L.A. Focus Newspaper May 2022 Issue

VOLUME XXVII • ISSUE 3 •May 2022 > > W W W. L A F O C U S N E W S PA P E R . C O M

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CHURCH NEWS Bishop Charles Blake Makes Public His Parkinson’s Diagnosis

HOLLYWOOD BUZZ BET Sets May 19 for Debut of “Kingdom Business”

SEE PAGE 10

Upfront

Councilman Curren Price Seeks Another Four Years in Majority Latinx District ON THE MONEY “Who’s the Richest of Them All?”

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contents

L.A. Focus Publications

May 2022

L-R: First ladies Shonta Hilton, Chane Johnson, Shalonda Crawford, Crystal Haley and Karen Brown pose together ad a recent gathering; Publisher Lisa Collins poses l-r with Pastor Anthony Williams, Cornel West, Mark Ridley-Thomas, William Smart and Robert Sausedo after receiving the SCLC Community Service Award; Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price with one of the 100 community groups he awarded grants to.

4 From The Editor

“Riding in Limos With A King”

Commentary

12 Hollywood Buzz

BET to Debut Kingdom Business This Month; Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Secures $100 Million

Footnotes

“Alzheimer’s Drugs Decision Has A Deeper Impact on Health of Blacks, Other Minorities”

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UpFront President Biden Issues First Pardons, Details New Steps for Criminal Reform; Dodgers Dreamteam is Rebranded with Renewed Commitment to Underserved Communities; Councilman Curren Price Seeks Another Four Years in Majority Latinx District.

8 Headlines From Africa Money Matters 9

California Attorney GeneralJoins Coalition PushigBack on “Pay to Pay” Mortgage Fees

Biz News Briefs

Who’s the Richest of Them All?

10 Cover Story

Experience Vs. Cold Cash: The Race to L.A.’s Mayoral Runoff

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Lisa Collins Gerald Bell,,Keith Delawder, Chez’Ney Hadley Ian Foxx Kisha Smith

16 Red Carpet Style Grammy Awards

Eye On Gospel

Chef J.J. Johnson

Harry Lennix

Marvin Sapp Life Story Headed to TV One; Gospel’s Best and Brightest; Unstoppable; Family Matters

18 Through The Storm

Chart Topping Music Producer Defeats Past Thug Life

20 Church News

Bishop Charles Blake Makes Public His Parkinson’s Diagnosis; Pastor Shep Partners with Councilman Curren Price to Commemorate 1992 Gang Truce; The Baptist Minister’s Conference Receives A $75,000 Grant

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First Lady Files Myesha Chaney

Last month, Assemblyman Mike Gibson, has introduced a bill that would ban the sale of individual parts used to make ghost guns.

22 Pastor Profile Ryan Small

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

@L.A.Focus

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

advisory board Napoleon Brandford Apostle Beverly Crawford Lem Daniels Bob Blake

@Lafocusnews

25 26 Saving Grace

Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co. Bible Enrichment Fellowship Int’l Morgan Stanley Bob Blake & Associates

Cover Design: UpScale Media Group

L.A. Focus/May 2022

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

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(Guest

honorary advisors

staff Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Staff Writers

Mt. Sinai Baptist Church Preacher George Parks Jr.)

In Good Taste

Tracee Ellis Ross

Ice Cube’s Big3 Celebrates Broadcast Extension; SBA Announces New Equity Plan; U.S. Biggest Bamks Urged to Eliminate Overdraft Fees

On the Money

23 From The Pulpit of

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Commentary

ISADORE HALL Guest Columnist Special to CA Black Media

“Alzheimer’s Drugs Decision Has Deeper Impact on Health of Blacks, Other Minorities”

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ast spring, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first new Alzheimer’s disease therapy since 2003. For the 6 million-plus people living with the fatal disease in the U.S., the availability of a medicine designed to treat the underlying cause of their ailment was a significant breakthrough.

However, it appears very few of those 6 million Alzheimer’s patients will receive this promising new treatment because of regulators at the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

CMS is the federal government office that oversees health coverage of more than 100 million people through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Health Insurance Marketplace. One of the agency’s main functions is strengthening and modernizing the nation’s health care system to provide access to high quality care at lower costs.

In January, CMS launched a process called a National Coverage Determination (NCD) to decide if Medicare would pay for this newly approved Alzheimer’s therapy.

Their draft decision: Medicare, the insurer of roughly 62 million Americans, would not cover this medicine.

The proposed NCD applies to an entire class of Alzheimer’s drugs, which could impact the current FDA approved drug, aducanumab, as well as future drug therapies in this class. Given the regulatory governance granted to the FDA by Congressional order, it is my opinion this element of the NCD is over-reaching and creates a divisive relationship between two of the most critical federal agencies in the country, FDA and CMS. This decision would also require certain Alzheimer drugs already in development (which may have different demographic and efficacy profiles) to be subjected to a CED process that lacks its own data and does not take into consideration diversity, inclusion, and efficacy.

Furthermore, and most important, the proposed NCD betrays the commitment articulated by President Joe Biden in his Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.

“Equal opportunity is the bedrock of American democracy, and our diversity is one of our country’s greatest strengths. But for too many, the American Dream remains out of reach. Entrenched disparities in our laws and public policies, and in our public and private institutions, have often denied that equal opportunity to individuals and communities,” Biden states in the document.

“Our country faces converging economic, health, and climate crises that have exposed and exacerbated inequities, while a historic movement for justice has highlighted the unbearable human costs of systemic racism,” the president’s statement continued.

“Our Nation deserves an ambitious whole-of-government equity agenda that matches the scale of the opportunities and challenges that we face. It is therefore the

From the Editor

policy of my Administration that the Federal Government should pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.”

I know that CMS is fully aware that Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating disease that affects more than 6 million Americans, 80% of whom are Medicare beneficiaries.

Among Americans 65 and older, Blacks have the highest percentage of Alzheimer’s disease, 13.8%, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, the Alzheimer’s Association reports that older Blacks are twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s disease than whites.

African Americans are also mostly likely to be undiagnosed for Alzheimer’s Disease, according to the National Institutes of Health. Therefore, we are also most likely to be untreated.

This issue is very personal for me.

My grandmother lost her fight to Alzheimer’s Disease in 2017. I often watched her feeling helpless as she suffered from this horrifying and painful disease.

Like my grandma, millions of other grandparents, parents and loved ones bear the burdens of this disease and die from it every day.

What would it take for us to do right by them? For us to make sure that as we search for a cure, people who are living with it are receiving the best possible treatments?

CMS must modify its proposed determination to cover all FDA-approved Alzheimer’s therapies. This would give patients, social workers and physicians the ability to make collaborative decisions in the best interests of those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Isadore Hall is a former California State Senator and Assemblymember from the Los Angeles Area. He currently sits on the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board.

LISA COLLINS Publisher

“Riding in Limos With A King"

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L.A. Focus/May 2022

ast month I had the occasion to be honored by the SCLC with the MLK Community Service award at the 6th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Sacrifice Community/Labor Luncheon, Aside from it being a privilege, it brought me full circle with a very idyllic part of my past I rarely share. =Ironic too, given that part of my childhood was spent running around the SCLC’s first headquarters on Western Avenue where my Dad was executive director, serving with the late Thomas Kilgore. In his position, my Dad was responsible for orchestrating all of Dr. Martin Luther King’s trips to the west coast and because of it, the civil rights icon was a frequent visitor at our home and a family friend.

I recalled the last time I saw Dr. King, having awakened late one Saturday morning to find him sitting at our kitchen table putting the finishing touches on what was probably the last speech he would give in Los Angeles. My Dad had taken my brothers somewhere and it was just Dr. King and I. He looked up, greeted me and then told me where my Dad had left breakfast. He went back to his work and I went back to my room.”

I don’t recall when Dr. King came into our lives.

He was just that much a part of the fabric of my childhood and yet while I might have been too young to understand the magnitude of just how he was changing the world, I was keenly aware of his celebrity.

My brothers and I had arrived with him years earlier to what has been described at one of the largest civil rights rallies in the country, drawing somewhere between 20,000-40,000 depending upon what news account you read.

It is one of my most vivid earliest memories with Dr. King. The limousine we were riding in

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was directed to the middle of this huge stadium that I now know to have been Wrigley Field. I remember Sammy Davis Jr. coming to the car to escort Dr. King to the stage. We were not allowed to get out of the car.

The last thing my Dad wanted to be concerned about–next to the safety of Dr. King– was the safety of his three kids. Instead, people surrounded the car and took pictures of us, surmising that we must be Dr. King’s kids.

Sometime later, Dr. King, Rev. Bernard Lee (Uncle Bernard to us) my Dad and Wyatt T. Walker got back into the car and for a moment, I was terrified as throngs of people surrounded the limo and wouldn’t allow it to move. My Dad motioned to me not to cry. I looked over at Dr. King who was cool as a cucumber laughing, chatting away with the other pastors. Finally, a police escort was sent to clear the way.

Celebrity aside, I didn’t know the civil rights icon.

I knew the man. I knew that if Dr. King was in town, our house would be filled with pastors and laughter and lots of joke telling. There would be lots of soul food and Dr. King loved a good fatburger. Our phones were tapped, and because of death threats we were routinely followed by local feds whenever Dr. King was in town. My Dad would say it was because they didn’t want him to be assassinated in Los Angeles, but they knew he would be assassinated somewhere.

Because of Dr. King, we had a billiards table in our house so he could shoot pool. We got to go to movie premieres for SCLC with Dr. King. We had Xernona Clayton as a pseudo godmother and frequent babysitter and we got to meet people like Sammy Davis Jr. and Marlon Brando.

Even now, when I think about it I am struck by how a man who came to be a national monument was so human. He used to joke about a Mr. Flunk. After an

event in the car or at the house or with a group of preachers, Mr. Flunk would be a frequent topic of conversation.

They’d say did you see Flunk? Then Bernard Lee or someone else would say, ‘He was there, but we beat him’.

I never ever saw this Mr. Flunk though and for a long time–even with them talking about him so much–he remained a mystery. Then one day, my brothers and I went with my Dad to drop Dr. King off at the airport. Back then, my Dad would send us kids ahead to tell them to hold the plane for Dr. King and they would.

This time I stayed behind, and overheard Dr. King telling my Dad, ‘Mansfield, I think flunk has got us this time. I don’t think we’re going to make this plane.

I don’t know how old I was, but in that moment, I knew that Mr. Flunk wasn’t a man at all, and I came to understand that no matter how famous we are, how much we’ve accomplished and how noble our cause, we are still human enough to fail if we allow Mr. Flunk to have the upper hand.

Fast forward to today. It’s difficult to convey the impact of growing up in the presence of great men.

Hard not to dream big when you’re surrounded by people who do.

It is with a great deal of gratitude that I can sayI am who I am because of a foundation I was privileged to have experienced and been inspired by.

Keep the faith.

L.A. Focus/May 2022

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UpFront

News Briefs

President Biden Issues First Pardons, Details New Steps for Criminal Justice Reform

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resident Joe Biden announced he’s using his clemency powers for the first time, issuing commutations for 75 drug offenders.

Biden also issued three pardons, including to the first Black Secret Service agent to work on a presidential detail, who had long professed his innocence.

“Helping those who served their time return to their families and become contributing members of their communities is one of the most effective ways to reduce recidivism and decrease crime,” Biden stated.

The president added that those receiving clemency had “demonstrated their commitment to rehabilitation and are striving every day to give back and contribute to their communities.”

The clemency recipients include Abraham Bolden, an 86-year-old former U.S. Secret Service agent and the first African American to serve on a presidential detail.

In 1964, authorities charged Bolden with offenses related to attempting to sell a copy of a Secret Service file.

His first trial resulted in a hung jury.

Following his conviction at a second trial, even though crucial witnesses against him admitted to lying at the prosecutor’s request, the court denied Bolden a new trial.

He has maintained his innocence, arguing that he was targeted for prosecution in retaliation for exposing unprofessional and racist behavior within the U.S. Secret Service.

Bolden has received numerous honors

and awards for his ongoing work to speak out against the racism he faced in the Secret Service in the 1960s and his courage in challenging injustice.

Betty Jo Bogans also counted among those cleared by Biden.

A jury convicted the 51-year-old in 1998 for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine in the Southern District of Texas.

Authorities said she attempted to transport drugs for her boyfriend and his accomplice, neither of whom were detained or arrested.

At the time of her conviction, the White House said Bogans was a single mother with no prior record who accepted responsibility for her limited role in the offense.

“Because of the harsh penalties in place at the time she was convicted, Ms. Bogan received a seven-year sentence,” the White House said in a statement.

In the nearly two decades since her release from custody, Bogans has held consistent employment, even while undergoing treatment for cancer, and has

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CEO Nichol White with Dreamteam youth.

about creating the next generation of leaders, regardless of what zip code you live in.”

In order to accomplish their goals, Whiteman says they first had to assess the obstacles that typically plague lowerincome urban families from playing baseball.

“We talked to coaches and people in the baseball world here in L.A. and found that there was a severe lack of coaches because volunteer coaching in our communities can look very different than in wealthy communities,” says Whiteman.

“We heard baseball was a really expensive sport so a lot of kids did not play because they could not access the equipment. We heard that field space was a problem and there was a lack of quality

NNPA Newswire

focused on raising her son.

Administration officials signaled that the president would no longer wait on Congress for needed criminal justice reform.

Biden announced a $145 million plan to provide job skills training to federal inmates to help them gain work when they are released.

He added the implementation of new steps to support those re-entering society after incarceration.

Those steps include a new collaboration between the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Labor to provide job training; new grants for workforce development programs; greater opportunities to serve in the federal government; expanded access to capital for people with convictions trying to start a small business; improved reentry services for veterans; and more support for health care, housing, and educational opportunities.

“As I laid out in my comprehensive strategy to reduce gun crime, helping those who served their time return to their families and become contributing members of their communities is one of the most effective ways to reduce recidivism and decrease crime,” Biden remarked.

“While (this) announcement marks important progress, my Administration will continue to review clemency petitions and deliver reforms that advance equity and justice, provide second chances, and enhance the wellbeing and safety of all Americans.”

Dodgers Dreamteam is Rebranded with Renewed Commitment to Underserved Communities he Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) is launching the rebrand of one of their tent-pole programs, Dodgers Dreamteam (formerly Dodgers RBI), with their continued commitment to bring barrier-free sports-based youth development programs— which are typically reserved for the elite— to communities of color across the greater Los Angeles area. The program, which launched nearly a decade ago by giving 2,000 kids in the city of L.A. the opportunity to play baseball and softball, now serves over 12,000 kids in 88 different locations across the region.

LADF C.E.O. Nichol Whiteman, who was responsible for founding the program back in 2013, tells L.A. Focus that Dodgers Dreamteam remains focused on bringing high-quality programming to the kids that is “bigger than baseball” and aims to provide an outlet for holistic selfimprovement.

“We know that our families come to us because they want to play the game of baseball,” says Whiteman. “But also, changing the lives and the trajectory of the youth that we serve is most important to us and giving them access and opportunity so that they can thrive is our mission. We want to have an impact on a child by building self-confidence, giving them the opportunities to grow– it's

STACY M BROWN

KEITH DELAWDER Contributor

baseball fields in the communities that we serve. So we had this long list of the impediments to entry for baseball in our communities and we came to the table and said, if we can be the big partner, the big sponsor, the big supporter, the big advocate, who removes all these barriers to a child playing sports, think about all of the social, emotional learning and just all of the skills they can gain from participating in sports that can help move them in a different direction.”

From the beginning Whiteman and LADF have been very intentional about bringing the game of baseball to black communities who have seen a waning of popularity for the sport in recent years.

“A lot of it has to do with access given the challenges that we found when we were launching Dodgers RBI in the first place,” says Whiteman. “A lot of it has to do with money, with exposure, with-seeing yourself in coaches. A lot has to do with the game historically not looking like it's for us even as you watch it on TV, so a big part of our goals are increasing the percentage of black kids that come out for baseball,” says Whiteman.

“We have done that year over year with both black youth and with girls. We believe that if you can actually put it in front of a community that may not feel like it is for them, then you can change

State Audit Confirms Bias in Five California Police Agencies A report recently released by the California state auditor found that officers in five of the state’s law enforcement agencies–the L.A. Sheriff; the police departments of San Bernardino, San José, and Stockton; and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation–had engaged in biased conduct either during their on-duty interactions with individuals or online through their social media posts.

“What we found is that these five departments have not adequately guarded against biased conduct among their officers,” Acting California State Auditor Michael Tilden stated in a follow up letter to Governor Gavin Newsom.

The report was undertaken to assess their efforts to guard against officers' biased conduct. Among the findings: • They have not used sufficient strategies to achieve diversity in hiring.

• They have not implemented robust community engagement strategies or employee training practices.

• They have not conducted adequate investigations of biased behavior.

The report offered specific recommendations about steps each department could take to better ensure fair and impartial policing services, including screening for bias in applicants, better tracking and identifying instances of bias, and installing more cameras in police facilities.

New Breath Test Detects COVID in Less Than Three Minutes Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of diagnostics and drugs to test and treat it have led a revolution in medical research and a deluge of new therapies in the pipeline. Among them is a breath test that can detect the coronavirus in less than three minutes.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency use authorization for the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer that must be performed by a qualified, trained operator.

“Today’s authorization is yet another example of the rapid innovation occurring with diagnostic tests for COVID19,” said Jeff Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “The FDA continues to support the development of novel COVID-19 tests with the goal of advancing technologies that can help address the current pandemic and better position the U.S. for the next public health emergency.”

The test was found to have 91.2% accurate in the identification of positive test samples and 99.3% accurate in correctly identifying negative samples which is expected to increase testing capacity by approximately 64,000 samples per month.

It will take time for the devices to be produced in mass quantity, but they are projected to hit the market by midsummer.

UpFront Councilman Curren Price Seeks Another Four Years in Majority Latinx District wo-term L.A. City Councilmember Curren Price will be vying for another four years to represent the people of South Los Angeles in District 9 in the June 7 primary election— and despite the recent demographic changes in a district that is 80% Latino, Price is more confident than ever that he is the person who will help bring equity and prosperity to the district.

“I don’t deny that I’ll probably be the last African American city councilperson to represent District 9,” says the 71 yearold Price who has served terms in the State Assembly and Senate along with the Inglewood City Council. “But I’m here now because I have a history of inclusion, collaboration and of meeting the needs of the constituents I represent in the programs I’ve shepherded.

“I've won this election before against Latino challengers, and some better funded than I, but I still prevailed. I think that says something not only about my constituents who are sophisticated enough to be able to distinguish my record of working for their interests, but it also about me and my abilities.”

Price, who chairs the city’s Economic Development Committee along with serving on the Budget, Immigration and Equity and Olympic Planning committees, is poised to continue implementing and executing his progressive agenda of programs and policies that address the unique needs of South L.A. “I’ve been meeting the needs and addressing the issues and concerns of not just Latino but all black and brown folks, and especially those who are underserved,” Price tells L.A. Focus. “I’m certainly the most progressive member of the city council— and when you talk about

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increasing the minimum wage, our “Ban the Box'' social justice measure, supporting street vending, the guaranteed basic income and mobility pilot programs that I’ve worked to support— these progressive programs are a model for not only L.A. but all around the country, folks are following our lead.”

Among some of Price’s proud accomplishments is the city of Los Angeles’ much publicized BIG: LEAP program— which will provide 3,200 Angelenos below the poverty line with $1,000 of guaranteed income for 12 months- started as a pilot program in District 9.

“I started a $6 million universal basic income program in District 9 using money that I helped advocate be cut from the LAPD budget for 500 people struggling with poverty. The mayor liked it so much they made it a city-wide program, so it’s now a $40 million dollar program serving over 3,000 people, and it's the largest program of its kind in the country,” says Price.

Concurrently, Price has teamed up with the L.A. Department of Transportation (LADOT) and L.A. County METRO to launch a revolutionary Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) Pilot in South L.A. which will bring e-bikes, shared EV cars and an on-demand shuttle service along with subsidized transit fares for 2,000 pilot area residents who have historically lacked options for how to get where they need safely.

“For my constituents, mobility is essential to survival, an avenue to opportunities,” said Price. “UBM will serve as a vehicle to ensure that no one is left behind while addressing climate change simultaneously. Transportation is not only the foundation of healthy communities; it

Central African Republic: The Central African Republic made history last month as the first country in Africa—and just the second nation in the world behind El Salvador—to adopt bitcoin as legal tender.

Congo: As the Democratic Republic of the Congo battles its 14th Ebola outbreak since 1976, the World Health Organization has announced a vaccination campaign in the Central African country to halt the deadly disease's spread.

Ethiopia: Ethnic violence continues despite recent peace initiatives and a host of complications mean that the war is likely to continue with high humanitarian and economic costs

L.A. Focus/May 2022

Ghana: Law enforcement agencies in Ghana have been urged to apply the existing laws against tobacco use, particularly against smoking in public places, to stem the harmful and yet rising tide of tobacco abuse.

Kenya: The cost of eggs, tomatoes, cooking oil, onions, vegetables and other food items has caused Kenyans to opt for other sustainable meal options. A surge in the commodity process due to the ongoing Russia/Ukraine crisis continues to hurt the global supply chain.

Malawi: Malawi and Mozambique have launched a power transmission project to help Malawi meet an increasing demand for electricity. Malawi lost 30% of its power generation in January when Tropical Storm Ana destroyed its main power station.

Nigeria: People are taking up arms as criminal gangs have taken advantage of the porous borders of northwest Nigeria to ferry in sophisticated arms and mastermind a roster of criminality that includes cattle rustling, looting and extorting from villages as well as kidnapping for ransom. Nigeria’s security agencies, 8 acutely understaffed because of conflicts elsewhere in the country, are unable to adequately deal with

Contributor

is a human right.”

While Price firmly believes he has his finger on the pulse of what will secure the health and prosperity of his district— with the means to follow through, his path to serving his third and final term in city hall is far from secured.

His challenger, 36 year-old Dulce Vasquez who works as director of strategic partnerships for Arizona State University in Los Angeles, has raised over $200,000 in her bid for the seat. Vasquez, who is a formerly undocumented Mexican immigrant, is making the case that her campaign represents a long-overdue generational shift and her background makes her more in touch with the constituency which is majority Latinx with a large immigrant population— and is a point Price wholeheartedly refutes.

“I’m a product of south L.A. who went to public school in the heart of the district,” says Price. “And before the L.A. city council I represented the same District 9 area in the State Assembly, so I’m not a Johnny-come-lately like my opponent seems to be. I don’t mean to throw shade, but she only just bought a house in the district a year ago and has never voted in the district. How can you represent a district you’ve never voted in?”

Price, who works on the Immigration and Equity Committee in city hall, also boasts that his record on immigration is as strong as any politician in the city.

“Immigration’s a really big deal in my district,” says Price. “We have lots of folks who have come here from Latin America and Mexico, but also some from the Caribbean and Africa. I allocated about 1.2 million dollars to help black and brown groups that are providing assistance with immigration, and legal aid, etc.”

Headlines From Africa Cameroon: The Biden administration announced it will offer Temporary Protected Status to more than 10,000 immigrants from Cameroon in the U.S., protecting them from deportation and allowing them to work legally due to ongoing armed conflict in the African country.

KEITH DELAWDER

For Price, creating honest social equity in South L.A. is what drives his motivation for using his position to bring resources to the area.

“My whole piece is, it’s not about dividing the pot by 15— since there are 15 city council districts. Equity means some districts get more because of the neglect that's occurred over the years, and that's what we always lead with in terms of making sure services are available in my community,” says Price. “Don’t just divide the pot up by fifteen but let's have a conversation about what’s happened over the years in terms of neglect and disinvestment and the opportunities that were not presented to our folks.”

Price is confident that his career worth of work creating a more prosperous South L.A. speaks for itself when voters ultimately decide who will represent them this fall.

States Price, “These are the issues that my constituents are concerned about, so I always want to be sure that I’m an effective advocate on their behalf and I think that’s why I’m going to be reelected for another four year term.”

A look at current news from the continent of Africa the insecurity.

Somalia: Donors pledged US$1.39 billion for humanitarian and development response to the drought in the Horn of Africa that has left more than 15 million people severely food insecure. In the region’s worst drought in 40 years, 1 million people have left their homes due to a lack of water or pasture, and at least 3 million livestock have died.

South Africa: South Africa’s devastating floods— which delivered close to a year’s usual rainfall in 48 hours killing 400 and leaving thousands homeless— is now being blamed by experts on climate change.

South Sudan: A high-level UN delegation listened as women highlighted their daunting experience of gender-based violence, health issues, and the lack of education.

“We are being raped, harassed, we have no livelihoods, no opportunities, girls can’t go to school. Our tears are for peace. This is not the life we chose,” they shared.

Tanzania: Tanzania’s first female president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, oversaw the signing of over $500 million in new investments in Tanzania during her visit to the US last month.

Since taking office last year, Hassan has embraced an ambitious economic development plan, encouraging women-run business, and strengthening health care, including the reversal of her predecessor’s Covid denial and making vaccines available to the public.

Uganda: In an effort to reduce malaria infections by 50% and malaria-related deaths by 75%, the U.S. Agency for International Development and CDC launched the five-year, $38 million PMI Uganda Malaria Reduction Activity. The project will help ensure that Ugandan citizens are not burdened by malaria, a preventable disease that disproportionately affects pregnant women and children under five years of age.

Zambia: The first African nation to default during the pandemic, Zambia —buckling under a debt burden of almost $32 billion—has welcomed China’s pledge to help the nation resolve its debt crisis.

Money Matters California Attorney General Joins Coalition Pushing Back on “Pay to Pay” Mortgage Fees

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ast month, California Attorney General Rob Bonta called on the federal government to outlaw additional fees companies charge homeowners for paying their mortgages.

California is joining 20 other states and the District of Columbia in the effort.

“Some financial service providers charge fees if a consumer decides to use a certain type of payment method, such as making a payment over the telephone, through a website, or through a third-party service,” Bonta and other attorneys general wrote in a letter they co-signed addressed to Rohit Chopra, Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection also signed the letter.

“While these type of “pay to pay” fees are charged by service providers in several different markets, the issues raised by these fees are particularly insidious in the mortgage industry because, unlike most marketplaces, homeowners have no choice in their mortgage servicer,” the letter continued.

When homeowners decide to take out a mortgage, many believe that they are entering into a long-term relationship with a specific financial institution. That is not always the case, according to the California Department of Justice (DOJ).

After origination “many mortgage loans and their servicing rights are sold in secondary markets,” and could be “sold many times over the course of the loan,” the DOJ states.

“This means that homeowners don’t and can’t know who will service their mortgage loan and are therefore unable to avoid ‘pay to pay’ fees by taking their business elsewhere,” The DOJ explained.

Bonta said the problem is critical in California because the state is already facing a housing affordability problem.

“As costs of living continue to rise, the last thing Californians need is mortgage servicers taking advantage of this captive market in order to pad their bottom lines,” Bonta said. “I urge CFPB to put a stop to these abusive junk fees.”

Homeowners and renters in California struggle with

ANTONIO RAY HARVEY CA Black Media

the costs of housing costs and taxes. Additional fees companies tack onto payments increase those burdens on consumers in the Golden State, where only about 31 % of households can afford to buy a median priced home, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

African American homeowners in California potentially face increased costs due to documented discriminatory practices common in the homebuying and selling processes.

Last year, Gov. Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 948 after several reports revealed home appraisers valued homes owned by Blacks and other minorities at much lower prices than ones owned by Whites.

Wells Fargo has come under fire more than once for its discriminatory lending and banking services. According to findings of a Bloomberg News analysis released last month, the global San Francisco-based financial services company rejected 53 % of Black homeowners who applied for refinancing loans during the pandemic in 2020. It only rejected 28 % of White applicants.

The board of the California-Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP met this weekend to discuss Wells Fargo’s record on providing its services to African American customers.

Among the country’s major lenders, Wells Fargo’s gap between Whites and Blacks the company approved for loans was the widest.

According to Zillow’s Consumer Housing Trends Report released last year, Black and other minority renters pay more in application fees and security deposits when renting apartments. They also fill out more rental applications, on average, before finding a place to live than White renters.

The multistate coalition’s letter says, “There is no uniformity in convenience fees among mortgage servicers. Some charge them and some don’t.”

And the charges can add up.

For example, the letter spotlights one servicer that currently charges its borrowers $7.50 to make an online payment or pay via telephone through an automated

On the Money Who’s the Richest of Them All?

W

ith a reported net worth of $6.7 billion, Robert F. Smith repeats as the United States’ richest black man according to Forbes’ 36th annual ranking of the world’s billionaires. Smith–you’ll remember– paid off the entire student loan debt of the Morehouse College graduating class of 396 students in 2019.

But the world’s richest man is double Smith’s net worth. Ranked as the 80th richest person in the world, Aliko Dangote of Nigeria has a net worth of $14 billion.

Dangote built the largest industrial conglomerate in West Africa from a loan he received from his uncle three decades ago while trading in commodities like cement, flour and sugar.

Mike Adanuga, the world’s second-richest Black man, built his $7.3 billion empire from investments in the Nigeria’s telecoms industry and oil.

At $5.8 billion strong, St. Louis businessman David Steward ranks as America’s second richest black man.

Not bad for the Chicago native born in poverty to a homemaker and mechanic. Today, he runs one of St. Louis’ largest private companies.

With $2.6 billion, Oprah was the richest Black American female on the list. New to the list is Rihanna (aka Robin Fenty) who rated as the nation’s richest Black female musician and the second-richest entertainer in the world.

But the $1.7 billion fortune she’s amassed is not from her musical career. Instead, it’s from her beauty brand, Fenty Beauty, which is valued at $2.8 billion. She also owns a skin and lingerie line.

Also making Forbes billionaire list was Kanye West with $2 billion while estranged wife Kim Kardashian made the list with a reported $1.8 billion.

Others on the list include Michael Jordan with $1.7 billion, Tyler Perry with $1 billion and Jay-Z with $1.4 billion. Wife Beyonce–whose net worth was estimated to be $500 million– did not make the list.

Money Matters continued to page 24

Biz News Briefs Ice Cube’s Big3 is celebrating an extension of its broadcast deal with CBS to air the 3×3 basketball league’s 2022 season. The five-year old league–co-founded by the rapper– delivered 1.47 million viewers for its 2021 championship game, setting a new viewership record. The deal will mean 28 hours of live games with coverage of the 12-team competition also being provided by the Paramount+ streaming service.

But that’s not all the league is celebrating. Last month, they pioneered a move to allow fans to purchase an ownership stake in their teams through blockchain technology. The rapper dubbed it as “21st century team ownership” Anyone interested in team ownership will have two options comprised of 1,000 editions –25 Fire priced at $25,000 each,

Ice Cube’s Big3 Celebrates Broadcast Extension

and 975 Gold priced at $5,000 each. Both options include voting rights toward team actions, gameday experiences, and VIP tickets to all games as well as merchandise and memorabilia.

“We’ve created a special bond with our fans…and this is the natural next step,” Ice Cube said. “We want fans to feel even more invested in their favorite squad, more connected to their favorite player, and provide them with the opportunity to grow with us.”

SBA Announces New Equity Plan A new plan from the SBA aims to reduce barriers and disparities for underserved businesses. Key elements of the plan include improving access to capital, removing barriers, and bridging financial gaps through smart tools and resources, re-engineering loan programs such as Community Advantage, and building strong relationships with community leaders such as Community Development Financial Institutions, etc.

The SBA Equity plan will put also put additional backing behind government contracting programs and guide firms seeking self-certification as a Small Disadvantaged Business while also prioritizing outreach efforts to underserved communities through programs such as the American Rescue Plan’s Community Navi-

gators Pilot Program, their Women’s Business Centers, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Field Operations Offices, and thousands of resource partners to provide additional resources for businesses to start, grow, pivot, and navigate challenges presented by the pandemic.

U.S.’ Biggest Banks Urged to Eliminate Overdraft Fees As part of a multistate coalition of attorney generals, California Attorney General Rob Bonta is urging JPMorgan, Bank of America, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo to eliminate overdraft, overdraft protection, and similar fees by this summer.

U.S. consumers paid an estimated $11 billion in overdraft fees in 2019, with the financial burden disproportionately falling on low-income consumers and consumers of color.

“Eliminating overdraft fees is an important step toward a more equitable financial system. These junk fees often pile up, forcing consumers already short on cash to pay an additional $20, $30, or $40 for even a minor transaction,” said Bonta.

Last year, Capital One committed to ending overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees, and in February, Citi Bank announced it would eliminate overdraft fees by this summer.

LISA COLLINS Staff

T

he race for mayor of Los Angeles is getting narrower by the moment and cold cash seems to be the quantifying factor as bil-

lionaire Rick Caruso’s rise in the polls proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that the $22.5 million he’s invested of his own money thus far into his mayoral campaign is paying off big.

One month before the June 7 primary makes it official, this political contest has –to be clear–already become a two-man race, but the unprecedented amount of money Caruso is spending in the advance of the primary signals that he may be trying for a primary knockout. Something, political consultants believe to be highly unlikely.

“Clearly, that’s what he’s going for, but even with 40 percent of eligible voters registering as independent, that’s a very tall order given the way Bass has resonated with voters and with the primary one month away,” said a political insider who with ties to both, opted to remain anonymous.

In the latest poll conducted released last month from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, the real estate developer–and owner of The Grove– has a one percentage point lead over Congresswoman Karen Bass, who has up until now held a commanding lead over the field of candidates including L.A. City Councilmembers Kevin de Leon and Joe Buscaino and L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer.

According to the poll, 24 percent of likely voters supported Caruso and 23 percent supported Bass with thirty-nine percent of voters remaining undecided.

To Bass’ credit, 43 percent of responders held a favorable view of her with just 17 percent having an unfavorable view of her. In comparison, 35 percent had a favorable view of Caruso with 26 percent sharing an unfavorable view of him.

None of the other candidates came close, with the nearest competitor, de Leon, trailing at just 6% and none of the remaining candidates rising above 2%.

Feuer called him a “billionaire mall developer” who “is trying to buy his way to City Hall.”

But Caruso’s rise in the polls is not scaring Bass, who by the way, does not scare easy.

“We have enough experience to know that [money] is just not enough,” Bass points out. “You have people who have spent millions and millions of dollars before and lost. So, the dollars don't scare me.”

It does, however, bother many who are concerned that the mega-rich developer can buy his way in the mayor’s office.

“That’s what you can do when you have a fortune es-

“

He's up on TV this early, because he is worth $4 billion and because he was polling at 6% to 8%. So, he's had to spend close to $20 million just to catch up and I haven't spent a penny. You would've thought with all of that money that he would've trounced me. He's got commercials on every five minutes, but it's interesting that he has spent so much money and the only thing it's bought him is to catch up to me.

”

2022 Mayoral Race Campaign Expenditures (as of April 23) CANDIDATE

CONTRIBUTION

EXPENDITURES

CASH ON HAND

Rick Caruso Ramit Varma Karen Bass Kevin de Leon Joe Buscaino Mike Feuer

$23,071,511 $ 4,190,584 $ 3,040,587 $ 1,807,436 $ 1,318,891 $ 1,186,430

$23,778,243 $ 1,224,096 $ 1,173,111 $ 673,574 $ 919.616 $ 897,560

$ 638,260 $ 2,966,488 $ 2,975,118 $ 1,656,482 $ 407,775 $ 976,324

The amount of money billionaire developer and “The Grove” owner spent to raise his poll numbers well surpassing the combined spending of all the candidates in the mayoral race.

timated at $4.3 billion: Waltz into the campaign at the last minute and beat your message into the heads of voters who didn’t ask to hear it, in the long tradition of mega-rich candidates like Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorina, Mike Bloomberg, Jon Corzine, Donald Trump and Tom Steyer,” wrote L.A. Times columnist Nicholas Goldberg.

“It’s not fair. It’s not democratic,” he continued. “Big money distorts the race and gives special, unmerited advantages to wealthy candidates.”

What Goldberg, however, failed to mention was that with the exception of Trump, it did not work for Whitman, Fiorina, Bloomberg or Steyer.

The concern, however, is real. With advertising being the biggest expense in political campaigns, money matters. In its 2018 study on the impact money has on elections, it concluded that in the majority of cases, the candidate who spends the most money usually wins. But it was quick to point out that this was not always the case. In fact, political scientists have found that money probably wasn’t the deciding factor in who wins a general election.

“People are selfish,” said one political insider. “They vote their interests and Trump’s win was just enough to scare them about the consequences of electing someone who could buy their way into office”.

Given the track record of all she has been able to do from activist and co-founder of the Community Coalition to making history as the first African American female to serve as speaker of the California State Assembly to her 12 years in Congress–including a stint as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Bass has let her accomplishments do the talking. But she has indicated that things are about to heat up and as her opponents will tell you, the 68-year old congresswoman is not one to back down from a good fight and for all of her likeability has exhibited steely nerve when it comes to chutzpah on the political front, whether in

the halls of congress or at a heated debate or townhall.

The kind of bravado that is on full display in her response to Caruso’s rise in popularity.

“You would've thought with all of that money that he would've trounced me. I've not spent a penny on mailings, TV and all that. He's got commercials on every five minutes, but it's interesting that he has spent so much money and the only thing it's bought him is to catch up to me.”

Bass had been the top fundraiser prior to Caruso’s entry to the race in February. None of the candidates have challenged Caruso in terms of commercial airtime and more one month out from the June 7 primary, he’s already invested more than double the amount Mayor Eric Garcetti spent during his entire 2013 campaign.

“In any normal campaign, you're not up on TV this early,” she explains. “People are not focused. Normal campaigns wait until you're a couple of weeks out before the election. You want to begin to reach people when they're going to be receiving the ballots. He's up on TV this early, because he is worth $4 billion and because he was polling at 6% to 8%. So, he's had to spend close to $20 million just to catch up and I haven't spent a penny. You will be seeing commercials from me, [but] not like him.”

What Bass doesn’t have in millions, she makes up for in experience and likeability. It is those two things that have made for past political victories and propelled Bass to where she is, according to those like political strategist Kerman Maddox, who is the owner of Dakota Communications, one of the city’s top public policy firms.

“The reason Karen Bass has been so successful during her political career and is doing so well in the Mayor's race is because of her likability. In addition to being incredibly smart and hard-working, she is well liked by voters and considered to be genuine. Likeabil-

ity is the most coveted attribute in electoral politics, and she has lots of it.”

That likeability is translating into big dollars from donors the likes of Jeffrey Katzenberg, J.J. Abrams, Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel, Samuel Jackson and Magic Johnson, who is featured in one of her upcoming ads.

Not to mention the endorsements of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Senator Cory Booker, the California Legislative Black Caucus, L.A. County Supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Holly Mitchell, Senator Cory Booker, Delores Huerta, She the People, Emily’s List, Congressmembers Ted Lieu, Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, Alan Lowenthal and a host of Democratic clubs and unions.

“What I hope to do is to leverage my years of experience as an activist, as an organizer, I have spent a good part of my life focusing on building coalitions, across race, class, gender, ideology, and geography.,” Bass says. I work well with the Republicans in Congress.

I've learned how to compartmentalize.”

As the polls have shown what will determine the race in the long run will ultimately boil down to the issues.

Issues and regions seem to have been key determinants. Homelessness was the number one issue cited by voters in the poll. Other key issues included crime and public safety where Caruso dominated, housing affordability which put Bass out on top; and education and schools, where once again Bass excelled.

There was a near dead heat on the issue of jobs and the economy.

Bass held the lead on the westside, south L.A. and harbor regions, while Caruso’s strongest support came from the San Fernando Valley. The top two finishers will advance to the November general election and Bass is looking forward to going toe-to-toe with Caruso on a number of issues and coming out on top.

L.A. Focus/May 2022

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HO L LY W OOD SPOT LIGHT Chez Hadley “The Porter“ Inspired by real events, The Porter is a gripping story of empowerment that highlights the moment when railway workers from both Canada and the United States joined together to give birth to the world’s first Black union and helped fuel the civil rights movement.

Set in the 1920s, the hourlong drama follows the journeys of four ambitious souls who hustle, dream, cross borders and confront barriers in the fight for liberation - on and off the railways that crossed North America and has been dubbed “an amazing piece of history”.

The first season, set primarily in Montreal, Chicago and Detroit as the

world rebuilds after the First World War, depicts another battle as it ripples through the Black community in Little Burgundy, Montreal — then known as the “Harlem of the North.”

For the American and Canadian men working as porters, it’s a fight for equity and dignity. For the women in their lives, facing sexism and color-

ism, it’s a battle to claim their independence and identity, and if change isn’t coming for them, they will come for it.

Ronnie Rowe, Jr. (of Star Trek Discovery) stars as the idealistic Zeke Garrett, determined to work within the system to bring about change; his efforts are complicated by his best friend and co-worker Junior Massey (Aml Ameen) who’s using his position as an invisible worker to smuggle whisky from Montreal to Chicago.

Award-winning actress Alfre Woodard serves as executive producer and plays the role of Fay, a brassy brothel owner. The series makes its BET debut on May 5.

OUT THIS MONTH

HOLLYWOOD BUZZ

Doctor Strange/Multiverse of Madness • May 6 BET to Debut Kingdom Business This Month

L.A. Focus/May 2022

Look out May 19 for Yolanda Adams, who is set to break out her acting chops in “Kingdom Business and show the world that there is more to this powerhouse recording artist than her hitmaking vocals. Adams stars–alongside Serayah of “Empire” fame in the hourlong drama series.

She plays the Queen of Gospel Music and First Lady at First Kingdom Church and at the label she runs, Kingdom Records. (There couldn’t be any better casting). While her husband, Calvin Jordan is the Bishop, she runs the show. But the label is in trouble. The answer may be a new powerhouse performer on the Atlanta gospel scene – a young pole dancer, Rbel (Serayah), whose talent and pedigree may bring her closer to God and gold than she ever imagined.

But that’s also where the fireworks begin as Serayal and Adams characters battle for supremacy. The show–whose producers include DeVon Franklin and Kirk

12

The Ravine May 6

Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers May 20

Top Gun: Maverick May 27

Franklin–features Tamar Braxton, La’Miya Good, Michael Jai White and Michael Beach.

to bring the world more comedians, experiences, and stories with humor and heart.”

Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Secures $100 Million Investment

NeNe Leakes Slams Bravo with Lawsuit

Kevin Hart is building a comedy empire with his Hartbeat Productions which recently secured a $100 million investment from a private equity firm.

The company will use its new funding to augment existing brands and franchises and create new properties capable of connecting with global audiences. The company already has a wide range of projects set up at a host of digital platforms, streaming services and networks, and also has a wide and avid social media following.

“The creation of Hartbeat and our capital raise with Abry represent a new era in comedy,” Hart said. “This all started out with a mission to keep the world laughing together and I’m so proud our teams have delivered on that, putting in the hard work to build the most innovative and inclusive comedic storytelling company.

“In an industry that loves to say no and close doors, I’ve been bullish about forging our own path and using our success to open doors for others,” he continued. “I can’t wait

Former Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes has hit the Bravo network with a lawsuit alleging a hostile and racist work environment. The suit claimed that Bravo fostered a corporate and workplace culture in which racially-insensitive and inappropriate behavior is tolerated – if not, encouraged. Among the lawsuits claims were that in 2012, castmate Kim ZolciakBiermann allegedly used the N-word to refer to Leakes and other housewives after a dispute. She also allegedly implied that Leakes used drugs and called her home a “roach nest.”

Also that Zolciak-Biermann allegedly made “racially offensive and stereotypical” comments about the new home of housewife Kandi Burruss.

The lawsuit alleges that Leakes’ complaints of racism led in part to her being forced off the show in 2020 before its 13th season. Defendants in the suit include executive producer Andy Cohen…In other reality show news, Season 10 of “Basketball Wives” is set to debut on May 16. Returning are veteran cast members Jackie, Malaysia, Jennifer along with Brandi, Angel, Duffey, Brooke and Brittish…Those not returning include Evelyn Lozada and Tami Roman. Roman has signed on with VH1 to host “Unfaithful: Caught in the Act”, a six part series that will explore the subject of infidelity through the point of view of the person who learns they aren’t the only one in their significant other’s life.

Footnotes Tracee Ellis Ross Hometown: Los Angeles Age: 49 Big Break: “Girlfriends” Recent Projects: Black-ish Tracee Ellis Ross–whose Mom is superstar Diana Ross–made her acting debut in 1996. A year later, she debuted as host of Lifetime’s reality show, The Dish, but it was with the lead role in the hit UPN series “Girlfriends”, that Ross experienced a career breakthrough. The show aired from 2000-2008. A string of film and TV roles followed before being cast in the groundbreaking “Black-ish” in 2014, leading to mainstream success. The series finale aired last month. Here are some of her thoughts.

On the show’s impact on television?

I think that our show started a golden Renaissance in television. We really transformed what was happening on television and gave the industry permission and an understanding that a black family–a family that doesn't just happen to be Black, but is Black and outwardly Black–can be universal and identifiable for everybody. And that we could tell stories that were uniquely our own and needed to be shared.

On if the show was created to entertain Black people or to educate white people on how Black people live: This show is made to tell the truth about our lives.

Who watched it and who was interested in it is sort of what happens. Sometimes that's marketing, sometimes that's the channel that's on. It was an expansion of our humanity and I think a lot of people who are not in that experience are very interested having a better, more expansive understanding of a culture that they might not know. I also think it's a universal show about a family and people identified across the board.

On what initially drew her to the show: One of the things that originally drew me was the fact that Beau Johnson was not just the wife. I have no interest in playing a reflection of my husband. I was interested in being a full woman. We are moms, we are wives... we are not wives, we are friends, we are daughters, we are all these different things. We have jobs and juggle all those things.

Beau Johnson was a reflection of that.

The perimenopause story came out of what's happening in my life…the growing pains of this beautiful age. The postpartum episode obviously was something I've never experienced. I actually think that was one of my favorite things that we explored.

You got to see the generational shift of how Ruby's generation was not given the safety, the space to actually understand and have compassion for that very real experience of postpartum depression.

On working together as a cast: We had a ball at work. Some of that was an amazing cast that got along naturally, but after eight years that's something that doesn't happen. Anthony and I had eight years together, not a single fight. That is a testament to a whole bunch of grownups working together who respect what they do and also have a humility about the opportunity we were given.

RedCarpet Style

H.E.R. red carpet look from Dundas was inspired by Aretha Franklin

CYNTHIA ERIVO stunned in this silver Louis Vuitton gown

The stars seemed to go for broke in their red carpet looks at the Grammy Awards, which —for the first time—were held on the glittering Las Vegas Strip.

TIFFANY HADDISH TINASHE went old school glamour sparkled in this shimmering gold Prada gown in this pink Coperni gown

MEGAN THEE STALLION was a showstopper in this Roberto Cavalli animal print

Eye On Gospel Marvin Sapp Life Story Headed to TV One Filming is officially underway for a biopic on the life of gospel icon Marvin Sapp. The film–exec produced by Sapp–is on track for an August 21 release on TV One. Chaz Lamar Shepherd (“Marvel’s Luke Cage” “The Game”) has been cast in the starring role of Sapp. Ambre Anderson (“Power Book II” “Manifest Evil”) will portray Sapp’s late wife, MaLinda Sapp.

“It is an honor to tell Marvin Sapp’s life story,” said TV One’s Executive Producer Jason Ryan. “His vast contributions to gospel and American music are undeniable. We know this film will resonate with our viewers.”

The Marvin Sapp biopic–titled “Never Would Have Made It”–chronicles the recording artist and preacher’s Michigan upbringing, battle against teen alcohol abuse, love for MaLinda Prince, rise in the music industry and growth in his faith.

Sapp came into prominence more than 30 years ago as a member of Commissioned and is widely known for his award-winning, chartt o p p i n g crossover hit “Never Would Have Made It.” Currently, he is an author, radio show host

and senior pastor of The Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Dallas and pastor emeritus of Lighthouse Full Life Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan — the church he founded with his late wife.

Gospel’s Best and Brightest Last month in Nashville, BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) celebrated the best and brightest in gospel music at the 2022 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards. BMI’s Gospel Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year and the top 20 songs of the previous year were all honored. BMI’s Gospel Songwriter of the Year was a four-way tie between Aaron Lindsey, J Drew Sheard II, Kierra Sheard and Jeshua “TedyP” Williams.

GRAMMY, Dove and Stellar Award-winning songwriter, Aaron Lindsey was honored for two chart-topping songs, “It Belongs to Me,” co-written and performed by Juan and Lisa Winans (feat. Marvin Winans) and “Thank You for It All,” co-written by Jarmone E. Davis and Marvin Sapp. J Drew and Kierra Sheard were honored for cowriting “His Love” and “It Keeps Happening,” which marked Kierra’s “first #1 single at Gospel radio as a solo artist and her third #1 overall on the Gospel Airplay chart,” as quoted from The Christian Beat. This also marks the first time that siblings have received this honor at a Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards ceremony. GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter/producer Jeshua “TedyP” Williams was honored for his work on “Hold Me Close” and for co-writing “Trouble Won’t Last” with Keyondra Lockett, who won her first BMI award for the hit single.

BMI’s Gospel Song of the Year was “Speak to Me,” cowritten by Troy Taylor and featuring samples from Donnie McClurkin’s 1996 single “Speak to My Heart.” The hit single, performed by Koryn Hawthorne, spent 41 weeks on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Chart. This was McClurkin’s fifth BMI Gospel Award, and Taylor added his first BMI Gospel Award to his collection of honors,

which includes three BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards.

Unstoppable CeCe Winans is simply unstoppable. The multiple award-winning singer recently added three more Grammys to her collection: Best Gospel Performance/Song “Never Lost”; Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song; “Believe For It” and Best Gospel Album.

“To God be the glory! This is amazing. Thank you to everyone who played and sang on this album. All the songs are just amazing. I am so humbled to win three more Grammys”, Winans said.

The 15 time Grammy winner teamed up with brother BeBe, for a special VERZUZ TV performance on Easter Sunday. The sibling musical battle featured Mary Mary vs. BeBe & CeCe Winans for a night of celebration and appreciation of dynamic contemporary gospel music.

Family Matters The gospel community is sending up prayers for Kirk Franklin, whose estranged son, Kerrion, is being held without bond after being arrested in Los Angeles. Kerrion–a cast member on the Zeus Network reality TV show Bad Boys: Los Angeles was arrested after being pulled over by police in a car that belonged to a woman who is missing and presumed dead.

“Things have just been happening around me. Feeling like I’m being set up, feeling like people are trying to catch me doing wrong,” Kerrion told Atlanta talk show host Larry Reid on his self-titled show. “After I was already booked in jail, they’re trying to put extra gun charges on me. Over the past year, I’ve had multiple vehicles like, I’m a producer, filmmaker, like, I just love entertainment, but it comes with a lot.”

He maintains that the woman sold him the car and believes that she is alive. Meanwhile, his father, Kirk Franklin, has made no comments on the 34-year old’s arrest.

L.A. Focus/May 2022

17

Through theStorm “Chart Topping Music Producer Defeats Past Thug Life”

T

L.A. Focus/May 2022

hroughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the name Demetrius “Meech” Shipp, Sr. appeared in the credits as writer, arranger, and producer on some of Hip Hop, R&B and New Jack Swing’s biggest music. He was a collaborating force with music sensation Teddy Riley, to co-produce Bobby Brown’s selftitled album “Bobby”. As an inhouse producer at Death Row Records, he worked on Makaveli’s “The Don Killuminati” project. Too many credits to mention, Meech (as he prefers to be called) has a discography loaded with familiar song titles that make soul music lovers say, “Oh yeah, that was my jam!”

From Tupac to Snoop to Soulja Boy and even Troop, Meech is very well known among several music camps for his creative influence behind the studio mixing board. He earned much respect as a composer on the movie soundtrack “Juice” (1992). He also earned props for the song “Toss It Up” (1996) by Makaveli featuring Danny Boy, Aaron Hall, K-Ci & JoJo, and “That's the Way Love Is” (1993) by Bobby Brown.

As with anyone’s well-lit story of success, Meech, 52, also has a dark side to his story. The native of Carson, California was raised a preacher’s kid in a two-parent home and the eldest boy of four siblings. With a natural affinity for playing bass guitar, drums, and organ in church, this gifted virtuoso was a victim of childhood bullying.

When most school students are worrying about if they’ll pass the next math test or finish a book report on time, Meech was fretting for his life every day just passing through the hallways It was in his elementary school when he remembers getting a drink from the water fountain and for no reason was attacked by fellow

18

school aged bullies who had already begun to affiliate with gangs.

“I got jumped out of nowhere,” Meech recounts. “One moment I was sipping water and the next I was seeing stars.”

Convinced no one had his back but himself, Meech became a gun owner at the innocent age of thirteen. He admits to stealing the weapon from a car in the church parking lot that was owned by an older aged deacon of his parent’s church.

“I vowed that day that the bullying, the running, and being scared was over,” said Meech who had been in more fights than he could ever count as a child. “That gun was my pass to go anywhere and be comfortable. I was not running anymore, and nobody was taking anything from me — the days of being thrown around and

punched on were done.”

With his defiant new attitude and sense of security came an onslaught of poor choices that offered no positive results for the young victim turned gang leader. “I had to become a man overnight,” Meech surmised. “I was beating kids in the head with padlocks in high school. Plus, I had to teach my friends how to not be afraid.”

In the height of the 1980’s crack epidemic—that swept through predominantly black neighborhoods in the U.S. resulting in tougher crime policies—Meech drifted deeper into the streets. He became a powerful influencer among thugs, so much so he employed more than sixty teens on any given weekend to make crack runs to addicts in the hood. “I had kids who were able to make more money than adults,” he boasts.

Although Meech was still a minor living at home, he was in demand as a dedicated member of the Crips.

Unlike most of his counterparts, he survived some of the biggest Crips-Bloods wars of his time in inner city Los Angeles.

“Keep in mind, I am playing for the church every Sunday... The hymns and the music that everyone was shouting and celebrating to. Yet I am on the organ broken on the inside as a kid,” offers Meech who is a father of four. “I had no self-love and had already purposed that I would die as a teenager. So, I wanted to make sure that my presence was known before I got out of here.”

By age 16, Meech was serving a four-and-a-halfyear sentence in a juvenile secure youth camp. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and discharging firearms into a crowd. He was released early, and back on the streets by age 18—serving just enough

GERALD BELL Contributor

time to make him rethink what got him incarcerated and to determine it wasn’t worth repeating.

While on lockdown Meech was required to attend chapel services regularly. There, his piano skills were discovered and showcased. He leveraged his talents to negotiate with the chaplain to have recording equipment brought to the facility so that he and some fellow inmates could record music. One of his peer’s had a father who worked close to the music industry and connected them to R&B legend Ray Parker Jr. Within one year of his release, Meech found himself in a business meeting that landed him full access to the studios at Solar Records, the label responsible for such artists as BabyFace and LA, Howard Hewitt and Shalamar, Atlantic Starr, Klymaxx and serval other R&B groups.

“I was in the studio every day,” said Meech. “I was seeing the Whispers, Dick Griffey, and even Suge Knight who was doing security. They would walk by me and speak, but nobody knew why this kid was there every day.”

At age 19, Meech signed his first management contract with legendary entertainment guru Wes Crocket.

Around this time, he and Suge Knight were both being groomed for the music industry under the mentorship of Griffey, Crockett, Clarence Avant, and others. The relationship with Knight, Meech describes, “he was the big brother I always wanted.”

Now a fulltime music industry professional, Meech admits to becoming too comfortable in the settings his position earned him. He believed it was a safe place to rehabilitate from the trappings of thug life. Sadly, that was not always true. At music industry events and parties, he witnessed violent fights where some left their enemies for dead. He also encountered more rival

“

I vowed that day that the bullying, the running, and being scared was over. That gun was my pass to go anywhere and be comfortable. I was not running anymore, and nobody was taking anything from me – the days of being thrown around and punched on were done.”

gang activity between those he worked with — a few of

whom held celebrity status. Still, Meech persevered doing what he loved most, and was fortunate to maneuver his way around the business to work on gospel music projects with Kirk Franklin, Donny McClurkin, the Gospel Gangstaz and Trin-I-Tee 5:7.

“The scripture that I am living today is that your gifts will make room for you,” quotes Meech from Proverbs 18:16. “Everybody that I have been fortunate to come across who made positive deposits in me, they make who I am now almost seem like a dream. I beat so many odds being a troubled youth, and even when I would leave home going to that building (at Death Row Records) I had one purpose, to make it back home — because everybody in there was a target.”

With a greater sense of maturity and focus and a cleared rap sheet, Meech is now mentoring youth and helping them avoid destructive pitfalls. He takes young people under his wing to empower them with positive direction, affirmations, and inspiring messages.

“Don’t expect people to know who you are, you have to show them,” Meech advises his mentees. “It’s the responsibility that comes with your talent and gifts. You have been given something and you have to manage it.

You have to be the CEO of your life.”

Borrowing from his own advice, Meech’s story of success has expanded to include being the CEO of a branding agency Push the Line and launching a new men’s cologne Sboy by Draco.

“What drives me today is the honor of those who went before me and those who are coming after me,” says Meech, whose son Demetrius Shipp, Jr., was cast as Tupac Shakur in the biopic film "All Eyez On Me" (2017). “I am for the good of people in our community and for the children. We owe them so much and there is nobody stopping us from doing what’s right.”

ChurchNews Bishop Charles Blake Makes Public His Parkinson’s Diagnosis

Agape Church of Los Angeles Worship Center: Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center 4305 Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008 Corprate Office: 4602 Crenshaw Blvd, Suite 2A, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 295-5571 www.agapela.org Bishop Craig A. Worsham, Founder & Senior Pastor Sunday School: 10:00am

Elder Charles and Diandra Blake, Bishop Charles and Lady Mae Blake

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recent revelation from Bishop Charles Blake of West Angeles Church of God in Christ brought to an end speculation about the state of his health. Towards the end of the April 24 Sunday service, Blake announced that for the past ten years he had been battling Parkinson’s Disease.

“As the Senior Pastor of West Angeles Church, I have led and served this great church daily for more than 53 years. However, most recently I am acutely aware that my Parkinson’s diagnosis is impacting my physical stature, and vocal strength. With this in mind, I want to share a few thoughts, with you, my West Angeles Family and my Community,” Blake shared an official statement released a day later.

“Many individuals with Parkinson’s continue to live long, satisfying lives. I will continue to serve my congregation just as I have before my announcement. I will continue to preach the Gospel, rotating as I have with my sons, Co-Pastor Charles E. Blake II and Young Adult Pastor Lawrence C. Blake, and the clergy of West Angeles Church.

“Lady Mae, and our children have been steadfast in supporting me during this time,” he continued. “Although it is obvious that I do not move as fast as I used to, I am still very much excited about the work of God and the future of West Angeles.”

First Lady Mae Blake offered her thanks for the prayers and the love they have been shown.

“I’m just so happy that Bishop Blake is still here for us to love on, and learn from,” she added. “I praise God that He’s not done with West Angeles or Bishop, and that God has more work for us to do.”

In November, Blake announced the elevation of his son, Elder Charles Blake II, to co-pastor of the megaministry. Bishop Blake announced that the appointment— a joint collaboration between Bishop Blake, Jurisdictional Bishop Joe Louis Ealy, and the West Angeles Board of Directors would play a critical role in helping to guide the future of West Angeles in the 21st century as the church completes several monumental projects, including its Family Life Center, which is under construction.

L.A. Focus/April 2022

Pastor Shep Partners with Councilman Curren Price to Commemorate 1992 Gang Truce With the goal of commemorating the 1992 Gang Truce–which brought 9 well-known Los Angeles rival gang members together in “South Park” to declare peace–and in an effort to decrease violence, Pastor Shep Crawford of the Experience Christian Ministries (ECM) partnered with 9th District Councilman Curren Price Jr., last month to present “Remembering the 1992 Gang Truce”.

The event, held April 30 at South Park, honored the 9 originators/peacemakers who initiated the truce and also raised awareness to other peacemakers who have joined the ranks over the years. Over 500 attendees took in the awards ceremony while also en-

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Morning Worship: 11:00am joying refreshments, activities for kids and community resources. In solidarity for the event, more than 40 Loving, Lifting & Liberating Humanity Through The Word pastors from the eastside of Los Angeles attended in a Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of South L.A. show of support.

10905 S. Compton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90059 "We will take this opportunity to encourage and em- (323) 566.5286 Pastor Alvin Stafford Jr. power as we continue to push for peace. It is our goal Sunday School: 9:30am to turn this moment into a movement of community Morning Worship: 10:30am builders all-over South-Central LA.," says Pastor Shep Book by Book Bible Study (Wed.): 6:30pm Crawford.

Sunday service broadcast on Facebook live Pastor Shep, known for his work in the community Sunday school and Book by Book Bible Study and specifically with local gangs has been hosting services are conducted on Zoom weekly empowerment meetings and peace talks at his For more information, visit www.bethelsola.com church with the goal of helping to restore the gang truce, as well as providing opportunities and resources Bethesda Temple Apostolic Faith by building trusting alliances between the residents, 4909 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043 gangs, and the faith-based community. Attending the (323) 299-2591 • thevoice4904@att.net meetings have been reputable gang members both Pastor Kyron S. Shorter men & women from the Avalon Gangster Crips, Blood Sunday Morning Prayer: 9:00am Stone Villains, Broadway Gangster Crips, East Coast Sunday School: 9:30am Crips, Pueblos Bishop Bloods, 43 Gangster Crips, the Morning Worship: 11:00am Kitchen Crips, Swan Bloods, and Rollin 30s Crips.

Children’s Church: 11:00am Crawford gained national recognition as the pastor Sunday Evening Service: 6:00pm that eulogized the late rapper Nipsey Hussle. Since then, Pastor Shep has become a trusted ally and peacemaker amongst the gang culture. H Brookins-Kirkland Community AME Church Ever since moving the church from Compton to the 3719 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043 gang embattled South Los Angeles neighborhood, Pas- (323) 296-5610 • www.bkcamechurchla.org Rev. Mary S. Minor, DMin,Pastor tor Shep has had his boots on the ground working Worship virtually: Facebook Live at throughout the community with council members, resBrookins-KirklandCommunity AME Church idents, and rival gang members to promote peace and For prayer: Call or email to be added to the unity, provide resources, feed the homeless and perprayer list forming scheduled community clean-ups to help reBible Study Thursdays: 6pm Via Zoom store pride to the neighborhood. call or email office:bkcamechurchla@gmail.com

The Baptist Minister’s Conference Receives A $75,000 Grant from Councilman Curren Price

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

The Baptist Minister’s Conference of Southern California was among the nearly 100 groups in District 9 that were awarded grants from L.A. City Councilmember Curren Price.

Said Price, “The grants will serve as a vehicle for the expansion of crucial services and programs for our most vulnerable neighbors."

“We’re grateful that Curren Price has invested in several faith based organizations throughout his district. The money is designed to benefit families and residents in District 9 and we’re excited to be part of this effort and for the investment in the Baptist Minister’s Conference. This grant reflects the viable partnership between civic government and the faith community to increase services to the residents we serve.”

Other faith organizations receiving grants included Greater New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Love, Peace, and Happiness Christian Fellowship Mt. Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church, Walker Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Wesley UMC Rakestraw Memorial Community Educational Center.

In other local news, upwards of $40,000 was raised last month at the Compassion Service held last month for Mt. Tabor Pastor Ticey Brown to help cover the medical fees Brown is facing as he battles kidney disease and awaits a transplant.

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

Crenshaw Christian Center 7901 South Vermont, Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 758-3777 • F: (323)565-4231 • www.faithdome.org Pastor Frederick K. Price, Jr. Sunday Service: 9:45am Bible Study (Tue): 11:00am & 7:30pm Tue. Night Children’s Ministry: 7:30pm Tue. Night Bible Study (Teens): 7:30pm Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (Wed): 7:30pm Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship 2085 S. Hobart Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 Phone: (323) 731-8869 • F: (323) 731-0851 www.christianfellowshipla.org Pastor James K. McKnight Sunday LiveStream: 10:00am (facebook.com/christianfellowshipla) Sunday Conference Call: 10:00am (310-372-7549 / code: 342408) Tue/Thurs Morning Word & Prayer: 7:00am Wed. Bible Study w/ Elder Stephen Brown (701-802-5001 / code: 825252#

God’s Faithful Disciple of Jesus Christ/ Prayer Clinic & Deliverance Ministry P.O. Box 561368, Los Angeles, CA 90056 (323) 293-7566 • www.gfdjc.org •gfdjc@att.net Dr.Ruby I. Cottle, Ph.D., Pastor/Teacher Services every Friday: 7:00pm We meeet at: St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 3901 W. Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, Ca 90018 Watch Dr. Cottle on HBN TV Wed’s 7:30am Channel 886 Dish,Smart TV Local Channel 35.2 Listen to Dr. Cottle Sundays on KJLH at 5:30am

Grant AME Church 10435 S. Central Avenue • Los Angeles, CA 90002 (323) 564-1151 • F: (323) 564-5027

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1300 E. 50th Street Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 235-2103 • Rev. Joshua Daniels, Pastor Morning Worship: 10am (In Service and Online Live Stream Worship) Sunday School: 8:45am Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm www.mtzionla.org

FIRST LADY FILES

Rev. Dr. J. Arthur Rumph, Pastor

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

Holman United Methodist Church 3320 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 703-5868 • www.holmanumc.com Email: holman@holmanumc.com Rev. Dr. Ken Walden, Senior Pastor Sunday Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday Radio: KJLH 102.3FM at 11am Sunday School: 9:30am (Children/Youth) & 9:45am (Adults) Bible Study: Every Thursday @ Noon We Gather,Grow,Go and Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ Macedonia LA 1751 East 114th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059 (323) 569-9561 • www.macedonia-la-org Senior Pastor Shane B. Scott Sunday Worship Service: 7:30am|10:00am Live MondayBible Study: 7:00pm (Log-in to Zoom Meeting ID: 377-818-648 or Dial In: 346-248-7799)

McCarty Memorial Christian Church 4103 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 731-4131 • www.mccartychurch.org Senior Pastor Edward Anderson Sunday Worship: 10:45am Bible Study: Tues @12:30pm/Wed @6pm Zoom Call: (605) 472-5454 Access:188857 Online Stream Live: Sundays@10:45am to www.mccartychurch.org Give: Text 77977 Instagram@mccartyconnect Mount Moriah Baptist Church of Los Angeles, Inc. 4269 South Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323) 846-1950 •Fax: (323) 846-1964 Rev. Johnteris Tate-Pastor Sunday Church School: 8:00am Worship Service: 9:15am Baptist Training Union: 7:00am Tues. Bible Study/Prayer: Noon & 7:00pm

Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church 3669 W. 54th St. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 291-1121 F: (323) 291-1133 • office@sinai.church • www.sinai.church George E. Hurtt, Pastor-Teacher Sunday Worship: 8am,10am,Noon Tuesday Night in the Truth: 7:15pm Radio: KKLA 99.5 FM (Sun): 6:00pm All services stream live on our website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.

During the pandemic, pre-registration is requested to attend in-person services.

Contributor

Myesha Chaney

Reappointed to Grant AME Church Los Angeles Rev. Dr. James A. Rumph

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

KAREN A. BROWN

Antioch Church of Long Beach

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licensed and ordained minister, Myesha Chaney shares the ministry duties at Antioch Church of Long Beach, with her husband, Wayne Chaney and under their leadership, the congregation has grown to 2,500 people. She was featured along with her husband on Oxygen’s “Preachers of L.A.” With worship at her core, Chaney ministers both in song and word. The Long Beach native is an accomplished gospel recording artist and worship leader, having shared her music ministry locally, nationally and even in Israel and New Zealand.

Myesha is in charge of “all things women” at Antioch. One of her most gratifying projects is her “Hiding Behind the Lipstick” workshops, created to encourage women to take off the masks they show the world and awaken who they really are. “The sessions create an opportunity to share, and they really open up. It’s powerful,” she says.

“I have redefined the traditional role of First Lady by bending it to complement my natural wiring and talents rather than allowing the preconceived expectations to change me. I am a forward-thinking, business-minded person. I like to lead and follow,” she continues. “I enjoy singing, speaking, and executing events. I want to do whatever God is leading me to do in a particular season. I enjoy evolving and being my best self in whatever I do. I am Myesha who happens to be married to a senior pastor and that is the difference for me.”

The devoted wife and mother of three hopes to have a new record out this year. She is also planning an upcoming “Hiding Behind the Lipstick” popup. For more on both, follow her on Instagram @myeshachaney.

New Antioch Church of God in Christ 7826 So. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 778-7965 • www.newantiochcogic.org Superintendent Jeffrey M. Lewis Sunday Early Worship: 8am Sunday Morning Worship: 11am Sunday School: 9:30am Tuesday Bible Study: 11am Wednesday In The Word: 7pm All services streamed: Facebook and YouTube @New Antioch Church God InHouse ChristChurch ONE LAofPotter’s 614 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 (818) 763-4521 • hello@one.online Pastor Touré and Sarah Roberts The ONE Experience Online: Sundays: 7A |9A |11A |1P |6P Thursdays: 5P |8P (PST) @toureroberts @sarahjakesroberts @one.online ONE.ONLINE

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

Phillips Temple CME Church 973 East 43rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 233-4783 Rev. Dr. Darrell Wesley, Pastor Sunday Worship: 10am Bible Study: Wednesdays at Noon Online: Facebook.com/ PhillipsTempleCME.LosAngeles

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

Trinity Baptist Church 2040 W. Jefferson Blvd., L.A., CA 90018 • (323) 735-0044 F: (323) 735-0219• trinitybaptistchurchofla.org Rev. Alvin Tunstill, Jr Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 am YouTube: tv.trinitybaptist.cloud Sunday Radio Broadcast KJLH-FM: 9am Wed. Night Virtual Bible Study: 7pm (Log into zoom.us,click“join in a meeting” enter meeting ID: 480-271-5449.

Or call 1-699-900-6833; give zoom ID Sign-in at 6:55pmrchofla.org

Weller Street Baptist Church 129 S. Gless St, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 261-0949 • F: (323)264-6601 • www.wellerstreetlive.com Pastor K.W. Tulloss Sunday School: 8:00am Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00am Tues. Bible Study: 6:45pm www.wellerstreetlive.com

West Angeles Church of God In Christ 3600 W. Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 733-8300 • www.westa.org Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:30pm Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., Senior Pastor Charles E. Blake II Co-Pastor Sunday Service: 10:00am Sunday Radio Broadcast: KJLH 102.3 FM: 10:00am 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) Service Time: 10:45 Virtual Worship: Youtube Greater Zion Church Family 2408 North Wilmington Avenue, Compton, CA 90222 (310) 639-5535 • (Tues - Thurs 10am -4pm) Dr. Michael J. Fisher, Senior Pastor Sunday Worship: 9:00am Online Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00pm FB: GreaterZionChurchFamily IG: GZCFamily www.gzcfamily.com

Holy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church In Compton 1016 E. Rosecrans Avenue, Compton, CA 90220 (310) 537-3149 • F: (310) 537-3149 Rev. Dr. George L. Thomas Sunday School: 9:45am & 10:15am Early Morning Worship: 7:30am Mid-Morning Worship: 11:15am New Members’ Class: 9:45am Communion (1st Sunday): 7:30 & 11:15am Mid-Week Prayer & Bible Study (Wed)- 7pm Broadcast (KALI 900AM - Sunday): 2pm3:00pm Love and Unity Christian Fellowship 1840 S. Wilmington Ave, Compton 90220 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5449, Compton, CA 90224 Apostle Ronald C. Hill, Sr. Founder and Pastor Live Stream Sunday Worship:10am/6:30pm Live Stream Bible Studies: Wed 7:30am & 9:00am Live Stream Prayer w /Apostle Hill: Fri: 9:00am Food For Your Soul TV Ministry Impact Televison Network: Mon-Fri PST 6:30am The Word Network EVERY FRIDAY @ 12:30pm The City of Refuge 14527 S. San Pedro Street, Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 516-1433 Bishop Noel Jones

In Gardena

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

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

Center of Hope LA 9550 Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305 #centerofhope•#cohla•Info@GO2HOPE.com Give: Text COHLA to (833) 246-7144 Pastor Geremy L. Dixon Service Times: 8:00am & 10:00am Watch Via: Facebook|YouTube|Live Stream Closer To People...Closer To God! www.GO2Hope.com

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

Blessed Family Covenant Church 325 North Hillcrest Blvd, Inglewood, CA, 90301 (310)-674-0303 • F: (310)-674-0303 Pastor Wendy Howlett Sunday Morning Worship & Word: 9:30am Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study: 7:00pm View Sunday Worship: www.youtube.com (Under Blessed Family Covenant Church) www.blessedfamilycovenant.org

Faithful Central Bible Church 333 W. Florence Ave. Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-8000 • F: (310) 330-8035 Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, Ph.D. Senior Pastor/Teacher Sunday Services: 7am, 9:30am & 11:45am Wed. Mid-Week Service: 7pm The Tabernacle is located at 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave., Inglewood www.faithfulcentral.com

Jacob’s Ladder Community Fellowship, inc.

1152 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90302 (866) 330-1702 • F: (310) 674-0760 Watchman/Shepherd Dr. Robert T. Douglas Sr. Sunday Fresh Start & Prayer 9:00am Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Services: 11:45am Evening Service: 7:00pm Wed. Lock & Load Prayer: 7:00pm Wed. Bible Study: 7:30pm 3rd Friday Youth Night: 7:30pm www.jacobladderschurch.com

Pastor Profile: Ryan Small Church: Greater New Jerusalem Baptist Church How Long at church: Six years Hometown: Los Angeles Family: Wife Bridgette, four children Tell me about your path to ministry…

Ministry has been a part of my entire life from a kid, not necessarily preaching, but music, singing in the choir and ministry. There’s just never been a time I've not known church. I knew I was going to be called into the ministry at some point, I just didn't know when it was going to happen and when it did happen, I ran from it for many years.

Why? Some of my other friends at church had been called into the ministry and I knew what their life was like as teens and I just wanted to do teenage things. So, I figured if I didn't talk to God about it, if I didn't pray about it, He couldn't hold me to it. I purposely did not pray for a long time specifically about going into the ministry because I didn't want to hear what God had to say.

What framed your thinking about being a pastor?

Growing up in church, I knew the dedication and the devotion of pastoral leadership. At the same time, it was like you can't beat God. If He wants you to do something, you're going to do it.

What was the turning point for you?

God just wouldn't leave me alone. He kept sending people towards me.

Opportunities kept coming.

Speaking engagements kept coming.

I knew it was God. Everything I did in

church wasn't enough for me. He just kept on tugging at my heart.

How did you get to Greater Jerusalem?

The first pastor, Lewis White, retired at the end of 2016 after 54 years and I went in on January 1, 2017. So, in September of 2016, I was the youth pastor at True Friendship with Dr. James Perkins, and my wife got a call from the chairman of the board at Greater New Jerusalem wanting me to call him. I called him and he says, ‘Are you able to preach for us on the second Sunday of September?’

It just so happened I was out of town and I told him I wasn’t available. And he says, “Well, can you preach another Sunday in September?” I said, ‘Sure, but what's this for?’ He says, ‘We just want you to come preach.’

That didn’t really sit well with me and I eventually called the guy back and he said, ‘someone recommended you to be a candidate for pastor and we want to hear you preach. We'd also love for you to put in an application.’

This is part of God not leaving me alone, so I put my application in the first week of October and December 16th, they had a vote and I was voted in. Ironically, I grew up seven blocks away from that church, but knew nothing about them.

What condition did Pastor White leave the church in?

They had and still have a very rich legacy–an active of congregation of 100 congregants. There's probably another 400 or 500 people over the last five years I’ve met who still say that I'm a member of Greater New Jerusalem. So, there was a very solid foundation for me to build on.

Seems it’s been relatively smooth sailing for you?

I've had a really great life. I spent 32 years in law enforcement and just retired from my nine to five as a police lieutenant with Manhattan Beach Police Department. Now I'm a full-time pastor. I've got a wonderful wife, I've got adult children who have graduated from college and a 15-year-old in high school. We're blessed.

In law enforcement, you must have seen a lot of things that would leave most a little jaded?

Yeah. I've seen and lived both sides. That's another part of ministry. Again, even before accepting my calling to ministry, I was pastoring people and I'm talking about an affluent community in Manhattan Beach with people

that didn't look like me. People in the community would come up to me and say, ‘Hey, where's your church. I want to come to your church.’ At the time, I didn't have a church, but people were uplifted by the things I did or had to say.

How did they know you were in ministry–were you witnessing to folks as you arrested them?

When the opportunity came up–and it was appropriate to do so–I didn’t stray from it.

Can you think of one example where you did and what happened as a result of it?

Yeah. So, I was also a crisis and hostage negotiator, and in one incident there was a young lady who was going to commit suicide and jump off of the train bridge. I was trying to figure out a way to reach her emotionally and she said something that opened the window. She said, ‘Everybody's mad at me. My parents are mad at me. My friends are mad at me. God is mad at me.’

She created that opening and it became appropriate for me to minister to her. She did not jump.

So, you were known as the preacher around the station?

As much as I thought a lot of the officers and supervisors would shy away from me, I found that they would come to me more for those spiritual things. They’d say, ‘Will you pray for my mother? Pray for my father. Will you officiate a wedding?’ I eventually became the department chaplain as well.

What are your plans for Greater New Jerusalem?

I did not walk in with a five-year plan. I had to figure that out real quick and in one of my first leadership meetings, I said this is going to be our statement: ‘We're the Greater New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church and we are a church doing it God's way.’ How are we going to do that? Well, we have to be a biblically-based church fellowship. We've got to believe that faith, if we're trying to get other people to see that, we've got to believe it first.

How has the church served the community?

This church is very much community oriented. They had a pastor for 54 years who loved the community, and the community loved him. So, we fed the community as best as we can through COVID. People come for prayer, for clothing and people within the community will look out for me just because of the church I serve.

Pastor continued to page 24

From the Pulpit: Mt. Sinai Baptist Church

(Guest Preacher George Parks Jr.)

“Thank You For Being a Friend”—Philippines 2:19-30

T

hank you for being a friend.

Traveled down a road and back again. Your heart is true; you're a pal and a confidant.

And if you threw a party,invited everyone you knew, Well, you would see the biggest gift would be from me, and the card attached would say...

Thank you for being a friend.

Those are the words of Andrew Gold now immortalized as the opening theme song for The Golden Girls sitcom. The show depicted a group of ladies exiled because of sexism and ageism, yet they managed to find profound partnership among each other. The lyrics–coupled with melody– describe Paul’s sentiments in our text today.

There is a question I want to raise for your consideration. What would have become of Paul’s ministry absent of gospel partnership?

We lift Paul up as a model leader for the church. We study Paul’s theological concepts. We attempt to read his missives to his churches producing paradigms for church ministry and discipline.

However, too often, we read and admire Paul as a lone figure. I contend we need to take a closer look to see who stood with and behind Paul.

The church at Philippi would not have been nurtured or reached its potential absent of Pastor Paul’s friends. Living life in isolation, increases our anxiety and prevents us from experiencing genuine community. The question is, in this hyper-individualistic, competitive ministry landscape and save a little for me culture, who is your friend? Not your mere colleague or your professional connection for increased notoriety or pseudo manager.

A friend comes to your aid, sees you at worst, but knows and believes in your potential. When we study people of espe-

cially our culture, we come from a tradition of divine partnership. We are the beneficiaries of character shaping partnerships.

Gardner Taylor had Vernon Jordan.

Martin Luther King Jr. had Wyatt Tee Walker. Aretha Frankin had James Cleveland. A friend understands your past, believes in your future, but accepts you for who you are right now.

English scholar John Donne was right: “No Man is an Island unto himself.”

Friendship is indeed “medicine for the soul.”

This text is different from Paul’s typical correspondence. Paul is not correcting behavior nor addressing congregational disruption. Paul is nearly eight hundred miles from the church he organized in Philippi sitting under guard awaiting trial.

While giving his hopeful itinerary he offers us to take a look at his two friends, Timothy and Epaphroditus. They are stellar examples of Philippians 1:27, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Timothy and Epaphroditus were gospel partners who offered Paul joy when the outcome of his life was uncertain. We, too, find ourselves like Paul– jailed by our circumstances, incarcerated by our own inconsistencies and detained by life’s difficulties…in need of relationship when life is unpleasantly real.

Paul had a larger-than-life mission. He was serious about this church’s sustained growth. Paul did

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

Antioch Church of Long Beach 350 Pine Ave. ,Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 591-8778 •www.antiochlb.com Senior Pastor Wayne Chaney, Jr.

In Long Beach

Online Services Stream live: Sun 10:00am at antiochlb.com Give: text antiochib to 77977 Social Media: facebook.com/antiochlb instagram.com/antiochlb youtube.com/antiochlongbeach Christ Second Baptist Church 1471 Martin Luther King, Jr., Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-3421 • Fax: (562) 599-6175 • www.csbclb.org Rev. Welton Pleasant II, Senior Pastor Sunday School: 8:30am Sunday Worship Service: 9:40am Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm Wed Youth & Young Adult Ministry: 7pm

not conflate the expansion of the church with his ego. Paul did not allow his limitations to be imposed on the church.

What a reminder for us never to allow any project, organization or our families suffer because of our limitations. Paul refuses to be a stumbling block and as a result of his desire not to bring the church down to his level, Paul invited Timothy to come alongside to ensure the ministry would continue. Paul glaringly speaks of Timothy, saying there was no one close to him like Timothy. Paul highlights Timothy as one who will care, and the first element of the genuine relationship is caring for others.

Timothy was known for caring in such a significant manner that he would put his thoughts and desires behind. We should note these are not words of introduction, instead these are words of proven testimony about Timothy.

What makes life and ministry endurable is when you have someone walking with you who’s not afraid of you succeeding and desires to be an intricate part of your success without being in a starring role. Stardom, self-aggrandizement and competition is a deadly virus to partnerships. Develop relationships where competition is not allowed but complimenting is the norm.

Timothy was young, but he was fully connected to the cause of Christ. The danger is you can't trust a person to be loyal to you if they have no authentic loyalty to Christ.

Paul adds another element beyond Timothy’s trusted selflessness.

Timothy displayed unapologeticsubmission, describing Timothy’s obedience with proud paternal

Pastor Quentin T. Oden

Grant AME Church of Long Beach 1129 Alamitos Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 • (562) 437-1567 grantamelb@aol.com • www.grantamelb.org Rev. Dr. Michael W. Eagle, Sr. Sunday Worship: 10:45am Wednesday Food Bank: 9:00am-Noon Mothers of Murdered Youth/Children: Thurs by Appt.; (B.U.S) Blankets, Underware, Shoes: Thursdays Facebook Live•YouTube•Free Conf Call

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

In Lynwood

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

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speech. He says he’s been a good son.

So, Timothy was an exceptional protege who graduated to being an essential partner–present at critical junctures in Paul’s ministry. Timothy was with Paul in Philippi. Timothy was with Paul when he wrote at least five of his correspondences to churches. Anytime Paul needed someone to report what was going on in one of his churches or stand in on his behalf, he could count on Timothy.

There will be times we will need intel and someone to go for us, and everyone can’t be trusted with such a task.

One of the most excellent references for friendship is how loyal one has been to another. When a person has submitted to someone else, you can trust that they will stand with you. For those who have learned submission, supporting others comes more naturally.

As we move up the levels of success navigating life and becoming more acquainted with one another, I challenge us to move from the surface to the more substantive. Move beyond the favorite designer, how much money you make… who's your Boo. Maybe we should ask one another who are your friends, who did you serve or who have you been standing with lately.

I recall the story of a little girl who stayed out longer than she was supposed to. When she arrived home her mother was infuriated and asked where have you been all that time. The little girl said one of her friends had broken her doll and she stopped to help her fix it. The mother responded, ‘How could you spend all that time fixing a doll?’

The little girl says, ‘I couldn’t’t fix the doll, so I sat down and helped her cry.’

Even in those times we can't change circumstances, misfortune or erase the pressure, we can simply be there. When we see beyond ourselves, we can meet the

Continued to page 24

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

Money Matters continued from page 9 service. If consumers want to speak to a live operator to make their payment, they will be charged $17.50.

Based out of New Jersey, the mortgage company that provides this service calls the process “SpeedPay,” which is one of the “one-time payment options” that a borrower may use to make his or her monthly mortgage payment, as stated on the company’s website.

Bonta agrees, adding that the payments are “one example of junk fees charged to consumers in a multitude of financial products and services” offered by some banks, credit card companies, pre-paid debit card providers and others.

“For struggling homeowners trying to make their monthly mortgage payment, ‘pay to pay’ fees only rub salt in the wound,” said the California Attorney General.

Pastor continued from page 22 Are you satisfied with the way things are going?

I'm satisfied because we haven't slowed down even though the physical doors were closed for a while. I have been able to bring some things to a congregation that they had never done before. For instance, even though they videotaped a lot of their services, there was no internet. They didn't believe in people reading the Bible from their phone or app, or kids coming in there with phones and tablets. I had to help to adjust the culture to a 21st century perspective that would reach more people. Now we're on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

What is your biggest challenge today in doing ministry?

Getting out of God’s way. Just listening to him and doing what He tells me to do. Knowing it's not about me, but about me being faithful to what He wants me to do.

Dodgers continued from page 7 that, but the offering has to exist— and that's our intention, especially as it relates to the black community.”

“We're certifying coaches to be able to not only coach kids with baseball and softball, but mentor them and be there for them, given what they may be going back home to,” says Whitman.

Whitman says LADF’s commitment to bringing base-

ball to underserved communities is only a jumping off point for bringing families in and helping them gain access to all the resources their partners provide.

“Once people dive deeper, they gain a better sense of all of the offerings that we can assist with, like education resources— whether that's financial literacy, college access and success literacy. When we're talking about health and wellness, we're talking about dental vision and health screenings with our partners, as well as fitness and nutrition clinics. We're talking about mental health. We have a parent workshop series, and so we're very adamant about parents.”

For more details, visit www.mlb.com/dodgers/community/foundation/impact/dreamteam.

Sermon continued from page 23 needs of others.

In verses 25-30, Paul commends to the Philippians his companion Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus is one of the lesser known personalities of the New Testament. A Gentile, with no religious royal blood line, he was the trusted carrier of the gift to Paul on behalf of the First Church at Philippi.

Paul describes Epaphroditus in glowing terms: brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. Paul informs the church that Epaphroditus will soon come to them.

Epaphroditus had become ill–precisely what the illness we don’t know. We do know Bro E was so sick he almost kissed death and only recovered by divine grace.

A closer reading is he stayed alive only because God had a hand in the matter. Paul shares a more vulnerable side and says if he had died, he would have sorrow that would be almost unbearable.

Epaphroditus was a friend because he brought gifts, but more impressively he risked his life while performing a good deed.

It is easy to come to someone's rescue when it is convenient. It is something weightier and more significant when your own life has been placed in jeopardy.

Paul speaks of Epaphroditus tenderly because he knows he’s the real deal. There’s nothing like having a companion that has been touched by pain. It’s one thing to have success on top of success. It’s something else to

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shake hands with pain, dance with despair and travel with tears. Pain is a certificate of well-rounded life. Gold does not reach its strongest levels until it has been through fire.

We spend all of our lives and Christian experiences in search of success stories, however actual ministry effectiveness is often learned in painful moments. C. S. Lewis said, "God whispers to us in pleasures, but he shouts to us in pain.”

A friend who has been touched by pain will have sensitivity to your struggle.

Epaphroditus understood his assignment. He was aware that when he assisted Paul, he was equally promoting Christ. What if more people viewed the Christian life through helping and going above talking and praying?

Even the most excellent bodybuilders know they need a spotter when they are lifting. Well, we all need spiritual spotters that will see the weight we are attempting to carry and come to help us raise it to levels never imagined.

We all need friends that know how to help carry the weight of life. Let me take time for personal testimony.

When I survey 24 years of attempting to preach and 13 years trying to shepherd, I don't know what would have become of my ministry if it wasn't for gospel partnerships I have had–friends who were faithful and true. I have had my share of frustrations, ups, downs and profound missteps, but I stand where I stand, and you stand where you stand because of the rich soil of character shaping friendships.

Jesus had friends. He climbed the Mount of Transfiguration with James and John. He architected the church with Peter. He relied on John to take care of his mother. He hosted dinner parties with Mary and Martha, and he had deep conversations With Lazarus.

When life is uncertain and it seems like you have no immediate help, remember Jesus is indeed a friend.

And oh, what a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. Oh, what peace we often forfeit. Oh, what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

InGoodTaste

Short Rib Pie

Ingredients: 2 teaspoons curry powder paste

Chef Spotlight Chef J.J. Johnson

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L.A. Focus/ May 2022

25

SavingGrace Harry Lennix

W

L.A. Focus/May 2022

hile many folks on Broadway and in Hollywood worked long and hard in search of their big break, actor Harry Lennix who currently stars on NBC’s The Blacklist, says acting as a profession came searching for him.

Remembered by moviegoers for his breakout role as Terrence "Dresser" Williams in the Robert Townsend film, The Five Heartbeats (1991), Lennix’s trajectory in film and television has held to a gradual and steady rise, and he credits dedication to his race, his faith, and the courage to say “no" for sustaining a near 40year acting career.

“I had every intention of becoming a priest,” say Lennix of his childhood dreams. “I even had ambitions to become the Pope.”

Performing on stage began at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary—a school for young men considering the priesthood—where Lennix got involved in plays because he felt, “I was doing something that came more or less natural to me.”

When a couple of professional actors saw him in a live school production, they approached him afterwards with affirming compliments and encouraged him to give the performing arts serious consideration.

“I didn’t see myself as doing anything all that special,” Lennix describes of his teen acting abilities. “I had a precocious talent. I kept getting parts in productions and people thought I was good at it.”

Lennix, who studied acting at Northwestern University, found it increasingly easy to get cast in various productions on campus. Almost overnight, he landed his first role on the silver screen playing an inmate in Bad Boys (1983) which starred Sean Penn. Since then, the acting gigs have continued to filter in.

From Spike Lee’s Get on the Bus (1996) to the award-winning Ray (2004), Lennix’s cinematic works are further accentuated by a comparable platform in television.

Over the years, he has played well in primetime line ups that include ER, The Practice, Judging Amy, among many hit shows.

Added to that, Lennix earned respect on the sitcom side of TV with roles i n

26

All the glitter and the glam and all the things that could sidetrack me have always been a concern. If I had relaxed my code (of conduct) just a little I would probably have been further along (towards the A-list). There is an Islam saying, ‘The devil lies in the straight path... ”

“

The Parent 'Hood, Girlfriends, as well as Living Single.

“I’ve said no a lot in my career to roles that if I’d said yes to, I’d be on the A-list by now,” said Lennix to which he laughs, “I’m still trying to get to the B-list!”

A Chicago native who has witnessed and lived through many of the struggles and misconceptions that come with being African American, Lennix is meticulous about how his onscreen and onstage work represents the Black race.

“I tend not to [accept roles] that are unilateral and only show one side or are more stereotypical,” he says.

“Unless there is some dimension that I can add to it or help the conversation around how did we (African Americans) wind up in the condition that we are in and what can we do to improve that condition? The extent to which I have control is dedicated to that cause.”

Having control of a career where heavy industry politics and temptation exist are some of the challenges Lennix admits he’s had to face from the outset of his profession. He sees the unwritten rules and codes that could lead to a defining or detrimental moment if he were not careful.

“There’s a lot of distractions out here,” says the husband of one wife (Djena Nichole Graves) since 2009.

“All the glitter and the glam and all the things that could sidetrack me have always been a concern. If I had relaxed my code (of conduct) just a little I would probably have been further along (towards the A-list).

There is an Islam saying, ‘The devil lies in the straight path’. Trying to walk that path you run into the typical trials and temptations, but thus far I am pretty happy and satisfied that most of the time I’ve made the right choice.”

Some of those choices are not always popular, but Lennix argues when it comes to values such as family and faith, he has drawn a very sacred line. The youngest of four siblings, Lennix prioritizes and relishes time with family, both immediate and extended. In fact, he says they are some of the biggest cheerleaders of his work even in the tough times.

“My wife will tell you there were times when it was touch and go, when we lived paycheck to paycheck or when there was no paycheck,” Lennix reflects. “She has been very patient and a great partner all along.”

Although confirmed and rooted in the Catholic faith, Lennix is a devoted member of the Church of God in Christ. He credits Pastor Jeffery Martin Lewis of New Antioch COGIC in LA for supporting his spiritual growth and maturity. “He’s a great

person to talk to and to keep me focused, and I am grateful for that,” says Lennix who had a divine encounter that persuaded him to gravitate to the COGIC expression.

“Even if I did [no professional acting], my faith in God would be sufficient and that is a great comfort to me,” he reasons. “I get a lot of push back from people who are closest to me. They know I need critical constructive engagement. In those moments I just remember the lessons and teachings of Christ.”

Lennix took his faith expression to the silver screen to produce and star in Revival (2018). He describes the film—based on the book of John—as “a love letter to Jesus using black gospel music.” With a major cast featuring Michelle Williams, Chaka Kahn, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Kenny Lattimore, Dawnn Lewis, and more, Lennix says this project that makes him very proud.

“We accomplished what took every dime I had and then some,” reports Lennix. “I went into great debt to do it. I think Gospel music is the most vibrant sacred music in the whole world. Music that I didn’t know existed as a boy because I grew up as a Catholic singing really corny-church-rock-songs.”

Offscreen, Lennix is equally passionate about the plight and experience of African Americans. He has taken personal interests in causes that he hopes will improve the wellbeing of the people in a community that’s suffered being overlooked and underserved.

In partnership with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), Lennix has committed to serving as a celebrity ambassador to lend his voice to encourage men to know their prostate numbers and their risks. With one in six black men affected by prostate cancer and is the second leading cause of death among cancers, he urges men to take proactive measures to protect their health. “We need our men to be alive and healthy,” stresses Lennix. “We need their loved ones to tell them that their life is important, and they should be out here living productively for as long as possible. I’ve known people who have dealt with this and if we can make it better then we should.”

Another cause Lennix has taken on is back in his hometown. The Lillian Marcie Center for the Performing Arts—an effort local press calls the ‘Black version of Lincoln Center’—is a more than $80 million project slated to be an African American Museum of Performing Arts and a theater. Located on Chicago’s South side, the Center is designed to aid in the renaissance of the Bronzeville community and was recently granted $26 million in capital funding from the State of Illinois.

“I am just trying to synthesize stuff that was already there, and it worked,” explains Lennix of Chicago’s rich performing arts history. “I want to be a part of the team that preserves the places for people to go and see the culture that they created.”

Now in his ninth season as Harold Cooper, Assistant Director of Counter Terrorism for the FBI on The Blacklist, Lennix is humbled by the stable work and could boast of future opportunities headed his way. He contends however, “My real prize is something deeper than money or fame. But I want to be part of the fabric that will help to improve the lives of my people to live more richer, expressive, and more deeper lives.”