroa Contact: (213) 742-7340 www.staplescenter.com

Sunday, September 25 40th Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival Performances from established and emerging musicians and tours of Watts Tours Free •10:00am-6:00pm Watts Towers Arts Center 1727 E. 107th Street Contact: (213) 847-4646 www.wattstowers.org

Tuesday, September 27 In Concert: Drake (Summer Sixteen Tour) (Through September 29) 6:30pm • $100+ The Forum 3900 W Manchester Blvd Inglewood Contact: (310) 330-7300 www.fabulousforum.com

around los angeles Nephew Tommy Hosts ‘The Show’ Featuring Talib Kweli, Doug E Fresh, Arvin Mitchell and many more 8:00pm • $64-100 (Ages 18+) The Novo

Friday, September 23

Southern St Paul Baptist Koininia Service featuring Bishop Joseph W. Walker III Free • 7:30PM 4678 W Adams Blvd

Saturday, October 1 In Concert: Musiq Soulchild 8:00pm • $50-80 City National Grove of Anaheim 2200 East Katella Avenue Anaheim Contact: (714) 712-2700 www.citynationalgroveofanaheim.com

Tuesday, October 4 Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour Featuring Puff Daddy, Lil Kim, Mase, Faith Evens, 112, Total, The Lox and French Montana 8PM • The Forum 3900 W Manchester Blvd Inglewood Contact: (310) 330-7300 www.fabulousforum.com

Thursday, September 29

yans and his son Actor/Comedian Keenan Wa vie premiere mo ty attend Sausage Par

Flex and Shanice attend Kubo movie screening with their children in Century City

Torrie Hart with children Hen drix and Heaven along with The Game and Cali at the Kubo movie screening

L.A. Focus/September 2016

are all smiles at the Oprah and Ava Duvernay Queen Sugar ies ser N screening of OW

On Stage: Tracy Morgan: Picking up the Pieces Tour $35-150 • 8:00pm The Novo by Microsoft 800 W Olympic Blvd Contact: (213) 765-7000 www.thenovodtla.com

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INSIDE HO L LY W OOD with Jeannie Jones dEddie Murphy Is Back After a four-year hiatus from the box office, Eddie Murphy is back on the saddle and set to make a big return with his new film Mr. Church. The family oriented film about a mysterious stranger who develops a friendship with a writer and single mother during her battle with breast cancer, is scheduled to hit theaters September 16th. He is also set to play Richard Pryor’s father, LeRoy Pryor, in the Pryor biopic tentatively slated for release in 2017. And the on-again-offagain “Beverly Hills Cop 4” is now officially on again with production set to get underway later this year or early 2017.

Said Murphy, “I really am curious about doing it again because it’s been so long, and so much has changed. I’m such a different person.

But if I do that, whoever comes to see it has to sit through a bunch of my shitty songs,” said Murphy, who recenlty welcomed the birth of his ninth child.

Olympics Star Simone Biles Wants ABC's DWTS Gig The mirror ball will have to wait for Miss Simone!

While Dancing With the Stars has been interested in having Simone Biles as one of its season 23 contestants, the Olympic champion is setting the record straight, saying her busy schedule prevented her from joining the upcoming 23rd season.

COMINGSOON

When the Bough Breaks Morris Chestnut, Regina Hall, Romany Malco, Jaz Sinclair — September 9

L.A. Focus/September 2016

Mr Church Eddie Murphy, Britt Robertson and Natascha McElhone September 16

Magnificent Seven Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt and Ethan Hawke September 23

Queen of Katwe Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo, Ntare Guma and Madina Nalwanga September 23

18

"I would love to do Dancing with the Stars, but so far we have a three month tour after this Olympics," Simone exclusively told E! News' Zuri Hall. "I'm not sure if I'll have time."

Simone is hoping to eventually compete on DWTS once her schedule slows down, saying she is open to joining the season 24 cast.

T.I. And Mike Epps Star In A New Comedy Mike Epps and Clifford "T.I." Harris are teaming up to star in The Trap, an indie comedy to be directed by Chris Robinson.

Queen Latifah and her Flavor Unit partner Shakim Compere are producing with Epps and his partner at N a p t o w n Productions. Harris will produce under his Grand Hustle Films.

The project is based on a story that Epps thought of with Nile Evans, with Evans the writing script.

Trap tells of a man

(T.I.) who returns home to Atlanta after an extended absence to help save his brother (Epps) and mother's rundown restaurant. An unexpected change to the chicken recipe breathes new life into the restaurant but also brings unexpected problems.

The project is the first time Epps will be working with T.I. On the flip side, Trap reunites the rapper-turnedactor with Robinson, who directed him in his acting debut, 2006's ATL. Keisha Knight Pulliam’s Grace Pregnant Keisha Knight Pulliam revealed on her podcast that she already has a name in mind for her unborn baby girl due in January …

Ella Grace,” inspired by the recent events that have arisen surrounding her and her estranged husband’s relationship.

“When I tell you through all of this the grace of God has so been with us and has covered us and protected us — she’s been my saving grace to get through it. It’s knowing that it’s not about me. Knowing that on days when I want to curl up in the bed, pull the covers over my head and cry until my eyes fall out, that is not an option.”

A week after announcing the pregnancy, her estranged husband, Ed Hartwell, filed for divorce and demanded a paternity test to determine whether he is the father of her baby, stating that the couple had stopped having sex early on in the marriage.

Neily’s Critics Corner My name is Neily Dickerson (first name pronounced ~ neil - lee). I am a lover of many things: Jesus, family, people, fun, good TV, and I’m an accomplished Gospel entertainment executive who loves movies! You’re reading this column because L.A. Focus editor, friend, and fellow movie lover, Lisa Collins, asked me to begin reviewing films for all of you out there.

So, we’ll start by answering the question, why was Denzel Washington walking around, looking like our favorite uncle last summer. Just as we thought, he was preparing for a role and in the film, The Magnificent Seven.

Earlier this winter, I was offered a screening pass and being the movie lover I am, I accepted, gathered Neily’s movie necessities: a blanket, socks, bottle of water, purchased popcorn, and a coke (gotta stop drinking those)— and got set for my movie experience.

The film was introduced and once I found out it was a western, I had mixed feelings because I’ve never been a huge fan, other than TOMBSTONE, but my grandmother loves them, so, I gave it a shot” and was pleasantly surprised.

If you are not familiar with The

Magnificent Seven, as I wasn’t, it is a remake of a 1960’s hit that starred some of Hollywood’s then, top names: Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson and others. The 2016 “7” cast lives up to the principal cast with some of my faves: Chris Pratt (“Jurassic World”), Ethan Hawke (“Training Day”), Vincent D’Onofrio (“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”), and of course “Uncle” Denzel...

Washington plays, Sam Chisolm, a bounty hunter hired by a recent widow, whose husband is killed trying to defend the town, Rose Creek, which is on the brink of being overrun by Bartholomew Bogue, played by Peter Sarsgaard (“Black Mass”).

The town’s gutsy Emma Cullen, played by Haley Bennett (“The Equalizer”), handles herself like a boss when she seeks to round up a posse to help save her family and town.

With this melting pot of fantastic talent, director Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day” “Olympus Has Fallen”) blends what is the beginning of this fall’s stand-out films, and one that will become a fan favorite.

The subtle theme woven throughout the film is race relations. Chisolm and the team take on the responsibility of working together to unite & strengthen the town’s people. The multi-cultural company is a great display of how it looks when we unite for a common cause.

The Magnificent Seven opens September 23.

Q&A Tyler Perry Name: Tyler Perry Hometown: New Orleans, LA Big Break: Success with stage productions specializing in the gospel genre, featuring “Madea”.

Claim to Fame: Built an entertainment empire starting with the creation of Madea, and tapping into the church community; becoming a serious actor; and fueling the success of OWN with the creation of such series as The Haves and the Have Nots.

Breakout Film: Diary of A Mad Black Woman Notable Films: I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Madea's Family Reunion, Why Did I Get Married?, Meet the Browns, Madea Goes to Jail, Madea's Big Happy Family, Good Deeds, Gone Girl.

Current Project: TLC’s Too Close To Home “Too Close To Home” is a departure from what we’re used to seeing from Tyler Perry, usually you’re working with all black casts, how was this different for you?

Working with white people was hard. Seriously, there is no difference. For me, what was going on is I had these ideas in my head and usually when I sit down and start to write I don’t necessarily see color, size, race or anything like that.

When I start to write a story—unless it’s Madea and I know she’s black— I just start writing it and as I was seeing these characters and hearing from them, I started to see the people that you see up here and they’re doing a phenomenal job on the show. We all share the same ability to have the same amount of pain, the same amount of love, the same amount of forgiveness that’s needed, so here’s just another side of a story I wanted to tell.

Is there an overall theme for the new show?

For me, everything I’ve ever done is about family, faith, forgiveness, and a lot of those things run through this show as well. The overall message is no matter where you come and go; no matter how far you try to travel; no matter how far you try to get away from life; it all comes back to you and you have to face everything you’ve left behind. If you didn’t leave it right; if it’s not cleaned up the right way; it’s going to show up in your life again and unfortunately it showed up on the president’s desk.

Any inspiration from Shonda Rhimes?

Of course. Scandal’s such a great show.

Did you play off anything that’s going on in the current election cycle—and there seems to be some parallels with the Monica Lewinski scandal?

First of all, I got more material out of this election than I could get. I have reveled in this One On One continued to page 27

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Re d Carpet Style

BEYONCE & BLUE IVY Hand in hand and looking ever so flawless

WINNIE HARLOW Rocking a NIcholas Jebrah gown with a jaw-dropping split

Stars get glammed up for the 2016 MTV Video Muisc awards at the Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, but the star of the evening and the person capturing the most attention, was the four-year old daughter of Beyonce and Jay-Z, Blue Ivy Carter.

JUSTINE SKYE With a colorful longsleeved dress with bright pink pumps to match

TINASHE Bright and bold in all red with fierce lashes to match

NAOMI CAMPBELL Keeping it simple with a strapless dress

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Eye On Gospel Donnie McClurkin Releases Long Awaited Album Three-time GRAMMY®, 11-time Stellar, and three-time Dove Award winning singer/songwriter and syndicated radio show host, Donnie McClurkin, releases his seventh solo album, THE JOURNEY (LIVE) today. The dynamic fourteen-trackalbum features eleven re-recorded classics—“Speak To My Heart”, “Great Is Your Mercy”; “We Fall Down”, “Stand”— as well as three powerful new songs includingMcClurkin's latest single “I Need You”.

As one of the top-selling and beloved Gospel music artists of all time, McClurkin continues to move audiences around the world. Currently, he can be seen on the multi-city, An Evening with Donnie McClurkin Tour.

The tour is commemorating his 10th anniversary as host of the syndicated Donnie McClurkin Radio Show and is a special way for him to thank his fans fortuning in over the years. The tour features spoken word, praise and worship and McClurkin's new music. No dates for Los Angeles have been set.

In the meantime, McClurkin has denied reports that he and singer Nicole Mullen are engaged. While the two have been dating for some time and according to reports “are headed in that direction”, there is no engagement, at least for now.

Israel Houghton Pops The Question If you have been following Israel Houghton Instagram recently, you may have come across pictures of him and girlfriend Adrienne Bailon in Europe. The two were taking some quality time together before Houghton popped the question. Sharing their news with the public Adrienne held up her left hand, with the Eiffel Tower serving as a backdrop as she showcased her new engagement ring.

Shortly after the post, The Real co-host also announced her engagement to Houghton on the show. The happy groom to be posted the following: “I have seen and felt the essence of God’s grace through the life, the kindness and the courage of this woman. I’ve seen her attacked, lied about, wrongfully accused,

mocked, laughed at, and misunderstood. But I’ve also seen the shining example of the eagle she is that rises above the cacophony of the noise of ignorance—I’m learning from her example.

She loves Jesus…She loves people. Even the ones that don’t love her back. I pray God give me that same grace in my life.

I’ve taken a giant leap of faith in asking her to share life with me forever and to give me a shot at getting it right this time… She has graciously granted my request…She said yes.

J.J. Hairston Launches Label Stellar Gospel Music Award winning recording artist, J.J. Hairston of J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, has added another chapter to his book of success with the launch of his own recording label, JamesTown Music. "I'm excited about the launch of JamesTown Music and the vision God has given me not just for the sound of Youthful Praise but for other artists as well," says Hairston. JamesTown Music has also signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Nashville-based Entertainment One that will release J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise's first album under the new agreement in 2017. The as-yet untitled live project (recorded at City of Praise Family Ministries in Landover, MD where Hairston is the Director of Music) celebrates the group's fifteen years as a recording choir and will feature the new radio single "You Deserve It." Briefly: Oprah Winfrey Network is acquiring the rights to air “T.D. JAKES” from Tegna Media and T.D. Jakes Enterprises. Seventy affiliates will premiere the T.D. Jakes’ new syndicated daily one-hour talk show on September 12, followed by OWN’s launch of the show on September 19. The network will air “T.D. Jakes” Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. “Oprah and OWN have a wonderful, long-running relationship with Bishop Jakes,” said Erik Logan, President, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

“We are thrilled to welcome his new talk show and unique, inspirational voice to the OWN family.

“Oprah Winfrey is an icon and a business mogul who has become a national treasure impacting our nation with her creativity,” said T.D. Jakes. “I consider her a personal friend and I’m honored to have her support of my new show.”

L.A. Focus/September 2016

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ChurchNews Christ Second Sets Out To Galvanize Community to Reshape Public Policy Towards Black Community

Amen L.A. (Affirming Ministry Enlightening Nations) 1455 W. 94th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 229-9351 • www.amenla.org Rev. Dr. DiAnn L. Johnson Sunday Morning Worship: 9:30am-10:30am PTP / Preach the word- Teach the word - practice the word

Bethel AME Church of Los Angeles 7900 South Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 750-3240 • www.bethelamela.org Rev. Kelvin T. Calloway Early Worship: 7:45 am Morning Worship: 10:45am Mid-week “Hour of Power” (Wed): noon

Pastor Welton Pleasant (far right) is joined by panel members including (l-r);Dr. Melina Abdullah, Dr. Lance Roberts,Monty Jackson and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland)

C

hrist Second Baptist Church in Long Beach (Senior Pastor Welton Pleasant) hosted a paneled discussion to discuss strategies and outcomes to empower the community with Congresswoman Barbara J. Lee, Dr. Melina Abdullah of Black Lives Matter, former L.A. City councilman Bob Ferrell and Rev. K.W. Tulloss—the west coast representative of Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network.

“I believe that in order for us to change structures and systems we have become involved changing public policy,” stated Pastor Pleasant. “I wanted to bring a group of people together to discuss how we can change public policy—from police brutality to unemployment and housing discrimination. We have to be committed to changing the policy if we want to change the system and we do that in three ways, advocate, litigate, and legislate.

“I’m tired of being the subject of someone else’s analysis. I want us to do our own analysis so we’re at the table and not on the table. So we’re going to be doing one of these meetings every quarter, uniting with other pastors and community leaders to shape the policies we want and not acquiesce to the policies others decide are best for us.”

Three more meetings are planned out of which Pleasant expects to have legislation drafted for submission to Sacremento through an elected official. #PUSH100 Holds Second Annual Gathering On Sunday, August 28 members of the clergy gathered with concerned residents, community Leaders, families affected by violence, law Enforcement officials and elected officials for the “Second Annual #PUSH100 Gathering for Prayer and Provision”.

The movement began last year after a story that surfaced that various gangs committed to kill 100 people in 100 days. Instead 47 pastors convened at various major intersections around South Los Angeles, to pray and provide resources for community residents.

“Today, we’re taking more of a localized stance, focusing in on Compton because in the last two to three months, we’ve seen a spike in violence, so tonight we’re going to go to every single entrance of Compton and pray,” Rev. Michael Fisher told L.A. Focus. “We’re hoping to wrap around the city in prayer and provide. So we’re feeding those we know to be homeless and we just want everyone to know that we’re not going to go away anytime soon. We’re going to keep stabbing at it until we see a culture change. We want to continue to ignite non-profits to get out of the four walls and minister to the people.

“Push100 is all about meeting the people’s needs every time we gather together, so we want to do a balance of meeting spiritual and physical needs. Today, we’re concentrating on food, but the next time we meet it’s clothing. One time we gave away 150 jobs no matter what the continued to page 27

Bethesda Temple Church Apostolic Faith 4909 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 299-2591 Interim Pastor Robert Lockett Sunday School: 9:40am Morning Worship: 11am Evening Worship: 6pm Bible Study (Wed): 7pm Prayer (Sat): 7am Evening Prayer (Mon.): 6:30pm

Crenshaw Christian Center 7901 South Vermont, Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 758-3777 • F: (323)565-4231 • www.faithdome.org Rev. Frederick Price Jr. Sunday Service: 10am Bible Study (Tue): 11am & 7pm Tue. Night Kidz Unlocked: 7pm Tue. Night Bible Study (Teens): 7pm Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (Wed): 7pm Intercessory Prayer (Wed.): 7:30pm Prayer & Praise (Thurs.): 6:30pm First AME Church (FAME) 2270 South Harvard Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 735-1251 • F: (323) 735-3353 • www.famechurch.org Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, Senior Pastor/CEO Sunday School: 10am Worship: 8am, 10am, Noon Teen Church (2nd Sundays):Noon,Allen House Wed. Prayer Service: Noon Wed. Bible Study: 7pm Radio: 10:30am on KJLH-102.3FM First AME is the oldest Black Church in the City Grace Temple Baptist Church 7017 South Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 971-8192 Bishop Miquail M. Broadous Sr., Senior Pastor Sunday School: 9am Morning Worship: 10:00am Wednesday Worship: 6:45pm E-Mail: gtbcla@gmail.com

Bethlehem Temple Church, INC. 958 East 52nd Street Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 232-8429 www.bethlehemtemplela.org Pastor Elder Gentry Richardson, Jr. Sunday: Christian Education: 9am Morning Worship: 11am PYPU (youth services): 4:30pm Evening Worship: 6pm (5pm 5th Sun.) Monday Prayer Revival: 7pm Wednesday Ministerial/Teacher’s Prep. Class: Noon; Bible Class: 7:45pm

Grace United Methodist Church 4112 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 294-6653 • F: (323) 294-8753 • graceumc1@earthlink.net Rev. Pastor Paul A. Hill • www.graceumcla.com Early Morning Worship: 7:45am Sunday School: 9:45am Morning Worship: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 7pm Fri. Alcoholic Anonymous: 7pm Tues. Prayer Fellowship: 6:30pm Super Seniors (Thurs/Bi-Monthly): 10:30am Follow us on Facebook

Bryant Temple AME Church 2525 W. Vernon Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 293-6201 • F: (323) 293-0082 Rev. Theodore W. Payne, IV

Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church 5300 S. Denker Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 759-4996 Dr. Solomon Drake

Sunday School: 10am Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 10:30 am Bible Study (Tues): Noontime Pastor’s Bible Study( Tues): 7pm

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

Christ The Good Shepherd Episcopal Church 3303 W. Vernon Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 295-4139 • F: (323) 295-4681 Rev. Joseph Oloimooja Sunday School: 10am Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 10am Mon. Centering Prayer/Meditation: 6:30pm Mon. Overeaters Anonymous: 7pm Wed. Bible Study & Eucharist: 7pm Wed. Alcoholic Anonymous: 7:pm E: cgshepherd4041@sbcglobal.net

Holman United Methodist Church 3320 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 731-7285 • F: (323) 731-2609 • www.holmanumc.com Rev. Kelvin Sauls

Church of Jesus Christ International 3719 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 296-1106 Pastor Michelle Beal

Liberty Baptist Church 1500 West 51st Place, Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 295-3866 • F: (323) 295-0366 • E: LBCwim@aol.com Rev. Terry Lovell Brown Sr.

Sunday Morning Glory Service (2nd & 4th): 8:30am-9:30am Christian Education Classes: 9:45am-10:45am Sunday Morning Worship: 11:15am Tuesday Prayer: 7pm Wednesday Bible Class: 7pm 1st Sunday Nights: 7pm Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship 2085 S. Hobart Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 Phone: (323) 731-8869 • F: (323) 731-0851 • www.cccf-ucc.org Pastor James K. McKnight Sun. Early Worship: 8am Prayer Meeting: 10:30am Morning Worship: 11am Wed. Afternoon Bible Study: 1pm Wed. Prayer Meeting: 6pm Wed. Evening Bible Study: 7pm View Pastor McKnight’s Sermons on YouTube

Sunday School: 8:00, 9:45 & 11am Jazz for Soul 2nd & 4th Thur: 6:30 pm Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 11am Bible Study (Thurs.): Noon Sun. Radio: KJLH 102.3FM: 11am E: Holman@holmanumc.com

Sunday Church School: 9am Morning Worship: 10:30am & 12:30pm Wed. Bible Study: noon & 6:30pm Prayer Meeting: 6pm Follow us on Twitter @dacrossculture www.thecrossculture.org Macedonia Baptist Church of Los Angeles 1751 East 114th Street Los Angeles, CA 90059 (323) 569-9561 • Macedonia.baptist114@gmail.com Pastor Shane B. Scott Morning Worship: 10am Sunday Small Group: 8:45am Tues. Mid-Day Bible Study: 11am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: 6:30pm www.macedonia-la.org

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McCarty Memorial Christian Church 4101 West Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 731-4131 Pastor Edward Anderson

New Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church 9537 South Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 755-1130 or 755-1139 • F: (323)755-8961 Rev. Melvin Hill, Pastor

Sunday School: 9:30am Morning Worship: 10:45am Bible Study: Noon, Tuesdays

Worship Services: 8am & 11am Sunday School: 9:30am Prayer Meeting(WED): 6:30pm Bible Study(WED): 7pm & Noon The Church where “It pays to be nice”.

Miracle Center Apostolic Church 2638 S. Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 735-5121 or 735-5122 Dr. Roy S. Petitt • Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 8am, 11am & 6pm Tues. Prayer & Bible Class: Noon Rights of Passage: 7pm Wed. Bible Study: 8pm Thurs. Prayer/Bible Class: Noon Fri. Faith Seminar: 8pm Radio KTYM-1460AM: (M-Fri.) 8am - 8:15am

One Church International 614 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 (818) 763-4521 • www.onechurchla.org Sr. Pastor Toure’ Roberts

Mt. Moriah Baptist Church of LA, Inc. 4269 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323) 846-1950 Rev. Melvin V. Wade, Sr.

Paradise Baptist Church 5100 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323) 231-4366 Dr. Aaron Iverson

Sunday School: 8:15am Morning Worship: 9:45am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Mid-Week Worship (Wed): 7pm Bible Study (Wed.): 8pm

Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church of Los Angeles 3669 W. 54th St. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 291-1121

F: (323) 291-1133 • office@sinai.church • www.sinai.church Pastor George E. Hurtt, Pastor-Teacher Sunday Worship: 8am, 11am Discipleship Hour (Sun): 9:37am Noonday Prayer (Mon): Noon Noonday Bible Study (Tue): 12:00pm Tuesday Night in the Truth: 7:15pm Email: office@sinai.church •www.sinai.church Our Goal: To win more Christians & develop better Christians to the glory of God. (Matt. 28:18-20) Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church 6614 S. Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 753-3189 • F: (323) 753-1018 • www.mttabormbc.org Dr. Ticey M. Brown, D. Min. Pastor/Teacher Early Morning Worship: 8am Sunday School: 9:30am Mid Morning Worship: 11am Tues. Bible Study: 10am & 7pm Meeting/Bible Study: 6:30pm–8pm First Sun. Communion: 8am & 11 am Baptism First Sunday

Sunday Worship: 9am, 11am & 1pm Wednesday Midweek Service: 8pm www.Channel1Live.tv—View live streaming

Pastor’s Bible Class & Sunday School: 8am Morning Worship: 9:30am Tues. Prayer: 7pm Tues. Bible Study: 8pm

Park Windsor Baptist Church 1842 W. 108th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 756-3966 • RevTerrellTaylor@sbcglobal.net Rev. Terrell Taylor Morning Worship: 8am & 11am Bible Study Wednesday: Noon & 7pm Communion: 1st Sunday at 8am & 11am

People’s Independent Church of Christ 5856 West Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 296-5776 Bishop Craig A. Worsham, Sr. Pastor Sundays: Morning Worship: 8am & 11am Wednesday Bible Study & Mid Week Worship: Noon & 7pm Prayer Meeting: 6:30pm

New Antioch Church of God in Christ 7826 So. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 778-7965 Elder Jeffrey M. Lewis Sunday Early Morning Worship: 8am Sunday School: 9:30 am Morning Worship: 11am Tuesday Prayer and Bible Band: 11am Wednesday Bible Study: 7:30pm Wednesday in the Word: 7:30pm

Morning Worship: 7:30am & 10:45am Sunday School: 9:45am Wed. Prayer/Bible Study: Noon Pastor’s Bible Study: 7pm

When Barbara first began dating Pastor Rodney Howard (Israel Baptist Church), she told him that he should move on because—having already been married—she wasn’t thinking about getting married again and especially not to a pastor.

“Being a first lady wasn’t me,” says the Longview, Texas native who moved to Los Angeles with her family as a teen.

“Because I sing and speak I’ve always dealt with people and I didn’t want to be responsible for anything relative to a pastor. You hear people saying stuff and talking about the pastor and first lady. The idea was they have to be this prim proper, on and smiling all the time. I’m not a hat person and I didn’t feel like I wanted to be bothered with being held to a standard a lot of other people aren’t held to.

But Pastor Howard was determined and intrigued by Howard, a gifted singer and motivational speaker he’d met when his church would fellowship with Tree of Life Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member. In the end he won out and five years ago, she became first lady of Israel Baptist Church.

“What’s working for me,” Howard said, “is that my husband is truly a covering. He protects me by his teaching me thru example. He loves people, he’s great at what he does in the church and he allows me to be myself. He supports me so that I live my truth.”

Today, she plays an integral role at the church, teaching St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 S. Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 231-1040 • stmarkmbcofla.org Rev. Dr. Lovely Haynes Sunday Morning Worship: 8am & 11am Sunday School: 9:30am Mon-Wed: Prayer Bible Study: 6pm - 6:55 pm Mon. Night Bible Study: 7pm Tue Choir Rehersal Wednesday Prayer: Noon Wed. Exposition of Sunday School Lesson: 7pm • Wed. Prayer Meeting: 7pm Thurs. Evangelism: 7pm (enrollment required) St. Matthew Tabernacle of Praise “The S.T.O.P.” 3770 Santa Rosalia Dr. Baldwin Hills, CA 90008 (323) 291-1115 • F: (323) 293-0471 Rev. C.Barry Greene, Pastor Morning Worship: 8am Church School Hour: 10:15am Tuesday Hour of Power: 7pm

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 2009 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 293-6448 • F: (323) 293-6605 Dr. Sylvester Washington Sunday School: 8am Morning Worship: 10am Tues. Bible Study: 11am Wed. Evangelism Class: 6:30pm First Sun. Holy Communion Service: 4pm www.pleasanthillbaptistchurch.org Praises of Zion Baptist Church (“Praise City” 8222 So. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90003 (323) 750-1033 • F: (323) 750-5458 • www.pozlive.com Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick, Sr. Pastor Early Morning Worship: 6:45am Educational Hour: 9:15am Mid-Morning Worship: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 7pm Sunday Broadcast: 7pm

Price Chapel AME Church 4000 W. Slauson Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 296-2406 • pricechapel@sbcglobal.net Rev. Benjamin Hollins Sunday Worship Service: 10am Sunday School: 8:30am Power Lunch Bible Study (Wed): 11am Praise & Worship Bible Study (Wed): 6:30pm

Salem Missionary Baptist Church 729 S. Park View St. Los Angeles, CA 90057 (213) 738-1077 • jranniew@gmail.com Pastor J. Williams Sunday School: 10am Morning Worship: 11:15am Ministry For Alcohol & Chemical Addiction Wednesday: 5:30pm Bible Study Thursday: 7:30pm Office Hours: Mon 1:30pm-5:30pm; Thurs 2:30pm-7:30pm

Southern Missionary Baptist Church 4678 West Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 731-2703 • F: (323) 737-5202 • smbcla@gmail.com Rev. Xavier L. Thompson, Sr. Pastor L.I.F.E. Groups Sundays: 8:30am Morning Worship: 10am Baptism & Communion (First Sunday): 5pm Word Wednesday: 6:45pm “One Church For All Generations”

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: 9am Radio Broadcast KJLH FM: 9am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: Noon-7pm www.trinitybaptistchurchofla.org

L.A. Focus/September 2016

New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church 402 E. El Segundo Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90061 (310)324-0644 • F: (310) 769-1287 Rev. Sonja Dawson, Senior Pastor • Rev. Lonnie Dawson, Sr., Founder (1962 - 2010)

Barbara Howard Israel Baptist Church

www.thechurchstop.org E: thechurchstop@yahoo.com pastorcbgreene@aol.com

“You can end your search for a friendly church” 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. Sun. Tues. Pastor’s Bible Study: 6:30pm Wed. Noon-day Prayer: Noon

First Lady Files

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UpLift Christian Fellowship 4745 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90056 (310) 927-3476 Pastor Anthony Thompson

Lifeline Fellowship Christian Center 2556 N. Lake Ave., Altadena, CA 91001 (626) 797-3585 • F: (626) 797-3233 • www.lifelinefcc.org Pastor Charles D. Dorsey

Sunday Worship: 10am Bible Study Wednesday: 7pm

Sunday School: 9am Early Worship (Glory Prayer): 8am Morning Worship: 10:30am Evening Worship (1st & 2nd Sun.): 5pm Wed. Bible Study: 7pm

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: 8am Sunday Morning Worship: 9am 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: 8am & 10:30am Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 11am Evening Worship (North Campus): 7pm Wed. Mid-Week Worship: 7pm Sun. Radio Broadcast KJLH 102.3FM: 10am www.westa.tv

In Carson

Judson Baptist Church 451 E. 223rd St, Carson, CA 90745 (310) 834-2630 • F: (310) 513-0943 • www.judsonbc.net Dr. Johnny V. Baylor, Pastor/Teacher

Sunday Worship Service: 9:30am Children’s Church (Except 5th Sun): 9:30am 2nd & 4th Sun. Speak Life Youth Ministry: 12:30pm Wed. Bible Study: Noon Streaming live at judsonbclive.net

Peace Apostolic Church 21224 Figueroa Street, Carson, CA 90745 (310) 212-5673 Suff. Bishop Howard A. Swancy Sunday School: 10am Morning Worship: 11:45am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Wed. Noon Day Bible Class: 12:30pm Wed. Bible Class: 7:30pm

Resurrection Church L.A. 1135 East Janis St. Carson, CA 90746 Office Address: 1143 East Janis St. Carson, 90746 (310) 626-4864 • www.resurrectionchurchla.org Pastor Joseph Carlos Robinson Service times: 8am, 10am, 12:15pm Communion: every 5th Sunday Tuesday 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: 9am Morning Service: 10:45am Wed. Mid-Week Bible Study: 7pm

Greater Zion Church Family 2408 North Wilmington Avenue, Compton, CA 90222 (310) 639-5535 • E: GreaterZionCF@gmail.com Reverend Michael J. Fisher & Dr. W. Jerome Fisher, Pastor Emeritus Sunday Morning Worship: 9am, 11am & 5pm Wed. Bible Studies: Noon-7pm www.greaterzionchurchfamily.com

Pastor Profile: Jamal Bryant Church: Empowerment Temple in Baltimore Hometown: Baltimore Education: Morehouse College How Long at church: Founded church in 1999 Family: Divorced, 5 children Congratulations on “The Preachers” talk show. You are one of four preachers cast—why did you decide to do the show?

When you look at the statistics of millenials in particular who believe in God, but don’t participate in organized religion, this is an innovative Trojan horse way to bring the gospel to people who are not churchgoers, who won’t watch TBN or The Word Network, but will watch Fox, Wendy Williams and The Real.

Why do you believe you were chosen?

There were about 65 pastors who auditioned. The four of us have distinctively difference personalities and characteristics. John Gray is associate pastor of the Lakewood Church with Joel Osteen, the largest and most diverse church in America so he comes from a different prism.

You have Orrick Quick who is from High Point, North Carolina—and has just been pastoring four years. He’s the youngest and has a much more conservative vantage point in terms of politics, the Bible and life. Dewey Smith pastors a thriving church in Atlanta and Macon. He’s now one church in three locations and is doing incredible work. And then me who is different from everybody else—is not married, is divorced and a single parent. All of us boast Christendom, but have different life experiences.

Pastor shows have not been so successful…?

The difference is that those that have been vilified are reality shows. Nobody will see my house or my car or my shoe collection. This is really about current events, politics and my opinion, not my lifestyle. I was clear to tell the producers that if it even looked like it was headed in that direction, I wasn’t the guy for the job.

My contention is that TV would never put on “the Rabbis of Brooklyn” because they have a regard for their religious leaders. Only the black preacher is reduced to a vaudeville show.

You’re heavily into activism—is that something you’ve always wanted to do? How did that come to be?

My parents were active. My father was in the Peace Corps and I lived my senior year of high school in Liberia. Then too, I worked on political campaigns since I was 12. I was

National Youth Director of the NAACP for six years. I never wanted to be a pastor. I wanted to be a politician. I am a civil rights activist.

So when did you get the call?

I knew I was called to preach, but I knew I was going to be a preacher like a Jesse Jackson. I didn’t want to pastor a church. I’m a third generation preacher. So I was the typical prodigal son trying to run in the opposite direction.

What drew you back?

I didn’t get drawn. I got thrown down. I got dragged. I went to Duke for law school and I was sitting in real estate law and it dawned on me this is not where I belong and I walked across the campus and signed up for Divinity School. I was 21.

Success seems to have come relatively easy for you—is that just perception?

It didn’t come easy. It’s been blood, sweat, tears and a cemetery.

There are churches that have been around for 20 years and they don’t grow. Then there are churches like yours that just take off…

I am gifted with two things—favor and incredible staff. I am a motivator. I’m not an administrator, so I can always paint in broad, sweeping strokes, but the Devil’s in the details and I don’t have the stomach, the heart and the mindset for it, but my staff overcompensates for my liabilities.

So is your call to activism to fill a void or is it your call?

I think it’s both. I think my call is to fill a void and the void that I fill is the place that historically the black church has been. This is the first time in the history of civil rights that the church wasn’t on the front line or leading the movement. So this Black Lives Matter has the void and the vacuum and clearly there’s no leader of the Black Lives Movement, per se, but I stand as a representation that the black church is involved.

Your activism started with Ferguson?

No, it first started in Sanford with the

rallies for Trayvon Martin. Trayvon Martin’s grandmother is AME, so his pastor reached out to me to get to Rev. Sharpton and I was actually with Rev. Sharpton and none of us had ever heard of Sanford, Florida. And Sharpton said do you vouch for these people…and I said yes, they’re AME. So he said, you go and look at it. I went down, began the mobilizing and he came.

When I hear your message it’s one of leveraging power and putting the church on the frontline?

Yes, you’re saying it perfectly.

How are pastors responding?

Well, they want to do it, but they don’t want to deal with it being a marathon and not a sprint. A lot of pastors have a short attention span because it’s hard for pastors to recalibrate how do I get involved with something I don’t lead.

Most of our pastors are used to being the spokesperson…being in charge and not playing the supporting role. So I hope to do several things.

One, in conjunction with the show, is an evangelism tool. It gets you in the community and lets the community know that the doors of the church are open not just for us to go out, but for you to be able to come in. Second, is living up to the name of my church— empowerment.

Knowing what it is we can do and knowing the strength of the civil rights movement was always a spiritual one. The third one is that it’s got to be custom made to their community. What I can do in Baltimore, I don’t know if it would work in Baton Rouge because the culture and dynamics are different. So a whole lot of theology has got to be anthroPastor continued to page 26

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From the Pulpit: Faithful Central Bible Church

A

lion roars when you are on their territory. When they assume that territory which in fact does not belong to them, the lion will stake out an area and declare ownership on it. They will protect it and roar when you come near it. Trouble in your familay, the lion will roar. It implies that there is an area in your life that the enemy seeks to attack and when you get close to that area it sparks an uproar.

As long as you leave him alone in that territory you will hear nothing. The point at which you say this is my home, this is my family and you cannot come near my family, you shall not reign. He rises up because he seeks to attack so the roar signals the battle.

The phrase “came mightily” is interestingly enough used in both phrases or with the same idea. The first one says, the roaring lion came and came suddenly. One version says with a surprise, the idea to come up on you and scare you.

The next phrase says and the spirit of God came upon him, with that same idea of suddenly. The battle was sparked and God stepped in. The roar of the Lion activated the Holy Ghost, it was the roar and attack of the lion that triggered the holy spirit.

When the enemy attacks, the spirit of the Lord came. When the enemy attacks your home, finances, in your love life and family, you don’t lay back and watch the enemy wreak havoc in your family.

What you must always realize is that attack triggers the activation of the power of the Holy Spirit. The battle is always spiritual, the roar of the lion in the earth realm triggers the release of the power in

the spirit realm.

When we stood up against that bill (SB1146), we crossed into a legal territory, a judicial territory. We crossed into a legislative territory that somebody feels we don’t have a voice in. What’s interesting is the folks that feel we don’t have a voice in it are the very folk we put in there to have a voice for us.

We learned some things about spiritual battles from David in 1st Samuel 17.

This philistine described in verse10 is Goliath and he says I come against Israel, give me a man to let us fight together.

Goliath said I’m coming against Israel, the leader of Israel and the nation of Israel.

Eventually, they were afraid.

The attack was not on David or Saul; the attack was on the nation of Israel. The attack was against the people of God and nobody would stand up or say anything and take the battlefield in defense of the corporate people of God. From Samson, we learned the battle is spiritual, from David we learned the battle is the Lord’s. David is a shepherd boy, the word for shepherd is the same word for pastor. David steps forth and said that it's not by sword, it's not by spear that the Lord will save.

Same idea, we learned that it is a spiritual battle. We are caught in a crossfire between darkness and light, between heaven and hell, between God and the Enemy.

It's corporate, it’s not just about David and yet still I take a stand for the corporate enemy that’s being called out by Goliath himself.

The attack on social media though it named me, was bigger than me. One, it

“When Lions Roar”—Judges 14:5-6

named this church, two it’s implied the black church. It was a disrespectful profane, obviously uninformed attack. It wasn’t just against me, I would have nothing to say if it was against me, the lord will fight my battle.

I am concerned about what it has revealed. The church has no voice. The church has crossed the line. We are not supposed to have an opinion on this. If we do, we are supposed to have something constitutionally and there is something in essence wrong with us.

It is interesting because if our voice does not matter, why does our vote matter?

I’d get it if you said we had nothing to do with it, then just don’t come to my house.

I’m not mad at you on that, but don’t come to my house like you care and then when I speak my voice you say I have no voice, but I tell you one thing, my voice has a vote.

Just as David connects a dot from, Samson, Jehoshaphat connects the dot from David. Not only is it a spiritual battle, it’s a battle not to be fought in the earthly realm. This is God’s battle.

Don’t be ashamed, don’t be discouraged, it's not your battle. If he closed the bible there, I’d be good but, verse 16 comes back and says tomorrow march down against them. He says in verse 15 it's not your fight, it’s the Lord’s. He comes back in the next verse and demands them to go down before them.

Stand firm and watch God. See the deliverance that God will give you.

You must take the field; you can’t take the sidelines, David took a stand and spoke up. I'm not going to roll over on this one. In Jim Crow days the church was aligned

with black legislators because they were our only voice.

We didn’t elect you because we agreed with everything you wanted. We can support you and not agree with you. Why don’t you allow us to disagree though?

God says you must take the field, you must take a stand, and you must speak up.

You have to trust the Lord to handle the battle but you have to be in position.

They are not coming against you personally, but you have to trust God because it is His battle. When they went out against the enemy they went out praising God, which means you have to speak up.

We’ve had threats that people are going to come in and take over our service, might want to rethink that one and to disrupt the s e r v i c e because we Pulpit continued to page 26

Bishop Kenneth Ulmer The Liberty Church 14725 S. Gramercy Place, Gardena, CA 90249 (310) 715-8400 Pastor David W. Cross

Holy Chapel Baptist Church 1016 East Rosecrans Ave. Compton, CA 90220 (310) 537-3149 Rev. George L. Thomas Early Morning Worship: 7:30am Sunday School: 9:45 & 10:15am Mid Morning Worship: 10:45 am 1st. Sun. Holy Communion: 7:30 & 10:45 am Sat. Broadcast KTYM 1460AM: 10-11pm Wed. Mid-Week Prayer & Bible Study: 7pm

Love and Unity Christian Fellowship 1840 S. Wilmington Ave, P.O. Box 5449, Compton 90220 (310) 604-5900 Fax: (310) 604-5915 Dr. Ron C Hill Sunday Morning Worship: 8am & 11:30am Sunday Evening Worship: 6:30pm Bible Studies: Wed. 7:30pm & Sat. 9am Food for Your Soul Radio & Television Ministry: KTYM 1460AM: Mon - Fri. 6:30am Church Channel: Tues. 5:30pm & Fri. 2:30pm

Unity Christian Fellowship 16133 S. Atlantic Ave., Compton, CA 90221 (310) 604-0234 • F: (310) 886-0198 Bishop Johnny R. Withers, Jr., Senior Pastor

The Tabernacle is located at 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave., Inglewood

www.thelibertychurch.com

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

In Hawthorne

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

In Gardena

Sunday Morning Worship: 9am Sunday Evening Worship: 6pm Wed. Mid-Week Worship: 7pm Bible Study Tuesday: Noon & 7pm

In Inglewood Bible Enrichment Fellowship International 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 & 7pm Wednesday Pathway: 7pm Thurs Bible Study: 10am Sat Marriage & Family Prayer: 7:30am

Crusade Christian Faith Center 801 S. La Brea Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-8535 Bishop Virgil D. Patterson Sr. Wed. Mid-Week Service: 7pm Sunday School: 9am Sunday Worship: 10:30am

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 First Church of God Center of Hope 9550 Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305 • (323) 7571804 www.go2Hope.com Pastor Geremy L. Dixon Morning Worship: 8am & 11am Wed. Mid-Week Service: Noon Wed. Teaching Ministry: 7pm 1st Sunday Communion 5th Sunday Baptism

L.A. Focus/September 2016

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

Early Worship: 8:30am Morning Worship: 9am & 11am Children’s Church: Both Services Word Power Wed.: 7-8pm

Victory Institutional Baptist Church 4712 West El Segundo Blvd., Hawthorne, CA 90250 (310) 263-7073 • www.vibconline.com Pastor Richard Williams, III

Sunday G.I.R. Up Leadership Class: 8am Morning Worship Tuesday: 10am Teaching Empowerment Night: 7:30pm

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

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: 7am & 10am Wed. Mid-Week Service: 7pm

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Jacob’s Ladder Community Fellowship, inc.

1152 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90303 (866) 330-1702 • F: (310) 674-0760 Watchman/Shepherd Dr. Robert T. Douglas Sr. Sunday School: 10am Morning Services: 11:45am Evening Service: 7pm Wed. Lock & Load Prayer: 7pm Wed. Bible Study: 7:30pm 3rd Friday Youth Night: 7:30pm KYTYM 1460AM (Sunday): 11:30am www.jacobladderschurch.com

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: 7pm Wed Youth & Young Adult Ministry: 7pm

Miracle Temple Church of God Pentecostal 733 S. Grevillea Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 419-7335 • info@cogpinglewood.org Bishop Johnny J. Young, Ph.D., Senior Pastor Elder Jonathan J. Young, Executive Pastor Sunday School: 8:30am Morning Worship: 10:15am Thursday Praise & Bible Study: Noon & 7pm Weekly Prayer: Noon Monday-Friday Early Morning Phoneline Prayer: 5am Fridays *(209) 255-1000 Access code = 100061# "Where the Difference is worth the Drive"

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: 11am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Wed. Intercessory Prayer: 7pm Wed. Pastoral teaching adults: 7:30pm Wed. Youth Ministry Boot-Camp; Youth Bible Study: 7pm & Choir Rehearsal: 7:30pm

New Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church 434 S. Grevillea, Inglewood CA 90301 (310) 673-6250 Office • (310) 673-2153 Rev. Dr. Phillip A. Lewis, D. D., D. Th., Senior Pastor

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

Sunday School: 9:30am Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 11am First Sunday Evening Worship: 5pm Mid-Week Bible Study Wed.: 7pm Radio: KTYM 1460 AM on Saturdays at 8pm & Mondays at 7pm

In Irvine

Christ Our Redeemer AME Church 45 Tesla, Irvine, CA 92618 (949) 955-0014 • F:(949) 955-0021 • www.corchurch.org Pastor Mark E. Whitlock, II

Sunday Worship: 8am, 10:30am New Generation Praise Service: 10:30am Sun. Bible Univ.: 9:30am Tues. Interactive Bible Study: 7pm Wed. Pastor's Bible Study: Noon, 7pm Thurs. Bible Study: 7pm Fri. Singles Bible Study (1st Fri): 7pm

In Long Beach

Antioch Church of Long Beach 1535 Gundry Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 591-8778 • F: (562) 599-6048 Pastor Wayne Chaney Jr. Worship Services: 8am, 9:30am, 11:30am Tuesday Youth BibleStudy: 8am, 9:30am, 11:30am WednesdayBible Study: Noon

Pastor continued from page 24 pology—studying the culture of the community in which you’re in.

L.A. Focus/September 2016

So often, when pastors are popular like you, they often become the target of fellow pastors not so popular—have you experienced that?

Daily—even with those who have megachurches. But what I’m doing is not an elected position—anybody can do it and I want them to do it. Going to Baton Rouge, I told my graphic designer, who does my collateral, don’t put my picture on

26

In Monrovia

Second Baptist Church 925 S. Shamrock Avenue • P.O. Box 479, Monrovia, CA 91017 (626) 358-2136 • F: (626) 303-2477 Bishop W.M. Larue Dillard, Phd.

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

New Philadelphia A.M.E. Church 6380 S. Orange Avenue, Long Beach, Ca 90805 (562)422-9300•F: (562) 422-9400 Pastor Darryl E. Walker, Senior Pastor

Sunday Worship: 7:45am, 10:45am, 4:45pm Ministry Worship to Children/Youth Sunday: 9:45am - 10:45am Prayer/Academy of Biblical Studies (Wed): 10:45am - 6:45pm www.second-baptistchurch.com

In Pasadena

Bethlehem Church 1550 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103 (626) 794-5211 • F: (626) 794-6592 Pastor Christopher A. Bourne Sunday School: 9am Sunday Worship: 10am Tuesday Bible Study: 7pm Mid-day Worship Thursday: Noon www.bethelemchurchpasadena.org

Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church 980 Rio Grande Street, Pasadena, CA 91104 *Mailing Address: 1416 N. Mentor Ave. Pasadena, 91104 (626) 794-4875 • F: (626) 794-7815 Pastor W. Harrison Trotter Sunday School: 8:30am Sunday Worship: 10am Bible Study Wednesday: 7pm Intercessory Prayer (Fourth Wed.): 7pm Christians Uniting To Make A Difference -Eph. 4:13 Spirit of Zion Fellowship Church 10853 Victory Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601 (805) 517-1907 • www.mtzionla.org Pastor E.V. Hill II

1st & 5th Sunday Worship: 9am Sunday School/New Member Classes:8am Live Streaming on NuPhilly AppNuPhilly website: 9am 2nd thru 4th Sunday Worship:7:30 am &10:00am•Sunday School New Member Classes: 9am Live Streaming on the NuPhilly App/website: 7:30am Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday Eve 7pm Mid-Week Bible Study: Thursday 12:00 noon

Family of Faith Christian Center 345 E. Carson Street, Long Beach, CA 90807 (562) 595-1222 • F: (562) 595-1444 Pastor: Sherman A. Gordon, E.D. Min Sunday School: 9:00 AM Early Worship: 7:30 AM Morning Worship: 10:00 Am Bible Study: Every Wednesday 12 (Noon) & 7:00 PM Radio: 7:00 PM (1st & 3rd Sunday) Station: KJLH

In Van Nuys

Sunday Worship: 1pm Children's Church: 1pm

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

it, because I’m intentional. There’s no rea- Pulpit continued from page 25 son to put red in front of a bull. didn’t agree with a bill?

Disagree with me but don’t disrespect Specifically, you want pastors to leverage me.

We won’t be disrespected, we won't be their power how? hustled, we won't be pimped. Those days Organizing…going back to basics. Moving away from the capitalistic gain of cars, are G-O-N-E- gone. Don’t come, you don’t clothes and money—what can we do for support us, don’t come and raise a flag, the collective good and it doesn’t have to be don’t ask to come and campaign, the doors of the church are closed for you, now somea big rally, but an afterschool program. body tweet that and put that on blast. If How is being a single pastor? you won't speak for us there, you won't Horrible, because you don’t have the luxu- speak for yourself here. ry of a private life. Pray for me.

There are two men that I have been in

covenant with for over 20 years Lloyd Ogilvie and Dr. Jack Hayford and I said let's just let it pass and they said you can't let this pass; this is bigger than you.

You need an army of prayer warriors and so the last lesson comes from Paul who said if you are in a battle you got to stand after you’ve done all you can and keep on standing but stand clothed in the armor of the Lord, the last piece of armor is the word of God, the sword of the spirit but the real last is in verse 19 where it says and praying with all kind of prayer in the spirit.

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Money Matters continued from page 9 you had a great idea, but it’s not on a page yet, you won’t attract much money.”

The flip side is once you get the money, what are you going to do with it? Most studio and cable gatekeepers have no idea how to market faith-based films, so it’s something that most producers take on

“

If Jesus was born today, as a storyteller he would be a screenwriter, because he was all about influence... stories connected to people.

So, I think that faith-based content and faith leaders being involved in the creative process is paramount.

”

themselves.

“You have a film that will play to big audience, but you cannot assume that your distributors will get that right. You have to come up with a secondary plan or a push with the studio to give you a smaller percentage of their parking budget so you can do it,” insists Malek.

These jewels were just the tip of the iceberg that attendees were given front-row access to. There were also critical moments to meet and greet with panelists, a delectable lunch to enjoy, and ample opportunities to network with peers. The atmosphere was propitious and offered granulated highlights of what’s here and what’s to come. The talk show Preachers debuted this past July on the FOX network. The panel-style program features four African-American male ministers discussing topics ranging from current events to spirituality.

Stuart Krasnow, Executive Vice President of Creative Affairs, Telepictures Productions, Warner Bros.Television,

dubbed it The View with four preachers.

“This is a point of view television people run away from. We wanted to embrace and acknowledge the faith-based audience out there. We want to serve them and give them a voice.”

Faith-based content resonates across the globe. And even with the label, the content proves to surpass expectations. Is the faith-based label more hurtful than helpful? Sister Sarah Roberts, One Church LA doesn’t seem to think so, “I think people don’t want to be marginalized. We could lead with great powerful stories where the faith is infused by lifestyle and not necessarily always have a come-to-Jesus moment in each movie. This way we’re able to stray a little from the faith-based title, but not lose the faithbased content.” Roberts continues. “As we create history and make incredible movies, we can change the definition of faith-based film, it doesn’t have to be this moniker that makes us afraid or something that we need to be ashamed of. We have the power and creativity to make it whatever God placed upon our heart. We have to trust that if he’s backing it, then he’s already made a provision for it to be successful and reach the hearts of the people that it’s directed to.”

The consistent theme at the Purpose: The Family Entertainment & Faith-Based Summit was an uplifting message to attendees to persist in creating and sharing their stories. These stories and messages they create will continue to make a huge impact on the world on many different levels.

If you are a writer or producer, Toure Roberts says, “Don’t try to preach. Write for people who have common experience, issues, and circumstances — and then seek what you have learned through faith and inject that. We want to reach the people who haven’t heard the message. So we have to know how to take the message and put it in format that is universally palatable.”

Head 2 Head continued from page 9 characters to get the job done.) At his core, Lovelace believes in the mission at hand for the African-American outreach team.

Laughing at the comic book comparison, Lovelace continues, “I’m not much of a villain.” Which is more than can be said for the man whose campaign the new outreach team is trying to help.

If there is a bogeyman, a monster or a villain in the minds of black voters in 2016, it would be Donald Trump. His approval numbers with black votes are lower than those of former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke (pdf), who is running to represent Louisiana in the U.S. Senate.

Despite the hard work of Omarosa, Pastor Darrell Scott and other prominent African-American surrogates, Trump is still polling around 0-1 percent with black voters in swing states like Ohio and Pennsylvania. Yet Duke, who has been part of a terrorist organization dedicated to eradicating the black race, gets a positive approval rating of 14 percent of black voters in Louisiana (which is also three times higher than he polled in 1991.

(Thanks, Obama!)

The success or failure of the new GOP outreach team’s mission will be known not just on Election Day but, perhaps, in the weeks and months afterward. Whether Trump wins or loses, and the person who is elected head of the RNC after Preibus steps down, will play a huge part in that

success or failure. Plus, Telly Lovelace will likely be moving on from the GOP after November. Nevertheless, Ashley Bell sounds as if he’s in it for the long haul.

“We’re all in the same boat; you don’t know what direction things will go in, and the day after the election, things change,” he says, but he’s committed to working with the GOP. When asked about his ultimate goal during these waning months of the campaign, Bell is resolute: “I want [black voters] to see more than just a party; I want them to see a message: that we won’t allow the Democratic Party to take black votes for granted anymore.”

No matter what happens, the GOP has less than three months left to accomplish its mission. And if the last seven days are any indicator, Trump will be doing everything possible to alienate, infuriate and downright offend African-American voters (as of this writing, he’s doubling down on a claim that President Obama founded ISIS). Whether Bell’s team is a political suicide squad or made up of dedicated partisans, there isn’t much chance that anyone will come out of this election unscathed.

Jason Johnson, political editor at The Root, is a professor of political science at Hiram College in Ohio and an analyst for CNN, MSNBC, Al-Jazeera and Fox Business News. Follow him on Twitter.

First Lady continued from page 9 Sunday School, serving on the ministerial staff, singing in the choir, and serving on the leadership of their women’s ministry dubbed, Silk—all while holding down a full time job as a construction manager for the Glendale School District.

As first lady, she has two key goals.

“First of all to help my husband with his vision to build and impact the community. I want to also be able to help other first ladies who are in this, because it’s not

easy. You have to share your husband with everybody and to do that, you have to be very secure. You have to be secure enough to realize that God is first, and that if God is first in your life, He is going to take care of you.

“I stopped fighting my battles a long time ago. I just let go and let Him handle it and have come to know that you can have peace and joy in the midst of all you’re going through. That’s the message I want to share.”

love jones

...themusical

Coming November 5-6 The Dolby Theatre Church News continued from page 22 background was.”

Pastors and representatives gathered at over 15 separate intersections, including but not limited to Wilmington & El Segundo, Wilmington & Artesia, Central & El Segundo, Central & Artesia, Long Beach Blvd & Greenleaf, Long Beach Blvd & Pine, Compton Blvd & Harris, Avalon & Rosecrans, Rosecrans & Lime, Artesia & Alameda, Crenshaw & Slauson, Vernon & Central, and Manchester & Hoover.

According to Fisher, members of #Push100 meet every other month to service the community in some form or fashion and build a bridge between the community and law enforcement.

“We serve a God that promised us that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose,” Fisher contin-

ued. “This is a call for unified action...to let all of our communities see us step out in the name of peace as one voice and one sound. No more will it be okay to know something, yet say nothing! No more will it be okay to hide those whosehands have caused harm! No more will it be okay to hide behind our fears!”

One On One continued from page 18 train wreck. It’s sad to say that I’ve enjoyed it but I couldn’t write this any better. But as far as Monica Lewinski, no. There’s always a bit of truth in all our jokes but I didn’t particularly pull on any scandals from anybody’s past.

How did you come to pitch this show to TLC? I have never pitched anything. TLC is owned by discovery and part of the Oprah Winfrey Network is owned by discovery so the head of Discovery called and said they would be interested in doing this. So I thought, “What if we did a show based on bits and pieces from all of the shows that you have on TLC, and see what happens? This is what we came up with.

So it was designed specifically for the particular audience of TLC.

How did you shoot eight episodes in eight days?

I didn’t come in through this [Hollywood] system. I was on this one movie and we shot 12 hours they didn’t even get to me that day. I was completely shocked at the amount of wasted time.

Because I was broke, I learned to do everything myself. As I’m shooting I’m also editing all the time, so I know when I got the shot. I know when the cuts are coming. There’s not a committee of people. It’s just me making the decisions and the choices. To get this kind of show in a day is unheard of. The team has to be right. Everybody has to be pulling the same direction, because if you get one person going a different direction and you’re trying to focus and move it forward, it could throw everything off.

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InGoodTaste Jake Smollett lett.com) (JakeSmol

the reason e. She’s really ak m an ly not on today,” said ake Smollett is why I cook ed im la oc pr lf actor but a se Smollett. he shaped his ell, starring in w as ” ef Ch e At 15 years old, “Hom ss ow sh s into a busine Network passion for food the Food s s hi ke ta ith w ow up ing The sh venture by team Smollett Eats. te tt ea le cr ol Sm e to th into Jurnee sister an inside look The siblings Jussie as Baked Goods.” ch y’s su m om ily m “M fa oee pr rn em Ju th , ), Jazz nsisted of (Empire star r , business co ei ah th si g Jo tin , s) bu er ri ebat and dist ng ci du (The Great D d s an hi es, cookies, ui as well as all-natural pi Jojo, and Jocq rn local Southe in candies cooking. . g es in or st ok co y in er st re groc rnia ifo Smollett’s inte al C w g no in ss is while watch gh the busine began early on In the Althou ke and n.

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Recipe Back Ribs Jake’s Baby ribs 1 rack pork ic anulated garl gr SP B 1/2 T onion d ie dr d ce in 1/2 TBSP m er hed red pepp 1/2 TBSP crus 2 TSP cumin a 2 TSP paprik oregano nd ou gr SP T 1 lt 1 TSP sa

ings. your season gether all of to bs d ri en of bl l ck w t your ra ixing bo In a small m g platter lay ou in or on t as ee se sh e ng ki at th On a large ba re rack in your dry rub. P . enti ed on the ribs at co lly fu 's and coat the it re s su er e rn ak m t to of the bu into the mea rn on three s grill so I tu ga rner all the 4 bu a f of ve e ha th I of ribs on ck ra e rfect th pe e at and plac to get th d of the grill en e th to rk ay w e po that cooks th indirect heat tengh ou or th t to the perfec ithout drying der point w cook the them out. I r about fo s baby back the lid 2 hours with on the ck closed. Che ce in a on y er ev meat let it to y while but tr h. ug ro cook th

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Finding YourPretty

with Dawn Strozier

As a personal trainer/nutritional consultant I find my job can be more than just helping my clients get into shape. Changing their mind set and building their self esteem is just as important. Here are some keys to help your feel as good at you look.

Be confident. Feeling pretty has more to do with how you present yourself and less to do with what you look like. Feeling pretty is about confidence— the confidence that exudes from the inside out. Of course liking what you look like in the mirror can help feel pretty, but above all having confidence in who you are, what you have achieved, good or bad can help you feel pretty even on a bad hair day.

Positive Self-Talk.

We don’t always consciously take note of what we’re saying in our minds. The first step in improving your self-talk is to actually notice what your inner voice is saying. Take some time each day to listen, and even write down, what you’re thinking. What you say in your mind can determine a lot of how you feel about who you are. Positive conversations with yourself can affect your perspective. The conversation you have in your head about you and the world around you have the power to shift how you feel in every situation. Start with telling yourself you are pretty.

The more you work on improving your self-talk the better you will feel. Self-talk is a really important part

of building self-esteem and confidence.

Go to the gym.

The merits of regular physical activity are hard to ignore. From preventing chronic health conditions to promoting weight loss and better sleep, the benefits of exercise are yours for the taking. Improved self-esteem is a key psychological benefit of regular physical activity. When you exercise your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins trigger a positive mental attitude and feelings in the body similar to that of morphine, euphoria and general well-being. Because no two bodies produce the same amount of endorphins, there is no way to tell exactly how much exercise you need to bring on a endorphin high. To find your happy place, do a mood check every five minutes during your workout. Think about how you feel on a scale from one to 10, with 10 and increase your intensity until your number goes up. Studies suggest that there is a direct link between exercise and happiness. Running, resistance training, dancing, swimming and hiking are known to produce high levels of endorphins. GO FOR IT! Make your face up.

For some its war paint and for others its to enhance what the features you already have. Whatever it is for you, do it and do it daily. Makeup has a way of helping you feel more beautiful and when you feel beautiful you look even better.

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Michelle Daniels has been doing hair for as long as her family can remember. Some friends say she came out of the womb doing hair. So, it is no surprise to anyone that knows her that people come from miles around to sit in her chair. Michelle state, “From the age of 3 I was showing my creative side and by the time I turned 12 hair had become my passion and I know exactly what I wanted to do.

Nicknamed by her friends as “the MD of hair”, Michelle Daniels has earned that title by making miracles out of mess every single time. That’s thanks to her ability to do one of the best weaves on the planet and to work with a wide range of ethnic hair tex-

tures to create chic, yet manageable styles that last.

Michelle is a graduate of Universal Beauty College in Los Angeles and is a firm-believer of continued education.

She prides herself on staying on top of the latest trends and having a killer eye for design while setting a few trends of her own. Michelle’s philosophy is healthy hair and great styles can co-exist and her hair serves as her best example of her work.

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4. Get regular trims ever 6 to 8 week from your stylist.

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Favorite Products: Mizani CONTACT: Michelle Daniels 310-290-1820

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SavingGrace Deborah Joy Winans

L.A. Focus/September 2016

She hails from America’s best-selling and most famous gospel music dynasty—one that has birthed three of the genre’s best selling acts. Her aunt is nine-time Grammy award winning gospel superstar CeCe Winans. Her uncle, BeBe Winans has six Grammy Awards to his name and a slew of production and acting credits. And her father, Carvin Winans, was a member of the chart-topping gospel group, The Winans, who laid the foundation for the family success with a decade and a half reign on the charts that yielded 10 hit albums and six Grammy awards.

But for all of her family’s musical successes, Deborah Joy Winans wanted no part of singing growing up in Detroit. She realizes that to some that may sound almost unnatural, especially since her two older brothers got into the family business as part of the Winans Phase II and garnered a Grammy nomination with their 1999 release, We Got Next.

“But”, says Deborah, “that was what they chose and what they loved. I just never wanted to do it. My parents used to take us to double features on the weekends and I would look at the movie screen and tell my parents I can do that.”

So she turned her talents to acting, with the blessing and support of her family, briefly studying at Moscow Art Theater School in Russia while earning an MFA in acting from the California Institute of Arts and a BFA in Theater from Wayne State University.

As fate would have it, today Winans finds herself in her first major co-starring role as Charity Greenleaf Satterlie in OWN’s breakout hit series, “Greenleaf”, doing what she had avoided all her life: singing.

Such irony is not lost on her, understanding that God-given talents were meant to be used.

“God doesn’t give you a gift to sit idle and I’m kind of learning it the hard way where I have to work extra hard instead of having that time to really let it grow, — instead understanding that I have to get it right.”

Getting it right is the reason that “Greenleaf”— detailing the secrets and scandals of the powerful African-American preaching dynasty of the Greenleaf family and their Memphis megachurch—drew 3.04 million viewers, making it the No. 1 series debut in OWN history. But success in the show came with its own set of challenges, not the least of which was her inexperience in a powerful cast that included such veterans as Keith David, Lynn Whitfield, Merle Dandridge, Lamman Rucker and Oprah Winfrey.

“On our very first day of shooting I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, Lynn

30

Whitfield—Oh God, Keith David! I’m supposed to sit here at this table with these people and be good? I think Ms. Winfrey saw that I was a little bit nervous when I walked in, so she talked to me for about 15 minutes,” Deborah recounts. “She described when she first started with The Color Purple, and talked about the day she really owned who Sofia was—the day she really became an actor.

“She looked at me and said, “I believe in you. You’re going to do great. Don’t even worry about it, you probably have a day before you get your close up because we have so many people at the table.”

It was the motivation Winans needed to delve deep into the life of Charity, a character very similar to herself.

“Being in a big family sometimes makes it easy to feel invisible or underappreciated. Charity has struggled with that quite a bit and although I haven’t, that’s Charity’s biggest thing—she feels unappreciated and invisible in a lot of ways,” Winans says of her character.

“My father was an elder in the church and so I know about being in church all of the time. Charity being the worship leader was really cool to me because I got to be instrumental in the very part of service that, I—myself, and the Winans, enjoy very much—worship—my favorite part of service.”

Despite her passion for acting and her name, when Deborah graduated from Cal Arts in 2010, she couldn’t even get an agent.

“I still don’t have an agent,” Winans reveals. “And I don’t have a manager. It was so hard that I got to a point of, ‘Okay, God if this is what you want me to do, then I need you to work it out because nobody else seems to want me.”

In yet another ironic twist, her first acting jobs came playing her aunt CeCe in her Uncle Bebe’s stage musical, “Born For This: The BeBe Winans Story” and in the 2015 Lifetime TV movie, Whitney, chronicling Whitney Houston’s rise to fame.

Alas, a cameo role in the TV movie was one thing, but playing her Aunt CeCe in a full-on stage production would prove to be a difficult test.

“After the show’s first run in 2013 I came home and said I’m never

d o i n g

this again,” says Winans, who starred alongside her brother Juan in the stage play. “I told my husband that it was too hard and that I can’t be CeCe. Nobody can be CeCe—she’s amazing!

“I am very thankful God blessed me with a very incredible husband,” she continued. “The expectation of not being able to be her made me think I would be a failure. I had a lot of negative feelings. And when the next year came around they wanted to do another workshop, I was polite on the phone but when I got off I told my husband, “I’m not doing it. So he went behind my back, bought my ticket and told my uncle that I would be there.”

Call it divine intervention, but Oprah Winfrey happened to be there as well to view the musical and got a chance to see Deborah perform, and when Greenleaf was being cast, Deborah Joy was asked to audition.

Looking back she says, “I was in a place where God needed me to be so that Ms. Winfrey could see me.”

For the Detroit native, who currently resides in Los Angeles, saving grace means the love of God, family and the creativity he has blessed her with.

“I would love to be able to do it all — in front or and even get behind the camera and produce something. I don’t see a limit. That’s why I serve the God that I do because I’m limitless with Him.”

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